34th  CoNORFAS,  }  SENATE. 

1st  Sessimi.      \ 


i  Ex.  Doc. 
I  No.  96. 


STATISTICAL  REPORT 


SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY 


ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


COMPILED   FROM 


THE  RECORDS    OF  THE  SURGEON  GENERALS  OFFICE; 


BUBRACINn 


A  PERIOD  OF  SIXTEEN  YEARS, 
FROM  JANUARY,  1839,  TO  JANUARY.  1855, 


PREPARED   UNDER  THE   DIRECTION   OF 

BREVET  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  THOMAS  LAWSON, 

SUBGKON'    nEXERAI.    UXITKD   STATE"    AT!MY. 
BY 

KK'HAKD   H.  GOOLIDGE.   M .   D.. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON   l'.    S.    ARMV. 


WASHINGTON: 

A.    0.    P.    NICHOLSON.    PRINTER. 

185G. 


In  Senate  of  the  United  States, 

Auf/ust  5,  lSo6. 
Resolval,  That  there  be  printed  the  usual  number,  and  also  five  thousand  extra  copies  of  the  rejiort  of  tlie  Secretary  of 
War,  communicating  a  copy  of  the   "Statistieal  Report  on  the  Mortality  and  fSicltness  in  the  United  States  Army,"  lifteen 
hundred  copies  of  wliich  shall  he  for  tliu  use  of  the  Medical  Department  of  the  array. 

Attest;  ASBUKY  DKKINS, 

Secretary. 


REPORT 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR, 


IN    COltPLIAXCE    WITH 


A  resolution  of  the  Senate^  calling  for  a  copy  of  the  Statistical  Report  on  the  Mortality 

and  Sickness  in  the  United  States  Army. 


War  Department, 

WasMmjton,  July  28,  1856. 
Sir  :  In  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  the  Senate  of  the  16th  instant,  I  have  the  honor 
herewith  to  transmit  a  communication  from  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  army,  accompanied  hy 
"  a  copy  of  a  Statistical  Report  on  the  Sickness  and  Mortality  of  the  Array  of  the  United  States." 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JEFF'N  DAVIS, 

Secretary  of  War. 
Hon.  J.  D.  BrKtHT, 

Premdent  of  the  Senate, 


Scrgeon  General's  Office, 

July  26,  1856. 
Sir  :  A  Statistical  Report  on  the  Sickness  and  Mortality  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  for 
a  period  of  twenty  years,  from  January,  1819,  to  January,  1839,  embracing  the  medical  topogra- 
phy of  the  several  military  posts,  and  information  respecting  all  those  agencies  which  may 
^  have  influenced  the  health  of  the  troops,  was  prepared  and  published  under  my  direction  in 
v  1840.     It  was  my  intention  to  have  similar  reports  compiled  from  time  to  time,  but  circum- 
\  stances  beyond  my  control  have  delayed  the  fulfilment  of  that  design. 
^       With  this  purpose  in  view,  I  addressed  the  following  circular  to  the  medical  officers  : 

<l 

"Surgeon  General's  Office, 

»^  "  J^jri7  30,  1852. 

■^  "Sir:  It  is  contemplated  to  draw  up  a  statistical  report  on  the  'sickness  and  mortality 
^  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,'  in  continuation  of  the  publication  issued  from  this  office  in 
,-   1840. 

■-  "You  are  therefore  requested,  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  paragraph  51,  Medical 
^  Regulations,  1850,  to  prepare  a  paper  on  the  medical  topography  of.  the  post  at  which  you  are 
"^  stationed.     You  will  describe  the  geographical  position  of  the  post,  the  physical  aspect  of  the 


6350^2 


4  RErOET   OF   THE   SECRETARY   OF   WAR. 

surrounding  country;  the  geological  formations;  its  flora ;  its  fauna,  (the  animals,  trees,  and 
plants  belonging  to  it;)  the  characteristics  of  climate;  the  nature  and  causes  of  the  diseases 
jirevailing  at  the  jiost  and  its  vicinity,  and  how  far  these  diseases  can  he  traced  to  general  and 
local  causes;  how  far  to  habits  and  modes  of  life,  to  water,  diet,  &c.,  &c. 

"  In  this  connexion,  you  are  also  requested  to  collect  together  as  many  facts  as  possible  con- 
cerning the  vital  statistics  of  tlie  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  of  your  post,  particularly  of  the 
Indian  tribes;  giving  a  brief  but  clear  account  of  their  several  diseases,  &c.,  &c.,  embracing 
every  matter  of  information  calculated  to  prove  useful  or  interesting  to  the  department  and  the 
medical  world. 

"  From  the  retained  copies  of  the  sick  reports,  you  will  draw  up  the  necessary  tabular 
statements  to  elucidate  the  subject,  and  give  the  results  in  a  condensed  form.  As  it  isproi^osed 
to  publish  each  individual  essay  under  the  name  of  the  gentleman  who  draws  it  up,  all  facts, 
statements,  and  conclusions  will  rest  upon  the  responsibility  of  the  officer  making  the  report. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"TH.  LAWSON, 
''Surgeon  General." 

The  replies  to  this  circular  form  a  prominent  leature  in  the  statistical  report  herewith  sub- 
mitted^ which  presents  the  principal  facts  connected  with  the  health  of  the  troops  for  a  period 
of  sixteen  years,  from  January,  183'.),  to  January,  1855. 

The  duty  of  compiling  this  report  from  the  records  of  this  office  was  intrusted  to  Assistant 
Surgeon  Richard  H.  Coolidge,  United  States  army,  to  whose  letter,  herewith  transmitted,  you 
are  respectfully  referred  for  more  particular  information  respecting  the  general  arrangement 
and  details  ol'  the  work. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

TH.  LAWSON, 

Surgeon  General. 
lion.  Jeff.  Davis,  Secretary  of  War. 


Surgeon  General's  Office, 

July  25,  1856. 

Sir  :  In  entering  upon  the  duty  of  preparing  a  Statistical  Eeport  on  the  Sickness  and  Mortality 
in  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  in  continuation  of  the  one  prejiared  under  your  direction  by 
Assistant  Surgeon  Samuel  Forry,  and  published  in  1840,  1  proceeded,  in  obedience  to  your  in- 
structions, to  examine  all  the  records  pertaining  to  the  subject,  with  the  view  of  arranging  the 
whole  in  one  general  system.  An  extended  examination  of  the  original  reports  led  to  the  con- 
clusion that,  although  it  was  possible  to  exhibit  with  accuracy  the  entire  amount  of  sickness 
and  mortality,  except  for  a  portion  of  the  time  when  the  United  States  was  at  war  witli  Mexico, 
the  utility  of  such  statistics  would  not  be  commensurate  with  tlie  very  great  amount  of  labor 
necessary  to  their  compilation. 

During  the  sixteen  years  embraced  in  this  report,  the  army  has  liad  but  three  years'  exemp- 
tion from  field  operations  and  actual  hostilities.  The  war  with  the  Seminole  Indians  in  Flori- 
da continued  until  the  summer  of  1842 ;  in  1846  war  was  declared  with  Mexico,  and  the  forces 
of  the  United  States  were  not  witlidrawn  from  tliat  country  until  July,  1848.  Since  that  time 
the  greater  portion  of  the  army  has  been  almost  constantly  eiuployed  in  long  and  fatiguing 
marches,  incident  to  the  establishment  and  occupation  of  military  posts  in  the  newly  acquired 
territories,  and  to  the  protection  of  a  greatly  extended  frontier.     Not  a  year,  and,  indued,  rarely 


REPORT   OF   THE   SECRETARY   OF   WAR.  O 

a  montli  has  passed,  in  which  a  part  of  the  army  has  not  been  engaged  in  hostilities  with  some 
of  the  numerous  and  warlike  Indian  tribes  who  roam  over  the  great  interior  plains,  or  occupy 
the  Pacific  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

In  order  to  make  the  records  of  this  ofBce  practically  useful  to  the  physician  in  civil  life,  and 
to  render  them  subservient  to  the  elucidation  of  the  effects  of  climate  in  the  causation  and  devel- 
opment of  disease,  it  was  necessary  not  only  to  present  the  vital  statistics  of  the  army  in  peace 
separate  from  those  in  war,  but  also  to  arrange  the  former  in  such  manner  as  to  render  their 
comparison  with  the  statistics  of  civil  communities  as  free  from  objection  as  possible. 

For  this  purpose,  the  statistics  of  troops  on  marches,  or  while  engaged  in  warlike  operations, 
have  been  excluded  from  the  first  division  of  this  report ;  so  that  it  presents  as  nearly  as  possi- 
ble the  diseases  incident  to  soldiers  in  garrison,  which  must  in  a  very  great  degree  partake  of 
the  general  characteristics  of  diseases  affecting  persons  in  civil  life.  It  lias  not,  however,  been 
practicable  to  exclude  those  diseases  which  may  have  been  contracted  during  a  temporary  tour 
of  field  service,  but  which  were  either  developed  at,  or  reported  from,  a  permanent  post ;  nor 
should  it  be  concealed  that  diseases  so  contracted  affect  to  a  considerable  degree  all  the  statis- 
tics, but  more  particularly  those  of  the  stations  on  the  Gulf  coast  of  Florida,  and  on  the 
Indian  frontiers. 

The  general  plan  adopted  in  the  report  above  referred  to — that  of  considering  the  statistical 
and  topographical  details  of  the  military  posts  in  geographical  divisions  and  subdivisions, 
having  similar  climatological  features — has  been  followed;  but  instead  of  presenting  the  di.s- 
eases  of  each  post  in  a  distinct  abstract,  it  has  been  determined  to  consolidate  the  diseases  of 
the  several  posts  in  each  subdivision  or  region  into  one  general  abstract  for  that  region. 

Tliose  abstracts  have  been  compiled  from  the  original  "reports  of  sick  and  wounded,"  which 
the  medical  ofiicers  are  required  to  transmit  to  this  ofBce  on  the  31st  of  March,  30th  of  June, 
30th  of  September,  and  31st  of  December,  annually.  The  arrangement  of  those  reports  in  the 
classification  and  nomenclature  of  diseases  is  similar  to  that  of  the  "  Sanitary  Eeport"  of  the 
British  army ;  and  as  uniformity  adds  value  to  statistics,  I  have  not  hesitated  to  adopt  such  of 
the  forms  used  in  the  admirable  "Statistical  Eeports  on  the  Sickness,  Mortality,  and  Inva- 
liding" in  that  army,  as  the  difference  in  the  nature  of  the  two  services  and  the  general  plan  of 
this  report  permitted. 

The  elaborate  medico-topographical  reports  which  liave  l)een  made  in  reply  to  your  circular 
of  April  30,  1852,  are  presented  as  written,  and  are  duly  credited  to  their  respective  authors. 
The  only  changes  whicli  have  been  made  are  those  incident  to  editorial  supervision,  and  tlie 
omission  of  certain  tables  which  were  rendered  unnecessary  by  a  change  in  the  mode  of  pre- 
senting the  statistics,  adopted  subsequent  to  the  issue  of  the  circular.  The  brief  topographical 
descriptions,  for  which  credit  is  given  in  a  less  distinctive  form,  are  transcribed  from  the  reports 
of  sick  and  wounded ;  and  those  for  wliich  no  credit  is  given,  have  been  compiled  from  the  ob- 
servations of  several  medical  ofiicers.  In  the  few  instances  in  whicli  no  more  recent  information 
conhl  be  obtained,  the  topograpliy  has  been  copied  from  the  statistical  report  published  in  1840. 
Tlie  medical  officers  are  designated  by  the  rank  wliich  they  held  at  the  time  their  respective 
reports  were  written. 

In  connexion  with  tlie  report  on  vital  statistics,  a  portion  of  tlie  annual  summaries  of  obser- 
vations on  the  winds  and  weather,  and  tlie  consolidated  temperature  and  rain  tables,  from  the 
Army  Meteorological  Pegister,  recently  prepared  by  me  under  your  direction, 'are  respectfully 
submitted  ;  and  it  is  also  suggested  that  the  outline  map,  used  for  the  illustration  of  that  work, 
accompany  tlii.s  report,  as  it  gives  the  true  position  of  the  military  posts. 


6  REPORT    OF    THE    SECRETARY    OF    WAR, 

The  tifcoiid  division  ol'tliis  rciuirt  is  devoted  to  tl:e  consideration  of  the  vitul  statistics  of  the 
war  with  Mexico.  Brief  and  imperfect  as  are  the  results  there  exhibited,  they  liave  been  ob- 
tained only  by  long-continued  and  patient  investigation.  For  tliis  portion  of  tlie  report,  and 
also  for  the  statistics  resjiceting  the  recniitiiig  service,  I  have  to  acknowledge  my  indebtedness 
to  the  labors  of  my  predecessor,  Assistant  Surgeon  Alexander  S.  Wotherspoon,  who  was  en- 
gaged in  the  compilation  of  thoso  statistics  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

I  Iiavo  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHD.  H.  COOLIDGE, 

Assistant  Surgeon  U,  S.  Army. 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Th.  Lawson, 

Surf/em  General  U.  S.  Army. 


STATISTICAL  REPORT 


SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


For  the  purposea  of  this  Eejiort,  the  military  posts  of  the  United  States  have  heen  arranged 
in  the  following  geographical  divisions :  the  Northern  Division,  includes  that  portion  of  the 
United  States  which  lies  north  of  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude,  and  east  of  the  Kocky  Mount- 
ains; the  Middle  Division,  that  portion  lying  between  the  thirty-fifth  and  fortieth  parallels 
of  latitude ;  the  Southern  Division,  that  between  the  thirtieth  and  thirty-fifth  degrees  of  lati- 
tude. In  addition  to  these,  are  the  Divisions  of  Florida,  Texas,  New  Mexico,  California,  and  of 
Oregon  and  Washington  Territories. 

These  principal  divisions  have  been  subdivided  into  regions,  each  distinguished  by  peculiar 
local  or  climatological  features. 


NOETHERN  DIVISION. 


NORTH  ATLANTIC  EEGION— COAST  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  military  stations  included  in  this  region  are  six  in  number,  extending  from  Eastport, 
Maine,  to  New  London,  Connecticut. 

FORT  SULLIVAN. 

Fort  Sullivan,  the  most  northern  military  post  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  is  situated  on  a  rocky 
eminence  on  Moose  Island,  Passamaquoddy  Bay,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  town  of  East- 
port,  Maine.  The  island  is  about  four  miles  long  and  two  wide,  having  a  rocky  and  sterile 
soil.  Owing  to  its  situation,  and  its  proximity  to  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  the  climate  is  damp,  and 
fogs  are  frequent  in  the  earlier  summer  months.  The  winters  are  cold,  and,  in  this  season,  the 
thermal  variations  are  often  sudden ;  yet,  more  extreme  cold  is  felt  in  the  interior,  on  the  main 
land,  than  on  the  island. 

The  quarters  are  of  frame-work,  to  accommodate  one  company.  The  hospital,  also  of  frame- 
work, is  two  stories  high,  with  a  portico  to  each  story  fronting  the  south.  The  dispensary, 
store-rooms,  kitchen,  and  steward's  and  matron's  quarters  are  on  the  ground  floor.  The 
wards,  two  in  number,  are  on  the  second  story,  and  accommodate  twenty  patients. 

FORT  PREBLE. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  northern  extremity  of  Cape  Elizabeth,  called  Spring  Point,  from 
a  remarkable  spring  at  the  base  of  the  wall  of  the  fort,  a  little  above  high-water  mark.  The 
land  at  the  west  of  the  fort  rises  to  the  height  of  fifteen  or  twenty  feet;  on  the  south,  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  distant,  on  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  cape,  is  the  Portland  Head  light.  There 
is  no  stagnant  water,  or  anything  to  render  the  post  unhealthy,  unless  the  chill  north  wind 
from  the  bay  may  have  some  eiFect  in  checking  cutaneous  action,  or  bringing  on  diarrhoea, 
coughs,  and  rheumatic  affections,  which  seem  to  be  the  prevailing  complaints. 

FORT  CONSTITUTION. 

This  fort  is  located  on  a  peninsula  which  forms  the  most  eastern  point  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire,  washed  on  the  south  by  the  Atlantic,  and  on  the  north  by  the  Piscataqua  river. 
It  is  at  the  entrance  to  the  inner  harbor  of  Portsmouth,  between  two  and  three  miles  from  that 
town.  The  country  adjacent  is  uneven  and  rocky.  Some  fresh  and  some  salt  marshes  are 
found  on  Great  Island,  about  half  a  mile  distant.  The  hospital  is  situated  without  the  fort, 
and  so  near  the  ocean  that  in  violent  easterly  and  southerly  storms  the  spray  beats  against  it. 

FORT   INDEPENDENCE. 

This  fort  is  on  Castle  Island,  in  the  luirbm-  of  Boston,  three  miles  southeast  from  the  State 
House,  and  nine  miles  from  the  entrance  to  Boston  boy.     The  nearest  land  on  the  west  is 
Dorchester  Point,  which  is  three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant.     On  the  south  is  Thompson's  Island, 
s.  9H 2 


10  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

distant  one  mile  and  a  liall';  and  one  mile  north  is  Governor's  Island,  ovei'looking  and  com- 
manding Fort  Independence.  The  island  has  a  hard  and  gravelly  soil ;  the  tide  ebhs  and 
flows  from  ten  to  fourteen  feet,  and  there  are  no  stagnant  waters  in  the  vicinit}'. 

FORT  ADAMS. 

This  extensive  fortification  is  sittiated  on  the  island  of  Rhode  Island,  at  the  entrance  of  Narra- 
gansett  hav,  on  a  point  of  land  called  Brenton's  Point,  projecting  toward  the  island  of  Connan- 
icut,  and  forming  one  side  of  Newport  harhor.  The  country  around  is  of  primary  formation, 
with  rocky  elevations,  and  valleys  susceptible  of  cultivation.  The  whole  island  is  destitute  of 
wood,  except  fruit-trees,  and  small  groves,  principally  of  oak,  hickory,  and  maple.  The  climate 
is  most  salubrious ;  few  diseases  can  be  said  to  prevail  here.  "It  is  believed,"  says  Surgeon 
R.  S.  Satterlee,  "that  had  the  troops  proper  barracks  for  their  accommodation,  and  a  comfort- 
able hospital  in  wliich  to  receive  and  treat  them  when  sick,  the  immunity  I'rom  iatal  disease 
would  be  without  a  parallel.  We  are,  however,  now  subject  to  rheumatism,  catarrh,  pleurisy, 
diarrlicea,  and  also  intermittent  fever,  all  caused  by  the  abominable  bomb-proof  quarters  in 
which  the  troops  stationed  here  are  obliged  to  live." 

FORT  TRUMBULL 

Is  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river  Thames,  one  mile  below  New  London,  and  two  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  shore  of  Long  Island  Sound.  The  position  is  rocky,  and  the  drainage  good.  The  river 
opposite  the  fort  is  about  half  a  mile  wide,  and  within  the  same  distance  irom  the  fort  are  two 
small  salt  marshes.  The  soil  of  the  surrounding  country  is  rather  sterile,  presenting  an 
undulating  aspect,  rising  in  prominent  ridges  of  eighty  or  one  hundred  feet,  with  rock  fre- 
quently breaking  forth  abruptly  upon  its  surface.  ^ 


DISEASES 


The  only  epidemic  which  has  prevailed  among  the  troops  stationed  in  tliis  region,  during  the 
period  embraced  in  this  report,  is  one  of  influenza  (catarrhus  epidemicus),  which  appearing  on 
the  17th  of  June,  1843,  at  Fort  Trumbull,  extended  to  Fort  Adams  and  Fort  Preble  in  July 
following,  though  it  does  not  appear  to  have  afFectcd  the  garrisons  of  Forts  Constitution  and 
Sullivan.     Fort  Independence  was  not  then  occupied. 

The  following  remarks  concerning  this  epidemic,  as  it  occurred  at  Fort  Trumbull,  are  copied 
from  the  report  of  Surgeon  J.  B.  Porter:  "It  will  be  seen  that  the  month  of  April  was  exceed- 
ingly healthy ;  May  was  also  healthy,  notwithstanding  several  cases  of  catarrh  of  a  mild  charac- 
ter. The  first  part  of  June  was  also  healthy,  but  the  last  part  quite  the  reverse.  Epidemic 
catan-h  (influenza)  has  been  extremely  prevalent  during  the  last  half  of  the  month ;  all  the 
cases  of  that  disease  reported,  save  one,  having  occurred  since  the  17th.  During  the  preva- 
lence of  this  epidemic  the  weather  was  remarkably  pleasant.  The  disease  usually  made  its 
attack  without  much  warning,  becoming  fully  developed  in  eight  or  twelve  hours.  Si/inp- 
toms. — General  pain  or  soreness;  almost  invariably  pains  of  the  frontal  region  and  loins,  and 
frequently  of  the  chest  and  epigastrium;  very  generally  soreness  of  the  globe  of  the  eye;  i)ulse 
varying  in  frequency,  but  almost  always  wanting  in  volume;  sometimes  cotigh  quite  trouble- 
some, and  often  little  or  none;  skin  never  liot  and  dry,  but  generally  inclined  to  be  cold  and 
moist,  amounting  in  some  instances  to  a  cold  p^rs])iration ;  in  many  cases  thirst,  in  others  none 
at  all;  in  some  cases  irritable  stomach;  and  in  all  constipation.  The  disease  was  attended 
with  considerable  depression  of  the  nervous  power,  and  great  derangement  of  the  liver. 
Treatment. — Sumetimes  an  emetic  commenced  the  treatment,  with  obvious  benefit.     Generally 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION. 


11 


a  dose  of  calomel,  followed  by  divided  doses  of  tart:  ant:,  pushed  so  as  to  produce  one  or  two 
copious  evacuations  of  bile  from  the  stomach,  caused  a  material  improvement.  Cupping  iu  all 
cases  where  there  appeared  to  be  local  determination,  to  the  temples,  cervical  spine,  chest,  epigas- 
trium, lumbar  region,  &c.,  was  beneficial.  Tamarind-water,  the  common  drink.  Although 
the  comjilaint  lasted  in  most  cases  only  two  or  three  days,  it  was  followed  by  great  debility  of 
the  digestive  organs  and  the  general  system.  Mild  tonics  were  then  usefiil.  In  no  case  was 
venesection  indicated;  on  the  contrary,  it  would  have  been  injurious,  and  in  many  cases  highly 
dangerous.  The  women  and  children  of  the  post,  and  the  workmen  on  the  fortifications,  were 
affected;  and  the  complaint  has  been  prevalent  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Kew  London  and 
the  country  around." 

Surgeon  Satterlee,  at  Fort  Adams,  reports:  "Catarrh  has  been  the  prevailing  disease  this 
quarter.  The  cases  mostly  occurred  in  July,  wlien  almost  the  whole  command  was  affected  by 
it  in  some  degree.  It  began  with  cough,  pains  in  chest-and  head,  sickness  at  the  stomach, 
bilious  coated  tongue,  and  sometimes  fever,  but  not  always.  The  treatment  adopted  was  to 
cleanse  the  stomach  and  bowels  by  a  dose  of  ten  grains  of  calomel  and  six  grains  of  Dover's 
powder,  followed,  in  four  hours,  by  thirty  grains  of  pulv:  ipecacuanhse,  which  quickly  broke 
up  the  disease,  when  a  Dover's  powder  at  night,  and  the  warm  foot-bath,  procured  sleep  and 
perspiration,  and  the  patients  recover.ed.  Great  benefit  was  also  derived  from  cool  sea-bathing. 
In  some  instances  bleeding  and  cupping  were  necessary  at  the  commencement  of  the  treat- 
ment." 

The  principal  diseases,  and  causes  of  death  among  the  troops  stationed  in  this  region,  are 
exhibited  in  abstract  No.  1.  for  this  division.  It  is  not  proposed  to  enter  into  a  minute  analysis 
of  that  general  abstract,  but  only  to  present  those  main  features  which  are  necessary  to  a  com- 
parative analysis  of  the  abstracts  from  the  several  regions,  with  the  view  of  showing  the  rela- 
tive frequency  of  certain  classes  of  diseases  in  different  climates.  For  this  purpose  summaries 
will  be  given  of  fevers ;  of  diseases  of  tlie  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system ;  and  of 
diseases  of  the  respiratory  system. 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  the  abstract  for  this  region,  shows  the  aggregate  mean 
strength  of  the  forces,  the  number  of  cases  of  sickness  treated,  the  deaths,  and  the  ratio  of 
cases  and  deaths  for  1,000  of  mean  strength. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 


Mean  strength. 


Number  treated. 


KaTIO  per  1.000  OK  MEAN  STRE-NGTU. 


Treated. 


First  QiiJirter   - 

3,927 
4,09B 

1,537 
1,774 
2,203 
1,421 

10 
9 

10 
7 

391                        2.5 

Second  (luarter 

433                        2.2 

4,037 
3,794 

545           1             2.4 

374                         1.8 

AunUtil  ratio 

3,963 

6,935 

36     1        1   V4.<i                      9.n 

-,■--            1 

It  will  be  perceived  from  the  foregoing  data  that  the  average  annual  proportion  of  cases  of 
disease  in  this  region  to  the  number  of  officers  and  men  was  l.To  to  1  ;  that  the  ratio  of  deaths 
to  tlie  number  of  troops  was  J  in  110,  or  0.9  i)er  cent. ;  and  that  tlie  proportion  of  deaths  to 
the  number  of  cases  treated  was  1  to  192.64,  or  0.52  per  cent. 

It  is  jiropcr  to  remark  in  tliis  connexion,  that  all  cases  of  indisposition  sufficient  to  render 
the  .s.ildifr  even  temporarily  unfit  for  duty  are  included  in  the  surgeon's  report  of  sick.     The 


12 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


relative  proportion  of  cases  treated  to  the  number  of  men,  is  greater  therefore,  in  the  army 
than  would  be  the  case  in  persons  in  civil  life  similarly  located,  because  the  motives  to  exertion 
on  the  part  of  individuals  arc  more  controlling  with  them  than  with  soldiers.  ' 


FEVERS. 


riRsT. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

2 

i    . 

1               il 

3  «       S-S 

strength 

3,927 

4, 

096 

4,037 

3,794 

3,9C3 

■o  s        s  » 

t 

"  S 
o   E 
o  <-. 
'^   o 

Ed 

a 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Febria  continua  communis 

14 

0 

10 

0 

10 

0 

8 

0 

42 

0 

Oin    42 

10 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana. 

18 

0 

32 

0 

23 

0 

26     '       0 

1 

99 

0' 

Oin    99 

25 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

45 

0 

70 

0 

36 

0 

44     1       0 

195 

0 

0  in  195 

49 

Febrig  intermittens  quartana  .. 

1 

0 

5 

0 

3 

0 

2     1       0 

11 

0 

Oin    11 

3 

Febris  remittens    .._.... 

39 
3 

0 
1 

31 

8 

0 
0 

15 
4 

0 
0 

2           0 
5            1 

87 
20 

0 
2 

Oin    87 
1  in    10 

22 

5 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0 
120 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Oin       0 

0 

Total            

1 

156 

0 

91 

0. 

87 

1 

454 

2 

1  in  227 

114 

NoTH. — In  this,  and  all  similar  tables,  decimal   quantities  will   generally  be  omitted,  and  the  nearest  whole  number  re- 
cordca. 

It  is  believed  that  this  table,  and  those  of  the  same  form  which  follow,  are  sufficiently  com- 
prehensive not  to  require  a  statement  in  detail  of  the  facts  presented.  Unless,  therefore,  the 
statistical  results  are  calculated  to  lead  to  erroneous  conclusions,  no  special  analysis  will  be 
given ;  nor  will  any  attempt  be  made  to  explain  or  reconcile  anomalous  results,  unless  the 
means  for  so  doing  are  found  in  the  original  records. 

In  the  present  instance  some  comment  is  necessary,  as  it  appears  from  the  table  that  inter- 
mittent and  remittent  fevers  are  not  uncommon  in  this  region,  a  result  not  to  be  expected  from 
the  medical  topography  of  the  stations,  and  one,  too,  at  variance  with  a  previously  published 
report.*  On  examining  the  abstract,  it  will  be  seen  that  fevers  of  intermittent  and  remittent 
types  prevailed  principally  during  the  first,  second,  and  third  quarters  of  1849 ;  in  the  fourth 
quarter  of  1850,  and  in  the  first  three  quarters  of  1851  and  of  1854.  Turning  to  the  original 
reports,  it  is  ascertained  that  in  1849  these  diseases  occurred  in  men  who  had  recently  served 
in  Mexico;  and  in  1850,  1851,  and  1854,  in  troops  transferred  from  Florida  to  Forts  Adams  and 
Independence.  The  medical  officers  report  that  those  diseases  did  not  originate  at  these  posts ; 
and  the  remark  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Sargent,  that  "in  thirty-three  years'  practice  at  Fort 
Constitution,  he  had  known  but  one  case  of  intermittent  fever  which  was  not  of  foreign 
origin,"  will,  as  a  general  rule,  apply  to  all  the  military  stations  on  the  coast  of  New  England. 

An  examination  of  the  abstract  will  suffice  to  show  the  certainty  with  which  the  liability  to 
attacks  of  intermittent  yields  to  the  influence  of  a  residence  in  this  region,  though  the  fact  is 
more  conclusively  demonstrated  by  the  original  reports.  The  troops  from  Mexico  reached  the 
New  England  stations  in  September,  1848,  and  in  the  following  month  intermittents  are 
reported,  disappearing  almost  entirely  within  the  succeeding  twelve  months.  In  December, 
1850,  troops  arrived  from  Florida,  bringing  with  them  this  class  of  fevers,  which  were  eradi- 
cated within  the  Ibllowing  year. 

Eruptive  Fevers  have  been  so  rare  as  not  to  require  special  notice. 

•  statistical  Report  on  the  Sickness  and  Mortality  in  tlie  Army  of  the  United  States.  Prepared  under  the  direction  of 
Thomaf  Laweou,  M.  D.,  Surgeon  Geueial,  by  Assistant  Surgeon  Samuel  Forry,  M.  D.  :  Washington,  1840. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION. 


13 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTn'E  SYSTEM 


Quarters  - 

j          riEsT. 

6ECOND. 

TDIRD. 

rOCBTH. 

TEAR. 

% 

% 

Strength  

3,927 

4,096 

4.  037 

3,  794 

3.903 

*     _ 

Cases.  I  Deaths.  ■  Cases,  i  Deaths. 


Choleia  Asiatica I  0 

DiarrhcEa 81 

Dysenteria  acuta 24 

Dysenteria  chronica 15 

Enteritis 0 

Hepatitis  acuta 1 

Hepatitis  chronica 1 

Obstipatio-. 19 

All   other  diseases  of   the 

Digestive  System 84 


Total  . 


225 


0 

94 

32 

13 

0 

1 

4 

30 

119 


293 


Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 


0 

265 

175 

12 

1 

0 

3 

67 

233 


0 

0 

0 

69 

1  ■ 

53 

0 

7. 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

27 

1 

118 

756 


0 

509 

284 

47 

1 

3 

8 

143 

5S4 


0 

1  in  170 

1  in  28  ^ 

0  in  47 

1  in  1 
0  in  3 
0  in   8 

0  in  143 

1  in  138 


0 

128 

72 

12 

0.25 

0.75 

2 
36 


275 


3  ;l,549 


1  in  172 


14 


390.8 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 


Strength  . 


3,927  4,096  4,037  3,794 


3,963 


Capes.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.     Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.  I  Deaths. 


Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica. .  12 

Catarrhus 351 

Phthisis  pulmonalis. 7 

Pleuritis 33 

Pneumonia i  18 

All  other  diseases  of  the  Re- 
spiratory System 9 

Total 430 

Rheumatismus 62 


0  I     16 

1  254 

0  6 

1  30 
0  14 


0  5 

0  264 

2  1 

0  21 

0  4 


16 

228 

5 

23 


1  i  12  ;    0 


11 


49 

1,097 

19 

107 

44 

40 


332 


306 


288 


1      1,356  8 


0  in      49 

1  in  1097 
1  in  4 
1  in  107 
0  in      44 


1  in      40 


12 

277 

4.8 

27 

11 

10 


1  in    169       342 


90 


0  83 


103 


338 


0  in    338 


85 


For  the  meteorology  of  this  region,  as  well  as  for  that  of  all  the  military  posts,  the  reader 
is  referred  to  the  series  of  consolidated  temperature  and  rain  tables,  and  to  the  annual  sum- 
maries of  observations  on  the  weather,  to  be  found  in  another  portion  of  this  report.  Those 
tables  exhibit  the  more  important  results  of  a  system  of  observations  commenced  by  the  Medi- 
cal Bureau  in  1819,  and  which  has  been  continued  with  varied  modifications  and  improvements 
up  to  the  present  time.* 

*  For  more  copious  and  extended  meteorological  tables,  reference  is  made  to  the  series  of  Anny  Meteorological  Begis- 
tors,  published  under  the  direction  of  tire  Surgaon  General  in  1S26,  1840,  1851,  and  1855. 


14  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

NORTH  ATLANTIC  REGION— NEW  YORK  HARBOR. 

In  the  "Statistical  Report  on  tlic  Sickness  and  Mortality  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States," 
heretofore  cited,  the  stations  in  the  harbor  of  New  York  were  included  in  the  class  of  New 
England  posts.  A  departure  from  that  classification  has  been  judged  advisable,  for  the  reason 
that  all  recruits  enlisted  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  those  also  from  the  whole  Atlantic  sea- 
board, are  sent  to  those  posts  for  re-inspection  and  instruction,  preparatory  to  their  distribution 
to  the  several  regiments  and  corps  of  the  army.  The  climatic  influences  here  differ  sensibly 
from  those  which  obtain  on  the  coast  of  New  England,  and  this  affords  an  additional  reason  for 
the  course  now  pursued. 

Three  posts  in  this  harbor  have  been  occupied  by  troops :  Fort  Columbus,  Fort  Wood,  and 
Fort  Hamilton. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGKAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  COLUMBUS. 
By  Surgeon  S.  G.  I.  De  Camp  :  1S53. 

Fort  Columbus  is  situated  on  Governor's  Island,  harbor  of  New  York,  in  latitude  40°  42' ; 
longitude  74°  1'.     Altitude  above  sea,  23  feet. 

The  island  contains  about  seventy-five  acres,  having  the  Hudson  river  on  the  west_,  and  the 
East  river  on  the  east  side  of  it.  It  is  about  twenty  miles  distant  from  the  ocean  at  Sandy 
Hook,  which  is  in  a  southwesterly  direction ;  from  New  York  about  one  mile,  and  from  the 
city  of  Brooklyn  six  hundred  yaixls.  The  drainage  is  good,  from  the  natural  slope  of  the 
ground.  The  soil  is  a  sandy  loam.  The  rock  on  the  border  of  the  island  is  gneiss.  The  well- 
water  is  not  good,  as  it  is  brackish ;  there  are  several  large  cisterns  upon  the  island,  but  not  of 
sufficient  capacity  to  furnish  a  supply  of  good  water  when  the  fort  is  fully  garrisoned.*  Such 
has  been  the  case  during  the  last  summer;  and  the  consequence  was,  that  diarrhoea  and  other 
afl'ectious  of  the  bowels  have  been  common,  having  for  their  cause,  to  a  considerable  extent,  the 
general  use  of  well-water.  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  Simpson,  who  is  on  duty  at  Fort  Wood, 
Bedloe's  Island,  where  the  same  quality  of  water  is  founds  informs  me  that,  while  the  well- 
water  was  used,  the  same  character  of  disease  prevailed  there ;  but  that  when  Croton  water 
from  New  York  was  furnished  the  troops  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  the  wells,  the  disease 
entirely  disappeared.  It  is  a  well-established  fact,  that  the  ratio  of  disease  and  death  has  been 
greatly  diminished  in  the  city  of  New  York  since  the  introduction  of  Croton  water  into  that 
city. 

Intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  have  been  common  on  the  island  during  the  past  summer, 
especially  among  women  and  children ;  and  more  especially  so,  among  those  who  have  occupied 
buildings  known  as  "Rotten  Row."  These  buildings  have  not  been  considered  suitable  quar- 
ters for  soldiers  for  many  years,  and  have  been  mostly  occupied  by  the  hangers-on  of  the  army 
as  temporary  residences,  without  any  proper  regard  for  policy,  till  it  has  become  a  nuisance.  I 
think  the  recent  improvement  in  the  lower  part  of  Brooklyn  has  contributed  considerably  in 
causing  fever  on  this  island.  Streets  are  being  formed  over  an  extensive  marsh,  which  prevent 
the  ingress  and  egress  of  the  tide,  and  favor  the  accumulation  of  fresh  water  into  stagnant 
ponds  and  pools  ;  and  as  the  same  character  of  disease  prevailed  in  that  immediate  neighbor- 
hood, I  infer  the  identity  of  cause  here. 

In  the  treatment  of  Diarrhcea  among  soldiers,  I  have  been  successful  by  free  purgation  with 
saline  cathartics,  which,  with  abstinence  and  a  recumbent  posture,  seldom  fail  to  cure  the 
patient  in  a  short  time ;  but  when  other  remedies  have  been  found  necessary,  opium  with  cam- 

o  In  18-10,  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  P.  KusscU  reported  that,  "  exclusive  of  leu  hirge  cisterns  c-apable  of  containing 
many  thousand  gallons,  this  post  is  abundantly  supplied  from  five  wells,  with  excellent  water,  holding  in  solution  but 
small  portions  of  saline  or  earthy  matter."  Surgeon  De  Camp's  report  was  written  in  1853.  It  appears,  therefore,  that  the 
water  in  the  wells  became  graduallj'  brackish. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  15 

phor,  or  the  compound  syrup  of  rhubarb  with  tannin,  generally  succeeds.  Recruits  are  more 
subject  to  that  complaint  than  old  soldiers.  Taken  as  they  often  are  from  the  more  humble 
walks  of  life,  where  they  have  not  been  regularly  supplied  with  food  and  other  comforts,  reple- 
tion soon  follows  enlistment,  and  an  engorgement  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  intestines 
takes  place,  producing  diarrhoea  or  other  more  fatal  maladies;  hence  the  good  results  from  un- 
loading the  vessels  by  cathaiiic  medicines. 

I  cannot  let  the  present  occasion  pass  without  bearing  testimony  to  the  value  of  sulphate  of 
quinine,  and  arsenic,  and  other  remedies  of  that  class,  in  the  treatment  of  disease  extending  to 
a  range  far  beyond  what  was  once  supposed.  The  intermittent  character  of  disease  would  seem 
to  be  more  extensive  than  some  imagine.  I  am  indebted  to  Doctor  Dickson's  Chrono-Thermal 
System  of  Medicine  for  the  views  which  I  now  entertain  upon  this  subject,  and  can  speak  with 
confidence  of  the  value  of  these  remedies  in  rheumatism,  asthma,  continued  fever,  and  some  spas- 
modic aifections  in  children,  and  in  many  cases  of  an  anomalous  character,  the  pathology  of 
which  is  little  understood. 

There  are  fashions  in  physic  as  well  as  fallacies ;  there  was  a  time  when  no  one  would  be 
thought  so  rash  as  to  treat  pneumonia  or  pleuritis  without  copious  and  repeated  bleeding,  and 
that  such  a  course  will  relieve  the  patient  is  not  doubted ;  but  experience  has  shown  that  the 
same  result  may  be  obtained  by  remedies  less  injurious  to  the  sick.  The  tartrate  of  antimony 
and  potash  is  well  known  to  possess  the  power  of  controlling,  to  a  considerable  degree,  those 
complaints ;  and  when  employed  to  an  extent  which  may  be  done  with  safety,  will  do  away 
with  the  use  of  the  lancet  in  many  cases.  This  has  been  the  course  which  I  have  pursued,  and 
with  satisfactory  results.  I  have  made  some  use  of  prussic  acid  in  the  cases  alluded  to,  with 
hajipy  effect. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGKAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FOKT  WOOD. 
Ey  Assistant  Surgeon  Josiah  Simpson:  1852. 

Fort  Wood  is  situated  on  Bedloe's  Island,  in  the  harbor  of  New  York,  in  latitude  40°  41'  18", 
longitude  74°  11'.  It  is  about  two  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  the  city  of  New  York,  the 
same  distance  from  the  nearest  point  of  Long  Island,  about  two  miles  from  the  New  Jersey 
shore,  and  eighteen  miles  distant  from  the  ocean.  The  whole  island  comprises  an  area  of  ei^ht 
or  nine  acres ;  the  most  elevated  portion,  that  on  which  the  fort  stands,  is  about  30  feet  above 
high-water  mark. 

The  soil  is  a  sandy  loam  based  upon  a  stratum  of  clay.  The  slope  from  the  entrance  of  the 
fort  to  the  north  point  of  the  island  is  covered  with  shade-trees  of  willow,  sycamore,  ash,  acacia, 
and  others,  which  have  been  brought  and  planted  here.  There  are  no  trees  of  a  native  growth 
on  the  island. 

Outside  of  the  fort  are  two  wells  which  formerly  afforded  an  ample  supj^ly  of  water  for  the 
garrison ;  but  during  the  past  summer  these  failed,  and  since  that  time  the  troops  have  been 
dependent  on  Croton  water,  brought  from  the  city  of  New  York.  This  spring,  two  cisterns 
have  been  built  inside  of  the  work,  large  cnougla,  when  filled,  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  com- 
mand. 

The  quarters  for  officers  and  soldiers  are  of  brick,  and  occupy  three  sides  of  a  square  witliin 
the  work;  the  enclosed  area  is  about  107  feet  square.  The  officers'  quarters,  of  which  tliere  are 
three  sets,  are  two  stories,  with  a  basement,  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  work.  Tl  e  barrack- 
rooms  for  the  men,  on  the  east  and  west  sides,  are  two  stories  high;  the  eastern  one  having  a 
basement  kitchen,  and  mess-room  running  its  whole  length.  The  quarters  are  well  ventilated, 
and  comfortable  in  other  resiiects. 

The  hospital,  a  new  brick  building  on  tlie  northeast  side  of  the  island,  was  put  up  during 
the  last  summer,  and  first  occupied  in  September  last.  It  is  nearly  square — 49  by  40  feet — two 
stories  and  a  basement  iu  height.     The  basement,  which  is  of  granite,  is  eutiiely  above  ground, 


16  REPORT    OX    THE    SICKNESS    AXP    MORTALITY 

and  has  a  hall  running  its  whole  length,  with  a  surgeon's  room^  dispensary,  and  steward's 
room  on  one  side,  a  mess-room  and  kitclien  on  the  other.  Tlie  first  story  has  two  wards  on  each 
side  of  the  hall,  with  a  water-closet  and  bath-room  at  the  end  of  the  same.  In  the  second  story 
there  are  three  small  wards  one  side  of  the  hall ;  on  the  other,  two,  with  a  water-closet,  bath- 
room, and  store-room  between  ;  and  at  the  end,  a  small  room  large  enough  for  one  bed.  The 
building  will  accommodate  from  35  to  40  patients.  The  wards  are  well  ventilated,  having  ven- 
tilators over  the  doors,  and  ventilating  flues  running  up  the  chimneys,  distinct  from  the  smoke 
flues.  The  kitchen  is  furnished  with  a  range  and  boiler,  and  hot  and  cold  water  is  carried 
into  the  dispensary  and  bath-rooms.  Under  the  flooring  of  each  story,  and  between  the  roof 
and  ceiling,  there  is  a  deafening  of  three  inches  of  mortar  ;  this,  independently  of  destroying 
the  sound  of  footsteps,  renders  the  building  cool  in  summer  and  warm  in  winter. 

Tliere  are  other  buildings  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  island,  occupied  by  laundresses  and 
others;  these,  however,  are  of  a  temporary  character. 

The  country  to  the  north  and  west,  on  the  New  Jersey  side,  is  flat  and  level,  and  at  the  dis- 
tance of  some  four  or  five  miles  are  extensive  salt  marshes,  which  have  not,  as  far  as  I  am  able 
to  judge,  any  injurious  effect  on  the  health  of  the  post.  The  country  to  the  south  and  east,  on 
Staten  Island  and  Long  Island  shore,  is  rolling,  and  free  from  marshes.  The  prevailing  winds 
are  from  the  south  and  southwest  in  summer,  and  from  the  northeast  and  west  in  winter. 

The  principal  diseases  during  the  winter  and  spring  are  those  of  the  respiratory  organs,  and 
fibrous  and  muscular  tissues.  During  the  summer  and  fall  months,  diseases  of  the  digestive 
organs  prevail  to  a  greater  extent  at  this  post,  owing  to  the  fact,  that  the  men  are  all  recruits, 
and  more  liable  to  such  diseases  in  the  transit  from  civil  to  military  life.  A  large  number  of 
them  also  are  foreigners,  recently  arrived  from  an  entirely  diflerent  climate,  often  after  long 
passages  in  crowded  and  badly  ventilated  vessels ;  these  are  very  liable,  on  their  arrival  at  the 
island,  to  severe  attacks  of  remittent  and  typhoid  fevers,  as  well  as  diarrhoeas  and  dysenteries. 

This  post  has  a  great  advantage  over  most  others  as  a  depot  for  recruits,  from  its  perfect  iso- 
lation, its  freedom  from  malarious  influences,  and  also  from  that  bane  of  all  military  as  well  as 
civil  establishments,  spirituous  lirjuors.  The  advantage  afforded  during  the  summer  months, 
for  salt-water  bathing,  contributes  greatly  to  the  health  and  cleanliness  of  the  command. 

aiEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  H^VMILTON. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  Eaton:  1852. 

Fort  Hamilton  is  situated  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Long  Island,  in  the  town  of  New 
Utrecht,  King's  county.  New  York ;  having  the  North  river  on  the  west,  and  the  Atlantic  ocean 
on  the  south,  in  latitude  40°  43'  N. ,  and  longitude  74°  V  W.  Its  elevation  above  the  level  of  the 
ocean  is  forty-five  feet. 

Fort  Hamilton  is  about  six  miles  nearly  due  south  from  the  city  of  New  York,  and  nothing 
separates  it  from  the  broad  Atlantic  on  the  southeast  but  a  long  sand-bar  of  a  few  rods  in 
width,  running  from  S.E.  to  N.W.  about  three  miles,  called  "Coney  Island."  It  may, 
therefore,  be  considered  as  being  subject  to,  and  affected  by,  all  the  influences  of  the  ocean. 

There  is  a  spacious  bay  (Maritime  bay)  which  extends  along  the  southern  shore  of  Staten 
Island,  westwardly  to  the  Jersey  shore,  about  twenty  miles.  The  same  bay  extends  southerly 
about  fifteen  miles,  to  Sandy  Hook. 

It  can  readily  be  imagined,  therefore,  how  great  must  be  the  influence  of  the  ocean  and  bays 
on  this  location ;  and  it  must,  of  course,  be  apparent  how  often  vicissitudes  take  place  in  the 
temperature  of  the  air,  and  in  the  course  of  the  winds.  The  wind  sometimes  changes  here 
twenty  times  in  a  day ;  and  it  is  not  imcommon  to  see  u])on  the  water  two  vessels,  not  far  dis- 
tant from  each  other,  sailing  in  opposite  directions,  and  both  directly  before  the  wind. 

In  warm  weather,  in  summer,  when  the  sun  has  rarefied  the  air  over  the  land,  at  about  10  or 
11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  dense  air  from  the  ocean  rushes  in,  and  introduces  a  cool  and  refreshing 
breeze. 


A  MONO    THE    TROOPS    IN  THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  17 

The  frequent  and  sudden  changes  in  temperature  do  not  appear  to  affect,  injuriously,  the 
young  and  vigorous  who  enjoy  sound  health ;  hut  are  decidedly  prejudicial  to  invalids^  and 
particularly  those  affected  with  pulmonary  and  rheumatic  complaints.  The  humidity  of  the 
atmosphere  and  its  variahleness  of  temperature  render  it  less  conducive  to  health  and  longevity 
than  if  it  were  more  uniform,  and  less  liahle  to  great  and  sudden  changes. 

The  temperature  of  the  ocean  is  said  to  he  eight  or  ten  degrees  colder  than  the  land  in  sum- 
mer, and  about  the  same  degrees  warmer  in  the  winter.  The  air  from  the  sea,  therefore,  has 
a  powerful  effect  on  the  climate. 

The  geological  construction  of  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Hamilton  renders  the  topogra- 
2)hy  remarkably  singular. 

From  this  post  toward  Brooklyn,  along  the  North  river,  the  land  is  generally  uneven  and 
undulatory,  and  there  are  numerous  depressions  which  have  the  appearance  of  artificial  excava- 
tions; they  are  generally  four  or  five  rods  in  diameter,  and  some  of  them  are  very  deep,  and 
never  dry.  More  than  fifty,  I  presume,  of  these  depressions  might  be  counted  between  this 
post  and  Greenwood  Cemetery,  about  four  miles  north  of  this.  It  can  be  readily  conceived 
that  these  numerous  stagnant  pools,  at  particular  seasons  of  the  year,  may  affect  injuriously  the 
health  of  the  inhabitants  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

This  formation  is  peculiar  to  the  western  end  of  Long  Island ;  the  undulations  of  the  land 
extend  eastwardly  about  four  miles,  to  Flatbush,  Gravesend,  and  Flatlands,  which  towns  pre- 
sent almost  a  dead  level. 

The  soil  about  here  is  generally  a  clayey  loam ;  some  places  are  sandy.  On  the  western  end 
of  Long  Island,  which  I  have  described,  there  are  no  brooks  or  small  streams,  and  no  springs 
of  water  in  the  land;  and,  on  sinking  wells,  no  water  is  obtained  until  arriving  at  the  level  of 
tide-water ;  in  consequence,  some  wells  on  elevated  ground  are  one  hundred  feet  deep,  or  more. 
The  well-water  is  impregnated  with  salts  of  lime,  which  renders  it  unfit  for  washing,  but  it  is 
a  good  and  wholesome  beverage. 

Eastward  of  Fort  Hamilton,  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  and  extending  from  the  sea-shore 
to  the  distance  of  one  mile  northerly,  and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  width,  is  a  low  bog  or  quagmire, 
called  by  the  Dutch  inhabitants  "dyker;"  it  receives  the  surface  water  from  the  high  lands  in 
the  vicinity;  and  being  separated  from  the  sea  by  a  sandy  beach  only,  in  violent  storms  the 
sea  makes  a  fair  breach  over  the  sand,  mingling  the  salt  water  with  the  fresh,  and,  there 
being  no  permanent  outlet,  the  retained  water  becomes  stagnant  and  putrid.  It  must  be  readily 
conceived  that  this  is  a  fruitful  source  of  disease,  and  in  some  locations  in  the  immediate  vicin- 
ity, to  the  leeward  of  the  prevailing  winds  (S.E.  almost  every  day  in  the  summer),  no  persons 
can  reside  without  exposing  themselves  to  certain  and  inevitable  sickness.  There  are  other  low 
and  swampy  lands  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Fort  Hamilton,  the  more  perfect  drainage  of 
which  would  contribute  much  to  the  health  of  this  location. 

On  the  sand-beach  which  I  have  mentioned  above,  the  British  army,  under  the  command  of 
Sir  William  Howe,  landed  on  the  22d  of  August,  17T6,  and  soon  advanced  toward  Brooklyn. 
The  disastrous  battle  of  Long  Island  was  fought  on  the  27th  of  the  same  month. 

There  are  indications  of  great  geological  changes  having  taken  place  on  Long  Island.  The 
stones  on  the  surface  in  this  vicinity  bear  the  same  rounded  form  as  those  on  the  sea-shore. 
Logs  of  wood  and  shells  are  frequently  found  in  digging  wells,  and  in  other  excavations,  from 
twenty  to  forty,  and,  in  some  places,  more  than  one  hundred  feet  below  the  surface. 

In  sinking  wells  here,  a  clayey  mixture  extends  to  about  twenty  feet,  when  a  coarse  sand  is 
found,  like  that  on  the  sea-shore,  containing  rounded  stones  and  pebbles.  In  some  places  the 
bottom  of  wells,  at  about  40  or  50  feet,  is  characterized  like  the  flats  or  marshes ;  and  in  one 
instance  within  my  knowledge,  near  Fort  Hamilton,  a  well,  after  being  stoned,  was  entirely 
destroyed,  the  whole  wall  sunk  and  disappeared.  Appearances,  on  investigation,  go  to  show 
that  the  greater  part,  if  not  the  whole  of  Long  Island,  is  alluvial. 

Near  Fort  Hamilton  the  ledges  and  boulders  are  formed  of  green-stone  (serpentine),  granite, 

S.  96 3 


18 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


and  gneiss.  The  land  is  mostly  cleared  and  cultivated.  The  natural  growth  appears  to  have 
been  oak,  hickory,  chestnut,  hirch,  cedar,  cypress,  maple,  elm,  and  sycamore.  The  soil  is 
extremely  variable;  four-fifths  of  tlie  surface  are  said  to  be  characterized  by  the  term  of  sandy 
loam ;  some  places  contain  a  stiff  clay,  and  others  a  pure  sand. 

The  diseases  that  mostly  prevail  at  this  post,  are  intermittent  and  bilious  fevers.  Fevers  of 
the  typlioid  type,  as  tar  as  1  have  any  knowledge,  are  uncommon.  Diarrlitea  and  dysentery 
sometimes  prevail.  The  ordinary  remedies  are  generally  found  efficient  in  tlie  treatment  of  the 
diseases  mentioned. 

The  quarters  at  this  post  for  officers  and  soldiers,  and  for  hospital  purposes,  are,  most  unfor- 
tunately, casemates  ;  and  I  have  had  full  and  ample  experience  to  know,  having  felt  the  effects 
myself,  that  the  dampness,  which,  from  i)liilosophical  and  chemical  j)rinciples,  can  never  be 
entirely  prevented  by  any  expenditure  of  money  without  artificial  heat,  must  be  prejudicial  to 
health.  The  deleterious  effects  from  administering  mercurial  remedies  to  patients  in  casemates, 
at  this  post,  have  been  frequently  and  fully  reported. 

Tliere  is  no  hospital  building  at  this  post;  and  since  I  have  been  stationed  here,  great  suffer- 
ing and  many  deaths  of  sokliers  have  taken  jilace  for  the  want  of  hospital  accommodations. 

The  2d  regiment  of  infantry,  while  here  in  the  fall  of  1848,  preparing  to  embark  for  Cali- 
fornia, having  just  returned  from  a  campaign  in  Mexico,  and  having  of  course  suffered  from 
great  fatigue  and  exjjosure,  were  deprived  of  the  necessary  hospital  accommodations  here,  which 
their  peculiar  situation  and  condition  imperiously  required.  For  want  of  hospital  and  other 
room,  many  of  the  sick  were  exposed  in  the  large  horse-stable,  without  fire,  in  the  month  of 
November ;  and  I  have  the  impression  that  as  many  as  twenty  or  thirty  died  while  in  this 
harbor  before  the  regiment  embarked.  The  regiment  was  attended  by  the  medical  officers  who 
were  witli  it  in  Mexico. 

In  my  opinion,  it  is  a  subject  of  the  highest  importance,  in  a  military  point  of  view,  to 
make  amjile  provision  for  the  accommodation  and  comfort  of  the  sick  at  this  important  military 
post,  where,  in  case  of  any  warlike  emergency,  a  large  body  of  troops  must  of  necessity  be 
assembled. 


DISEASES. 


The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  2,  of  this  division,  gives  the  amount  and 
ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  among  the  forces  stationed  in  the  harbor  of  New  York. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITT. 


(iu.-irters. 

Mean  strength. 

Numbcr  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO    PER  1,000  or  HKiN  STRENOTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  quarter - 

8,806 

8,986 

10,402 

9,353 

6,076 

7,274 

11,805 

6,317 

50 
35 
80 
47 

690 

809 

1,134 

675 

6.G 

Second  quarter 

4 

Tliird  quarter 

7.6 

5 

Annual  ratio _. 

Exclusive  of  cholera 

9,387 

31,472 

212 

3,353           1           22.5 

31,397 

183 

3,345                      19.5 

1 

The  average  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the  number  of  officers  and  men  was 
3.35  to  1  ;  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  strength  of  the  command  was  1  in  44,  or  2.25  per  cent. ; 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIYISION. 


19 


and  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  cases  treated  was  1  in  148.45,  or  0.67  per  cent. 
Exclusive  of  deaths  from  cholera,  the  mortality  was  1  in  51,  or  1.9  per  cent. 


FEVERS. 


Quarters 


THIRD.  I  FOURTH. 


Strengtli 


8,806 


Febris  contiuua  communis. 
Fcbris  intermittens  quotidiana 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana  . 
Febris  intermittens  quartana. 

Febris  remittens 

Febris  typhus 

Febris  tjplius ittero<los 


Total -. 349 


i 

69 

226 

4 
37 

9 

0 


8,986  10,402 


9,353 


Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 

I 


10 

0 

12 

0 

5     1 

0 

122 

0 

181 

0 

114     ' 

0 

342 

0 

390 

0 

310     ' 

0 

19 

0 

73 

0 

0 

0 

42 

2 

75 

5 

65 

3 

11 

2 

8 

1 

6     1 

7 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

546 


9,387 


Cases.    Deatlis.  ■ 


31 

486 

1,268 

90 

219 

34 

0 


0 

Oin      31 

0 

0  in    486 

0 

Oin  1,268 

0 

0  in      96 

10 

1  in      22 

15 

lin      2+ 

739 


500 


10 


2,134  1  25   1  in   85 

I 


51 
135 

10 

23 

4 

0 


Respecting  intermittent  fever  at  Fort  Hamilton,  Assistant  Surgeon  Eaton  reports  on  the  31st 
of  March,  1844,  that  no  case  had  occurred  "since  the  great  rain  of  the  21st  and  22d  of  August 
last,  which  iiooded  the  whole  country,  and  apparently  carried  away  all  decayed  and  jiutrid 
matter  which  caused  malaria."  The  force  of  this  statement  is,  however,  very  materially  modi- 
fied by  a  preceding  report  from  the  same  officer,  which  states  that  on  the  30th  of  August,  1843, 
immediately  after  the  heavy  rains  referred  to,  the  garrison  was  entirely  changed,  the  fort  being 
occuj)ied  by  troops  from  Fort  Adams,  where,  as  has  already  been  shown,  intermittents  are  not 
endemic.  The  prevalence  of  this  class  of  diseases  at  Fort  Hamilton  in  the  fourth  quarter  of 
1850,  and  first  quarter  of  1851,  is  attributed  to  the  arrival  of  troops  from  a  sickly  post  in 
Florida  in  November,     In  March  following,  the  health  of  those  troops  is  reported  good. 

Tl>e  tliirty-one  cases  of  remittent  fever  reported  in  the  third  quarter  of  1851,  (see  abstract,) 
occurred  at  Fort  Wood.  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  Simpson  reports  that  "  fevers  of  a  remittent 
type,  ami  bowel  affections,  have  been  prevalent.  The  fevers  in  nearly  every  instance  assumed  a 
typhous  character  from  the  commencement.  The  tongue  has  been  dry,  dark,  and  contracted, 
with  sordes  about  the  teeth  and  gums ;  the  secretions  from  the  .skin  and  other  organs  generally 
deficient;  alvine  evacuations  dark.  Many  of  the  cases  have  presented  severe  cerebral  sym])- 
toms.  The  treatment  pursued  in  most  cases,  and  which  appeared  to  have  the  greatest  control 
over  the  disease,  was,  commencing  with  an  emetic  of  ipecacuanha,  and  following  with  small 
doses  of  the  same  combined  with  calomel,  until  the  system  became  slightly  under  its  influence. 
As  soon  as  this  was  the  case,  there  appeared  to  be  an  improvement  of  the  symptoms ;  tlie  secre- 
tions were  unlocked ;  the  tongue  showed  a  disposition  to  clean ;  there  was  a  general  lessening 
of  the  frequency  of  the  pulse,  heat  of  skin,  and  cerebral  excitement.  Gentle  stimulation  with 
carbonate  of  ammonia,  infusion  of  serpentaria,  or  some  other  mild  stimulant,  was  then  resorted 
to."     Of  these  31  cases,  5  died. 

Eruptive  Fevers  arc  of  more  frequent  occurrence  at  the  stations  now  under  consideration 
than  at  other  military  posts,  owing  to  their  being  garrisoned  })rincipally  by  recruits,  among 
whom  measles  are  not  uncommon,  and  who  are  sometimes  attacked  with  smallpox  before  time 
is  afforded  for  vaccination.  The  regulations  fu-  the  medical  department  of  the  army  do  not 
enjoin  a  uuif'orm  system  of  re-vaccination;  they  iircscribe  that,  "as  soon  as  a  recruit  joins  any 


20 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


regiment  or  station,  he  sliall  be  examined  by  the  medical  officer,  and  vaccinated  when  it  is 
required."  On  referring  to  the  abstract,  it  will  be  seen  that  25  cases  of  rubeola  are  reported, 
and  1  death ;  25  cases  of  variola,  and  5  deaths ;  and  14  cases  of  varioloid,  all  terminating 
favorably. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTH'E  SYSTEM. 


FIRST, 

SECOND. 

TUIRD. 

KOCRTII. 

YEAR. 

O 

3 

z  - 

o    I 
§    - 

c 

o 
c 
£ 

u 

Strength 

8, 

806 

8, 

986 

10, 

402 

fl, 

353 

9, 

387 

^  s 
i  s 

o  S 
■§■3 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Dcatlis. 

Cholera  Asiatica           ..   .... 

0 

376 

48 

3 

1 

3 

0 

189 

347 

0 

7 
I 
1 
0 
0 
1 
0 

0 

3 

692 
45 
8 
4 
3 
1 

367 

356 

1 
0 

1 
1 
0 

1 
0 

1 

0 

71 

3293 

471 

18 

2 

3 

1 

566 

429 

28 
5 
7 
5 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

1 

806 

207 

11 

0 

0 

3 

241 

228 

0 
6 
4 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 

3 

75 

5167 

771 

40 

7 

9 

5 

1363 

1360 

29 

18 

13 

9 

0 

1 
1 

1 

3 

1  in       2.6 
1  in  287 
1  in     59 
1  in       4.4 

0  in       7 
lin       9 
lin       5 

1  in  1363 

1  in  453 

550 

82 

4 

0.7 

Settatitis  acuta  -.. 

0,9 

0.5 

145 

All  other  diseases  of  thia  sys- 
tem              - --   --      .-- 

145 

Total 

967 

10 

1479 

5 

4854 

45 

1497 

15 

8797 

75 

1  in  117 

937 

1 

8722 

46 

lin  190 

929 

i 

In  the  third  quarter  of  1849,  the  Asiatic  cholera  appeared  at  Fort  Columbus,  Y  cases  being 
reported  in  July,  and  12  in  August.  Of  these  19  cases,  15  proved  fatal.  The  jjost  was  then 
temporarily  attended  by  a  citizen  physician,  who  did  not  make  a  special  report.  Tliis  disease 
again  appeared  on  tlie  11th  of  August,  1852,  six  cases  occurring  that  month,  4  of  which  died. 
In  the  treatment.  Surgeon  De  Camp  relied  upon  calomel,  camphor,  opium,  sinapisms,  external 
warmth,  and  stimulants.  In  one  of  the  cases  which  recovered,  twelve  grains  of  calomel  were 
given  every  two  hours  during  the  night,  commencing  at  8,  p.  m.,  and  on  the  return  of  the 
vomiting  next  day,  thirty  grains  of  calomel  with  ten  grains  of  camphor  were  given  at  one  dose. 
In  July,  1853,  the  same  surgeon  reports  two  cases  of  cholera,  both  terminating  in  recovery. 
The  remedies  were  "large  doses  of  calomel  and  camphor,  and  external  heat  by  means  of  bags 
of  hot  water." 

Assistant  Surgeon  Edward  W.  Johns  reports  that  "the  cholera  made  its  appearance  at  Fort 
Columbus  on  the  1st  July,  1854.  Of  the  38  cases  reported  in  that  month,  30  were  restricted 
to  choleraic  diarrhcca,  and  8  went  into  extreme  collapse.  The  treatment,  at  first,  was  by  calo- 
mel and  camphor,  and  occasionally  opium,  in  doses  often  grains  of  the  former,  and  five  of  cam- 
phor, every  two  hours.  In  the  later  cases  the  dose  was  increased  to  thirty  grains.  During  this 
period,  diseases  of  the  bowels  were  prevalent  and  urgent  in  their  nature.  In  the  month  of 
August  the  epidemic  disappeared,  and  the  health  of  the  command  was  very  good  until  about 
the  middle  of  September,  when  diarrhoea  was  observed  to  increase  and  become  more  trouble- 
some in  its  nature.  On  the  23d  of  September,  cholera  again  re-ajjpeared,  and  two  cases  were 
received  into  hospital.  On  the  24th,  three  more  cases  were  received,  and  one  on  the  25th — in 
all,  six  cases.  In  none  could  any  cause  other  than  atiiios])licric  change  be  traced,  and  in  each 
the  disease  was  suddenly  develoj)ed,  the  patients  being  received  into  liospital  with  commencing 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE   NORTUEEN   DIVISION. 


21 


collapse,  wlaich  in  five  cases  became  fully  established ;  but,  with  the  exception  of  the  sudden 
accession  of  collapse,  and  the  comparatively  less  apparent  frequency  of  the  rice-water  dis- 
charges, the  re-appearance  of  the  disease  presented  no  new  point  for  observation.  In  each  case, 
one  hundred  and  thirty  grains  of  calomel  and  forty  grains  of  camphor  were  administered  in  the 
course  of  eight  hours ;  and  as  soon  as  reaction  appeared,  the  calomel  was  kept  up  until 
it  was  established,  in  doses  of  one  grain  every  hour.  In  addition  to  the  internal  reme- 
dies, external  heat  and  friction  were  sedulously  resorted  to.  Of  the  two  fatal  cases,  one 
died  in  six  hours,  and  the  other,  after  recovering  from  the  collapse,  and  for  two  days 
apjiarently  improving,  finally  sank  from  debility,  which  resisted  all  measures  for  support. 
In  the  treatment  of  cholera,  opium  was  but  little  used,  as,  in  addition  to  its  appearing  to 
possess  but  little  efficacy  in  restraining  the  discharges,  or  in  quieting  spasmodic  muscular 
action,  the  quantity  necessary  to  be  given  to  produce  any  decided  effect,  seems  to  inter- 
fere seriously  with  the  proper  action  of  the  brain  and  nervous  system,  whose  every  energy 
is  required  for  recovery  from  the  collaj^se." 

DISEASES  OF  THE  EESPIEATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  - - 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

POCETH. 

YEAR. 

Proportion  of  dontha  to 

fi 

Strength ., 

8, 

806 

8, 

98G 

10, 

402 

9, 

353 

9, 

387 

—  i 

1       - 

S   3 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  0 
of  ni 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica  . 

23 

1 

62 

0 

10 

1 

22 

. 

117 

3 

lin     39 

12.4 

Catarrhus 

1700 

0 

1100 

0 

802 

0 

1185 

1 

4787 

1 

1  in  4787 

509.9 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

9 

8 

15 

8 

24 

8 

8 

11 

56 

35 

lin        1.6 

5.9 

Pleuritis 

41 

2 

18 

1 

12 

0 

13 

0 

84 

3 

lin     28 

9 

Pneumonia 

50 

7 

20 

4 

6 

1 

13 

1 

89 

13 

1  in       7 

9.3 

Ail  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 

1 

• 

tem  

'       12 

0 

14 

2 

10 

2 

16 

0 

52 

4 

lin     13 

5.5 

Total 

1835 

18 

1229 

15 

864 

12 

1257 

14 

5185 

59 

lin     88 

552 

Rheuinatismus 

194 

1 

275 

0 

283 

0 

260 

0 

1012 

1 

linl012 

107  8 

Assistant  Surgeon  J.  P.  Eussell,  in  his  report  for  the  second  quarter  of  1843,  notes  the 
appearance  of  epidemic  catarrh  at  Fort  Columbu.s  about  the  11th  of  June.  "The  epidemic 
attained  its  height  about  the  16th  or  ITth,  when  nearly  one-third  of  all  the  people  in  the  gar- 
rison (men,  women,  and  children)  became  more  or  less  severely  afliicted ;  many  of  the  cases 
were  extremely  severe,  and  required  free  venesection  and  active  antiphlogistic  treatment  to 
prevent  inflammation  and  congestion  of  the  lungs."  This  epidemic  also  appeared  at  Fort 
Hamilton  in  June,  1843,  where  some  cases  were  so  severe  as  to  require  bleeding. 


NORTH  INTEEIOR  REGION— EAST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 

This  class  embraces  those  stations  of  the  northern  division  which  are  situated  between  the 
Great  Lakes  and  the  Atlantic  ocean,  and  so  far  removed  from  either,  as  not  to  be  influenced  by 
those  large  bodies  of  water.  The  stations  occupied  are  six  in  number  :  Fort  Kent,  Fort  Fair- 
field, Hancock  Barracks,  Plattsburg  Barracks,  Watervliet  Arsenal,  and  West  Point. 


22  REPORT   ON   TUE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  KENT, 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Alexander  S,  Wotherspoon  :  1845. 

Fort  Kent  is  .situated  in  tlie  most  northern  part  of  the  8tate  of  Maine,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Fish  river  with  the  St.  Jolui's,  in  hititude  4T°  15'  N.,  h)ngitudc  G8°  38'  W.  In  a  direct  line, 
it  is  about  60  miles  distant  from  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  180  from  the  sea,  above  which  it  is  ele- 
vated 556  feet.  The  St.  John's,  oi)j)osite  the  fort,  is  about  ^  of  a  mile  in  width  ;  and  during 
summer,  when  not  swollen  by  heavy  rains,  is  full  of  bars  and  rapids,  so  as  to  be  only  naviga- 
ble by  light  wooden  and  birch  canoes,  or  by  small  flat-boats,  towed  by  horses  along  the  shore. 
The  Fish  river,  a  rapid  stream  of  some  size,  is  the  outlet  of  the  large  Eagle  Lakes,  and  is  said  to 
carry  oif  the  suri)lus  water  of  some  200  square  miles  of  surface.  The  whole  country  is  intersected 
by  chains  of  hills,  running  from  W.  to  E.,  of  a  height  varying  from  200  to  600  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  river;  the  valleys  between  them  being  occupied  by  rapid  streams,  or  lakes  of  varia- 
ble size. 

The  barracks  and  officers'  quarters  are  situated  upon  a  level  plain,  40  feet  above  the  river, 
extending  back  in  a  southerly  direction  to  the  foot  of  the  hills,  a  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 
The  soil  is  a  light  loam,  which  rests  upon  a  stratum  of  gravel  and  ])ebbles.  On  passing  through 
this,  is  found  a  bed  of  tough  blue  clay,  reposing  upon  an  argillaceous  slate  rock.  This  slate  is 
found  cropping  out  in  large  masses  on  the  side-hills,  and  extends  on  the  south  to  the  valley  of 
the  Aroostook,  where  a  transition  limestone,  with  trilobites  and  other  fossils,  takes  its  place. 
In  consequence  of  its  geological  formation,  the  drainage  of  the  land  is  excellent,  and  numerous 
springs  of  fine  water  are  found  in  every  direction.  With  the  exception  of  the  immediate  bank 
of  the  St.  John's,  and  a  few  scattered  farms  on  the  road  which  connects  the  settlement  with  the 
military  road  at  Wattawamkeag,  the  whole  country  is  still  covered  by  a  dense,  unbroken  forest. 
The  harder  woods,  different  varieties  of  the  maple,  beech,  birch,  and  ash,  are  found  on  the  more 
elevated  and  the  more  rocky  soil,  while  the  lower  grounds  are  occupied  by  the  spruce,  fir,  larch, 
and  cypress.  The  white  and  yellow  pines,  which  produce  the  fine  lumber,  the  staple  of  the 
coimtry,  are  found  scattered  through  the  forest,  generally  more  or  less  isolated  and  distant 
from  eacli  other.  Large  elms  are  generally  seen  on  the  interval  lands;  the  generality  of  the 
forest-trees,  however,  with  the  exception  of  the  pines,  are  of  a  rather  diminutive  size. 

There  is  very  little  game  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fort ;  occasionally  moose,  carriboo, 
and  deer  are  seen;  but  these  animals  are  said  to  be  fast  deserting  the  country.  Two  species  of 
wolf,  the  loup  cervis,  bear,  and  glutton,  are  sometimes  shot  or  taken  in  traps;  and  a  few  bea- 
ver, otter,  sable,  and  mink  skins,  are  brought  for  sale  by  the  hunters.  Wild  jjigeons,  par- 
tridges, and  ducks  arc  found  in  inconsiderable  numbers.  The  river  and  lakes  are,  however, 
well  stocked  with  trout,  togue,  and  other  fine  fish.  During  the  summer  months  the  insects  are 
very  numerous,  and  very  annoying.  Mosquitoes  appear  in  immense  numbers,  often  before  the 
snow  has  left  the  woods;  a  species  of  sand-fly,  called  by  the  Indians  "no  see  'ems,"  are  also 
very  troublesome;  but  the  most  venomous  of  all,  is  the  "lilack  fly,"  an  insect  of  a  dark-colored 
body  and  grey  limbs,  about  one-fourth  the  size  of  the  ordinary  house-fly.  This  little  insect 
perforates  the  skin  without  causing  pain,  leaving  a  small^  red,  circular  jnark,  generally  found 
covered  with  a  clot  of  hardened  blood.  In  a  short  time  the  integument  around  the  puncture 
swells,  hardens,  and  itches  intolerably.  These  small  tumors  remain  for  two  or  three  days, 
gradually  disappearing,  and  occasionally  leaving  a  small  scar.  When  the  bites  are  numerous, 
and  the  person  attacked  of  an  irritable  temperament,  the  face  and  bands  become  severely  in- 
flamed and  swollen,  with  oedema  of  the  eyelids,  and  febrile  symptoms  of  some  intensity.  The 
application  of  the  aq:  ammon:  to  the  bite  allays  the  itching,  and  prevents  much  of  the  subse- 
quent inflammation.  The  only  possible  method  of  remaining  in  the  woods  during  a  warm,  clear 
day,  is  to  smear  the  exposed  surfaces  with  some  oily  and  odoriferous  substance,  such  as  oil  of 
cami)hor. 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION.  ^3 

The  climate,  at  this  post,  is  almost  Siberian  in  its  rigor ;  the  mean  temperature  for  the  year 
ending  June,  1845,  being  35.90.  The  long,  dreary  winter  commences  during  the  last  weeks 
in  October,  when  repeated  falls  of  snow  cover  the  ground,  to  remain  unmelted  until  the  succeed- 
ing spring.  The  St.  John's  is  generally  frozen  across  by  the  last  of  NoTember;  some  of  the 
largest  rapids  remain  open  until  tlie  middle  of  December.  From  Xovember  to  the  last  of  March, 
the  thermometer,  every  clear  night,  falls  below  zero ;  and  in  January  and  February  the  mer- 
cury is  sometimes  frozen  in  the  bulb.  This  phenomenon  was  twice  witnessed  during  the  month 
of  February,  1845.  Fortunately,  during  the  intensely  cold  weather  of  mid-winter,  the  atmo- 
sphere is  perfectly  calm,  and  the  woodsmen  are  able  to  work  in  the  open  air  without  injury.  In- 
deed, the  number  of  those  who  suffer  from  exposure  is  wonderfully  few — no  doubt,  in  some 
measure,  owing  to  the  precautions  they  take  to  defend  themselves  from  the  cold.  A  limiberman 
always  wears  from  two  to  three  thick  red  flannel  shirts,  a  species  of  woolen  blouse  or  loose 
jacket,  a  couple  of  pairs  of  drawers  with  overalls,  generally  three  or  four  pairs  of  woolen  socks 
and  a  huge  pair  of  cowhide  boots.  The  snow,  which  by  the  middle  of  March  is  often  five  or 
six  feet  deep,  begins  to  melt  by  the  last  of  that  month ;  disappearing  from  the  open  fields  by 
the  middle  of  April,  but  often  remaining  in  the  woods  until  after  the  1st  of  June.  The  rivers 
generally  open  from  the  15th  to  the  30th  of  April,  the  lakes  remaining  frozen  some  two  or 
three  weeks  longer.  Immediately  on  the  breaking  up  of  the  river  ice,  the  spring  freshets  com- 
mence ;  the  rivers  remaining  swollen  until  the  snow  in  the  forest  is  completelv  melted.  A 
second,  called  the  June  freshet,  sometimes  succeeds  the  heavy  rains  which  are  usually  looked 
for  in  that  month.  Killing  frosts  are  generally  experienced  through  the  month  of  May.  On 
the  4th  of  June,  1844,  ice  one-third  of  an  inch  in  thickness  was  seen.  The  last  killing  frost  in 
1845  occurred  on  the  31st  of  May.  White  frosts  occur  repeatedly  during  the  summer  months 
and  the  thermometer,  on  a  clear  night  with  a  northerly  wind,  sinks  to  34°  or  33°.  These  frosts 
very  seldom  injure  even  the  most  tender  garden  vegetables.  The  transition  from  winter  to 
summer  is  very  sudden ;  the  trees  put  forth  their  foliage,  and  the  various  plants  spring  up  with 
singular  rapidity.  I  have  repeatedly,  in  the  woods,  found  flowers  in  full  bloom,  by  the  side  of 
masses  of  the  yet  unmelted  snow.  The  snow  covers  the  groiAd  so  early  in  the  fall,  that  the 
earth  is  rarely  frozen  to  any  depth,  so  that  immediately  upon  its  disappearance,  agricultural 
operations  can  be  commenced,  thoygh,  owing  to  the  coldness  of  the  season,  very  little  plantino- 
is  done  before  the  1st  of  June.  The  first  swallows  make  their  appearance  during  the  last  week 
of  May.  I  found  the  acer  ruhrum  (red  maple)  in  bloom  on  the  16th  of  May,  the  aronia  hotrya- 
pium  (shad  bush)  on  the  23d,  the  betula  jiojmli/olia  (birch)  on  the  7th,  and  the  sorhus  Ameri- 
cana (mountain  ash)  on  the  26th  of  June.  The  fragaria  Canadensis  (the  wild  strawberry) 
is  generally  in  blossom  by  the  1st  of  June,  and  the  first  ripe  berries  are  found  during  the  first 
week  in  July.  Occasionally,  during  the  summer  months,  when  southerly  or  southwesterly 
winds  prevail  for  two  or  three  successive  days,  the  weather  becomes  very  warm  and  oppres- 
sive, the  thermometer  rising  to  94  or  95  in  the  shade  ;  but  generally  it  is  sufficiently  cool 
to  wear  the  ordinary  winter  clothing  of  warm  climates.  A  striking  ])cculiarity  of  the  months 
of  June  and  July  is  the  sudden  and  frequent  squalls  of  rain  and  hail,  which  occur  when  the 
wind  blows  fresh  from  the  W.  or  N.W.  In  the  months  of  August  and  September,  mornino- 
togs  occur,  rising  from  the  rivers  and  lakes,  spreading  over  the  adjacent  lands,  and  disappearing  as 
the  sun  gets  high.  They  form  an  admirable  protection  to  the  low  lands  from  the  early  autum- 
nal frosts,  which  make  their  ajjpearance  during  the  last  of  August.  Harvest  commences  the 
last  week  in  July,  when  the  crops  of  grass  are  generally  in  a  fit  state  to  cut.  Oats  and  other 
grains  ripen  about  the  1st  of  September,  and  have  often  to  be  reaped  while  still  green.  Nothing 
is  more  common  than  for  whole  fields  of  green  grain  to  be  cut  down  by  the  frosts.  The  potatoes, 
the  main  food  of  the  poorer  inhabitants,  are  dug  during  the  early  part  of  October,  and  very 
often  after  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow. 

The  prevailing  winds  are  from  the  W.  and  N.W.     The  mean  quantity  of  rain  falling  du- 
ring the  ten  montns  ending  June  30th,  1845,  was  2  61  inches.     It  is  the  southerly  and  easterly 


24  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

■winds  that  bring  the  heavy  rains.  The  proportion  of  cloudy  days  considerahly  exceeds  that  of 
clear  ones.  The  hygronietrical  oLservations  wonld  seem  to  indicate  that,  in  general,  tlio  atmo- 
sphere around  Fort  Kent  is  unusually  i'rce  from  af^ueous  vajjors. 

The  settlers  on  the  St.  John's  are  mostly  of  French  origin,  many  of  them  descendants  of  the 
old  Acadians,  who,  driven  by  tlie  En«^lish  from  Kova  Scotia,  settled  at  St.  Anne's,  now  Freder- 
ickton,  N.  B.,  whence  a  number  of  families  i'ound  their  way  to  Madawaska.  The  first  settle- 
ment was  made  in  17S3.  They  have,  from  time  to  time,  received  a  considerable  addition  to 
their  numbers  from  the  Canadas,  particularly  during  tlie  hist  few  years.  Tlie  population  of  the 
whole  settlement  in  1840  was  3,4G0 — on  the  American  side  of  the  river,  1,584;  on  tlie  Britisli, 
1,876.  The  first  American  settlers  came  into  the  country  about  thirty  years  since.  They 
remained  very  few  in  numbers,  until  the  impulse  given  by  the  lumber  trade  induced  many, 
within  the  last  five  years,  to  clear  lands  on.the  upper  St.  John's.  The  French  are  a  gay,  care- 
less, rather  improvident  people;  like  their  ancestors,  passionately  fond  of  dancing  and  the 
music  of  the  violin ;  devout  Catholics,  extremely  bigoted  and  ignorant,  and  completely  under  the 
control  of  their  priest.s.  Their  morals  are  generally  good,  and  they  are  not  often  intemperate. 
They  are  generally  of  a  small  stature,  and  in  this  respect  present  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
tall,  athletic  lumbermen  from  Maine  and  New  Brunswick.  Most  of  them  are  of  a  nervous, 
excitalde  temperament,  easily  lose  their  presence  of  mind  in  moments  of  difficulty,  and  have 
obtained  but  little  reputation  for  moral  or  jihysical  courage.  The  poorer  classes  depend  for 
their  subsistence  upon  their  fields  of  potatoes,  which,  with  milk,  bread  of  unbolted  flour  mixed 
with  rye,  barley,  or  buckwheat,  often  very  l)lack,  very  sour,  and  very  badly  baked,  and  a  little 
pork,  forms  their  princijjal  living.  Those  that  are  richer  fare  better,  though  the  living  of  the 
best  of  these  would  be  considered  poor  enough  by  an  American  farmer.  They  raise  barley, 
rye,  oats,  and  potatoes;  wheat  is  too  uncertain  a  crop  to  be  depended  upon.  The  only  garden 
vegetable  universally  cultivated  is  the  onion,  which  forms  a  very  marked  ingredient  in  all  their 
cooking.  Tliey  live,  for  the  most  part,  in  huts  built  of  logs;  the  chinks  filled  with  moss  and 
clay,  heated  within  by  a  huge  iron  stove.  A  rickety  table,  two  or  three  stools,  a  straw  bed 
and  coverlets,  and  a  few  cooking  titensils,  form  the  sum  total  of  the  furniture.  The  houses  of  the 
more  respectable  and  wealthier  inliabitants  are  formed  of  timbers  neatly  squared  and  closely 
fitted,  divided  internally  into  several  apartments,  often  very  comfortably  furnished,  and  neatly 
arranged.  The  chimneys  of  all  are  formed  of  clay,  moulded  over  a  framework  of  wooden  slats. 
The  people  are  warmly  clad  during  the  winter  in  woolen  fabrics  of  their  own  weaving;  their 
feet  protected  from  the  cold  by  woolen  socks  and  moccasins  of  moose-hide  or  untanned 
leather. 

They  marry  at  an  early  age,  particularly  the  females.  One  couijle,  who  dwell  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  fort,  was  married  when  the  husband  was  13  and  the  wife  14  years  of  age;  an 
instance  occurred,  since  my  residence  in  the  country,  of  the  marriage  of  a  girl  of  13  years, 
who  had  never  menstruated;  and  this,  I  am  told,  is  by  no  means  uncommon. 

Some  of  the  families  are  rather  remarkable  in  point  of  numbers.  Twelve  living  within  a 
mile  of  the  garrison,  and  taken  without  exception,  have  had  in  all  93  children,  and  been  mar- 
ried in  the  aggregate  1C2  years;  a  child  every  20i  months.  The  wife  of  Jacques  Camel  (the 
father  of  one  of  these  families)  has  been  married  11  3'ears,  and  had  7  children,  all  now  living, 
except  the  eldest,  who  died  at  the  age  of  4  years.  During  the  whole  of  these  11  years,  she  has 
never  seen  her  monthly  periods  but  once.  Her  second  child  was  born  exactly  nine  months  after 
her  first  accouchement;  her  third  the  same  period  after  the  second.  She  has  always  been  in 
the  habit  of  nursing  her  children  from  one  Inrtli  to  another. 

Burgoyne,  xt.  59,  residing  at  Green  river,  has  had  20  cliildren — 18  by  his  first  wife,  2  by 
his  second.  She  is  now  enciente.  His  eldest  daughter  has  been  married  ten  j-ears,  and  has 
had  eight  children.     His  mother  had  three  pairs  of  twins. 

Larent  Terriand,  at  the  same  place,  has  had  twenty-six  children  by  one  wife;  the  motlier  had 
her  last  infant  at  the  ajje  of  53. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION.  25 

Buonavenhire  Le  Grog,  in  eighteen  years,  liad  nineteen  children ;  of  these,  five  pairs  were 
twins. 

Thibadeanx,  now  66  years  of  age,  has  had  22  cliildren  by  two  wives — 10  by  the  first,  12  by 
the  second.  Buonaventure  Lisotte,  at  the  age  of  27,  married  Julia  Martin  at  19.  He  is  now 
51,  she  4o.     Tliey  have  had  17  chihlren;  and  4  pairs  were  twins. 

Jeriuan  Cire  has  had  22  cliildren,  all  single  births;  his  wife  was  married  at  the  age  of  14, 
and  is  now  43. 

Jerman  Michaux  has  had  20  children  by  two  wives ;  the  youngest  of  these  is  4  years  of  age. 
He  Ls  now  59,  she  45  years  old. 

The  wife  of  Isaac  Bialette,  aged  42,  has  had  19  children. 

The  wife  of  Pierre  Eichor,  at  Chatia  Corner,  has  had  in  three  years  three  successive  twin 
births;  all  6  children  are  now  living.  , 

Mr.  Webber,  the  Massachusetts  land  agent,  who  took  the  census  in  1830,  saw  in  one  log 
hut  a  woman  with  5  children  under  3^  years ;  one  twin  and  one  triplet  birth.  She  was  then 
pregnant  a  third  time. 

There  are  six  families  at  Green  river,  living  within  the  space  of  a  mile,  who  have  had,  in  all, 
lOG  children;  an  average  of  17.66  each. 

They  are  attended  during  their  confinements  by  the  older  women,  some  of  whom  hare 
acquired  considerable  rejjutation  in  the  management  of  obstetrical  cases.  They  do  not  hesi- 
tate, when  the  labor  does  not  progress  with  sufficient  rajjidity,  to  seize  upon  the  presenting 
part,  and  efiect  the  delivery  by  main  force.  In  an  arm  presentation,  tlie  midwife  fairly  tore  the 
child  to  i^ieces,  effecting  a  delivery  by  means  of  a  common  kitchen  pot-hook ;  and  what  is  rather 
singular,  the  mother  recovered  without  any  serious  trouble  resulting.  They  leave  their  beds 
often  within  twenty-four  hours  after  the  birth  of  the  child,  to  attend  to  their  customary  house- 
hold employments.  In  consequence  of  this,  their  rapid  child-bearing,  and  the  hard  labor  to 
which  they  are  occasionally  subjected,  the  great  majority  of  the  females,  particularly  when 
advanced  in  life,  suffer  from  prolapsus  uteri  and  leucorrhcea.  Uterine  hemorrhages  are  also 
of  very  frequent  occurrence. 

In  38  cases,  the  average  date  of  the  first  appearance  of  the  menses  was  13.5  years;  in  one 
case  commencing  at  11,  in  the  most  protracted  at  19  years.  To  compare  with  these,  I  have  pro- 
cured the  ages  at  which  the  only  eight  American  girls  who  have  been  raised  on  the  river,  first 
menstruated.  The  average  date  was  15.12  years — the  youngest  at  14,  the  eldest  at  16.  As  the 
Americans  have  a  decided  superiority  in  manner  of  living,  use  better  and  more  stimulating 
food,  wear  warmer  and  more  comfortable  clothing — all  of  which  causes  would  tend  to  accele- 
rate the  period  of  pubert}' — it  would  seem  that  race,  as  well  as  climate,  has  ^reat  influence  in 
the  matter.  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  but  few  observations'concerning  the  period  of  the  men- 
strual flux.     In  three  cases,  it  ceased  at  the  ages  of  43,  46,  and  51  years. 

During  the  fall,  winter,  and  spring  months,  the  forest  becomes  peopled  by  a  floating  popula- 
tion of  lumbermen,  whose  number  varies  from  2,000  to  3,000.  In  the  months  of  August  and  Sep- 
tember they  arrive  at  the  fort,  on  their  way  to  the  lumber  camps  of  the  upper  St.  John's,  and 
its  various  tributaries.  They  have  generally  spent  the  larger  portion  of  their  last  year's  wages 
in  wild  frolic  and  dissipation,  and  many  of  them  are  suflering  from  gonorrhoea,  venereal,  and 
the  effects  of  a  too  great  indulgence  in  spirituous  liquors.  On  arriving  at  the  seat  of  their 
operations,  they  build  their  camps — small  huts  of  logs,  with  low  sloping  sides,  and  a  large 
hole  in  the  centre  of  the  roof  to  allow  the  smoke  to  ascend  into  the  open  air.  They,  for  the 
most  part,  live  extremely  well,  particularly  the  American  parties.  They  are  amply  supplied 
with  wheat  flour  of  an  excellent  quality,  codfish,  molasses,  dried  apples,  good  pork,  and 
occasionally  fresh  beef.  The  men  seem  cheerful  and  happy,  and  certainly  enjoy  extraordinary 
health.  All  the  day  they  are  actively  engaged  in  the  open  air,  cutting  and  hewing  the  timber, 
or  conveying  it  to  the  banks  of  the  various  streams,  from  whence  it  is  to  be  floated  to  the 
market  at  St.  John's.  One  firm,  who  employed  in  the  woods,  during  the  past  winter,  over  300 
s.  96 1 


26  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

men,  informed  me  that  only  tliree  out  of  the  number  left  their  camps,  and  tliat  none  of  these 
were  seriously  ill.  The  same  state  of  good  health  prevailed  in  most  of  the  other  parties  who 
were  encamped  above  tlie  fort,  on  the  St.  John's  and  its  branches.  Two  cases  of  simple  frac- 
ture— one  of  the  fibula,  the  other  of  the  clavicle — and  a  few  incised  wounds  from  careless  blows 
with  the  axe,  were  the  only  accidents  that  came  under  my  care  during  the  past  winter.  In 
consequence  of  tlieir  uncleanly  habits,  and  a  gross  stimulating  diet,  they  freiiucntly  suffer  from 
cutaneous  diseases,  particularly  the  different  varieties  of  eczema  and  lichen.  Severe  attacks 
of  lichen  agrius  were  found  ])erfectly  manageable  rmder  a  system  of  alteratives,  gentle 
laxatives,  a  complete  change  of  diet,  and  a  due  regard  to  cleanliness.  The  same  causes,  with 
the  irritation  of  the  smoke  (often  very  troublesome  in  the  camps),  renders  the  tinea  ciliaris, 
with  slight  inflammation  of  the  meibomian  follicles,  a  very  common  affection.  Another  dis- 
ease of  the  eyes,  to  which  not  only  lumbej-men  and  teamsters,  but  all  others  who  are  much  in 
the  open  air,  are  subject,  is  hemeralopia.  It  is  most  common  in  the  months  of  March  and 
April,  when  the  length  of  the  days  has  become  considerable,  and  the  men  are  exposed  during 
this  time  to  the  bright  light  reflected  from  the  snow,  which  covers  the  whole  surface  of  the 
ground.  It  would  doubtless  be  a  complaint  of  much  greater  severity,  and  much  more  frequent 
occurrence,  were  it  not  that  the  proportion  of  cloudy  days  considerably  exceeds  that  of  clear 
ones.  The  cases,  not  very  numerous,  were  easily  cured  by  confinement  to  dark  apartments, 
and  avoidance  of  exposure  to  the  exciting  cause. 

I  have  met  with  a  considerable  number  of  cases  of  dyspepsia  among  these  lumbermen,  tlie 
disease  originating  from  the  gross  nature  of  their  diet,  aided  no  doubt  by  the  large  quantities 
of  salreratus  which  the  camp  cooks  mix  with  their  flour,  to  lighten  their  bread.  On  breaking 
a  loaf,  it  is  frequently  found  full  of  portions  of  a  yellowish  or  yellowish-green  tinge,  rather 
disagreeable  to  an  uninitiated  taste,  but  preferred  by  the  men,  who  insist  upon  its  use.  A  com- 
plete change  of  diet,  with  alterative  and  anodyne  medicines,  generally  effected  a  cure  in  a  very 
short  time. 

When  the  rivers  open  in  the  spring,  about  the  middle  or  last  of  April,  the  lumbermen  take 
advantage  of  the  freshet  to  "drive"  their  timber  to  market.  For  two  or  three  weeks,  the 
men  employed  on  this  duty  are  engaged  from  sunrise  to  dark  in  setting  free  the  logs  of  timber, 
often  many  tons  in  weight,  which  have  caught  and  grounded  on  the  bars  or  shores  during  the 
rise  or  fall  of  the  water.  During  the  whole  of  this  time,  they  are  using  the  moSt  violent  exer- 
tions, with  their  lower  extremities  constantly  immersed  in  water  of  an  extremely  low  temper- 
ature. They  lie  down  at  night,  weary  and  exhausted,  without  changing  their  clothes,  in  front 
of  a  camp-fire,  or  on  the  floor  of  some  convenient  hut.  From  this  exposure,  rheumatic  affec- 
tions originate,  not  often  of  the  acute  form,  but  mostly  subacute  and  chronic;  and  to  these  they 
often  remain  martyrs  through  a  loiig  life.  It  is  a  little  singular,  tliat  during  the  two  "driving" 
seasons  I  have  been  at  the  post,  only  two  cases  of  bronchitis  and  one  of  tonsillitis  have  presented 
themselves  for  treatment,  and  attributed  their  maladies  to  this  exposure.  Not  a  single  case  of 
pneumonia  or  pleurisy.  Some  of  these  parties  are  allowed  the  free  use  of  spirituous  liquors, 
while  others  are  conducted  on  the  temperance  plan. 

Several  cases  of  scurvy  have  placed  themselves  under  my  care  ;  the  disease  makes  its  appear- 
ance in  the  spring  months,  in  those  who  have  been  unusually  restricted  to  a  salt  diet.  This 
malady  prevailed  in  former  years  to  a  very  considerable  extent,  and  used  to  be  of  frequent  oc- 
currence among  the  provincial  camps  on  the  Restigouche.  Only  one  of  the  cases  under  my 
charge  was  of  any  severity.  The  man  had  been  left  at  a  camp  on  the  Black  river,  in  charge  of 
some  cattle,  with  no  other  provisions  than  salt  pork  and  flour.  Had  he  not  been  providentially 
discovered  by  some  timber  explorers,  he  would  have  perished  in  the  wilderness.  When  brought 
by  canoe  to  the  fort,  he  presented  some  of  the  worst  features  of  the  disease — extreme  debility  ; 
soft,  spongy,  ulcerated,  and  bleeding  gums;  subcutaneous  effusions  of  blood,  &c.  He  speedily 
recovered  under  the  ordinary  antiscorbutic  treatment. 

The  region  adjacent  to  Fort  Kent  is  probably  one  of  the  healthiest  within  the  limits  of  the 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION.  27 

United  States,  and,  though  rigorous,  the  climate  seems  to  be  productive  of  the  most  robust 
health.  Fevers  and  other  diseases  of  a  malarious  origin  are  unknown,  and  other  acute  diseases 
are  by  no  means  of  common  occurrence. 

In  the  fall  and  early  winter  months,  and  again  in  the  spring,  pulmonary  affections  princi- 
pally pneumonia  and  pleurisy,  present  themselves  for  treatment.  They  are  by  the  patients 
generally  ascribed  to  colds,  caught  while  exposed  during  a  state  of  profuse  perspiration.  The 
cases  under  my  care  have  been  of  a  mild  character,  yielding  readily  to  general  antiphlogistic 
treatment.  During  seventeen  months,  out  of  94  cases  admitted  into  the  hospital,  there  were 
two  of  bronchitis,  and  five  of  catarrh  ;  all  of  these  last  were  trivial  cases,  which  remained 
under  treatment  an  average  of  two  days  each.  This  freedom  from  catarrhal  diseases  is  no  doubt 
in  a  great  measure  owing  to  the  peculiar  dry  bracing  atmosphere  of  this  region.  While  on  the 
sea-coast,  I  found  that  catarrhal  diseases  originated  not  so  much  from  sudden  vicissitudes  of 
temperature,  as  from  a  simultaneous  change  in  the  hygrometric  condition  of  the  atmosphere. 
A  sudden  change  from  a  comparatively  dry  and  warm  westerly  or  northwesterly  wind,  to  a 
cold  damp  air  from  the  northeast  or  east,  was  certain  to  send  its  quota  of  sick  to  the  hospital, 
with  the  various  forms  of  catarrhal  disease  ;  while  an  equally  sudden  change  from  a  warm 
southerly,  to  a  cold  northwesterly,  was  unattended  by  the  same  results.  The  variations  of 
temperature,  in  the  two  instances,  were  equally  great ;  but  in  the  first,  the  surface  of  the  body, 
at  the  same  time  that  it  was  chilled  by  air  of  a  low  temperature,  came  in  contact  with  an  at- 
mosphere already  nearly  saturated  with  moisture,  and  whose  capacity  for  containing  an  in- 
creased quantity  was  consequently  much  diminished.  Here  two  causes  combine  to  produce  a 
sudden  check  of  the  cutaneous  secretions;  some  other  portion  of  the  system  takes  on  itself  an 
increase  of  duty,  and  catarrhal  inflammation  is  the  result.  At  Fort  Kent,  these  two  causes  are 
seldom  or  never  combined ;  for  the  only  winds  tliat  are  moist  and  bring  rain  in  any  quantity, 
come  from  the  south  and  southeast,  and  both  of  them  are  attended  by  an  increased  warmth, 
tending  to  relax  the  surface  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  cold  winds  from  the  north  and 
northwest  always  bring  an  increased  dryness  of  the  atmosphere. 

The  climate  of  Fort  Kent,  like  that  of  the  colder  regions  of  northern  Europe,  does  not  seem 
favorable  for  the  production  of  pulmonary  phthisis.  During  my  sojourn  at  the  post,  I  have 
neither  seen  nor  heard  of  a  case  of  this  disease  among  the  French  or  American  settlers.  As- 
sistant Surgeon  Isaacs,  who,  during  the  two  years  he  was  resident  at  the  fort,  had  a  much 
better  opportunity  than  myself  of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  diseases  of  the  country,  in- 
forms me,  not  onh'^  that  he  never  saw  a  case  of  consumption  in  the  country,  but  that  some  of 
the  inmates  of  the  garrison,  who  were  afi'ected  with  suspicious  symptoms,  recovered  from  them 
entirely.  The  present  revenue  officer  at  the  post,  a  man  of  decidedly  scrofulous  temperament, 
had  sufiered  a  slight  attack  of  hasmoptysis,  and  other  symptoms  of  incipient  pulmonary  disease, 
when  he  was  ordered  to  this  post.  Tliough  liable  to  catch  cold  when  exposed,  his  cough  no 
longer  troubles  him  :  he  has  gained  flesh  and  strength,  and  considers  himself  free  from  the 
disease.  A  careful  examination  of  the  chest,  in  this  case,  gave  no  marked  results  ;  yet  I  have 
no  doubt,  from  his  symptoms,  that  when  ordered  to  Fort  Kent  he  was  suflering  under  tiiber- 
cular  deposition  in  the  lungs.  One  case  of  phthisis  occurred  in  an  artificer  of  company  G,  Ist 
artillery,  a  man  hereditarily  disposed  to  the  disease,  and  having  it  fully  developed  before  his 
arrival  at  the  post.  He  remained  for  a  year  in  tolerable  health,  until  much  exposed  to  hard 
labor  in  the  midst  of  the  melting  snows  of  March  and  April,  when  tlie  disease  became  more 
marked,  and  he  was  forced  to  enter  the  hospital.  As  his  term  of  service  had  nearly  expired, 
and  he  was  desirous  of  visiting  his  friends,  lie  was  allowed  a  furlough,  without  remaining  any 
length  of  time  under  treatment. 

The  children  in  and  near  the  garrison  have  generally  enjoyed  the  best  of  health,  and  have 
been  afllicted  with  none  of  those  complaints  so  common  in  warmer  climates.  It  has  frequently 
been  made  the  subject  of  remark  by  the  mothers,  how  vast  the  difference  in  this  respect  between 
Fort  Kent  and  their  former  posts.     For  the  last  seven  months,  with  the  exception  of  a  couple 


/ 


2S  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

of  cases  of  cczeinu,  iiiid  one  or  two  slight  pectoral  affections,  I  do  not  romeinlxT  to  liave  been 
called  to  prescribe  for  a  single  sick  child. 

The  goitre  is  not  an  uncommon  complaint  in  the  settlement,  attacking  here,  as  elsewhere, 
mostly  females,  and  those  after  the  age  of  puberty.  The  disease  appears  to  be  gradually  disap- 
pearing. Some  twenty-five  years  since,  it  was  so  common  that  very  few  of  the  females  were 
unafl'ected,  and  even  sheep  and  other  cattle  were  to  be  seen  with  large  swellings  of  the  throat. 
It  is  supposed  by  the  inhabitants  to  originate  from  the  use  of  the  river  water  ;  but  this  can 
hardly  be  the  case,  as  the  same  water  has  been  freely  used  by  those  living  on  the  lower  St. 
John's,  and  vet  a  case  of  bronchocelc  has  never  been  seen  below  the  Grand  Falls.  It  has 
attacked  tlie  Aijierican  settlers  as  well  as  those  of  French  origin.  In  one  young  American  girl, 
a?t.  15,  it  appeared  after  she  had  been  in  tlic  country  about  a  year  ;  in  two  otliers,  after  they 
had  lived  on  the  river  a  longer  time.  In  two  of  these  cases,  the  disease  was  cured  by  a  removal 
from  the  country. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  FAIRFIELD. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  llicliard  II.  Coolidge  :  1843. 

Fort  Fairfield  is  situated  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Aroostook  river,  in  latitude  40°  40',  lon- 
gitude 67°  49',  about  six  miles  from  its  confluence  with  the  St.  John's,  and  about  two  miles 
east  of  the  boundary-line  as  recently  surveyed  by  the  United  States.  It  is  200  miles  distant 
from  the  ocean,  above  which  it  is  elevated  415  feet,  and  about  100  miles  from  the  St.  Lawrence. 
The  eminence  on  which  the  fort  is  placed  rises  100  feet  above  the  river,  which  is  here  about 
180  yards  in  width.  The  land  in  the  vicinity  is  rolling,  swelling  into  elevated  ridges,  and, 
with  exception  of  the  immediate  banks  of  the  river,  covered  witli  a  dense  forest  abounding  in 
trees  valuable  for  ships  and  other  purposes.  The  most  common  are  the  white  and  yellow  pine, 
wliifh  form  staple  articles  of  export ;  the  sugar  and  otlier  varieties  of  maple  ;  the  beech,  birch, 
ash,  fir,  spruce,  and  cypress.  The  coptis  trifolia  and  asaruni  Canadensis  arc  found  in  abtmd- 
ance.  The  soil  abounds  in  limestone,  and  is  uncommonly  productive.  Notwithstanding  the 
hyperborean  rigor  of  the  climate,  wheat  sowed  in  the  fall  yields  an  abundant  harvest,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow  from  November  till  May.  The  transition  frt>m 
winter  to  summer  is  very  rapid;  the  trees  put  fbrtli  their  leaves,  and  wild  flowers  bloom,  wliile 
masses  of  snow  remain  in  the  forests.  Field  strawberries  ripen  about  the  1st  of  July.  The 
ice  in  the  river  generally  breaks  up  about  the  middle  of  April.  The  thermometer  here  has  a 
range  of  122°,  rising  to  98°  in  summer,  and  falling  to — 24°  in  winter.  This  is  at  the  hours 
appointed  for  making  meteorological  observations  ;  but  the  actual  range  is  even  greater,  the 
maximum  being  100°,  and  the  minimi;m  so  low  as  to  freeze  the  mercury  in  the  bulb.  The 
prevailing  winds  are  from  the  N.  and  N.W. 

Game  is  not  very  abundant.  The  principal  varieties  are  the  moose,  carriboo,  deer,  and  bear. 
Wolves  are  very  numerous,  and  in  winter  are  sometimes  troublesome,  occasionally  appearing 
in  the  roads  in  the  daytime,  and  following  and  sometimes  attacking  travellers.  The  lakes 
abound  in  trout,  and  the  river  in  the  finest  salmon  during  the  season,  when  they  ascend  the 
St.  John's,  and  pass  the  falls  of  the  Aroostook,  to  deposit  their  spawn  upon  the  clear  pebbly 
bottom  of  that  stream.  The  Aroostook  falls  102  feet  within  a  distance  of  a  mile  and  a  half, 
by  a  succession  of  rapids  and  cascades,  the  largest  of  which  has  a  perpendicular  fall  of  about 
12  feet.  It  is  only  the  largest  and  most  powerful  of  the  salmon  that  succeed  in  ])assing  this 
fall,  and  these  frequently  make  several  unsuccessful  eflbrts  before  accomplishing  that  object. 
Mosquitoes  appear  early  in  summer,  in  immense  numbers,  and  also  a  species  of  fly,  called  by 
the  Indians  "  no  see  'ems" .  These  are  so  numerous  and  troublesome  in  the  woods,  as  to  render 
some  protection  for  the  hands  and  face  absolutely  necessary.  The  officers  engaged  in  the 
boundary  survey  were  .compelled  to  resort  to  the  use  of  camphor  or  creosote  ointments,  as  a 
measure  of  protection. 

Numerous  opportunities  have  occurred  for  examining  the  auroi-a   iiorealis,  and  my  attention 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  29 

has  been  directed  to  the  occasional  formation  of  clouds,  emitting  silent  lightning,  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  streamers  ;  the  remaining  portion  of  the  sky  continuing  as  before,  unclouded.  This 
phenomenon  was  beautifully  disjilayed  on  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  July,  1843.  At  9.45, 
p.  M.,  the  sky  being  perfectly  clear,  numerous  brilliant  streamers,  having  the  form  of  inverted 
cones,  appeared  midway  between  the  zenith  and  the  northern  horizon.  A  brisk  wind  then 
sprung  up  from  the  S.S.E,  and  a  few  black  clouds  passed  to  the  N.N.W.  At  10,  p.  si.,  a 
beautiful  luminous  arch  was  seen  rapidly  extending  itself  from  the  eastern  horizon  to  the 
west,  having  an  apparent  breadth  of  four  or  five  degrees  ;  its  central  and  highest  portion,  when 
fully  formed,  being  in  the  zenith.  A  distinct  luminous  wave  was  seen  moving  from  the  eastern 
extremity  of  this  arch  to  its  western  ;  the  arch  itself  moving  slowly  south.  In  fifteen  minutes 
after  the  complete  formation  of  the  arch,  its  eastern  extremity  was  invisible,  and  it  progres- 
sively disappeared,  the  western  extremity  being  longest  visible.  During  this  time,  a  large 
black  cloud  formed  in  the  west,  emitting  sheets  of  vivid  lightning,  which  continued  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes  after  the  disappearance  of  the  arch.  No  clouds  had  passed  over  to  the  west ; 
the  wind  blowing  steadily  from  the  S.S.E. ,  and  all  the  clouds  passing  to  the  X.N.W.  It  was 
observed  that  the  cloud  in  the  west  spread  toward  the  south  as  the  arch  moved  in  that  direction. 
I  have  thought  this  observation  worthy  of  note,  as  tending  to  identify  the  aurora  borealis  with 
electricity. 

This  post  is  uncommonly  salubrious ;  the  climate,  though  rigorous,  is  uniform  for  long  periods, 
and  does  not  appear  favorable  to  the  development  of  phthisis,  or  of  other  affections  of  the 
respiratory  system.  The  country  is  very  little  settled,  but,  so  far  as  my  observation  extends,  no 
case  of  consumption  has  occurred,  either  in  the  permanent  inhabitants  or  among  the  numerous 
parties  of  lumbermen,  who  pass  the  entire  winter  in  the  open  air,  and  are  the  most  hardy  and 
athletic  of  men.  The  diet  of  these  men  consists  principally  of  pork,  bread,  sugar,  and  tea,  of 
which  large  quantities  are  drank  daily.  Alcoholic  stimulants  are  rarely,  if  ever,  found  in  tlieir 
camps,  tea  being  the  substitute.  In  the  command,  two  cases  of  phthisis  have  occurred  :  one, 
complicated  with  extensive  pleurisy,  with  effusion  on  the  right  side,  proved  rapidly  fatal ;  the 
other,  though  well  marked — a  large  cavity  having  formed  in  the  superior  lobe  of  the  right  lung, 
attended  with  such  extreme  emaciation  that  at  one  time  death  was  daily  expected — recovereil ;  a 
result  which  I  attribute  to  the  invigoi-ating  effects  of  this  climate^  and  to  the  use  of  iodine 
internally.  More  than  a  year  has  elapsed  since  the  subject  of  this  disease  returued  to  duty, 
during  which  time  he  has  been  fully  exposed  to  tlie  vicissitudes  of  the  weather.  He  is  now 
healthy  and  robust. 

The  diseases  are  generally  of  a  sthenic  character,  requiring  free  antiphlogistic  treatment. 

HANCOCK   BARRACKS. 

Hancock  Barracks  is  located  in  the  town  of  Houlton,  Maine,  latitude  46°  7',  longitude  67° 
49'.  It  is  distant  from  the  Baj^  of  Fundy  180  miles,  and  from  the  ocean  156  miles,  above  which 
it  is  elevated  620  feet.  The  surrounding  coimtry  presents  an  undulating  aspect.  The  position 
is  circumscribed  by  a  range  of  hills,  intersected  at  two  points  by  the  Meduxnekeag,  a  small,  rapid 
stream,  which  runs  through  the  town  about  half  a  mile  from  the  fort.  The  barracks,  situated 
upon  a  liill,  are  of  wood,  and  are  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  ojien  to  the  south. 
The  hospital,  two  stories  high,  also  of  wood,  is  dry  and  well  ventilated.  The  drainage  is 
jierfect. 

The  season  of  summer  is  short,  and,  as  frosts  frequently  occur  before  its  close,  the  destruction 
of  vegetation  is  not  unusual.  In  the  winter,  snow  falls  to  a  great  depth,  and  remains  upon  the 
ground  during  the  whole  season.  The  thermometer  has  a  range  of  125°;  the  maximum  99°, 
the  minimum  — 26°.  The  average  mean  temperatures,  deduced  from  seventeen  years  of  observa- 
tion, are:  spring,  39.15;  summer,  63.33;  autumn,  43.15  ;  winter,  16.41 ;  year,  40.15.  The 
mean  animal  precipitation  in  rain  and  snow  is  36.97  inches. 

Assistant  Surgeon  L.  Sprague  reports,  in  1839,  that  "this  station  .surpasses  most  others  in 


30  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    ANP    MORTALITT 

its  freedom  from  sickness.  Cold  as  the  winter  is,  and  damp  as  the  autumn  and  spring  are  ren- 
dered by  frequent  rains,  persons  who  have  suffered  from  weak  chest  find  their  complaints  much 
mitigated  by  a  residence  here.  Consumjition  is  rarely  seen  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
and  many  persons,  who  were  predisposed  to  tliat  disease,  have  continued  in  good  health,  free 
from  cough,  and  have  had  their  constitutions  invigorated  and  improved." 

PLATTSBURG    BARRACKS. 

This  station  is  on  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  about  a  mile  from  the  town  of  Platts- 
burg,  State  of  Xew  York,  in  latitude  44°  41',  longitude  73°  25',  and  about  310  miles  north 
from  the  Atlantic  ocean,  above  which  it  is  186  feet.  The  Saranac,  a  small  river  which  rises  in 
a  range  of  lakes  of  the  same  name,  forty  miles  southwest,  discharges  itself  into  Lake  Champlain 
at  this  jioint.  There  are  no  extensive  marshes  in  this  vicinity.  A  range  of  mountains  borders 
the  lake  on  the  west,  and  on  the  east  the  Green  Mountains  of  Vermont  are  to  be  seen  through- 
out its  wliole  extent.  The  w;?ather  is  very  variable:  sudden  and  great  changes  frequently 
occur.  The  thermometer  has  an  extreme  range  of  124°,  being  100°  in  summer,  and  — 24°  in 
winter ;  the  mean  annual  temperature,  deduced  from  eleven  years  of  observation,  being  44°. 
The  mean  annual  precipitation  in  rain  and  snow  is  33.39  inches.  The  prevailing  winds  are 
from  the  S  and  S.W. ;  those  from  the  south  are  often  very  cold,  and  accompanied  with  snow 
or  rain. 

W  A  T  E  R  V  L  I  E  T    ARSENAL. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  A\est  bank  of  the  Hudson  river,  a  few  miles  above  Albany,  and 
nearly  opposite  to  Troy.  The  locality  is  surrounded  by  hills  and  an  elevated  back  country. 
No  medico-topographical  report  of  this  station  can  be  found  on  the  files  of  the  Medical  Bureau. 

WEST   POINT. 

West  Point  is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  Hudson  river,  in  latitude  41°  23',  longitude  74°, 
about  midway  in  that  part  of  the  river  called  the  Highlands;  50  miles  from  the  ocean,  and 
170  from  Lake  Champlain.  The  public  buildings  are  on  a  plain  about  a  mile  square,  having 
in  its  rear  a  range  of  hills  of  from  600  to  1,400  feet  in  height.  On  each  side  of  this  plain  there 
are  ravines  that  serve  to  carry  off  the  great  floods  of  water,  which  descend  from  the  adjacent 
hills  after  heavy  rains  or  spring  freshets.  The  soil  is  gravelly,  with  frequent  ledges  of  rock, 
either  just  below  the  surface,  or  rising  above  it  in  the  form  of  boulders.  The  nearest  marshy 
ground  is  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  about  a  mile  distant. 

The  mean  annual  temperature  of  this  post,  as  determined  by  observations  continued  for 
thirty-one  years,  is  50.78,  with  an  extreme  range  of  111°;  rising  in  summer  to  100°^  and  fall- 
in  winter  to  — 11°.  The  prevailing  winds  are  from  the  N.W.  and  S.  The  annual  quantity 
of  rain  is  about  53  inches.  There  are  no  diseases  which  can  be  considered  peculiar  to  this 
station;  acute  inflammatory  diseases  are  rare.  Indeed,  the  sick  report  is  mostly  made  up  of 
slight  complaints  and  injuries.  The  spring  and  autumn  are  most  productive  of  severe  catarrhal 
affections  and  rheumatism  ;  the  summer,  of  disorders  of  the  digestive  organs  ;  and  the  winter  is 
decidedly  tlie  most  healthy  period  of  the  year.  From  December  to  March,  particularly  in  the 
coldest,  and,  of  course,  driest  winters,  it  often  occurs  that,  out  of  eight  hundred  persons,  there 
is  not,  for  weeks  together,  one  seriously  sick. 


DISEASES. 


The  diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  stationed  in  the  region  now  under  consideration, 
will  be  statistically  given  in  two  abstracts — one  for  West  Point,  and  one  consolidated  for  the 
other  stations.     This  course  is  necessary,  because  the  unusually  high  ratio  of  disease  at  West 


AMONG    THE    TOOOPS   IN    THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION. 


31 


Point  depends  not  upon  the  peculiarities  of  its  position,  but  upon  the  fact  that  the  command 
consists  almost  entirely  of  cadets,  students  in  the  Military  Academy,  who^  when  suffering  from 
headache  or  other  slight  indisposition,  can  only  obtain  respite  from  academical  studies  or 
military  exercises  by  having  their  names  registered  on  the  sick-report.  A  mere  glance  at  the 
abstract  will  suffice  to  show  this  ;  the  majority  of  the  cases  reported  being  under  the  head  of 
"catarrhus,"  "cephalagia^"  and  "  all  other  diseases  ;"  which  last  were  mainly  slight  indis- 
positions, sore  feet,  toothache,  and  other  minor  disabilities. 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  3  for  this  division,  exhibits  the  amount  of 
sickness  and  mortality  at  West  Point  during  the  period  under  review: 

TABLE  EXHIBITINCi  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITT. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO  PER  1,000 

OF  HEAS  STREKOTB. 

Treated. 

Died. 

6,855 

6,565 

^  7,035 

7,U9 

7,325 
7,627 
8,918 

7,770 

6 

8 

15 

2 

1,068 
1,161 
1,267 
1.086 

0.9 

Second  quarter 

1.2 

2.  1 

Fourth  quarter 

0.2 

Annual  ratio 

6,901 

31.640 

31 

4,584 

4.4 

Exclusive  of  cholera 

31,635 

28 

4.584 

4.  0 

This  table  shows  that  the  annual  proportion  of  cases  treated  to  the  mean  strength  has  averaged 
4.58  to  1  ;  that  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  men  was  1  in  222,  or  0.4  of  one  per  cent; 
and  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  cases  treated  was  1  in  1021,  or  less  than 
0,1  of  one  per  cent. 

During  the  ten  years  from  1829  to  1838,  inclusive,  the  sickness  at  this  post  averaged  4.5  per 
cent.,  and  the  mortality  0.3  of  one  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


J 

s 

?                 ;      £  M 

strength 

6,855 

6,565                 7,035                 7,149 

6,901 

T3     . 

1° 

o 
c 

s 

0. 

I  it 

1" 

■1% 

Diseases. 

Cases 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths.    Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

=  S 
^  o 

Febria  continua  commnnia 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana. . 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana... 
F^'bris  rpni'tt^ns 

71 
10 
25 
0 
1 
1 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

90 
8 
157 
0 
8 
3 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
1 

Ill 
U 

252 

1 

15 

0           95 
0     i       9 
0         70 
0            7 
0     t      4 
0             1 
0             0 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

367 

71 

504 

8 

28 

6 

1 

1 
0 

0 

1 
1 

0 

1  in  367 
Oin    71 
Oin  504 
Oin      8 
1  in    28 
lin      6 
Oin      1 

53 
10 
73 

1+ 
4 

0 

1 

1_ 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0             1 

0 

Total 

108            1 

266             1         42.i             n         ISfi             1 

985 

3 

lin  328 

142 

32 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


The  sick  reports  are  without  comment  respecting  febrile  diseases  proper;  and  the  only  remark 
in  regard  to  cru])tive  i'evcrs  is  by  Surgeon  Clias.  McDougall,  in  his  re])ort  for  the  third  quarter, 
1847,  wliicli  is  as  follows:  "The  case  of  erysipelas  was  one  of  uncommon  violence,  iu  wliich 
the  vital  powers  seemed  to  be  so  much  oppressed  by  congestion,  as  to  threaten  a  fatal  terniina- 
tion.  Tlie  specific  jiowers  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  in  large  doses,  were  eminently  dis]dayed 
iu  the  case,  in  not  only  clianging  the  congestive  condition,  but  in  arresting  the  disease  itself." 

DISEASES  OF  Till':  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WI'l'lT  'rill-;  DIGES'n\n5  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  ..   --- 

FlKSr. 

SECOND. 

thiud. 

FOUKTII 

teah. 

2 

m 

•s 

a 
<u 
•o   . 

O    m 

■p 
o 

a. 
o 

§ 

1% 

Strcivth               - 

c, 

855 

c, 

5C5 

7, 

035 

7,149 

6, 

901 

^i 

Si 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

•S'5 

0 

402 

14 

2 

1 

1 

0 

194 

624 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

4G5 

18 

0 

0 

0 

0 

195 

558 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

5 

1524 

144 

0 

0 
0 

1 
230 
G20 

3 

1 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

527 

11 

0 

0 

1 

180 
495 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

5 
2918 

187 

2 
1 
1 
2 
799 
2297 

3 

1 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

3  in        5 
1  in  2918 
1  iu      47 
0  iu        2 
0  in         1 
Oiu        1 
Gin        2 
Oin    799 
0  iu  2297 

0 

An 

Dysoutcria  acuta-   _    .-_. 

?,7 

Dysenteria  clironioa 

0 
0 

0 

0 

Obstipatio           --   

115 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system. . 

332 

Total 

1238 

0 

1236 

0 

2524 

8 

1214 

0 

6212 

8 

lin    776 

son 

6207 

5 

1  in  1241 

899 

In  reference  to  the  cases  of  cholera  Asiatica,  Surgeon  John  M.  Cuyler,  in  his  report  of  sick  for 
the  third  quarter,  1849,  remarks,  that  "during  the  last  six  months  diarrhoea  and  dysentery 
have  prevailed  to- a  very  great  extent  amongst  the  pupils  of  the  Academy  and  the  enlisted  men 
of  the  post;  and,  also,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  they  have  been  of  more  frequent  occurrence  in  the 
neighboring  villages  than  is  usual  in  this  section  of  the  country.  Some  peculiar  atmospheric 
influence  (whether  or  not  it  be  that  which  causes  epidemic  cholera)  was  felt  here  previous  to 
the  accession  of  that  disease,  manifesting  its  presence  by  the  modifications  exhibited  in  almost 
every  case  of  sickness  that  has  happened  within  the  past  season.  The  case  of  dysentery  which 
proved  fatal  on  the  17th  of  July  showed,  in  a  very  marked  degree  towards  its  close,  some  of 
the  symptoms  of  cholera;  but  the  first  well-marked  instance  that  appeared  in  this  neighborhood 
was  in  tlie  small  town  of  Canterbury,  twelve  miles  distant,  where,  in  a  few  days,  fifteen  or 
twenty  persons  died.  It  was  common  along  the  line  of  the  Hudson  River  Eailroad,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  tlie  river,  for  some  weeks  previous." 

The  first  death  from  cholera  at  West  Point  occurred  on  the  11  th  of  August,  and  the  last  on 
the  7th  of  September,  1849, 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NOETHEEN   DIVISION. 


33 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EESPIRATORT  SYSTEM. 


Quartei-s 

nusT. 

8ECX)S1>. 

THIBD. 

FOrBTII. 

TEAK._ 

2 

1 

t: 

o 
c 
£ 

?i 

Strength 

6,855 

6, 

565 

7, 

035 

7, 

149 

6,901    ■ 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

o  £ 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica 
Catarrhus 

0 

1967 
2 

17 
4 

23 

0 
0 
2 
0 

1 

0 

0 
1543 

1 
5 

4 

62 

0 
0 
3 
0 
0 

0 

0 
880 

2 
0 

1 

60 

0 
0 
3 
0 
0 

0 

0 

1960 

1 

21 

I 

45 

0 
0 
0 

0 
0 

0 

0 

6350 
6, 
43 
10 

190 

0 
0 
8 
0 

1 

0 
0  in  6350 

0 
920 
0.8 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

0  in    43 

1  in     10 

0  in  190 

6 
1.4 

27 

Pneumonia 

All  other  diseases  of  this 

Total - 

2013 

3 

1615 

3 

943 

3 

2023 

» 

6599 

9 

1  in  733 

956 

Rheumatism  us  --       

201 

0 

201 

1 

156 

0 

161 

0 

719 

1 

1  in  719 

104 

The  anomaly  presented  in  the  foregoing  table,  of  more  deaths  from  phthisis  than  there  were 
cases  reported,  is  to  be  ex})lained  by  stating  that  patients  are  sometimes  admitted  to  hospital 
with  acute  diseases,  which  terminate  in,  or  lead  to,  the  develo2:)ment  of  consumption-  in  such 
cases,  the  original  disease  only  is  reported  in  the  list  of  admissions. 

The  epidemic  influenza  prevailed  here  in  June,  1843,  making  its  appearance  about  the  first 
of  that  month,  and  terminating  about  the  first  of  July.  Surgeon  Cuyler  remarks  that  "the 
disease  was  of  a  less  catarrhal  character  than  usual,  affecting  the  nervous  system  more  <^enerally." 

The  following  table,  from  abstract  No.  4  of  this  division,  exhibits  the  amount  of  sickness  and 
mortality  in  the  region  lying  east  of  the  Great  Lakes: 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  per  1,000  ofKEiM  btrenotb. 

Treated.           1              Died. 

3,731 
3,706 
3,473 
3,304 

1,541 
1,624 
1,852 
1,409 

13 

17 

3 

6 

413                       3.4 
438                       4. 5 
533                       0. 8 

426                         1.8+ 

Third  quarter 

Fourth  quarter  .. 

Annual  ratio 

3,553 

6,426 

39 

1,803                       10.9 

The  foregoing  table  shows  tliat  the  average  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the 
strength  of  the  command  was  1.8  to  1;  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  men,  1  in  91  or 
1.09  per  cent. ;  aud  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  treated,  1  in  1G1.77,  or  0.6  per  cent. 

S.   96 5 


34 


REPORT    ON    TUK   SICKNICSS    AND    MORTALITY 


FEVERS. 


I 

Quarters nnsT. 

1                   '                  '                   Is 

SKCOND.                      THIRD.                     FOIRTII.                      YKAR.                         * 

Strength ' 3,731 

3.706                 3,473                 3,304 

3,  553                c  1 

o     to 

if 
"5  a 

5 

Diseases.                          i  Cases. 

Oeatlis. 

Cases. 

Deaths.  >  Cases. 

1 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths.           g 

t      a: 

Fcbris  contiuua  ccmiiiuinis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana... 

Febris  remittens 

Febris  typhus.  _                ....... 

27 
7 

13 
0 
C 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

43 

30 

27 

6 

10 

0 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 

41    -        0 
28            0 
58            0 

3  0 

4  0 
0            0 
0            0 

•to 

16 
15 
7 
0 
3 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

151 

81 

113 

16 

20 

3 

0 

0  ]  0  in  I.')l 
0  1  0  ill  M 
0  1  0  in  113 
0  ■  0  in  IG 
0  0  in  20 
3  3  ill  3 
0          0  in      0 

42 

22 

32 

4 

6 

1 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0 

Total   ..                     

53 

0 

IIB 

2 

134 

1 
0          81 

1 

384 

3          1  in  128 

108 

Although  it  i.s  evident,  from  the  statistical  table,  that  fevers  of  the  intermittent  type  are  com- 
paratively rare  in  this  command,  it  is,  nevertheless,  proper  to  remark,  that  a  majority  of  the 
cases  reported  occurred  in  troops  who  had  recently  served  in  Florida.  To  such  an  extent  is  this 
the  fact,  tliat  the  few  exceptional  cases  were  considered  by  the  medical  officers  worthy  special 
remark. 

The  original  reports  afford  no  cine  to  the  anomaly  of  two  deatlis  from  typhus  fever  in  the  second 
quarter;  no  cases  of  that  disease  having  been  reported.  It  is  probable  the  cases  were,  in  reality, 
typhoid  terminations  of  other  diseases. 

Eriptive  Fevek.s. — In  this  class  we  notice  an  ejtidemic  of  rubeola,  which  occurred  at  Hancock 
Barracks  in  April  and  May,  1841.  No  particulars  have  been  reported.  Seventeen  cases  oc- 
curred among  the  troops ;  but  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  disease  prevailed  much  more  exten- 
sively in  the  families  of  officers  and  soldiers;  the  official  statistical  reports  being  confined  to  tlie 
military  force  ])roper. 

In  June,  1841,  acting  Assistant  Surgeon  Augustus  Viele  reports  from  Watervliet  Arsenal, 
that  "many  cases  of  erysipelas,  of  a  malignant  and  fatal  character,  have  occurred  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  this  ]iost  during  tlie  past  quarter  ;  also  many  cases  of  puerperal  fever,  nearly  all  of  whicli 
proved  iatal."  In  March,  1842,  Assistant  Surgeon  L.  C.  McPliail,  at  Plattsburg  Barracks, 
reports  the  prevalence  of  an  epidemic  erysipelas  of  a  very  fatal  character,  in  the  northwest  jiart 
of  Vermont,  along  the  New  York  border,  and  in  the  counties  of  the  latter  State  bordering  on 
Lake  Chamiilain.  The  disease  had  then  (March  31st)  reached  Plattsburg,  without  any  miti- 
gation of  its  severity.  The  same  officer,  in  his  report  for  the  first  quarter,  1843,  remarks,  that 
"the  epidemic  erysipelas  noticed  in  my  report  for  Marcli,  1842,  has  continued  in  these  parts  to 
the  present,  and  deaths  from  it  are  of  almost  daily  occurrence.  During  its  prevalence,  otherwise 
trifling  wounds  and  injuries  have  become  serious,  and  in  several  instances  fatal,  from  their  be- 
coming erysipelatous,  followed  by  gangrene;  and  parturient  women  have  fallen,  in  unusual 
numbers,  victims  to  jmerperal  lever."  Again,  in  June,  1843,  this  officer  rei^orts  as  follows: 
"The  erysipelas  reigns  no  longer  here  epidemically ;  but  occasionally  a  case  is  seen,  and  wounds 
still  manifest  a  disposition  to  lake  on  erysipelatous  inflammation." 

Scarlatina  prevailed  in  the  vicinity  of  Plattsburg  Barracks  during  the  tliird  quarter  of  1842, 
and  again  in  the  second  quarter  of  1845. 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    THE    NORTHKRN   DIVISION. 


35 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYS'l-EM. 


QiKirter-s 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

Strfni,'tli 

3.731 

:;  70(j 

Diseases. 


Cliolera  Asiatica. 

DiarrlKua 

Dysenteria  acuta _ 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  thissystem 

Total 


Cases.  :  Deaths.    Cases.  I  Deaths. 


0 

G2 

1:'. 

1 

0 

0 

0 

48 

112 


23S 


0 

119 

2.5 

2 

1+ 

1 

2 

53 

114 


173 


3.304 


Cases.  I  Deaths.  I  Cases.     Deaths. 


0 

0 

0 

0 

295 

0 

0 

69 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

8 

<l 

0 

4 

0 

0 

2 

n 

(1 

G4 

0 

Q 

180 

0 

0 

121 

e 

2 

0 

2 

4 

43 

102 


3.553 


Cases.      Deaths. 


0 
597 
115 

5 

22 


208 
508 


2        330  0        622  0        280 

i  I 


1470  3  1  in  490 


<- ' 


0 

0 

in 

0 

0 

2 

1 

in 

298 

168 

0 

0 

in 

115 

32 

0 

0 

in 

5 

1 

0 

0 

in 

22 

6 

0 

0 

in 

7 

2 

1 

1 

in 

8 

2 

0 

0 

in 

208 

58 

0 

0 

in 

508 

143 

413 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters -      

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

1 

1           TUIED. 

rOUKTH. 

TEAE 

Proporlion  of  deaths  to 
eases. 

§ 

i:3. 

Strength  _ 

3, 

731 

3, 

706 

3, 

473 

3, 

304 

3,  553 

=■3 

Diseases. 

Ca.^es. 

Deaths. 

1 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

C    = 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 
Catarrh  us . 

20 

404 

7 

42 

35 

1 

0 
0 
3 
1 
0 
0 

14 
321 

2 
25 
27 

6 

0 

1 
4 
0 
2 
0 

15 

256 

i 

22 

18 
5 

0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 

15 

294 

4 

32 

16 

1 

1 
0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

64 
1275 
17 
121 
96 
13 

I 
2 
10 
1 
2 
0 

1  in     64 
1  in  637 
1  in      1.7 
1  in  121 
1  in    48 
Oiu    13 

12 

358 

4.7 

34 

27 

4 

Plithisis  pulnionalis 

All  otlier  diseases  of  this  system 

Totitl.  __ 

509 

4 

395 

7 

320 

2 

362 

3 

1586 

16 

1  in    99 

446 

51 

[       0 

92 

1 

69 

0 

58 

0 

270 

1 

1  in  270 

76 

Epidemic  catarrh  (influenza)  prevailed  in  the  vicinity  of  Watervliet  Arsenal  in  June,  1843. 
At  PlattsLurg  it  appeared  aboufthe  middle  of  March,  partially  ceased  in  May,  and  returned 
toward  the  close  of  June.  At  Hancock  Barracks,  catarrh  was  prevalent  during  the  second 
quarter,  1843,  and  Surgeon  A.  N.  McLaren  reports  that  "some  cases  assumed  all  the  charac- 
teristic symptoms  of  influenza."  This  epidemic  commenced  at  that  station  in  July,  1843,  four 
or  five  days  after  its  announcement  in  Boston.  At  Fort  Fairfield,  it  commenced  on  the  15th  of 
August;  and  at  Fort  Kent,  in  July. 

The  medical  officers  appear  to  have  pursued  one  kind  of  treatment :  emetics,  followed  by 
some  mercurial  cathartic,  with  Dover's  powder,  pediluvia,  and  counter-irritants  to  the  chest. 


36  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


REGION  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 

Eleven  stations  have  been  occTipicd  in  this  region  duiing  tlie  jierio<l  under  review,  viz:  Madi- 
son Barracks,  Fort  Ontario,  Fort  Niagara,  JBufialo  Barracks,  Detroit  Barracks,  Detroit  Arsenal, 
Forts  Gratiot,  Mackinac,  Brady,  Wilkins,  and  Howard. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  JLVUISON  RAItKACKS. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  IloiuUrson  :  1839. 

This  Station  is  at  Sacket's  Harbor,  N.  Y.,  in  latitude  43°  50'  N. ;  longitude  1°  E.  from  "Wash- 
ington. It  is  distant  from  the  ocean  three  hundred  and  twenty  miles ;  from  Lake  Ontario, 
eight  miles.  It  is  situated  on  the  southern  side  of  the  bay  formed  by  the  entrance  of  Black 
river  into  the  lake.  The  river  is  the  third  in  size  that  is  wholly  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
The  color  of  the  water  is  quite  dark,  a  feature  not  uncommon  in  this  region,  and  not  readily 
accounted  for.     The  water  is  not  drank  by  those  who  live  near  it,  being  thought  unwholesome. 

A  small  creek  em])ties  into  Black  river  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  northeast  of  the  post. 

There  are  no  marshes  near  to  the  post,  that  could  affect  the  health  of  the  garrison. 

The  plain  of  the  parade-ground  is  between  twenty-five  and  thirty  feet  higher  than  the  level 
of  the  lake.  The  surface  of  the  lake  is  about  two  hundred  and  thirty  feet  higher  than  the 
ocean ;  consequently,  the  plain  of  the  parade-ground  is  two  hundred  and  sixty  feet  higher  than 
the  ocean. 

The  grounds  around  the  garrison  are  so  level  that  they  cannot  be  perfectly  drained.  The 
soil  is  dark,  with  much  clay,  and  rests  on  a  stratum  of  limestone,  which  is  from  one  to  three 
feet  below  the  surface.  The  nature  of  the  soil,  and  this  superficial  calcareous  stratum,  keep  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  post^  even  after  ordinary  rains,  boggy,  and  favoring  terraqueous  ex- 
halation. 

The  physical  aspect  of  the  surrounding  country  is  waving  and  undulating.  The  soil  is  gene- 
rally rich. 

The  forest-trees  are  maple,  beech,  birch,  walnut,  bass,  ash,  elm,  and  hemlock.  Esculent 
vegetables  are  produced  in  great  abundance  and  variety.  The  staple  agricultural  product  is 
wheat. 

No  minerals  are  found  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Madison  Barracks.  About  fifty  miles 
northeast,  lead  mines  of  great  value  are  wrought,  and  iron  ore  is  obtained  in  the  southeast 
part  of  the  county  (Jefferson)  in  which  the  station  is  located. 

As  there  are  no  marshes  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  barracks  that  can  sophisticate  atmo- 
spheric currents,  no  results  from  2^'>'cvalent  winds  can  be  stated.  Ocean  winds  are  not  known 
here.  The  lake  has  its  balmy  breezes  in  summer,  and  its  bleak  blasts  in  winter  ;  the  latter  pre- 
vailing with  great  veliemence,  but  not  productive  of  disease. 

In  looking  at  ^'thc  season  of  the  year  most  productive  of  disease,"  the  annals  of  Sacket's  Har- 
bor, like  those  of  the  lake-shores  on  the  frontier  generally,  show  that  formidable  diseases  have 
prevailed  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  During  the  war  of  1812,  the  epidemic  called  pneumonia 
typhoides  originated  on  the  lines,  and  appeared  at  this  place.  ^Those  who  recollect  that  extra- 
ordinary disease,  know  that  it  existed  in  the  winter  and  spring,  ceasing  in  summer.  In  July, 
1813,  from  a  tenth  to  a  fifth  of  the  crews  of  Commodore  Chauncey's  squadron  were  on  sick 
report  at  the  Harbor.  In  August  more  than  one-sixth  of  the  seamen  were  left  on  shore  ;  and 
Cooper's  Naval  History  tells  that  at  one  time  in  this  season  (1813)  the  Madison  had  nearly  one- 
half  of  her  com])leraent  on  the  sick-list.  The  same  author  states  that,  in  the  winter  of  1814, 
the  sickness  at  the  Harbor  was  of  the  gravest  character  ;  one-half  of  the  crew  of  the  Madison 
was  sick,  and  (inc-fii'th  died.  In  the  summer  of  that  year  the  operations  of  the  squadron  were 
delayed  by  the  illness  of  the  mechanics  at  the  navy-yard. 


AMONG    THE   TROOrS   IN    THR    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  37 

Since  the  peace  of  1815,  I  learn  from  intelligent  army  officers  and  from  respectable  citizens 
that  the  Harbor  has  been  a  liealthy  place.  No  winter  diseases,  except  ordinary  epidemics,  and 
tlie  pulmonary  disorders,  and  those  of  fibrous  tissues  incident  to  such  climates,  have  existed. 
The  summer  diseases  have  been  mild  and  tractable  ;  autumnal  remittents  neither  common  nor 
fatal.  The  second  regiment  of  infantry  was  at  this  post  for  two  or  three  years,  about  1826, 
and  was  free  from  disease.  Troops  have  been  subsequently  stationed  here,  and  enjoyed  health. 
The  country  round  about  has  had  similarly  uniform  exemption  from  sickness. 

In  the  fall  of  1838,  the  eighth  regiment  of  infantry  was  concentrated  at  Madison  Barracks  ; 
some  detachments  had  been  at  the  post  during  the  year,  and,  as  I  am  informed,  general  health 
prevailed.  In  the  month  of  October,  1838,  not  a  case  of  remittent  fever  appears  on  the  quar- 
terly report  of  sick.  During  the  winter  of  1838-'9  some  cases  of  fever  occurred,  and  proved 
fatal — death  from  cephalic  irritation.  I  was  on  duty  at  several  stations  on  the  frontier  during 
that  winter,  viz:  Rochester^  Oswego,  Ogdensburg,  Morristown,  and  Buffalo,  and  saw  no  such 
cases  as  proved  fatal  at  the  Harbor. 

Extensive  and  fatal  sickness  prevailed  in  Michigan,  and  west  thereof,  during  the  summer  and 
autumn  of  1838. 

In  May  and  June,  1839,  diarrhoea  became  very  rife  at  Madison  Barracks,  with  here  and  there 
a  case  of  fatal  remittent  fever.  In  July,  and  the  subsequent  months,  up  to  this  date,  (October 
25,)  the  diarrhoea  has  been  almost  universal.  Cases  of  fever  became  more  numerous  in  July 
and  August ;  several  were  fatal.  The  morning  report  rose  to  eighty  sick,  exclusive  of  those  in 
garrison,  who  are  not  reported  sick.  On  the  23d  of  August  I  reported  for  duty,  and  found 
disease  prevailing  to  great  extent  in  forms  of  diarrhoea,  remittent  fever,  and  cases  of  both 
combined. 

Let  it  be  here  observed  that  the  summer  of  1838  was  intemperately  hot  and  dry  ;  the  sum- 
mer of  1839  was  cool,  and  seasonable  as  to  rain.  General  health  prevailed  east  and  south, 
except  at  Cliarleston,  S.  C,  in  1838.  In  1839,  with  a  season  throughout  ostensibly  favorable 
to  health,  so  far  as  moderate  heat  and  moisture  are  concerned,  epidemic  dysentery  prevailed  in 
New  England  ;  the  most  malignant  endemics  existed  in  New  Orleans,  Mobile,  Pensacola,  St. 
Augustine,  Charleston,  in  Augusta,  (Georgia,)  in  Illinois,  and  in  the  towns  and  cities  on  the 
lower  Mississippi.  Is  it,  then,  remarkable  that  Madison  Barracks  should  have  been  more 
sickly  than  usual?  especially  when  it  appears  that,  in  several  localities,  not  far  from  the  post, 
similar  and  severe  visitations  of  fever  ajjpeared.  Sacket's  Harbor  village  has  had  more  fever 
than  has  been  known  for  twenty  years.  In  the  neighboring  farming  country,  places  usually 
healthy  have  suffered  from  fatal  malarial  sickness.  In  a  little  village  on  the  St.  Lawrence, 
(Cape  Vincent,)  not  far  from  the  post,  there  were  at  one  time  twenty-three  cases  of  fever.  At 
Hammond  and  at  Lisbon,  places  about  a  day's  journey  from  Madison  Barracks,  and  i)lace3 
heretofore  healthy,  sickness  was  very  severe. 

And  yet,  as  if  the  caprice  of  malarial  influence  were  ever  to  baffle  search  into  causes  success- 
fully, at  Rochester  and  Bufhxlo,  I  am  told,  the  troops  were  healthy ;  at  Plattsburg  most  remark- 
ably so.  Nearer  to  Madison  Barracks,  at  Ogdensburg  on  one  side,  and  at  Oswego  on  the  other, 
the  towns  wei'C  i)erfectly  free  from  disease.  I  was  informed  by  a  very  resi)ecfable  jihysician  at 
Oswego,  that  between  May  and  the;  22d  of  August,  he  had  not  seen  one  case  of  deliberate  fever. 
At  the  same  time  the  eiglith  regiment,  in  all  its  departments,  officers,  soldiers,  and  families, 
was  affected  with  diarrhtea,  ana,  as  the  autumn  approached,  remittent  fever  appeared  very 
generally.  In  September  there  were  fortij-foxir  cases  of  fever,  exclusive  of  what  appeared 
among  the  families.  In  October,  up  to  the  22d,  there  were  thirhj-eight  cases  on  the  hospital 
register  ;  making  an  aggregate  of  what  I  have  seen  since  the  23d  of  August  of  about  ninety 
cases,  exclusive  of  jaundice  and  intermittent  cases,  that  are  forms  of  malarial  disease ;  and 
especially  exclusive  of  diarrhoea,  the  cases  of  which  were  extremely  numerous  and  obstinate. 
This  last  disease  would  readily  yield  to  hospital  treatment  and  diet,  but  recurred  too  readily  ou 
going  to  quarters  and  to  ration  diet,  i>r  it  would  lajise  into  remittent  fever. 


38  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Information  respecting  the  "  supposed  causes"  is  called  for.  I  submit  .a  few  observations  on 
this  bead. 

At  a  military  station,  where,  in  the  autumn  of  1838,  men  were  collected  under  disadvanta- 
geous circumstances,  general  health  prevailed,  during  and  after  a  season  of  unexampled  heat 
and  drought;  while  at  the  same  military  station,  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1839,  the  suc- 
ceeding year,  and  duriftg  an  equable  and  pleasant  season,  hundreds  of  cases  of  diarrhoea,  and 
one  hundred  cases  of  remittent  fever,  beside  jaundice  and  intermittents,  aro.ie  ;  when,  too,  the 
disadvantages  of  1838  were  removed — it  is  natural,  I  say,  to  look  for  an  obvious  cause  for  such 
a  dili'erence.  So  far  as  the  immediate  locale  is  concerned,  everything  is  favorable  to  disease  in 
1838,  except  the  drought,  and  on  the  contrary  hand  in  1839.  In  1838  the  barracks  were  re- 
pairing and  being  cleaned,  the  sleeping  rooms  wretchedly  ventilated,  the  post  comparatively 
unpoliced,  and  the  men  unused  to  the  water  ;  while  in  1839  the  works  were  done,  the  company 
rooms  much  improved,  tliough  still  imperfect  in  ventilation,  the  police  of  the  post  admirable, 
and  the  men  accustomed  to  the  water.     Within  tlie  pickets  no  obvious  cause  existed. 

The  neighboiing  lev(d  ground  was  more  moist  in  1839  than  in  the  preceding  year  ;  but 
no  more  so  tlian  during  most  of  the  seasons  for  twenty-five  preceding  years,  when  no  sickness 
prevailed  in  the  garrison  when  occupied,  or  in  the  village  of  Sacket's  Harbor.  A  cause  cannot 
obviously  be  found  in  this. 

It  is  known  that,  within  a  few  years,  the  lakes  have  risen  l)etween  three  and  five  feet,  and 
are  now  falling.  Popular  opinion,  which  should  always  be  attended  to  on  such  questions, 
though  very  often  incorrect,  has  ascribed  the  sickness  to  this  fall  of  water.  I  see  nothing  in 
the  laying  bare  annually  of  a  few  inches  of  lake  shore,  nor  in  the  draining  of  tributary  streams, 
that  could  cause  the  sickness  at  Madison  Barracks ;  for  in  the  vicinity  no  grounds  have  been 
covered  or  laid  bare  by  the  rise  or  fall  of  water  so  as  to  afford  malaria.  This  rise  and  fall  of 
the  vast  interior  seas  is  a  phenomenon,  but  cannot  be  philosophically  considered  as  a  cause 
of  endemics. 

Again,  the  opinion  is  that  the  water  is  bad,  and  has  caused  disease.  It  is  true  the  water  is 
bad  to  the  taste,  and  it  is  wisdom  and  duty  to  provide  a  garrison  with  the  purest  water ;  and 
this  can  be  done  at  Madison  Barracks  by  having  appropriate  cisterns.  Yet  it  should  be  borne  in 
mind,  that  in  1838  a  fordori  water  should  have  made  the  troops  sick;  and  also,  that  as  many 
who  were  accustomed  to  the  water  of  this  calcareous  region  died,  as  of  those  who  were  not  used 
to  it ;  and  that  no  disproportion  of  sick,  so  far  as  foreigners  to  the  water  are  concerned,  fevors 
the  idea  of  this  aqueous  cause  of  disease.  Nor  has  sickness  heretofore  existed  among  troops 
here,  to  justify  the  idea  that  the  water  was  the  cause.  The  water  is,  as  iiir  as  we  know,  always 
the  same,  while  fever  has  rarely  appeared  since  1816;  since  which,  all  parts  of  this  lake  region 
have  been,  from  cultivation  of  the  soil,  becoming  more  salubrious.  Limestone  water  has  been 
the  drink,  where  the  health  of  the  troops  and  inhabitants  has  been  perfect  this  season. 

Under  the  head  of  "probable  causes  of  sickness,"  it  is  proper  to  say  that  the  barracks  are  not 
well  ventilated;  but  they  were  worse  in  this  respect  in  1838  than  in  1839. 

Lastly,  there  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  there  has  been  any  defect  in  the  quality  of  the 
articles  issued  as  rations. 

The  question  recurs  with  some  interest,  though  not  specially  put  in  the  circular.  Is  Madison 
Barracks  a  sickly  station  ? 

In  order  to  throw  all  light  on  this  subject,  I  have  lookelf  at  it  in  the  fairest  light:  the 
siclvness  during  the  war  of  1813 ;  the  condition  of  the  post  and  village  since  the  war,  as  ascer- 
tained from  the  most  respectable  observers  ;  and  our  conclusion  is,  that  it  is  a  healthy  station. 
Here  are  the  reasons: 

Although  in  1813  and  1814  there  was  much  sickness  at  Sacket's  Harbor,  yet  it  was  incident 
to  the  state  of  war ;  to  the  crowd  of  soldiers  and  sailors  assembled  hastily  at  the  post ;  to  the 
inadequacy  of  good  food  and  shelter ;  and  to  the  exposures  and  privations  endured  by  the  sea- 
men and  soldiers. 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHEllN   DIVISION.  39 

Since  the  war,  tlie  station  has  generally  been  healthy,  and  the  vilhigo  adjoining  uniformly  so. 

If  Madison  Barracks  has  heen  more  sicldy  during  the  present  season,  so  has  the  surrounding 
country  in  various  places  heretofore  perfectly  healthy. 

The  inference  that  a  station  is  unhealthy,  cannot  legitimately  be  drawn  from  the  experience 
of  a  season.  The  cause  of  the  sickness  at  Madison  Barracks  in  1839  is,  like  the  cause  of  sum- 
mer and  autumnal  diseases,  inscrutable.  Disease  seems  to  move  in  a  cycle  of  years,  and  at 
some  period  of  that  cycle  almost  all  sites  are  sickly. 

TiiK  Barracks. — The  barracks  were  erected  in  1822,  and  are  constructed  of  the  limestone 
that  abounds  as  a  building  material  in  the  vicinity.  The  exposure  to  the  west  and  northwest 
winds  is  exceedingly  unpleasant.  No  situation  could  be  more  disadvantageously  exposed  in 
the  winter  of  this  climate  than  is  the  parade-ground  of  Madison  Barracks.  The  site  is  dry  and 
airy.     The  barracks  are  at  present  badly  ventilated. 

The  Hospital. — Tlie  hospital  has  been  in  one  end  of  the  barracks,  and  will  continue  there 
until  the  new  hospital  is  completed. 

It  is,  I  believe,  constructed  after  a  plan  furnished  from  the  office  of  the  Surgeon  General. 
That  plan  has  been  modified  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  on  the  suggestion  of  the  medi- 
cal officer  on  duty  at  Madison  Barracks,  so  as  to  have  wings,  in  one  of  which  is  a  bathing-room, 
in  the  otlier  a  dead-Yoom  ;  and  under  both  wings  are  copious  cislcrns  for  rain-water.  The  lime- 
water  used  is  unfit  for  various  pharmaceutical  purposes. 

The  hospital  is  being  constructed  of  limestone,  and  in  its  plan  due  reference  has  been  had  to 
ventilation,  and  to  all  that  may  be  essential  to  its  adaptation  for  a  hosj)ital. 

The  site  is  bleak,  and  exposed  to  the  violence  of  all  winds  that  blow ;  it  is  decidedly  objection- 
able on  that  score.  It  is  too  near  the  edge  of  Black-river  bay ;  for  hospitals  should  not  be  placed 
near  fresh-water  streams.  It  is  comparatively  inaccessible  during  the  long  and  severe  winter 
weather ;  for  a  ravine  intervenes  between  it  and  the  barracks,  that  will  much  incommode  the 
sick  in  their  access  to  the  hospital. 

Should  these  objections  be  valid,  it  is  due  to  the  medical  officers  at  the  post  to  state  that 
another  site  was  recommended  by  the  surgeon  on  duty,  when  the  hosjjital  was  about  to  be 
located.     I  have  been  so  informed  by  the  surgeon  alluded  to. 

The  following  remarks  of  Surgeon  H.  L.  Heiskell,  respecting  the  unusual  amount  of  sickness 
referred  to  by  Dr.  Henderson,  in  the  foregoing  report,  are  transcribed  from  his  report  of  sick  at 
Madison  Barracks,  for  the  quarter  ending  December  31st,  1839: 

"The  unusual  amount  of  sickness  which  has  prevailed  during  the  greater  part  of  the  past 
year  at  this  post,  situated  as  it  is  in  a  healthy  region  of  country,  lias  been  to  many  a  source  of 
no  small  surprise.  Although  the  fever  has  never,  to  my  knowledge,  been  of  so  general  a 
character  as  to  merit  the  dignity  of  an  epidemic,  it  has  been  sufficiently  serious  to  arrest  atten- 
tion, and  to  claim  a  careful  investigation  on  the  part  of  the  medical  officers.  Tlie  result  of  my 
own  reflections  is,  that  the  decomposition  of  the  exhalations  from  the  skin  and  lungs,  iisually 
termed  idio-miasmata,  resulting  from  the  crowded  state  of  tlie  men's  sleeping  apartments,  and 
their  imperfect  ventilation,  was  the  most  prominent  cause  of  this  fever.  Wlien  I  speak  of 
'  imperfect  ventilation,'  I  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  I  do  not  impute  blame  upon 
any  of  the  officers  of  the  regiment.  What  I  mean  is,  that,  owing  to  tlie  defective  construction 
(including  want  of  space)  of  these  apartments,  a  proper  ventilation  cannot  be  obtained.  What 
are  the  facts?  Each  company  has  an  attic  room  for  a  sleeping  apartment.  Whether  a  full 
company  or  not,  the  size  of  the  room  is  the  same.  There  is  a  single  entrance  from  below,  by  a 
flight  of  steps,  for  the  men  to  pass  in  and  out.  The  windows  are  all  on  one  side,  about  four 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  floor.  Ventilators,  or  openings,  have  been  made  in  the  roof,  on  the 
opposite  side,  at  my  suggestion.  It  will  hardly  be  supposed,  however,  that  in  a  cold  climate 
they  will  be  left  open  at  night  to  allow  the  fresh  air  to  enter.  Such  is  the  economy  of  the  con- 
slruciion.     That  in  regard  to  space  is  even  more  striking,  and  would  seem  to  have  been  designed 


40  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

as  an  experiment  toktrv  Imw  many  luunan  beings  could  be  crowded  into  the  smallest  possible 
compass  withdut  inducing  suffocation.  By  a  careful  measurement  of  one  of  tbese  company's 
sleeping  rooms,  it  is  ascertained  tliat  it  contains  about  8,500  cubic  feet,  independent  of  all 
necessary  fixtures.  Allowing  for  the  space  occupied  by  the  bunks,  lockers,  gun-racks,  &c., 
&c.,  there  would  be  scarcely  8,000  cubic  feet  clear.  Divide  tiiis  amount  by  the  average  number 
of  men  in  each  company,  say  60,  and  there  would  be  loo^  cubic  feet  for  each  man.  Those  who 
were  so  unfortunate!  as  to  belong  to  a  company  of  90  strong,  (and  one  of  the  companies  did 
amount  to  that  number,)  would  get  one-third  less.  From  these  data  it  will  readily  be  imagined 
what  would  be  the  condition  of  the  air,  which,  instead  of  affording  the  vivifying  principle  to 
the  blood,  and  i)reparing  it  for  the  vital  and  important  functions  of  the  animal  economy,  would 
act  only  as  an  irritant  and  poison.  Some  there  are,  whose  opinions  are  entitled  to  much 
respect,  who  attribute  the  prevalence  of  the  fever  to  the  subsidence  of  the  lake;  and  to  some 
extent  this  may  be  true ;  yet,  as  the  lake-shore  in  this  vicinity  is  generally  bold  and  rocky,  I 
am  not  disposed  to  attach  equal  importance  to  tliat  circumstance."  Surgeon  Heiskell  gives  the 
I'ollowing  as  the  general  character  of  the  prevailing  disease:  "The  fever  was  marked  by  an 
exacerbation  in  the  afternoon,  with  a  remission  more  or  less  distinct  toward  morning ;  pulse 
small  and  frequent ;  skin  exceedingly  dry  and  rough  ;  tongue  coated  with  a  brown  or  black 
fur,  exhibiting  a  cracked  appearance.  When  the  fever  was  of  a  gastric  form,  the  tongue  was 
red,  dry,  and  glossy;  stools  reddish  and  watery;  tenderness  of  the  bowels  on  pressure;  in  the 
advanced  stage,  the  teeth  and  lips  covered  with  dark  sordes.  A  striking  peculiarity  of  the  dis- 
ease consisted  in  a  proneness  to  degenerate  in,  or  become  complicated  with,  diarrhoea;  with 
catarrhal  symptoms  not  unfrequently  superadded.  This  condition  of  the  bowels  demanded 
great  caution  in  the  administration  even  of  the  mildest  cathartics,  and  was  as  troublesome  a 
symptom  as  I  have  had  occasion  to  combat." 

FORT    ONTARIO. 

Tliis  post  is  situated  within  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Oswego,  on  the  southern  shore  of  Lake 
Ontario,  and  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Oswego  river,  in  latitude  43°  20',  longitude  76°  40'.  It 
is  on  ground  elevated  fifty  or  sixty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  lake,  and  about  290  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea;  is  well  drained,  and  has  no  swamps  or  stagnant  water  near  it.  Fevers  of 
an  intermittent  tyjjc  prevailed  here  in  the  summer  of  1842,  but  since  that  time  the  garrison  has 
been  almost  entirely  exempt  from  that  class  of  diseases. 

FORT    NIAGARA. 

Situated  on  a  point  of  land  jjrojecting  westerly  at  the  entrance  of  Niagara  river  into  Lake 
Ontario,  Fort  Niagara  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  northwest  by  the  lake,  and  on  the  west  and 
southwest  by  Niagara  river.  It  is  14  miles  from  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  and  32  miles  from  Lake 
Erie.  The  surface  of  the  country  in  the  immediate  vicinity  is  remarkably  level,  but  there  are 
no  marshes  within  six  or  eight  miles.  The  vegetable  productions  of  the  climate  flourish  here 
luxuriantly.  The  river  at  this  point  is  about  half  a  mile  wide.  The  general  character  of  the 
climate  pertains  to  the  same  class  as  the  preceding  stations,  marked  by  those  meteorological 
features  peculiar  to  positions  on  large  bodies  of  water. 

BUFFALO    BARRACKS, 

Li  the  niiitlnTii  and  most  elcvateJ  portion  of  tlie  city  of  Buffalo.  Tlie  low  grounds  are  dis- 
tant, and  are  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  timber.  Between  the  barracks  and  the  canal 
basin,  and  also  between  them  and  Buffalo  creek,  eacli  about  one  mile  and  a  quarter  distant, 
intervenes  the  densest  part  of  the  city. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION.  41 

DETROIT    BARIIACKS, 

At  the  city  of  Detroit,  Micliigan.  The  surrounding  country  is  flat.  The  soil  is  a  stiff  clay, 
combined  with  carbonate  of  lime  ;  hence,  in  the  rainy  season,  the  land  is  in  a  great  degree 
saturated  with  water,  and  to  a  certain  extent  submerged.  The  smaller  streams  emptying  into 
the  Detroit  are  sluggish,  bordered  with  extensive  marshes,  and  in  the  autumn  abounding  with 
decayed  vegetable  matter.  As  may  be  suj^posed  from  tliis  brief  outline  of  its  topography,  inter- 
mittent and  remittent  fevers,  diarrhoea,  and  dysentery  prevail  among  the  troops,  and  also  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  barracks.  A  still  more  fruitful  cause  of  disease  at  this  station  is  to  be  found 
in  the  tcmjttations  to  vicious  and  intemperate  habits  afforded  by  a  city.  On  this  point.  Surgeon 
Charles  8.  Tripler,  in  January,  1842,  makes  the  following  remarks : 

''  To  realize  tlie  frightful  intemperance  of  some  of  the  men  stationed  here,  one  must  see  it. 
If  permitted  to  go  on  unrestrained,  this  command  must  soon  be  decimated.  Situated  as  the 
troops  are,  no  degree  of  vigilance  or  severity  on  the  part  of  the  officers  can  even  check,  much 
less  put  a  stop  to  it.  We  have  no  regular  barracks  ;  the  buildings  occupied  as  such,  are  acces- 
sible to  whiskey  smugglers  at  all  points.  No  troops  have  constitutions  capable  of  standing  such 
persevering  intemperance  ;  they  must  be  quartered  differently,  or  they  must  die." 

Detroit  Aksenal  is  at  Doarbornville,  on  tlie  river  Rouge,  about  ten  miles  west  of  the  city  of 
Detroit.     The  country  is  low  and  flat. 

FORT    GRATIOT. 

Fort  Gratiot,  situated  on  the  river  St.  Clair,  half  a  mile  from  the  outlet  of  Lake  Huron,  is 
elevated  598  feet  above  the  level  of  tlie  ocean,  being  twenty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake. 

Black  river,  distant  about  one  mile  in  a  southwest  direction,  is  the  only  stream,  with  the 
exception  of  the  St.  Clair,  in  the  vicinity.  "It  is  bordered,"  says  Assistant  Surgeon  Motte, 
"  particularly  on  the  west,  b)''  frequent  broad  marshes,  wliich  have  been  subjected  to  an  accu- 
mulation of  alluvion  for  a  sufficient  period  to  allow  a  deposition  of  peat  from  vegetable  decom- 
position. These  marshes  exhale,  during  the  summer  and  autumnal  months,  a  pestilential 
atmosphere,  generative  of  fever  and  ague,  which  is  but  too  jirevalent  among  the  inhabitants  in 
the  vicinity." 

The  surrounding  country  is  greatly  undulating.  The  soil  is  mostly  a  sandy  loam,  and  the 
proportion  of  marsh  is  small.  Clay  is  reached  at  the  depth  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet.  Most  of 
the  surrounding  country  is  covered  with  forest ;  among  the  vegetable  productions  are  oak,  elm, 
maple,  ash,  hickory,  black  walnut,  pine,  &c. 

"  The  lake  and  river  sliore  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fort,"  says  Assistant  Surgeon 
Motte,  "  is  a  low  gravelly  ridge,  extending  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  margin  of  the 
lake,  when  the  ground  suddenly  rises  to  the  height  of  twenty-five  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
lake,  and  retains  this  elevation,  with  little 'variation,  to  near  the  shores  of  Black  river.  This 
elevated  ground  gradually  approximates  tlie  St.  Clair  towards  the  fort ;  and  a  few  rods  below,  it 
becomes  a  perpendicular  bluft'  in  immediate  contact  with  the  water." 

Between  the  fort  and  the  ridge  just  described,  there  is  a  stagnant  pond,  which  it  has  been 
found  impracticable  to  drain,  and  which,  it  is  supposed,  is  the  copious  source  of  miasmata. 
The  hospital  and  barracks  are  represented  as  defective,  being  very  damp  and  ill  adapted  for 
ventilation. 

FORT   MACKINAC, 

Located  on  the  island  of  Mackinac,  in  the  straits  connecting  Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan.  The 
fort  is  on  an  abrupt  elevation,  150  feet  above  the  lake,  and  728  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean. 
The  island  is  about  nine  miles  in  circumference,  and  rises  on  its  eastern  and  southern  shore  in 
abrupt  rocky  clift's,  the  highest  point  being  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  lake. 
This  post  is  one  of  the  most  healthy  in  the  United  States. 
s.  9(> G 


42  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


FORT    I'.RADY. 

Fort  Brady,  sitimted  at  tlic  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  Michigan,  is  on  the  southern  bank  of  that  river. 
It  is  distant  from  Lake  Suiierior  15  miles,  from  Lake  Huron  50,  and  from  the  Athmtic  ocean 
about  800  miles.  The  river  at  this  point  is  six  feet  below  tlie  surface  of  Lake  Superior,  and 
nearly  fiOO  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean.  The  physical  aspect  of  tlie  surrounding  country 
exhibits  considerable  variety.  The  bank  of  the  Hto.  Marie,  which  is  here  three-fourtli.s  of  a  mile 
in  width,  presents  a  gradual  slope  for  the  distance  of  <250  feet,  gaining  in  that  space  an  elevation 
of  14  feet,  in  the  rear  of  which  the  surface  of  the  country  approximates"a  level.  For  300  yards 
from  the  bank  of  the  river,  the  soil  is  cleared  of  timber,  and  is,  althougli  not  very  productive, 
in  a  state  of  cultivation.  Immediately  adjoining  this  cultivated  ground  is  a  marsh  half  a  milo 
wide,  beyond  which  high  lands  appear.  This  marsh  extends  five  or  six  miles  down  the  river 
in  a  southeast  direction,  and  west  and  southwest  for  15  or  20  miles.  It  is  covered  with  some 
large  forest-trees  and  a  thick  growth  of  underwood.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  the 
country  is  imdulating  and  mountainous,  and  covered  with  a  dense  forest.  The  falls  in  the  river 
at  this  point  form  an  obstruction  to  the  ship  navigation  of  the  upper  lakes. 

The  prevailing  winds  are  the  west,  northwest,  and  southeast.  The  northwest  winds  descend 
from  mountain  chains,  traversing  Lake  Superior ;  and  the  west  and  southeast  winds  pass  over 
the  marshes  already  described. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  WILKINS. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  E.  Isaacs :  18J15. 

The  wild  region  bordering  upon  Lake  Superior  has  been  as  yet  but  imperfectly  explored  by 
a  tcAv  individuals,  while  to  most  persons  it  still  remains  entirely  unknown.  In  former  times, 
the  numerous  and  warlike  bands  of  savages  threw  greater  dangers  in  the  way  of  its  explora- 
tion; and  even  at  the  present  day,  though  this  difficulty  has  long  since  ceased  to  exist,  the 
natural  obstacles  and  the  hardships  to  be  endured  are  such  as  to  discourage  all  but  the  most 
hardy  and  enterprising.  The  sudden  and  violent  squalls  and  storms  that  sweep  the  surface  of 
the  lake  are  hazardous  even  to  the  experienced  voycujcur;  while  its  bold,  rocky,  and  often  inac- 
cessible shores  seldom  atTord  a  place  of  refuge  from  their  fury.  The  examination  of  the  inte- 
rior is  attended  with  excessive  fatigue  and  exposure  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  ;  and  in 
the  summer  months  the  insects  (the  black  flies  and  mosquitoes)  are  extremely  troublesome. 
The  rivers  are  small,  short,  and  obstructed  frequently  by  difficult  and  dangerous  rapids  ;  the 
dense  evergreen  growth  sometimes  forms  almost  impenetrable  thickets  ;  fallen  timber  is  found 
crossed  and  interlaced  in  every  direction  ;  very  much  of  the  country  is  broken,  rocky,  and 
mountainous,  with  cliffs,  precipices,  and  ravines  of  great  height  and  depth,  almost  or  quite  im- 
passable ;  and  provisions  must  be  packed  and  carried  to  great  distances,  as  game  is  very  scarce 
and  not  to  be  depended  on. 

Lake  Superior  may  with  propriety  be  compared  to  a  vast,  deep,  and  rocky  basin,  the  edge  in 
many  places  bordered  by  enormous  precipitous  trap,  conglomerate,  and  other  volcanic  rocks, 
abounding  in  agates,  carnelians,  &c.,  and  intersected  by  veins  of  metallic  copper  and  its  ores 
nmning  north  and  south,  inclining  west  about  lifteen  degrees.  There  is  jirobably  no  region 
in  the  world  in  which  coj)per  has  been  found  so  generally  diffused.  It  is  seen  on  nearly  the 
whole  extent  of  the  shores  of  the  lake,  on  the  north  and  south,  on  almost  all  the  islands,  while 
it  extends  to  an  unknown  distance  to  the  south,  west,  and  north.  At  Copi>er  Harbor  two  veins 
of  black  oxide  of  copper  have  been  discovered  in  conglomerate  rocks,  to  the  extent  of  three 
hundred  yards,  varying  in  width  from  ten  inches  to  two  feet,  and  yielding,  from  the  best  sjjeci- 
mens,  upwards  of  TO  per  cent,  of  pure  cojiper.  One  of  these  veins  is  in  active  operation.  A 
very  rich  vein  of  silver  mixed  with  cojiper  is  worked  at  Eagle  river,  where  shafts  have  been 
sunk  to  the  depth  of  70  feet,  and  the  ore  is  equally  good  with  that  at  the  surface.     The  carbon- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS  IN   THE   NORTHEKN   DIVISION.  48 

ate,  yielding  from  20  to  30  per  cent.,  has  been  found  at  Copper  Harbor  ;  and  discoveries  to 
great  extent  may  now  be  anticipated,  as  adventurers  are  flockino;  in  vast  numbers  to  the  coun- 
try. On  landing  the  troops  appointed  to  occupy  the  military  station,  in  May,  1844,  there  were 
not  more  than  a  dozen  persons  living  within  as  many  miles,  and  those  were  explorers.  A  re- 
cent account  gives  one  thousand  visitors  during  the  present  season.  The  immense  wealth  of 
the  mines  will  undoubtedly  induce  multitudes  to  locate  in  this  region. 

As  above  stated,  the  region  of  Lake  Superior  is  almost  entirely  uninhabited.  The  American 
Fur  Company  has  four  trading-posts,  at  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  at  the  Anse  Bay,  at  Fond  du  Lac, 
and  at  La  Poiute  ;  with  these  exceptions,  there  are  only  a  few  scattered,  individuals,  and  some 
few  families,  along  the  whole  extent  of  the  southern  coast. 

Fort  Wilkins  is  situated  in  latitude  about  47°  30'  north,  and  in  longitude  11°  30'  west  from 
Washington.  It  is  ten  miles  from  Keweena  Point,  which  is  the  extremity  of  a  neck  of  land 
projecting  sixty  miles  into  near  the  centre  of  Lake  Superior,  and  varying  in  width  from  two  to 
forty  miles.  This  peninsula  is  very  broken,  irregular,  rocky,  and  mountainous.  The  rocks 
are  trap  and  conglomerate.  The  country  is  covered  with  a  dense  evergreen  growth  of  fir,  pine, 
and  spruce,  with  white  birch  and  a  few  oaks  and  maple.  The  soil  is  poor,  barren,  stony ;  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  fort  remarkably  so. 

Copper  Harbor  is  two  and  a  half  miles  long,  affording  a  good  anchorage.  Opposite  the  en- 
trance of  the  harbor,  and  near  the  landing,  is  a  small  lake  ;  between  this  lake  and  the  harbor, 
on  a  narrow  neck  of  land,  is  the  fort,  twenty  feet  above  the  level  of  Copper  Harbor.  It  is 
built  upon  conglomerate  rock,  which  has  been  blasted  away,  in  order  to  locate  the  buildings. 
The  quarters  and  hospital  are  ample  for  two  companies,  and  enclosed  with  picket-work.  The 
water  of  Lake  Superior  is  excellent,  and  is  generally  used  ;  that  of  the  small  lake  on  which 
the  fort  fronts  is  dark  colored,  unpleasant  to  the  taste,  and  appears  to  hold  much  vegetable 
matter  in  solution  ;  it  has  been  soiftided  to  the  depth  of  GO  or  70  feet,  and  has  an  outlet  that 
runs  by  the  side  of  the  fort  into  the  harbor.  Last  summer  (1844)  the  weather  was  uncommonly 
fine,  clear,  moderately  warm^  and  so  continued  till  the  end  of  September.  The  winter  wag 
mild  ;  the  thermometer,  never  below  zero,  was  only  three  times  at  that  point;  the  mean  tem- 
perature for  the  winter  was  20°  above  zero.  The  snow  was  from  three  to  four  feet  on  a  level. 
I  am  informed  by  those  who  have  resided  in  the  country  that  the  winters  are  generally  mild; 
that  the  last  was  not  unusually  so.  This  is  well  contrasted  with  the  cold  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie, 
200  miles  below,  in  lower  latitude,  where  the  winters  are  always  severe,  and  where  the  mercury 
frequently  falls  20  or  30  degrees  below  zero,  and  has  been  known  to  freeze.  The  insular  posi- 
tion of  Fort  Wilkins  probaldy  explains  the  difference  of  the  temperature.  Since  my  last  (juar- 
terly  report  (December,  1844)  several  cases  of  peritonitis,  of  very  severe  and  obstinate  char- 
acter, have  occurred  here.  The  weather,  at  the  time  the  disease  commenced,  was  milder  than 
it  had  pi-eviously  been,  and  continued  so  for  a  short  time.  During  the  winter  there  was  ft 
sufficient  supply  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life.  Potatoes,  pickles,  and  sauer-kraut  were  issued  to 
the  men.     There  was  not  the  slightest  appearance  of  scorbutus. 

The  first  cases  of  this  disease  occurred  on  the  28th  and  29th  of  December,  1844.  They  were 
soon  followed  by  others.  Although  only  thirteen  cases  were  oflicially  reported  among  the  sol- 
diers, many  of  the  command  were  affected  with  premonitory  symptoms — such  as  nausea,  weight 
and  oppression  at  the  epigastrium  ;  sometimes  griping,  burning  pain,  diarrhcea,  and  occasion- 
ally bloody  discharges.  Again,  there  were  pricking,  tearing,  lancinating  pains  in  the  abdo- 
men, with  tenderness  on  pressure.  Yet  many  of  these  cases  were  so  checked,  by  promptly 
resorting  to  remedies,  that,  not  running  out  their  course,  they  were  not  reported ;  nor  were 
some  severe  cases  in  the  families  of  officers  reported  on  sick-list.  One  case,  that  of  a  soldier, 
terminated  fatally.  The  disease  was  marked  by  great  severity  of  symptoms,  by  their  proneness 
to  recur,  and  by  unusual  obstinacy  and  resistance  tp  the  action  of  remedies.  The  plan  most 
effectual  to  arrest  premonitory  symptoms  was,  abstinence  from  all  food,  counter-irritation,  sin- 


44  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

apisms,  and  liot  apiilications  to  the  abilomcn — small  doses  of  mass,  ex  hvdrarg.  c.  opio,  followed 
by  cups,  pediluvia,  and  enemata.  If  the  disease  did  not  rapidbj  yield,  copions  bleeding,  followed 
by  cupping,  calomel  and  opium  in  doses  to  act  gently  on  the  liver  and  intestinal  canal,  and  to 
relieve  pain,  were  the  appropriate  means.  I  found  it  necessary  in  most  cases  to  repeat  bleed- 
ing and  cupping  three  or  four  times.  In  the  latter  stages,  blisters  were  used.  In  the  first  two 
cases  only  did  I  think  it  necessary  to  touch  the  mouth  with  mercury,  and  it  is  questionable 
whether  it  was  of  any  service.  The  disease  in  its  last  stages  had  a  strong  tendency  to  pass  into 
dysentery. 

From  the  symptoms  and  aspects  of  all  the  cases  carefully  considered,  and  from  the  post- 
mortem developments  in  the  one  fatal  case,  the  disease  seems  to  have  been  an  obstinate  and 
ZHfen.se  Peritonitis  ;  the  inflammation  in  the  latter  stages  involving  the  mucous  coat  of  the 
stomach  to  some  extent,  of  the  small  intestines,  but  particularly  that  of  the  colon. 

The  cause  of  this  disease  is  entirely  unknown.  It  was  at  first  attributed  to  the  provisions. 
As,  however,  they  were  of  good  quality,  no  clianges  in  them  being  discoverable,  and  as  the 
troops  have  continued  to  subsist  on  the  same  supply  ever  since,  without  consequent  disease,  the 
cause  cannot,  with  any  probability,  be  referred  to  the  diet  of  the  troops.  By  some,  the  water  of 
the  small  lake  was  supposed  to  be  the  cause;  but  several  persons  drank  from  it  during  the  whole 
of  the  past  summer,  fall^  and  winter,  without  any  bad  efiect.  By  many,  it  is  used  at  the  present 
time  without  detriment  to  health.  During  the  prevalence  of  the  disease,  the  weather  was 
somewhat  milder  than  it  had  previously  been,  and  hence  atmospheric  vicissitude  may  have  had 
influence  in  causation.  Endemic  atmospheric  agency  is  probable,  as  a  similar  form  of  disease, 
attended  with  the  same  symptoms,  prevailed  at  La  Pointe,  180  miles  west  of  Coj^per  Harbor, 
four  years  ago,  destroying  about  thirty  of  the  inhabitants.  This  was  also  in  the  winter.  I 
regret  that  it  has  not  been  in  my  jjower  to  obtain  more  precise  information  as  to  that  en- 
demic* * 

FORT   HOWARD. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  northwest  bank  of  Fox  river,  one  mile  from  the  point  at  which 
it  empties  into  GJ-reen  Bay.  This  bay^  which  is  an  arm  of  Lake  Michigan,  indents  the  land  for 
90  miles.  It  commences  40  miles  wide,  and  gradually  lessens  to  four  miles  at  its  head,  where 
it  receives  the  waters  of  Fox  river.  "It  is  skirted  about  its  head,"  says  acting  Assistant  Sur- 
geon Ward,  "with  marshes  a  mile  in  width^  covered  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  grass  and  wild 
rice,  which  embrace  tlie  mouth  of  the  river,  and  continue  within  half  a  mile  of  the  fort.  The 
water  is  from  six  inches  to  six  feet  deep  on  these  marshes,  wliich,  b^  the  operation  of  a  diurnal 
flux  and  reflux  of  the  waters  of  the  bay,  are  alternately  flooded  and  drained  twice  every  24 
hours.  Twenty  rods  back  of  the  fort  another  marsh  begins,  and,  spreading  to  the  right  and 
left,  extends  a  mile  or  more  in  each  direction.  It  differs  from  the  marshes  just  described  in 
this,  that  it  is  partly  covered  with  timber,  tliickets  of  alder,  evergreens,  and  grass."  Pro- 
ceeding nortli  and  west  two  miles,  the  country  presents  a  densely  wooded  region,  as  i'ar  as 
explorations  liavo  been  made.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  as  far  as  Lakes  Michigan  and 
Winnebago,  the  country  is  also  in  its  primitive  state,  covered  with  dense  vegetation  of  forest 
and  underwood.  The  soil  mostly  consists  of  a  vegetable  mould,  intermixed  with  clay  and  sand, 
and  is  generally  of  a  character  to  reward  the  labors  of  tlie  husbandman. 

The  mean  annual  quantity  of  rain,  on  an  average  of  eight  years,  is  31.40  inches. 

This  post  is  less  under  flio  niddifying  agency  of  the  great  inland  seas  (ban  any  otlier  of  this 
class. 

••  Afisistaut  Surgeou  Isaacs  reports  two  ciiscs  in  detail,  wliieh  are  tn  be  fmind  in  tlie  New  York  Jouinal  of  Medicine  ami 
the  Collateral  Sciences,  vol.  vi,  p.  195:  March,  184fi. 


AMONG   TUE    TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION. 


45 


DISEASES. 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  5  ibr  tliis  clivision,  gives  a  condensed  view 
of  the  aggregate  amount  of  sickness  and  mortality  among  the  troops  during  the  period  embraced 
in  this  report,  and  also  the  corresponding  annual  ratios : 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Uuartcrs. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  per  1,000  of  mean  sTRCNG-m. 

i 
Treated.                       Died. 

10,999 

10,949 

9,681 

9,755 

• 

5,107 
6,426 
6,125 
5,139 

44 
34 
31 
37 

464 
586 
632 
526 

i 

Second  quarter 

3.1 

Tliird  quarter 

3.2 

3.7 

Atinnnl  rnfin 

10,346 

22,797 

146 

2,203 

14 

22,784 

140 

2,202 

13.5 

It  will  be  perceived  that  the  proportion  of  cases  of  sickness  to  the  number  of  men  is  2.2  to 
1;  that  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  strength  of  the  command  is  1  in  71,  or  1.4  per  cent.;  and 
that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  treated  is  1  in  156,  or  0.64  of  one  per  cent.  Exclusive  of 
cholera,  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  officers  and  men  was  1  in  73.9,  or  1.3  per  cent,  per 
annum;  and  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  treated  was  1  in  162. T4,  or  0.61  per  cent. 


FEVERS. 


Quai'ters --- 

FlK^. 

SECOND. 

TUIRD. 

FOIKTU. 

TEAR. 

Proportion  of  dcnlh.s  to 
cases. 

1 

tl 

Strentrth                           -        

10,999 

10,949 

9,GS1 

9, 

'55 

10, 

346 

Js 

si 

DLscases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

a 
=3 

Febris  continua  communis-.- 
Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana.. 
Fcbris  intermittens  quartana. 

45 

70 

188 

15 

36 

S 

0 

1 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 

86 

390 

541 

26 

75 

5 

0 

1 
3 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

48 
4G9 
404 

28 
292 

13 
0 

1 

0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
0 

57 

169 

347 

16 

123 

7 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
1 
0 

236 

1098 

1480 

85 

526 

33 

0 

3 
3 
0 
0 
14 
2 
0 

lin      78 
1  iu    366 
0  iu  1480 

0  in      85 

1  iu      37 
1  iu      16 
0  in        0 

22 

106 

143 

8 

50.8 

3.1 

Febris  typlnis  icteroiKs 

0 

Total  

362 

3 

1123 

5 

1254 

9 

719 

5 

3458 

•22 

lin    157 

334 

Eruptive  Fe\t;rj3. — It  appears  from  the  quarterly  reports  that  rubeola  prevailed  at  Buffixlo 
Barracks  in  June,  1840,  and  1845 ;  and  at  Detroit  Barracks  in  the  first  (quarter,  1843,  and 
second  quarter,  1850.     Scarlatina  at  Madison  Barracks,  and  in  tlie  vicinity  of  Detroit,  in  Feb- 


46 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


riiary  and  March,  1844 ;  and  again  in  the  first  quarters  of  1845  and  1846.  Five  cases  of  vario- 
loid occurred  at  Detroit  Barracks  in  January,  1849.  In  the  winter  of  1851-'52  variola  pre- 
vailed extensively  among  the  Indians  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Brady. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters           --- 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOUKTH. 

TEAB. 

o 

1 

=  i 
gS 

i^ 

Strength - 

10 

999 

10 

,949 

9, 

esi 

9, 

755 

10 

346 

'I 

■S'3 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

0 

304 

30 

7 
15 

1 

5 
90 

257 

0 
4 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 

1 

1 

594 

45 

4 
■    7 

3 

5 
137 

314 

1 
3 

1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

12 

1017 

116 

5 

5 

7 

1 

150 

309 

5 
0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

571 

84 

8 

3 

t 

3 

106 

294 

0 
6 
0 
0 

1 

6 

0 
0 

4 

13 
2486 

275 
24 
30 
11 
14 

483 

1174 

6 
13 
3 
1 
2 
0 
0 
0 

7 

1  in       2 
1  in   191 
1  in     92 
I  in     24 
1  in      15 
0  in     11 
0  in     14 

0  in   483 

1  in    167 

240 

26 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Enteritis    

2.3 
2.9 

1 

Hepatitis  chronica 

1.3 
46.6 

All  other  diseases  of   this 

113 

Total        -  -  - 

709 

6 

1110 

7 

1G22 

8 

1069 

11 

4510 

32 

1  in   141 

436 

4497 

26 

1  in   173 

434 

The  reports  of  sick  contain  no  noteworthy  remarks  respecting  diseases  of  this  system,  until 
we  come  to  those  for  the  quarter  ending  September,  1849.  Surgeon  Tripler,  in  his  report  from 
Detroit  Barracks  for  that  quarter,  makes  the  following  statement  concerning  Asiatic  cholera: 

"  About  the  first  of  July  a  few  cases  of  cholera  asphyxia  made  their  appearance  in  Detroit. 
The  municipal  authorities  had  in  season  made  extraordinary  ciforts  to  maintain  a  strict  system 
of  police,  and  to  distribute  daily  a  free  supply  of  lime  throughout  the  city.  The  sale  of  vege- 
tables was  prohibited,  and  with  most  praiseworthy  firmness  these  ordinances  were  enforced.  I 
caused  to  be  procured  a  sufficient  quantity  of  sulphuric  acid,  oxide  of  manganese,  and  salt,  to 
fumigate  from  day  to  day,  as  long  as  necessary,  every  inhabited  apartment  in  the  barracks ;  and 
recommended  the  usual  precaution  with  regard  to  the  diet,  clothing,  and  hygienic  regimen  of 
the  men.  The  result  of  all  these  measures  was,  under  Providence,  that  but  one  soldier  died 
from  the  disease,  and  he  an  inveterate  drunkard;  and  but  about  one  hundred  in  the  city  of  De- 
troit, including  those  landed  from  the  steamboats.     The  disease  has  entirely  disappeared." 

Assistant  Surgeon  R.  F.  Simpson  reports  the  prevalence  of  cholera  among  the  Indians  who 
were  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Howard,  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  and  beginning  of 
November,  1849.  About  the  same  time  many  of  the  soldiers  were  sick  with  diarrhoea,  but  the 
cholera  was  not  communicated  to  the  troops  or  to  the  citizens  residing  near  the  fort.  The 
Indians  had  just  received  their  annuities,  and  it  is  probable  the  mortality  among  them  was 
mainly  due  to  their  dissipation. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 


47 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIBATOET  SYSTEM. 


FJBST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

rOUBTH. 

YEAR. 

I'rnportion  of  deatlis  lo 
cables. 

Z-i 

Strength - - 

10. 

19U 

10, 

349 

9.681 

9. 

~bo 

10,346 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

.|-3 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

Catarrhus ' 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

Pleurltis 

39 
1013 
14 
83 
89 

16 

1 
0 
12 
1 
4 

1 

48 

1061 

9 

83 

35 

21 

0 
1 
8 
0 
4 

1 

24 
679 
13 
42 
21 

10 

0 
0 
6 
0 
0 

1 

35 
824 
11 
55 
40 

l(i 

0 
0 

7 

1 
1 

146 

3577 

47 

263 

185 

63 

1 
1 
33 
2 
9 

4 

1  in     146 

1  in  3577 

2  in        3 
1  in    131 
1  in      20 

1  in      16 

14 

345 

4.5 

25 

18 

All    other    diseases    of  this 

6 

Total 

1254 

19 

1257 

14 

789 

7 

981 

10 

4281 

50 

1  in      85 

413 

Eheumatismus 

293 

0 

329 

1 

255 

0 

266 

0 

1143 

1 

1  in  1143 

114 

Influenza  prevailed,  as  an  epidemic,  at  most  of  the  station.s  in  this  region  in  the  summer  of 
1843.  The  symptoms  and  treatment  were  generally  so  similar  to  those  already  detailed  in  this 
report,  that  a  repetition  is  not  considered  necessary.  At  Madison  Barracks  it  prevailed  in  June 
and  July ;  at  Fort  Ontario,  in  June  only ;  at  Forts  Niagara,  Mackinac,  and  Brady,  in  July ;  and  at 
Detroit  and  Buffalo  Barracks,  in  June.  Surgeon  R.  C.  Wood  reports  that  "epidemic  catarrh 
made  its  appearance  at  Bufi'alo  Barracks  on  the  20th  June,  characterized  by  great  restlessness, 
languor,  slight  chills,,  fever,  and  cough.  In  some  cases,  pulmonary  congestion  ensued;  in  other 
cases,  diarrhoea  ushered  in  the  disease.  The  command  has  been  completely  prostrated  by  it ; 
several  of  the  men  were  relieved  from  post,  being  attacked  with  sudden  faintness.  In  ordinary 
cases,  emetics,  saline  cathartics,  antimonial  preparations,  and  the  free  use  of  warm  chamomile 
tea,  have  subdued  the  disease  in  a  few  days.  In  others,  venesection  and  cujjping  have  been  in- 
dicated." 


NOETH  INTERIOR  REGION— WEST  OF  THE   GREAT  LAKES. 


This  region  includes  all  that  portion  of  the  United  States  which  lies  between  the  Great  Lakes 
and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  north  of  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude.  During  the  period 
imder  review,  ten  stations  have  been  occupied  in  this  region,  viz  :  Forts  Winnebago,  Crawford, 
Snelling,  Atkinson,  Dodge,  Des  Moines,  Ripley,  Ridgely,  Kearney,  and  Laramie. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY    AND  DISEASES    OF  FORT  WINNEBAGO. 

By  Surgeon  Lyman  Foot :   1839.  • 

Fort  Winnebago  is  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  Fox  river,  directly  opposite  the  portage 
between  that  river  and  tlie  Wisconsin,  and  is  elevated  about  70  feet  above  tlio  level  of  the  latter; 
it  is  in  latitude  43°  31',  longitude  89°  28';  81  miles  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  112  miles 
southwest  of  Green  Bay. 


48  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

The  marshes  hordering  tlie  Wisconsin  and  Fox  rivers  are  very  extensive^  and  come  up  qnite 
to  the  left  bank  of  the  Fox  river  opposite  the  fort.  They  are  hut  little  ahove  the  level  of  the 
two  rivers,  and  are  sometimes  overflowed.  Boats  have  frequently  passed  from  one  river  to  the 
other.  They'are  covered  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  grass,  and  could  he  much  improved  by 
ditching.  The  grass  makes  excellent  forage.  The  formation  of  these  marshes  is  a  subject  of 
much  speculation.  In  cutting  through  the  tliick  vegetable  matter  on  the  surface,  of  from  two 
to  four  i'eet,  you  come  to  a  stratum  of  soft  mini,  generally  a  foot  or  two  in  thickness,  but  in  some 
places  from  eight  to  ten  feet  deep.  These  last  are  generally  known  by  the  name  of  "shaking 
marslies,"  and  are  dangerous  to  cross  with  horses.  Tliey  appear,  however,  to  be  gradually 
filling  up,  from  tlie  same  cause  that  has  made  tlie  rest  more  solid.  Beneath  tlie  mud  comes  a 
stratum  of  fine  silicious  sand.  How  were  these  marshes  formed?  I  suppose,  from  their  situa- 
tion, they  were  originally  shallow  lakes,  or  lagoons,  full  of  aipiatic  plants.  These  jdants  were, 
as  they  are  now,  covered  with  millions  of  aninialcuhe,  whose  covering,  or  shell,  is  jjure  silex. 
They  die  annually,  and  deposit  their  silex  to  fill  up  the  lake.  Thus,  in  process  of  time,  they 
have  become  filled  with  sand,  and  the  decaying  vegetable  matter  has  formed  the  thick  sward 
on  the  surfixce.  This  is  not  all  speculation  ;  the  jn'ocess  is  actually  going  on  in  some  small 
lakes  or  ponds  still  existing  in  and  near  these  marshes.  The  old  Indians  inform  us  that 
marshes  that  were  impassable  for  man  fifty  years  since,  can  now  he  crossed  with  horses.  Nu- 
merous s])rings  of  clear  cold  water  are  found  in  the  midst  of  the  marshes,  where  one  may  see 
constantly  thrown  up  by  the  gushing  water  the  jiurest  white  silicious  sand. 

The  soil  of  the  upland  about  this  post  is  a  light  loam,  mixed  with  silex,  lime,  and  clay.  It 
is  what  is  called  a  '^  tvarin  soil,"  and  vegetation  comes  forward  earlier  than  at  any  place  in  the 
same  latitude  I  have  ever  been  stationed  at.  The  mineral  productions  are  very  few  ;  secondary 
limestone,  and  sandstone  of  recent  formation,  are  the  only  rock  in  situ  I  have  seen.  Indications 
of  iron  exist  in  various  places,  and  clay-heds  of  the  finest  quality  are  found  on  the  banks  of 
the  Wisconsin,  one  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort.  The  bricks  made  of  this  clay  are  of  superior 
quality,  and  resemble  the  Edinburgh  brick. 

Several  varieties  of  the  oak,  the  hickory,  and  the  maple  are  to  be  found  here  ;  also  the  willow, 
basswood,  and  elm.  Corn,  oats,  and  all  the  culinary  vegetables  common  in  western  and  middle 
New  York,  grow  well  here.  The  most  peculiar  native  plant  is  the  wild  rice,  or  wild  oats, 
{zizanla  davulosa.)  It  grows  in  Fox  river,  from  its  mouth  to  its  source,  and  in  all  the  ponds, 
lakes,  marshes,  and  lagoons  about  the  country.  It  is  a  great  article  of  food  among  the  Indians. 
The  wild  rice  liarvest  is  to  them,  what  the  wheat  and  corn  harvest  is  to  the  Virginia  planter. 
They  encamp  round  the  lakes  and  expansions  of  the  river  early  in  September,  and  lay  up  a 
store  for  the  winter.  It  is  excellent  food,  better  than  the  southern  rice,  and  is  a  mild  diuretic. 
Thousands  of  ducks,  even  the  canvass-back,  are  attracted  by  the  rice.  Would  this  wild  rice 
not  flourish  if  sown  in  the  waters  of  the  eastern  and  middle  States?  I  think  it  would;  and,  if 
so,  a  valuable  crop  might  be  obtained  from  a  great  number  of  acres  which  arc  now  almost 
u.seless. 

The  seasons  most  productive  of  disease  are  spring  and  autumn.  I  have  never  thought  the 
marshes  about  this  post  produced  disease  till  last  fall.  The  Wisconsin  overflowed  its  banks' 
during  the  latter  jiait  of  July  of  last  year,  submerging  all  the  extensive  marslies  for  two  or 
three  weeks  ;  all  except  aquatic  plants  were  killed.  This  was  succeeded  by  excessively  hot  and 
dry  weather  during  the  month  of  August  and  part  of  September,  wlien  we  had  a  number  of 
cases  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fever,  which  I  think  were  caused  by  the  decomposition  of 
vegetable  matter  on  the  marshes.  One  thing  I  think  remarkable  here:  complaints  of  the 
lungs,  phthisis  in  all  its  forms,  are  less  common  here  than  at  any  post  at  which  I  was  ever  sta- 
tioned.    How  shall  we  account  for  it?     Is  it  the  dry  atmosphere? 

The  mean  annual  range  ot  temperature  at  this  post  is  120°,  with  an  extreme  range  of  133°; 
the  thermometer  registering  in  summer  104°,  and  in  winter  — 20°.     The  mean  annual  tempera- 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  49 

ture  is  44°. 80.     Mean  annual  precipitation,  27.49  inches.     The  prevailing  winds  are  from  the 

north  and  nortlnvest.* 

ft 

FOKT    CRAWFORD. 

Fort  Crawford,  situated  on  the  Mississippi,  two  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  is 
on  Prairie  du  Chien.  This  prairie,  lying  in  the  angle  formed  by  these  two  rivers,  is  about  10 
miles  long  and  2  wide,  terminating  on  the  east  by  a  range  of  abrupt  hills  about  300  feet  in 
height.  These  bluffs  present  almost  a  naked  surface,  studded'  with  boldly  projecting  rocks. 
The  fort,  which  is  about  300  yards  from  the  Mississippi,  is  elevated  70  feet  above  its  level. 
Direct!}'  in  front  of  the  fort  is  a  marsh,  which  extends  5  miles  up  the  river,  and  about  as  far 
down  as  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin.  This  marsh,  or  slough,  which  exists  only  during  the 
low  water  of  the  summer  and  autumnal  months,  not  unfrequently  so  abounds  with  putrid  vege- 
table matter  as  to  be  extremely  offensive.  The  soil,  which  is  generally  fertile,  producing 
wheat,  corn,  rye,  oats,  and  potatoes,  abundantly,  consists  of  a  dark  loam  combined  with  lime 
and  silex.  Lead,  iron,  and  copper  are  ibund  at  many  points  ;  and  among  the  productions  of 
the  forest,  different  varieties  of  quercus  (oak),  acer  (maple),  betula  (birch),  salix  (willow), 
juglans  (walnut),  and  carya  (hickory),  stand  most  prominent. 

The  mean  annual  temperature,  deduced  from  19  years'  observation,  is  47°. 63,  with  a  maxi- 
mum of  100°,  and  a  minimum  of — 32°;  extreme  range,  132°.  Mean  annual  precipitation,  31.40 
inches. 

FORT    SNELLING. 

Fort  Snelling,  situated  in  the  angle  formed  by  the  confluence  of  the  St.  Peter's  and  Missis- 
sippi, is  elevated  94  feet  above  those  waters,  and  about  820  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean. 
The  St.  Peter's,  at  its  mouth,  is  150  yards  wide  and  16  feet  deep  ;  and  the  Mississippi,  at  this 
point,  is  about  400  yards  wide,  but  is  much  less  deep  than  the  former.  The  banks  of  the  latter, 
up  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  are  about  200  feet  high,  the  upper 
strata  of  which  consist  of  limestone,  and  the  lower  of  sandstone.  Beyond  the  falls,  the  banks 
are  less  high,  and  the  immediate  valley  of  the  river  becomes  more  extended.  The  St.  Peter's, 
which  has  its  source  about  500  miles  from  this  point,  courses  through  a  valley,  varying  in 
breadth  from  one  to  three  miles,  which  is  marshy,  owing  to  the  inundations  of  the  river.  The 
surface  of  the  surrounding  country  presents  an  undulating  prairie,  studded  here  and  there  with 
"islands"  of  timber.  Large  lakes,  plentifully  supplied  with  fish,  are  occasionally  found.  The 
soil,  although  sandy,  is  productive.  These  facts  have  been  furnished  by  Assistant  Surgeon 
John  Emerson. 

The  mean  annual  temperature,  deduced  from  a  continuous  series  of  observations  for  thirty 
years,  is  44°. 54,  with  a  maximum  of  100°,  a  minimum  of — 40°,  and  an  extreme  range  of  140°, 
the  mean  annual  range  being  121°.  The  mean  annual  fall  of  rain  and  snow,  for  twenty  years, 
is  25.43  inches. 

FORT    ATKINSON. 

In  the  absence  of  any  special  report  respecting  the  topography  of  tliis  station,  the  following 
brief  remarks  are  quoted  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Wm.  S.  King's  report  of  sick  for  the  third 
quarter,  1840,  shortly  after  the  establishment  of  the  post: 

'•Fort  Atkinson  is  situated  fifty  miles  west  of  Fort  Crawford,  on  an  elevated  plat  of  ground 
between  Turkey  river  on  the  north,  and  Spring  creek  on  the  south  and  east,  the  latter  empty- 
ing into  the  former  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  post.  The  elevation  on  the  side 
next  Spring  creek  is  of  crescentic  form,  and  nearly  perpendicular,  commencing  about  fifty  yards 

«=•  The  remainder  of  this  report,  consisting  principally  of  a  description  of  the  barrack  and  hospital  accominodatious,  is 
omitted,  not  being  applicable  to  their  present  condition.     The  results  of  more  extended  meteorological  obBervations  have 
been  substituted  for  those  given  in  the  original  report. — C. 
S.  96 7 


50  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    ANP    MORTALITY 

from  the  margin  of  the  stream,  and  descending  on  the  opposite  side  by  a  gradual  slope  to  Tur- 
key river,  from  -which  it  is  distant  half  a  mile.  Its  height  ahove  those  streams  is  80  I'eet.  The 
country  between  the  station  and  Turkey  riyer  is  woodland.  On  the  west,  south,  and  east,  it 
is  an  open  prairie,  aftbrding  afine  view  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles  in  extent.  Spring  creek,  as  its 
name  implies,  has  its  origin  in  numerous  springs  not  far  distant ;  the  water  is  used  for  drink- 
ing, and  for  culinary  purposes.  The  soil  is  mostly  calcareous.  The  cases  of  fever  at  this  post, 
with  few  exceptions,  can  be  traced  to  Fort  Crawford." 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FOET  DODGE,  o 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  C.  Keeney  :  1852. 

"While  describing  the  geographical  position  of  this  post,  it  will  be  necessary  to  say,  that  in 
consequence  of  not  being  able  to  procure  the  necessary  astronomical  instruments  for  determining 
the  true  latitude  and  longitude,  I  had  to  calculate  them  from  maps;  conse(iuently,  my  calcu- 
lations may  not  be  without  a  slight  error — deviating  a  few  minutes,  either  way,  from  the  true 
meridian. 

According  to  my  calculations,  we  are  in  latitude  42°  28'  north,  and  longitude  17°  1'  west 
from  Washington,  which  places  us  rather  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Iowa,  on  the  Des  Moines 
river,  and  near  the  junction  of  the  Lizard  forks. 

The  Des  Moines  is  a  large  and  rapid  stream,  taking  its  rise  from  numerous  small  lakes  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  this  State  and  Minnesota.  Its  average  width  is  from  one  hundred  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards,  with  a  rapid  current,  a  limestone  bottom,  and  tolerably  clear  water. 
The  river  is  very  tortuous  in  its  course;  but  its  general  bearings  are  from  northwest  to  south- 
east, running  through  the  whole  course  of  the  State,  and  emptying  into  the  Mississippi  a  few 
miles  below  Keokuk.  It  is  considered  navigable  for  light-draught  steamers  up  to  Fort  Des 
Moines,  and  probably  is  up  to  this  fort  in  high  water.  The  river  at  this  point  forms  a  cres- 
cent, which  bounds  two  sides  of  the  fort,  while  a  rolling  prairie  and  a  deep  ravine,  supporting 
a  grove  of  timber,  cover  the  remaining  sides. 

The  physical  aspect  of  the  country  about  the  post  is  beautiful  and  picturesc[ue  in  the  extreme. 
At  two  points  of  the  compass,  east  and  west,  to  the  utmost  extent  of  vision,  a  vast  undulating 
prairie,  supporting  a  luxuriant  growth  of  flowers  and  grass,  is  in  view ;  while  nearly  from  the 
north  to  the  south  the  majestic  Des  Moines  is  seen  meandering  through  the  boundless  prairie, 
flanked  on  either  side  with  high  bluft's  and  ledges  of  rocks,  supporting  in  many  places  a  dense 
growth  of  timber  of  the  choicest  kind. 

The  general  physical  appearance  of  this  vicinity  and  the  country  adjacent  is  of  such  a  nature 
as  to  lead  one  to  suppose  that  this  prairie  country  has  once  been  the  bottom  of  a  vast  sheet  of  water, 
and  at  a  period  long  subsequent  to  the  Mosaic  deluge.  The  deep  ravines,  embosoming  small 
rivulets ;  the  gentle  undulations  of  the  prairie  uplands ;  the  peculiar  geological  formations  of 
the  bluffs ;  the  fossiliferous  depositions  on  the  broad  prairie,  and  particularly  of  the  plutonic 
and  volcanic  boulders  (granite  and  trap)  that  are  frequently  to  be  seen  on  the  open  prairie, 
probably  hundreds  of  miles  from  their  parent  formations,  are  almost  conclusive  evidences  that 
the  country,  at  no  very  great  distant  period  back,  was  su))merged.  Some  of  these  boulders  are 
so  large  that  they  may  be  seen  for  miles,  standing  out  in  bold  relief  on  the  prairie.  Their 
general  surface  is  rough  and  uneven,  with  few  signs  of  having  been  worn  by  rolling,  which 
goes  to  show  that  they  were  transported  (probably  on  icebergs)  to  their  distant  and  isolated 
abodes.  The  uplands,  with  their  laciistrine-Yikc  appearance,  and  the  blufiTs  of  the  rivers,  with 
their  apparently  modern  sedimentary  formations,  also,  are  so  many  living  witnesses  to  testify  to 
the  fact  that  at  least  this  immediate  vicinity  was  once  a  vast  lake.  Numerous  physical  and 
geolo^cal  facts  might  be  brought  forward  in  corroboration  of  this  assertion ;  but,  as  the  limits 

o  Fort  Des  Moines  was  occupied  about  three  years,  and  then  abandoned.  It  was  at  the  head  of  navigation,  on  the  Des 
Moines  river.     No  medico-topncraphical  report  of  the  locality  can  be  found  in  thp  Medical  Bureau. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  51 

of  this  paper  will  not  permit  of  more  than  a  general  sketch  of  the  physical  aspect  of  the  post, 
and  as  it  is  foreign  to  my  subject,  I  will  proceed  to  give  a  brief  description  of  the  geological  form- 
ations. 

From  the  above  remarks  on  tlie  physical  characters  of  this  vicinity,  it  will  he  inferred  that  no 
subterranean  convulsions,  no  upheavals,  or  any  other  volcanic  actions,  have  visited  and  raised 
up  tlie  present  formations  in  this  part  of  Iowa;  but,  on  the  other  liand,  it  can  more  easily  be 
imagined  that,  when  the  waters  covered  the  surface,  the  strata  of  the  various  rocks  were  gradually 
deposited,  one  upon  the  other,  by  the  same  process  as  is  now  daily  going  on  before  our  eyes  in 
the  same  formations. 

The  chief  formation  in  this  immediate  vicinity  is  the  aqueous,  or  sedimentary  rock,  including 
nearly  all  its  varieties — the  calcareous,  the  gypsum  (sulphate  of  lime),  silicious,  and  argilla- 
ceous rocks.  The  calcareous  rock  is  the  chief,  and  it  may  truly  be  said  forms  the  backbone  of  all 
the  other  sedimentary  and  fossiliferous  bodies  of  this  class  of  rocks.  It  lies  in  detached  pieces 
and  in  solid  masses  all  along  the  shores  of  the  Des  Moines  and  its  tributaries,  forming  the  bulk 
of  the  bluffs  and  cliffs,  and  also  the  beds  of  the  rivers. 

Carbonate  of  lime  seems  to  jiredomiuate  over  all  the  varieties  of  this  rock.  At  many  points, 
particularly  on  the  small  tributaries  of  the  Des  Moines,  the  form  of  stratification  varies  materi- 
ally. At  one  point,  a  series  of  strata  of  carbonate  of  lime  forms  high  bluffs ;  while,  at  another 
point,  a  stratum  of  carbonate  of  lime  alternates  with  one  of  argillaceous  rock;  then,  again,  ar- 
gillaceous and  arenaceous  strata  are  suj^erimposed  on  layers  of  carbonate  of  lime.  In  many 
places  on  the  Des  Moines  are  seen  beds  of  shale  alternating  with  beds  of  lime  strata.  Not  far 
from  tliis  post,  and  on  the  river,  is  an  extensive  bed  of  shale  combined  with  argillaceous  and 
calcareous  matter.  This  rock  has  forced  itself  out  of  the  banks  of  the  river,  at  an  angle  of  50°. 
The  great  dip  this  stratification  presents,  I  am  led  to  believe,  from  the  'physical  as  well  as  the 
geological  features,  was  brought  about  by  the  sliding  of  the  earth,  caused  by  the  action  of  water. 
I  am  further  led  to  this  belief  from  the  fact,  that  the  stratification  all  around  this  district  is 
nearly  horizontal;  and,  also,  from  there  being  no  marks  or  signs  of  internal  commotions  having 
occurred,  no  dislocation  and  distortion  of  strata.  This  bed  of  shale  bears  strongly  the  physical 
features  of  coal.  Its  stratification  is  well  defined,  and  between  many  of  its  laminaj  are  enclosed 
organic  remains,  many  of  which  have  strong  impressions  of  various  plants.  These  beds  of 
shale  (bituminous,  I  think)  are  quite  numerous  on  the  banks  of  the  Des  Moines,  and  are  not  im- 
frequently  taken  for  rich  beds  of  coal.  I  view  them  only  as  so  many  indications  of  an  inferior 
quality  of  coal  hidden  in  the  banks. 

On  one  of  the  small  rivulets  that  empties  into  the  Des  Moines  is  a  bed  of  gypsum  (sulphate 
of  lime),  a  soft,  white  and  yellowish  rock,  witli  the  stratification  (as  usual)  nearly  horizontal, 
and,  like  the  other  rocks,  bearing  N.W.  and  S.E.  It  appears  to  be  free  from  the  other  varieties 
of  rock. 

In  some  of  the  bluffs  are  deep  fissures  and  rents,  and  appearances  of  dykes,  that  would  lead 
the  superficial  observer  to  suppose  they  were  produced  by  subterranean  convulsions  and  up- 
heavals. A  bird's-eye  view  of  their  geograpliical  features  will  show  that  laud-slides  and  the 
action  of  water  were  their  origin. 

The  only  palieontological  evidences  observed  in  these  rocks  were  the  fossiliferous  plants,  and 
impressions  in  the  shale  deposits  already  spoken  of.  These  fossiliferous  remains  were  so  indi.s- 
tinct  as  to  render  it  impossible  either  to  determine  tlieir  class,  order,  or  species. 

As  may  be  supposed,  from  the  above  formations,  the  metalliferous  and  other  mineral  indi- 
cations are  exceedingly  few.  The  great  requisites  for  the  metalliferous  productions,  as  trap, 
conglomerate,  basalt,  porphyry,  and  other  crystalline  rocks,  are  wanting.  The  only  mineral 
this  formation  can  produce  (as  far  as  my  superficial  explorations  have  gone)  is  coal ;  and  this 
in  such  poor  qualities,  that  an  attempt  to  work  a  mine  for  profit  would  be  of  doubtful  ex- 
pediency. 

From  the  above  remarks  on  the  geological  structure,  it  is  to  be  supposed  that  the  general 


52  REPORT    ON    TllE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

surftice  of  the  country  supports  a  good  soil.  In  the  bottom  lands,  bordering  the  rivers,  and 
where  the  land  has  been  frequently  inundated  from  the  frequent  swellings  of  the  streams,  the 
soil  is  exceedingly  rich  and  productive.  It  is,  for  the  most  part,  composed  of  alluvial  deposit 
lying  on  a  bed  of  limestone ;  and  superimposed  upon  this  deposit  is  a  thick  covering  of  vege- 
table mould.  The  soil  of  the  uplands  differs  somewhat  from  this.  It  consists  of  a  black  earth, 
composed  of  sand  and  clay  intermixed  with  calcareous  matter.  It  holds  in  composition  less 
organic  matter  than  that  of  the  bottom  land.  But  this  soil,  composed  as  it  is  of  loam,  marl, 
and  here  and  there  of  infusorial  earth,  and  having  for  a  base  a  thick  bed  of  calcareous  matter, 
is  cixpable  of  producing  rich  crops  of  corn,  wheat,  oats,  &e.,  year  after  year,  without  any 
material  drain  on  its  fertilizing  powers. 

Next  to  the  physical  features  of  a  country,  and  not  second  to  it  in  point  of  health  and  pros- 
perity, is  climatology.  I  believe  it  is  conceded  by  all,  that  a  rich  and  productive  soil,  with  an 
unequable  and  treacherous  climate,  is  more  pernicious  to  health,  and  less  to  be  coveted  by  the 
agriculturist,  than  a  less  fertilizing  soil  with  a  good  climate.  Such,  truly,  ought  to  be  so;  for 
while  tlie  soil  is  amendable  through  the  medium  of  the  arts,  climate,  on  the  other  hand,  is  beyond 
the  reach  of  art  and  science. 

Before  speaking  of  the  climatic  characteristics  of  this  jiost,  it  will  be  as  well  to  premise  my 
remarks  by  saying  that  this  post  is  not  quite  two  years  old,  and  only  part  of  this  time  have 
meteorological  observations  been  taken ;  consequently,  I  can  only  speak  of  the  climatic  peculiar- 
ities of  one  year,  which  peculiarities  may  not  be  in  accordance  with  a  series  of  years  of  the  past 
or  to  come.  But  still,  from  a  careful  study  of  climatology,  and  with  the  physical  features  of  a 
country  before  the  eye,  one  is  enabled,  in  a  great  measure,  to  form  a  tolerably  correct  opinion 
of  the  general  character  of  the  climate  of  a  country. 

By  reference  to  the  Meteorological  Kegister,  it  is  found  that  the  past  winter  was  rigor- 
ous and  changeable  in  the  extreme ;  not  rigorous  from  the  low  degree  to  which  the  mer- 
cury would  at  times  fall,  but  from  the  constant  Iiurricane-like  winds  that  rushed  I'rom  the 
north,  and  swept  over  the  prairie,  chilling  the  innermost  blood,  both  of  man  and  beast. 
The  same  register  shows  that  this  last  month  (June)  was  subject  to  great  thermometric  changes. 
During  the  month  of  January,  1852,  the  mercury  fell  to  the  lowest  graduated  degree  of  our 
thermometers — namely,  28°  below  zero ;  and  had  the  graduation  been  still  lower,  (or  the 
thermometer  longer,  as  some  are  wont  to  have  it,)  the  mercury  would,  in  all  probability, 
have  fallen  to  30°  or  35°  below  zero.  Last  month,  as  the  table  shows,  the  mercury  rose  to  97° 
in  the  shade.  During  the  summer  months,  the  wind  almost  incessantly  blows  a  gale  from  the 
south,  which  has  its  salutary  efl'ects,  as  will  be  seen  when  we  come  to  speak  of  disease,  &c. 

It  is  needless  to  remark,  that  these  great  atmospheric  changes  are  attributable,  in  the  main, 
to  the  following  physical  causes:  At  the  north,  south,  east,  and  west,  all  is  one  vast  stretch  of 
prairie,  and  nowhere  is  there  a  great  body  of  water  to  modify  and  mollify  the  temperature  by 
evaporation  and  condensation.  Even  during  the  greater  part  of  the  summer  montlis,  there  are 
no  clouds  in  the  sky  to  parry  off  the  piercing  rays  of  the  sun. 

The  s])rings  are  also  exceedingly  changeable  and  uncertain.  The  agriculturist  will  experi- 
ence many  reverses  in  his  fields,  arising  from  the  great  atmosj)hcric  vicissitudes.  He  may  retire 
to  his  bed  with  his  heart  light  from  the  growing  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his  croj^s,  and  in  the 
morning  he  will  go  out  and  return  with  his  heart  saddened  and  chilled  by  the  frosts  of  May  and 
June.  But  there  is  one  redeeming  feature  in  this  treacherous  climate,  which,  in  despite  of  the 
great  and  sudden  changes,  renders  it  quite  salubrious.  It  is  this:  the  atmosphere  is  exceed- 
ingly dry  at  all  times.  Tlie  salutary  influence  this  hygrometric  feature  has,  will  be  referred  to 
when  we  come  to  speak  of  disease,  &c. 

As  soil  and  climate  are  the  fountains  from  which  disease,  in  its  general  sense,  takes  its  rise, 
it  will  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  speak  briefly  of  the  nature  and  causes  of  the  various  maladies 
that  occur  at  this  post. 

The  register  of  sick  shows  remittent  and  intermittent  to  be  the  i^revailing  fevers  at  this 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION.  63 

post,  and  diseases  of  the  resiMratory  organs  t'o  predominate  over  all  others.  As  regards  remit- 
tents and  intermittents  being  the  prevailing  fevers  at  this  jdace,  the  fact  not  only  holds  good 
here,  but  has  generally  been  so  at  all  the  various  stations  at  which  I  have  been,  particu- 
laidy  at  those  posts  where  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  has  been  one  of  the  duties  of  the  command. 
The  secret  may  be  this;  trees  are  felled,  the  soil  is  turned  up,  and  a  greater  surface  exposed  for 
the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  to  promote  decorajiosition  of  the  tree-tops,  the  turf,  and  other  vegeta- 
ble matter  brought  to  light.  As  a  general  rule,  at  all  new  military  posts  (and  I  think  the  same 
will  liold  good  in  all  new  agricultural  districts)  the  people  are  more  exempt  from  miasmatic 
fevers  the  first  year  than  the  second  and  third.  This  exemption  may  be  owing  to  the  cause  of 
the  malarious  influence  brought  to  light  by  art  (if  I  may  so  speak)  not  having  had  sufficient  time 
to  become  thoroughl}^  developed  by  the  action  of  the  sun,  and  other  causes,  to  make  its  impres- 
sions ou  the  nervous  and  sanguiferous  systems.  But  not  so  at  posts  and  in  old  agricultural 
districts  where  there  are  already  natural  and  living  sources  for  the  generation  of  miasmatic 
poison.  Here  the  subject  immediately  imbibes  and  experiences  the  effect  of  the  poison  in  a  few 
weeks,  or  even  in  a  few  days.  Adopting  the  old  notions  of  vegetable  decomposition  in  its  vari- 
ous forms  as  the  "fons  et  origo"  of  bilious  remittents  and  intermittents;  and  while  discarding 
the  cryptogamous  and  other  fanciful  theories  of  the  present  day,  I  am  prepared  to  state  that  all 
the  remittents  and  intermittents  that  have  occurred  at  this  post  were  caused  by  the  imbibition 
and  absorption  of  miasmatic  poison  generated  by  the  vegetable  decomposition  in  the  bottom  lands, 
where  gardening  and  farming  have  been  carried  on.  Nearly  all  the  men  who  have  been  the  sub- 
jects of  these  fevers  were  the  ablest  bodied  men  of  the  command,  and,  when  on  other  duty  in  the 
uplands,  enjoyed  perfect  immunity  from  those  fevers ;  but  no  sooner  would  they  be  detailed  for  hor- 
ticultural duty,  than  they  would  report  sick  with  one  of  these  fevers.  I  am  aware  that  some  late 
writers  are  endeavoring  to  prove  that  miasmatic  poison  is  not  the  source  from  whence  these 
fevers  arise;  and,  as  irrefutable  arguments,  they  cite  instances  of  armies  that  have  been  deci- 
mated by  these  forms  of  fevers,  in  those  places  where  there  was  not  the  slightest  evidence  of 
vegetable  decomposition,  and  other  sources  for  the  generation  of  miasmata.  Biit  they  seem  to 
forget,  or  at  least  leave  out  the  important  fact,  that  these  same  armies,  during  their  long  and 
rapid  marches,  have  encamped  one  or  more  nights  in  miasmatic  districts,  where  the  body  has  taken 
in  the  malarious  seeds ;  and  after  two  months,  or  two  weeks'  fatigue  and  exposure  to  a  scorch- 
ing sun,  these  seeds  have  grown  up,  the  fruits  of  which  were  a  congestive  remittent  and 
intermittent  fever. 

The  sick  report  shows  but  few  cases  of  rheumatism.  Considering  the  great  range  which 
the  thermometer  has  here  in  all  the  four  seasons,  it  might  be  supposed  that  rheumatism  would 
form  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  catalogue  of  diseases.  But,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  quite  rare 
here,  owing,  in  all  probability,  to  the  hygrometric  feature  of  the  atmosphere.  At  all  sea- 
sons of  the  year,  and  during  tlie  greatest  thermometric  changes,  the  atmosphere  is  exceedingly 
free  from  moisture. 

Most  of  the  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system  were  of  the  mildest  nature,  and  in  the  majority 
of  the  cases  were  unaccompanied  with  febrile  action.  The  only  diseases  of  the  chest,  involving 
the  substance  of  the  lungs  and  pleura,  were  imi^rted  cases.  The  mildness  of  the  diseases  of 
tlie  thoracic  organs  may  also  be  attributed  to  the  general  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  during 
the  great  thermometric  changes. 

Dysentery  and  diarrhoea,  in  chronic  forms,  are  not  known  here;  and  dysentery,  in  its  acute 
form,  is  rare. 

To  sum  up,  the  health  of  the  command  is  exceedingly  good  at  all  times.  The  following  may 
be  the  causes  why  it  is  so:  First,  the  peculiar  hygrometric  feature  of  the  atmosphere,  being 
free  from  moisture  at  all  times;  secondly,  the  pure  and  limpid  waters,  both  of  the  running 
streams,  and  particularly  of  the  numerous  springs  that  gush  out  of  the  bluffs,  and  from  the 
bottom  lands,  some  of  which  are  slightly  impregnated  with  the  salts  of  iron  and  sulphur; 
thirdly,  to  the  constant  winds  that  carry  off  all  elfluvia,  as  fast  as  generated^  to  distant  parts ; 


54  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

and  also  to  the  constant  cmitloyment  of  the  men  in  their  various  duties;  to  their  wholesome 
diet  (salt  and  fresh  meat,  combined  with  a  due  proportion  of  vegetable  matter);  and  jjartieu- 
larly  to  thorotighli/  baked  bread,  and  no  whisky. 

As  far  as  my  experience  has  gone  at  military  posts,  I  have  found  bread  badly  baked,  and  an 
undue  quantity  of  alcoholic  drinks,  to  be  the  chief  originators  of  the  diseases  of  the  digestive 
organs.  Too  much  stress  cannot  be  laid  on  the  importance  of  having  bread  thoroughly  baked. 
I  have  not  unfrequently  seen  two-thirds  of  a  command  at  a  time  afflicted  with  diseases  of  tlie 
digestive  organs,  arising  from  one  single  batch  of  badly  baked  bread.  The  company  baker 
and  bake-house  should  be  daily  inspected;  and  as  the  art  of  making  bread  is  a  chemical  pro- 
cess, none  are  so  competent  to  make  this  inspection  as  the  medical  officer  of  the  post.  Strin- 
gent orders  should  be  issued,  enjoining  on  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post  to  see  this 
imjiortant  inspection  daily  made. 

As  II  full  development  of  the  Flora  does  not  take  place  before  the  latter  part  of  July  and 
August,  only  a  general  outline  of  the  botanical  characters  can  be  expected  here.  The  botani- 
cal characters  that  merit  sjiecial  notice,  are  the  following:  The  wild  rose  and  strawberry,  in 
this  vicinity,  seem  to  be  twin  brothers,  as  they  are  found  together,  growing  in  great  profusion 
around  the  borders  of  the  prairie  and  timber.  The  fleur-de-lis  (iris)  is  found  growing  in 
marsliy  ground,  and  dowers  in  June.  The  blue  violet  {viola  ccaridea),  the  blazing  star,  and 
several  other  species  of  the  liatris,  with  their  long  spikes  of  purple  flowers,  the  calla  palustris, 
the  wild  turnip  (arum),  the  petalostemons,  with  their  luxuriant  heads  of  violets,  the  cone- 
Howers  (rudbeckia),  the  wild  sun-flower  (kelianthus),  the  golden  rod  (solidago),  the  eye-bright 
(euphorbia  corollata),  &c.,  are  found  growing  in  the  uplands  and  bottom  lands,  and  add  lustre  to 
the  spring  and  summer  dress  of  the  prairie.  The  wild  ginger  (asarum  Canadense)  grows  in  the 
ravines,  and  flowers  in  May  and  June.  There  is  one  plant,  everywhere  to  be  found  on  the 
prairie,  that  at  all  times  attracts  the  attention  of  the  traveller,  not  only  from  its  height  and 
brightness  of  flowers,  but  because  its  leaves  are  endowed  with  peculiar  qualities.  It  is  the 
compass,  or  polar  plant  (silphiura  laciniatum).  It  is  a  plant  that  grows  from  one  to  five  feet 
high,  rather  coarse  in  its  genei'al  aspect,  and  with  a  ferny  leaf.  The  flower  is  like  that  of  the 
sun-flower.  This  plant  is  celebrated  for  the  peculiar  property  of  its  leaves,  pointing  due  north 
and  south.  Some  have  said  the  leaves  do  not  always  point  north  and  south,  but  go  with  the 
wind.  From  many  and  careful  observations  on  this  plant,  I  can  say  that  its  polarity  can  be 
as  much  relied  on  as  the  magnetic  needle ;  and  were  1  to  travel  a  long  distance  over  the  prairie, 
I  would  sooner  trust  to  the  polarity  of  this  plant  than  to  the  magnetic  needle,  as  the  former  is 
not  influenced  by  local  attraction,  while  the  latter  is.  As  ibr  the  leaves  being  influenced  by  the 
winds,  I  have  often  seen  the  stock  bent  near  to  the  ground  by  the  force  of  the  winds,  while  the 
leaves  were  still  pointing  north  and  south.  The  cause  of  this  peculiar  property  of  the  leaves 
is  inexplicable.  Tlie  magnet  reveals  none  of  its  secrets,  nor  does  dissection.  But  still,  I  am 
inclined  to  think  tliat  its  polarity  is  dependent  on  magnetism,  influenced  by  the  action  of  light 
on  its  leaves. 

Among  the  slirubs  may  be  mentioned  the  wafer-ash  (ptelea  trifoUaUi),  being  an  ingredient  in 
the  celebrated  Indian  tobacco.  The  red  bud  (cercis  Canadensis)  puts  Ibrtli  its  flowers  before  its 
leaves.  The  burning  bush  (eitonyrmis  atro-purpureus) ,  and  the  cotfee-tree  (gymnodudus  Cana- 
densis), also,  are  found  in  the  timber.  In  addition  to  the  above,  there  are  in  this  vicinity  the 
gooseberry  (ribes  3Iissouriensis),  the  crab-apple  (pyrus  coronaria),  the  wild  plum  (primus  Ameri- 
cana), the  black  walnut  (juglans  nigra),  the  butternut  (Juglans  cinerea);  the  two  last  adorn  the 
forest  with  their  rich  and  luxuriant  foliage. 

The  beautiful  groves  of  timber  that  skirt  the  juairic  and  rivers  are  composed  chiefly  of  tlie 
following  trees:  With  the  addition  of  the  black  and  white  walnut,  are  the  black  oak  (quercus 
nigra),  white  oak  (qnercHs  alba),  the  sugar  maple  (acer  saccharinum),  the  bass-wood  (tilia),  the 
white  poi>lar  (tlie  American  aspen),  the  white  elm  (idmus  Americana). 

This  country  has  so  long  been  the  abode  of  the  red  man,  and  his  incursions  have  been  so 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION.  55 

frequent  over  the  prairie,  and  in  the  forests^  in  pursuit  of  the  buffalo,  the  elk,  the  deer,  &c., 
that  nearly  all  of  these  animals  have  forsaken  this  ground,  and  gone  farther  west  and 
north  ;  and  the  few  that  are  occasionally  seen  here,  are  so  wild  that  it  is  with  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty they  can  he  brought  within  reach  of  th? rifle-ball.  The  buffalo  is  sometimes  met  with  on 
the  open  prairie,  a  few  miles  west  of  this  post.  They  appear  to  be  the  stragglers  of  the  buffalo 
army,  and  wander  off,  into,  or  near  by,  the  settlements.  The  elk  is  seen  in  herds  of  two  and 
three  hundred,  about  the  head  waters  of  the  Lizard  river,  some  thirty  miles  from  here.  Hunting 
parties  frequently  pass  by  our  post  in  pursuit  of  their  young.  The  parties  drive  with  them 
cows,  and,  when  the  young  elk  are  taken_,  the  cows  suckle  and  protect  them  as  if  their  own 
offspring.  They  are  then  driven  into  the  settlements,  and,  when  grown  up,  are  trained  to  the 
harness.  The  deer  is  frequently  seen  bounding  over  the  prairie  from  one  grove  of  timber  to 
another.  The  prairie  is  their  summer's  retreat,  while  in  winter  they  seek  the  more  comfortable 
and  secluded  habitations  of  the  forest.  The  black  bear  is  now  and  then  met  with,  prowling 
about  the  outskirts  of  the  post.  The  prairie  wolf  is  a  frequent  visitor  during  the  fall  and 
winter.  He  is  the  most  stupid  of  all  animals,  and  is  harmless  to  everything  except  to  the  hen- 
roost and  sheep-fold.  During  the  spring  and  fall,  the  rivers  and  sloughs  swarm  with  the  wild 
goose,  the  brant,  and  numerous  species  of  ducks.  They  make  their  appearance  in  the  spring, 
as  soon  as  the  ice  is  out  of  the  river,  sport  about  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  then  proceed 
north — following  the  course  of  the  rivers,  where  they  lay  and  hatch.  On  the  first  intimations 
of  cold  weather,  they  return  back  to  these  waters,  where  they  again  remain  for  one  or  two 
weeks,  and  then  proceed  to  a  warmer  and  more  genial  climate. 

The  wild  turkey — the  king  of  the  feathered  tribe — makes  his  apjiearance  in  these  forests  in 
the  fall,  and  is  so  wild  that  none  but  the  best  of  shots  take  him. 

The  streams  seem  to  be  only  moderately  supplied  with  the  finny  tribe.  The  pickerel,  the 
pike,  the  cat,  and  the  bass,  are  the  principal,  if  not  the  only  fish  that  swim  in  these  waters. 

On  the  tributaries  of  the  Des  Moines  are  numerous  beaver-dams,  where  large  numbers  of 
these  most  sagacious  of  all  animals  make  their  winter-quarters.  In  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood of  these  dams,  acres  are  cleared,  and  trees,  from  one  to  eight  inches  in  diameter,  are  felled 
by  the  teeth  of  these  animals.  No  animal  is  more  sagacious  and  ingenious  than  the  beaver. 
The  architectural  and  engineering  tact  displayed  in  the  construction  of  these  dams  would 
reflect  credit  on  a  genus  of  animals  much  higher  on  the  scale  of  existence  than  they. 

But  few  varieties  of  reptiles  are  seen  here.  The  prairie  rattle-snake  presents  the  same 
physical  characters  as  the  common  rattle-snake  everywhere  in  the  United  States.  The  moc- 
casin, a  venomous  snake,  is  also  found  on  the  prairie,  in  common  witli  the  striped  snake.  The 
above  two  are  the  only  venomous  reptiles  found  in  this  district.  Tlie  bull -snake  (boa  Americana) 
is  common  on  the  prairie  and  in  the  timber.  He  grows  to  an  enormous  size,  and  is  frequently 
found  to  be  ten  feet  in  length.  This  reptile  is  harmless  to  man,  but  is  a  deadly  enemy  to  the 
rattle-snake  whenever  they  come  in  contact.  This  snake  is  held  in  great  esteem  by  the  Indian, 
and  killing  it  would,  by  him,  be  considered  more  than  sacrilege.  Well  might  it  be  so 
esteemed  by  the  white  man,  as  they  are  so  great  a  scourge  to  tliat  most  venomous  of  all  rep- 
tiles— the  dread  of  the  prairie. 

The  country,  as  yet,  is  new  and  very  sparsely  settled.  There  are  scarcely  twenty  jiersons 
in  as  many  miles  of  the  post.  The  few  who  have  settled  in  this  district  are  chiefly  from  Mis- 
souri and  Indiana.  Before  the  establishment  of  this  post  (in  the  summer  of  1850),  there 
were  not  half  a  dozen  settlers  this  side  of  Fort  Des  Moines.  The  few  wlio  have  located  here  are 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil.  They  are  of  the  poorest  class  of  settlers  from  the  above 
States  ;  and,  judging  from  the  general  aspect  of  tlieir  farms,  from  their  lean,  lank,  and  half-fed 
cattle,  their  squalid  and  hungry-looking  children — huddled  in  the  same  room  in  common 
with  pigs,  chickens,  &c. — one  would  be  apt  to  infer  they  were  more  indolent  than  enterprising, 
and  more  filthy  than  cleanly. 

Tlie  red  man  has  long  since  deserted  these  his  old  hunting-grounds,  and  gone  to  seek  abodes 


5G  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

farther  west,  where  the  buffiilo,  the  elk,  and  the  deer  roam  in  greater  numbers  and  with  less 
fear  of  the  rifle.  A  lew  scattering  bands,  however,  principally  of  the  Sioux  and  Cliiiipewa 
tribes,  are  still  lianging  on  the  outskirts  of  this  State.  During  the  winter  season,  small  ]iarties 
of  these  scattered  tribes  come  into  the  neighborhood  of  this  post  for  the  purpose  of  hunting, 
trapping,  and  trading.  Tlie  same  bands  not  unfrcqucntly  make  incursions  into  the  settle- 
ments, carry  olY  cattle,  horses,  &c.,  and  commit  other  like  depredations  on  the  defenceless 
inhabitants.  In  their  nature,  they  are  treacherous  and  predatory;  and  even  the  small  i)arties 
who  visit  us,  and  who  receive  many  hospitalities,  are  not  wanting  in  the  above  characteristic 
traits  ;  and  were  it  not  for  fear  of  the  bayonet,  they  would,  undoubtedly,  practise  some  of 
their  barbarous  cruelties  on  those  from  whom  they  receive  hospitalities.  When  driven  to 
extreme  hunger,  there  are  no  bounds  to  their  inhumanity  ;  they  become  cannibals  in  the 
strictest  sense  of  the  word.  The  following  facts,  which  I  have  from  undoubted  authority,  and 
almost  from  an  eyewitness,  go  to  show  that  even  those  on  the  borders  of  the  States  are  capable 
of  practising  the  most  sickening  and  inhuman  customs.  During  the  winter  of  ISoO-'ol, 
a  band  of  this  tribe  (Sioux)  were  wintering  in  the  forests  in  the  northwestern  part  of  this  State. 
There  being  no  snow  to  track  the  footsteps  of  the  deer,  they  were  in  consequence  driven  to  the 
very  verge  of  starvation.  In  one  family  of  this  band  were  a  father,  mother,  and  three  children. 
The  mother  doted  on  her  youngest  child,  a  boy  of  three  years.  On  him  rested  her  fondest 
hopes,  and  on  him  were  lavished  her  dearest  affections.  Being  driven  to  despair  by  the  tor- 
turing pangs  of  hunger,  she  caressed  him,  folded  him  in  her  arms,  and  put  him  into  a  sleep. 
No  sooner  was  the  mother's  darling  boy  in  a  sweet  sleep,  when  the  concealed  knife  was  taken 
from  her  bosom  and  drawn  across  his  throat — severing  all  to  the  very  bone.  She  quenched  her 
thirst  by  sipping  his  warm  blood,  and  satisfied  her  hunger  by  feeding  on  his  quivering  flesh. 
In  the  course  of  ten  or  twelve  days,  the  pangs  of  hunger  returned.  Her  second  boy,  a  youth  of 
ten  years,  like  the  first,  was  made  the  food  of  her  morbid  appetite.  After  the  lapse  of  two 
weeks,  the  pangs  of  hunger  returned  again,  but  with  redoubled  vigor.  She  resolved  on 
destroying  her  third  son,  a  boy  of  sixteen  years  of  age,  the  firstborn  and  the  father's  favorite. 
By  her  caresses,  he  also  was  put  to  sleep,  and,  while  asleep,  she  poured  molten  lead  into  his  ear. 
This  more  novel  way  of  extinguishing  life  proved  fatal  to  her.  The  pangs  soon  awakened  the 
boy,  and  caused  him  to  scream  aloud.  The  father,  although  frantic  with  hunger,  was  never- 
theless attracted  by  the  cries  of  his  beloved  boy.  The  deed  was  still  fresh  before  him.  His 
eves  were  then  opened  to  the  fate  of  his  lost  children.  He  clenched  his  tomahawk  and  felled 
the  mother  to  the  ground.  His  knife  soon  finished  the  stroke,  by  taking  her  scalp  from  licr 
head.     He,  in  turn,  feasted  on  her  carcass. 

There  being  so  few  Indians  about  here,  it  will  be  impossible  to  collect  any  vital  statistical 
knowledge  worthy  of  note.  As  far  as  I  am  informed,  the  numerous  Indian  tribes  west  and 
north  of  us  are  fast  becoming  extinct  by  cholera  and  smallpox — by  the  latter  disease  in  par- 
ticular. As  far  as  my  observations  have  gone  with  the  Indian  tribes  heretofore,  I  have  gene- 
rally observed  that  when  disease,  particularly  a  fever,  takes  hold  of  the  Indian,  (if  he  is  at  all 
sick,)  he  succumbs  to  the  fever  in  spite  of  the  "medicine  man."  Their  mode  of  living, 
habits,  and  customs,  are  all  conducive  to  staving  off  disease — particularly  in  its  chronic  form. 
Their  articles  of  diet  alone,  could  they  only  be  introduced  into  civilized  circles,  would  banish 
dyspepsia  in'all  its  protean  forms  ;  the  name  itself  would  soon  be  forgotten. 

There  is  a  common  article  of  diet,  principally  used  by  the  half-breeds  employed  in  the  Hud- 
son Bay  and  American  Fur  Companies  on  their  long  marches,  and  who  also  subsist  on  it  at  their 
permanent  winter-quarters.  It  supplies  both  the  place  of  bread  and  meat,  and,  for  its  remark- 
ably nutritious  qualities,  ease  of  digestion,  and  for  the  great  iivcilities  of  transportation  which  the 
compactness  and  small  bulk  of  this  article  afford,  make  it  well  worthy  the  notice  of  the  Depart- 
ment. It  is  called  pemican.  Lieutenant  Corley,  U.  S.  A.,  who  has  subsisted  on  it  for  some 
time,  and  to  whom  I  am  chiefly  indebted  for  the  information  of  this  invaluable  article  of  diet, 
says  it  is  composed  of  buftalo  meat  and  buffalo  tallow.     The  process  for  preparing  it  is  this  : 


AMONG  tht:  troops  in  the  northeen  division.  57 

the  Tjiiffalo  meat  is  first  tlioroiighly  dried  in  the  sun,  and  then  pounded  until  it  is  about  the 
consistence  of  meal :  tlio  tallow  is  melted,  and  freed  from  all  impurities,  and  is  then  poured  on 
the  meat  and  well  stirred.  The  jiroportions  should  be  about  equal,  or,  if  any  difference,  there  is 
a  little  more  tallow  than  meat.  The  mixture,  being  well  stirred,  is  then  poured  into  sacks 
made  of  xmtanned  liuffalo  hide,  and  allowed  to  cool ;  no  salt  is  used — probably  to  prevent  thirst. 
The  sacks  contain  from  twenty  to  forty  jjounds,  for  convenience  of  transportation.  Tlie  mix- 
ture being  poured  in  iJie  sacks  while  in  a  liquid  state,  it,  of  course,  packs  itself  into  a  small 
sjiace.  It  keeps  well  without  salt,  and,  when  properly  made,  will  be  perfectly  good  at  the 
expiration  of  a  year.  This  article  is  used  almost  entirely  by  the  fur-traders  of  the  Hudson  Bay 
and  American  Fur  Companies  as  their  only  food  when  travelling.  Lieutenant  Corley  also  says 
he  was  informed  by  tlie  traders  of  the  fiir  companies,  that  thev  know  of  no  article  of  food  that 
could  supply  its  place  iu  convenience  of  transportation,  in  cheapness,  and  in  nutritious  quali- 
ties.    It  is  also  highly  palatable. 

Some  estimate  can  be  made  of  the  quantity  of  this  article  it  would  take  to  sustain  a  healthy 
working  man,  from  the  quantity  it  takes  to  sustain  the  train-dogs  the  fur-traders  use.  The  dogs 
they  use  for  drawing  their  sledges  and  carrying  their  packs,  are  of  a  large  breed,  and  travel 
fifty  miles  a  day  ;  they  give  to  the  dogs  one  pound  of  pemican  a  day  ;  this  is  as  much  as  they 
can  eat,  and  it  not  only  keeps  up  their  strength,  but  keeps  them  fat. 

Knowing  that  one  pound  is  sufficient  to  sustain  a  dog  of  the  above  description,  and  while 
travelling  with  a  heavy  burden  fifty  miles  a  day,  it  might  be  supposed  that  fifteen  pounds 
would  be  an  ample  allowance  for  a  soldier  on  twenty  days'  march,  carrying  with  him,  at  the 
same  time,  his  musket,  his  knapsack,  and  his  pemican. 

I  can  conceive  no  other  article  of  diet  to  be  so  invaluable  to  the  soldier  as  the  above,  where 
transportation  is  limited,  and  difficult  marches  are  to  be  made,  as  inevitably  will  be  the 
case  hereafter,  with  our  whole  army,  on  the  great  prairies  east  and  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

MEDICAL  TOrOGEAPHY  AXD  DISEASES  OF  FORT  RITLET. 
Bj  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  Frazier  Head  :   1852. 

Fort  Ripley  is  situated  in  latitude  46°  10'  30"  N. ;  longitude  94°  18'  30"  W.,  upon  the' west 
bank  of  the  Mississiiipi,  elevated  20  feet  above  that  river,  and  probably*  about  1,100  feet  above 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  little  river  Nokay  empties  into  the  Mississipiii  from  the  east,  at  about 
300  yards  north  of  this  point.  The  post  is  built  upon  a  sandy  plateau,  partially  drained  by 
shallow  ravines  at  its  northern  and  southern  extremities,  terminating  abruptly  at  the  steep 
river  bank,  and  to  the  west  gradually  sloping  toward  a  narrow  swamp,  about  half  a  mile  in 
rear  of  the  fort.  Beyond  this  is  a  range  of  thickly  wooded  hills,  rising  to  a  height  of  100  or 
150  feet,  which  slightly  shelter  the  post  from  the  northwest  winds  of  winter.  To  the  westward 
of  the  hills,  again,  is  a  belt  of  broken  surface,  so  thickly  covered  with  woods  and  swamps,  that 
since  the  establishment  of  the  post  no  white  man  has  ever  traversed  it  to  any  considerable  dis- 
tance. Above  and  below  the  fort,  the  river  is  skirted  by  a  narrow  belt  of  swampy  land,  usually 
partially  inundated  in  spring,  supporting  a  growth  of  linden  or  bass-wood  ((ilia),  elms  (ulmits), 
maple  (acer  ruhrum),  and  birch  (betula),  which,  with  pine  and  poplar  on  the  higher  grounds, 
and  a  luxuriant  undergrowth  of  hazel  and  other  shrubs,  constitute  the  sylva  of  this  immediate 
neighborhood.  Over  and  around  the  site  of  the  post,  a  fire  has  swept  in  former  years,  leaving 
hundreds  of  scotched  and  decaying  pines  still  standing,  or  encumbering  the  ground. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi  (here  about  ISO  yards  wide),  a  gently  undulating,  sandy, 
and  barren  prairie,  from  a  lew  hundred  yards  to  three  miles  wide,  extends  from  the  mouth  of 

°  Tha  mouth  of  the  Crow  ^Ving  river,  about  six  miles  above  Fort  Ripley  (the  nearest  point  the  elevation  of  which  is 
known),  iu  1,130  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

S.   96 8 


58  RTirORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALTTY 

the  Nokay  to  the  southward,  hordered  hy  a  growth  of  oats  and  pines  along  the  Mississippi,  and 
by  a  range  of  low  hills,  partially  covered  with  oaks,  on  the  west.  Opposite  to  the  post  is  a  strip 
of  land  less  sterile  than  the  rest,  which  has  been  for  several  years  under  cnltivation,  and  part 
of  which  is  also  liable  to  overflow  in  the  spring.  East  of  the  hills  above  mentioned,  lies  a  more 
undulating  tract,  interspersed  with  swamps  abounding  in  "tamarac"  (larix  Americana). 

The  trees  above  enumerated  constitute  the  jirevailiug  growth  of  this  region ;  the  oaks  are 
chiefly  the  "burr"  oak  and  "black  jack"  (quercus  nigra),  with  a  few  white  and  red  oaks  of 
stunted  growth ;  and  of  the  species  of  trees  used  in  the  arts,  the  wood  is  generally  of  very 
inferior  quality.  The  sugar-maple  {acer  saccharinum)  abounds  within  a  few  miles  of  this  place, 
and  in  most  of  this  portion  of  Minnesota.  The  chestnut,  walnut,  and  beech  are  unknown,  as  is 
every  species  of  fruit-tree,  wild  or  cultivated. 

The  soil  generally  is  a  sandy  alluvium.  No  rock  has  been  found  within  many  miles,  except 
scattered  boulders  of  granite,  from  which  was  obtained  the  little  stone  necessary  in  building  the 
fort.  The  land,  at  least  when  first  cultivated,  is  more  productive  than  might  be  supposed, 
being  what  farmers  term  "warm,"  and  adapted  to  the  short  summers.  The  ivater  is  mode- 
rately soft,  pure,  and  wholesome. 

The  climate  is  subject  to  great  variation,  as  will  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  the  meteorological 
register.  The  extremes  of  temperature  observed  are  96°  (in  August,  1849,)  and  — 39°  (January 
18th,  1852).  The  latest  killing  frost  in  spring  was  on  June  ITth,  1849,  and  the  earliest  on 
August  14th,  1851*.  A  variation  of  temijerature  of  30  or  40  degrees  in  a  few  hours  is  not  un- 
common. On  the  11th  and  12th  of  February,  1851,  the  mercury  rose  in  about  32  hours,  from 
— 34°  to  35° — a  range  of  69  degrees.  Fires  are  necessary  to  comfort  during  a  part  of  every 
month  in  the  year,  except,  occasionally,  July  and  August;  and  cattle  must  be  foraged  from 
seven  to  nine  months.  • 

The  phenomena  of  spring,  when  once  begun,  often  progress  with  great  rapidity;  and  from 
the  climate  of  winter,  the  region  sometimes  seems  to  jjass  at  once  into  that  of  mid-summer. 
Lettuce  (germinated  in  hot-beds)  and  radishes  are  fit  for  the  table,  in  favorable  seasons,  about 
the  middle  of  June ;  wild  strawberries,  which  are  found  here  in  great  abundance,  ripen  from 
the  15th  to  the  last  of  the  same  month.  Green  peas  are  ready  for  use  about  the  second  or  third 
week  in  July.  Oats  and  potatoes  appear  to  flourish,  though  a  large  proi^ortion  of  the  latter  were 
destroyed  last  year  by  the  "rot."  Maize  is  considered  a  very  uncertain  crop,  owing  to  the  short- 
ness of  the  summer.  The  experiment  of  planting  winter  wheat  was  tried  in  two  cases  last 
autumn,  but  it  would  seem  with  very  indifferent  success. 

From  about  the  last  third  of  August  till  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow,  which  usually 
occurs  in  November,  the  weather  is  generally  clear  and  delightful,  with  a  dry,  bracing  atmo- 
sphere, and  equable  temperature.  After  the  first  considerable  fall  of  snow,  the  earth's  surface 
remains  constantly  covered  for  about  five  months.  The  average  depth  of  snow,  as  roughly  es- 
timated from  the  three  winters  since  the  occupation  of  tlie  post,  is  from  2  to  3i  feet.  An  idea 
of  the  severity  of  the  winter  may  be  formed  from  the  fact  that  mo7'e  than  double  the  government 
monthly  allowance  of  fuel  is  required  to  warm  the  quarters,  though  used  in  large  stoves. 

To  the  Flora  of  this  region  but  little  attention  has  been  paid;  and  I  leave  this  part  of  the 
subject  to  subsequent  and  more  competent  observers.  It  may  be  remarked,  however,  that  the 
wild  raspberry  (rubus  odoratus)  is  occasionally  met ;  gooseberries  (i-ibes  grossularia)  are  com- 
mon ;  the  blue-berry  (t'acciniwm ),  a  small  fruit  resembling  the  whortleberry,  is  quite 

abundant  on  the  hills  east  of  the  Mississippi,  ripening  in  July.  Wild  rice  (zizania  aquatica) 
is  found  in  many  of  the  lakes,  which  in  autumn  are  the  haunt  of  thousands  of  wild-fowl.  This 
plant,  which  forms  an  important  part  of  the  food  of  the  Indians,  has  been  cut  ofi"in  many  places 
around  this  post,  for  two  years  past,  by  the  unusual  height  of  the  waters.     The  dandelion  (ta- 

"  This  was  Rufticient  to  check  the  growth  of  pumpUins,  squashes,  and  similar  vines,  but  more  hardy  plants  survived. 
Tlie  heavy  autumnal  frosts  usually  hecfin  from  the  20th  to  the  last  of  September,  after  which  time  vegetable  life  is  at  an 
end  for  about  six  months. 


AMONG   THE   TEOOPS   IN   TUE    NORTHERN   DIVISION.  69 

raxacum  dens  leonis)  is  entirely  wanting  above  tlic  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  though  abundant  at 
Fort  Snelling. 

Tlie  Mammalia  most  frequently  found  are  the  prairie  and  large  grey  wolf  {canis  latrans  and 
C.  occideiitcdis) , — the  former  by  far  tlie  more  alnindiint ;  the  red  deer  (cervus  Virginianus) ,  not 
very  numerous;  the  ground  squirrel  (sciurus  striatus),  field-mouse  (mus  leucopusf),  weasel  (mus- 
iela  erminea) ,  nxwiik-vAi  (Jihcr  zibcfhicm),  badger  (niele-s  Lahradoria),  and  porcupine  (hi/sfrtx 
dorsata) ;  and  occasionally  tlie  otter  {lutria  BrazlUensis) ,  marten  (rnustela  martes),  mink  (J/. 
lutreola),  skunk  (me])liitis  Amer.),  lynx  (lynx  Canadensis),  and  red  fox  (cams  fulvus) .  Other  va- 
rieties of  fox  are  taken  somewhat  farther  north,  (O.  decusatus,  C.  argentatus,  and  C.  cinereo- 
argenlatus),  and  may  inhabit  this  neighborhood.  The  black  bear  (ursus  Amer.),  though  found 
in  the  surrounding  region,  has  never  been  seen  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  post.  The 
moose  (cervus  alces)  and  carriboo  (C.  tarandus)  are  said  to  be  occasionally  seen  at  about  1.50 
miles  north,  and  the  elk  (C.  Canadensis)  on  the  prairies  30  or  40  miles  west  of  this  place.  The 
grej"^  squirrel  (sciurus  Carolinensis)  is  not  found  in  any  part  of  the  Territor}'.  The  buffalo  (bison 
Americanus)  does  not  approach  within  one  or  two  hundred  miles.  In  the  autumn  of  1848,  the 
varying  hare  (lejyus  Virginianus),  vulgo  "white  rabbit,"  was  very  abundant ;  but  during  the 
following  year  (the  winter  of  which  was  not  unusually  severe)  they  almost  com^^letely  disap- 
peared from  a  region  for  many  miles  around  this  point.  Many  of  the  Indians,  who  depend 
much  on  these  animals  for  subsistence  during  the  winter,  were,  consequently,  reduced  to  actual 
starvation. 

Of  birds,  the  following  species  have  been  identified :  The  golden  eagle  (/aZco /mZujm),  bald 
.eagle  (F.  letLcoceiilialus) ,  owl  (strix  FiVf/iwt'a/ia),  meadow-lark  (slurmis  ludovicianus) ,  red-winged 
and  cow  l^ckbirds  (icterus  phoeniceus  and  I.pecoris),  crow  blackbird  (quiscalus  versicolor),  raven 
(parvus  corax),  crow  (C.  Amer.),  blue  jay  (C.  cristalus),  chickadee"  (parus  atricapillus) ,  cedar- 
bird  (ioHii^/ci'to  Carolin.),  king-bird  (muscica pa  tyr annus),  pewee  (31.  fusca),i\\r\\B\\,  (turdu,s 
ru/us),  robin  (T.  migratorius) ,  yellow-bird  (.sytoi'a  a?s<iua;-),  blue-bird  (sialia  Wllsonii),  rare; 
snow-bunting  (emberiza  nivalis),  wood-peckers  (picus  auratus,  P.  erythroce2)halus,  P.  pubescens), 
king-fisher  (alcedo  alcyon),  swallow  (hirundo  rufa),  whip-poor-will  and  night-hawk  (caprimul- 
gus  vociferus,  C.  Amer.),  i:)igeon,  (columha  migratoria),  "pheasant,"  or  "partridge"  (tctrao 
umhellus),  grouse  (T.  cupido?),*  golden  plover  (charadrius  marmoratus) ,  killdeer,  (Ch.  vociferus), 
crane  (grus  Canad.,  Bonap.),  green  heron  (ardea  virescens),  curlew  (numenius  longirostris) , 
sandpipers  (tringce),  yello\f-legs  (totanus  vociferus),  smaller  do.  (T.  flavipes),  peet-weet  (2'.  ma- 
c«?arms),  upland  jjlover  (T'.  Bartramiif),  snipe  (scolopax  Wllsonii) ,  a.  few  woodcock,  (Seminar), 
rail  (ralhis ),  coot  (fulica  Amer.),  horned  grebe  (podiceps  cor'nutv,s),  terns  (sterna,  seve- 
ral S2:)ecies),  goose  (anser  Canad.),  brent  (A.  hernicla),  loon  (colymhus  glacialis,  mcrgus  merg- 
anser, M.  cucidlatus).  Ducks  of  the  following  species,  and,  doubtless,  others  not  identified:  The 
golden-eye  (fuUgida  ciangida) ,  ^caiv^  Awck  ox  hlvLC-hiW  (F.  marila),  buffel-head  (F.  albeola), 
dusky  duck  (anas  obscura),  mallard  (A.  boscJms),  summer  duck  (anas  sponsa),  and  teal  (A.  dis- 
cors  and  A.  crecca).  The  ducksf  pass  this  point  nearly  in  the  order  of  the  above  enumeration, 
on  their  way  northward,  the  first  appearing  about  the  middle  of  Ai)ril;  and  return,  nearly  in 
an  inverse  order,  late  in  August  and  early  in  September.  A  few  individuals  of  nearly  all  the 
above-mentioned  species  appear  to  breed  in  this  latitude,  as  does  also,  occasionally,  the  Canada 
goose.  Lingering  for  a  few  weeks  about  the  rice-lakes  in  this  vicinity,  where  they  acquire  a 
fine  condition  and  flavor,  they  continue  their  course  to  the  south  in  October  and  November,  by 
the  middle  of  which  month  the  last  of  the  migratory  tribes  have  disappeared;  and  tlie  grouse 

*'  This  bird,  at  lirst  nitliur  nirc,  but  now  rapiJly  multiplying  in  this  vicinity,  difl'ers  somewhat  in  plumage,  and  peiiuips 
in  its  habits,  IVom  the  descriptions  of  T.  ciipido.  It  is  possibly  T.  jiliasiandhis.  Never  having  examined  either  species  before 
comin  to  this  station,  and  possessing  neither  plate  nor  a  good  description  of  the  latter  bird  when  specimens  were  procura- 
ble, I  am  at  present  unable  to  determine  the  question. 

j  The  canvass-back  and  red-head  (/'.  vulisneriana  and  /'.  /oiiui)  ha\  e  never  been  observed  here,  though  both  are  frequently 
met  at  Fort  Snelling. 


60  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

having  retired  into  the  recesses  of  the  forest,  tlie  raven,  bhie-jay,  and  snow  hunting  are  left  ap- 
parently the  sole  feathered  inhabitants  of  this  desolate  region. 

Tho  reptiles  have  scarcely  been  noted.  Of  serpents,  the  only  sjiecies  seen  are  the  common 
"garter-snake"  (co^(7)er  sis^raZis),  and  a  species  of  adder.  The  rattle-snake,  if  ever  met  above 
the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  must  be  very  rare.  Two  are  reported  to  have  been  killed  at  the 
Sac  rapids,  about  50  miles  south  of  this  place. 

Tlie  fish  most  abimdant  in  the  Mississippi  at  this  point,  and  in  the  neighboring  streams  and 
small  lakes,  (which  appear  to  be  but  scantily  supplied  with  them,)  are  the  "  glass-eye"  Ohio 
"salmon"  or  pike-jierch  (lucioperca  Amer.),  lake  bass  {grystes  nigricans?),  and  rock  bass  (cen- 
trarclius  a-neus),  or  species  much  resemliling  them  ;  yellow  perch  (pcrcajlavcscens),  of  small  size 
and  somewhat  rare;  a  large  species  of  sun-fish  {^pomotis  appendix),  pike,  weighing  from  one  to 
eight  pounds  (esox  vittatusf),  small  cat-fish  {pimelodus),  and  a  variety  of  suckers,  &c.  (cypri- 
nidxe).  The  gar-jiike  (lepidosteus)  has  never  been  seen,  nor  are  any  of  the  salmonidce  found  in  tlie 
streams  falling  into  the  Mississippi  north  of  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony.  A  species  of  white-fish, 
called  by  the  Indians  tidahie  (a  coregonus?)  is  taken,  however,  in  some  of  the  lakes  nearer  to  the 
sources  of  this  river.  A  large  pike,  specifically  distinct  from  that  above  mentioned,  and  weigh- 
ing from  eight  to  forty  pounds,  is  occasionally  taken  here,  and  more  frequently  in  the  river 
Minnesota.  Two  specimens  captured  here  weighed,  respectively,  eighteen  and  twenty-eight 
pounds.     The  only  one  examined  seems  to  differ  both  from  E.  horcus  and  E.  esfor. 

The  entomologist  would  find  a  wide  field  for  research  in  this  region.  Insect  life  here  appears 
to  compensate  for  its  brevity  by  its  astonishing  activity.  During  the  short  summer,  the  woods 
and  prairies  swarm  with  insects,  among  the  most  noticeable  of  which  are  the  mosquito,  the 
large  "horse-fly,"  and  the  "black  fly" — a  small,  dijjterous  insect,  with  black  body  and  white 
legs.  The  last  two  species  inflict  almost  inconceivable  torture  on  the  domestic  animals,  efiectu- 
ally  keeping  in  poor  condition  those  turned  out  to  graze,  and  obliging  the  farmer  regularly  to 
make  a  large  smoke  at  night  to  windward  of  his  cattle-yard.  The  mosquitoes  are  said  to  be 
more  abundant  here  during  June  and  July,  than  in  the  swamps  of  Louisiana,  and  are  a  most 
serious  annoyance,  both  by  day  and  night,  to  those  whose  pursuits  call  them  much  abroad. 
The  honey-bee  is  unknown  here,  but  is  reported  to  have  appeared  in  the  southern  portion  of  the 
Territory  within  a  few  years. 

Of  sickness  in  the  garrison,  happily,  but  little  is  to  be  said,  beyond  a  few  remarks  explana- 
tory of  the  accompanying  tabular  statement.*  Under  the  head  of^  intermittent  fever,  are  em- 
braced 10  cases  of  quotidian,  18  of  tertian,  and  3  quartans.  That  of  diseases  of  the  digestive 
system  comprises  2  cases  of  common  cholera,  24  of  diarrhoea,  12  of  acute  dysentery,  25  of  dys- 
pepsia, 20  of  constipation,  and  4  of  tonsillitis.  Those  of  the  respiratory  organs  are,  bronchitis 
acuta  7,  catarrhus  31,  phthisis  1,  pleuritis  1,  pneumonia  0;  of  the  brain  and  nervous  system, 
cephalalgia  1,  delirium  tremens  1,  e])ilepsia  1  ;  of  the  genital  organs,  2  of  gonorrha'a;  of  the 
fibrous  and  muscular  structures,  18  pernio,  18  acute  and  23  chronic  rheumatism — with  28  ab- 
scesses and  3  ulcers;  and  under  the  head  of  "all  other  diseases"  are  included  dcbilitas  5,  ebrie- 
tas  6,  hemorrhois  2,  hemeralopia  (night-blindness)  1,  morbi  cutis  4,  o])hthalmiu  (generally 
mild  catarrhal  conjunctivitis)  21,  otitis  3,  one  tumor  of  uncertain  character,  one  case  of  frozen 
lower  extremities,  and  7   "morbi  varii." 

It  sliould  be  observed  that  all  the  cases  of  intermittent  fever  (none  of  whicli  were  severe) 
occurred  in  recruits  arriving  from  Jefferson  Barracks,  and  every  case  was  satisfactorily  traced 
to  a  residence  in  other  localities  ;  no  instance  is  known  of  the  disorder  having  originated  in 
the  Territory  ;  and  that,  although  the  jiost  is  surrounded  by  influences  (in  addition  to  the  very 
imperfect  police  incidental  to  an  unfinished  fort)  which  appear  in  more  southern  latitudes  to 
favor  the  development  of  "malarial"  disorders,  no  disease  can  be  traced  to  a  local  cause.     In 

°  The  "tabular  statement"  is  omitted.  Its  form  cannot  ccmvenienth/ ]m  adapted  to  the  passes  of  this  volume,  and  it  is 
lielieved  tliat  the  analysis  of  its  contents,  given  in  the  report,  answers  every  practical  purpose.  The  statistics  arc  included 
in  the  consolidated  abstract  for  this  region. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION.  61 

fact,   throughout  this  region,  a  residence  in  the  midst  of  swamps  seems  quite  as  salubrious  as 
one  upon  higher  ground. 

The  three  summers  during  which  the  post  has  been  occupied  have  been  marked  by  the  preva- 
lence of  dysentery  and  diarrhcca — to  a  greater  extent  among  civilians  employed  at  the  post, 
and  residents  in  the  neighborhood,  than  among  the  troops.  Although  the  sudden  variations 
of  temperature,  particularly  the  alternation  of  hot  days  with  cold  nights,  might  be  considered 
amply  sufficient  to  account  for  this  tendency,  these  diseases  are  said  not  to  have  prevailed  ex- 
tensively in  the  Territory  previous  to  the  year  1840  ;  and  their  frequency  of  late  years  should 
probably  be  referred  to  the  epidemic  influence  which  seems  to  have  extended  more  or  less  over 
the  whole  continent,  rather  than  to  any  local  causes. 

^f  the  41  cases  of  rheumatism  reported,  none  were  severely  acute,  nor  obstinately  chronic. 
Nine-tenths  of  tlie  whole  might  more  properly  have  been  reported  as  "sub-acute."  No  case 
seemed  to  demand  venesection  ;  most  soon  yielded  to  the  internal  use  of  opiates,  and  friction 
with  anodyne  liniments. 

The  case  of  hemeralopia  was  successfully  treated  by  24  hours'  seclusion  in  perfect  darkness. 

The  annual  ratio  of  cases  treated,  for  three  years,  is  1,734  per  thousand  of  mean  strength  ; 
but  deducting  31  intermittents  and  44  mechanical  injuries  (both  of  which  should  obviously  be 
omitted  in  estimating  the  salubrity  of  the  situation),  this  ratio  is  reduced  to  1,354  per  tliou- 
sand. 

But  one  death  from  disease — that  of  a  feeble  old  soldier  from  pneumonia — has  occurred  in 
the  troops  of  the  garrison  since  the  occupation  of  the  post  (April  19,  1849),  being  an  annual 
ratio  of  about  ^  per  cent.  The  period  of  observations  is  2)robably  too  short  to  authorize  gene- 
ral conclusions. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  portion  of  Minnesota,  as  a  class,  are  temperate,  industrious,  and 
healthy.  The  population,  though  rapidly  increasing  by  immigration,  is  sparse.  The  nearest 
settlement  to  this  place  is  at  the  small  trading- post  of  Crow  Wing,  six  or  seven  miles  distant. 
In  a  region  chiefly  settled  within  two  years  past,  and  among  a  population  so  scattered,  the  col- 
lection of  satisfactory  vital  statistics  is  almost  impossible.  No  record  has  been  kept  of  diseases 
and  deaths,  which  have  been  but  few  among  adults,  and  the  latter  chiefly  from  dysentery.  This 
disease,  during  August  and  September,  1851,  was  almost  universal  among  children  for  many 
miles  around  this  point,  and  fatal  in  a  large  proportion  of  cases.  Notwithstanding  the  absence 
of  numerical  bases,  and  of  a  sufficient  number  of  facts  upon  which  to  found  general  deductions, 
the  opinion  may  be  ventured,  that  the  ratio  of  infantile  viability  will  be  found  extremely  low 
throughout  Minnesota.  Four  deaths  of  children  have  occurred  at  this  post  alone  within  three 
years,  or  four  times  as  many  as  among  the  troops,  in  a  far  less  number  ;  and  the  mortality  in 
this  class  of  the  civil  population  generally,  has  probably  been  quite  as  large  as  here. 

The  Indian  tribes  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Kiple}'  are  the  Ojibways  (Chippeways)  and  Winne- 
bagoes.  Though  the  post  is  situated  within  the  territory  assigned  to  the  latter,  an  Indian  of 
this  tribe  is  but  rarely  seen  at  the  garrison.  A  physician  in  the  employ  of  the  government  re- 
sides among  them,  and  a  note  has  been  addressed  to  him  requesting  any  information  which  it 
may  be  in  his  power  to  communicate  concerning  them.  The  statement,  which  he  has  kindly 
promised,  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  received. 

The  Ojibways  live  in  scattered  bands — none  in  this  immediate  vicinity,  their  agency  being 
about  150  miles  north  of  the  fort ;  but  having  no  physician  residing  near  them,  individuals 
often  apply  here  for  medical  aid.  Their  prevailing  diseases  appear  to  be  bronchitis,  dysentery, 
and  diarrhcca.  •  One  case  of  tubercular  phthisis  has  been  seen.  Gronorrhoea  prevails  to  some 
extent,  but,  so  far  as  observed  at  this  place,  of  a  mild  character.  I  have  never  seen  nor  heard 
of  a  case  of  syphilis  among  them. 

In  November,  1850,  a  large  number  of  these  people  (probably  tliree  or  four  thousand)  were 
assembled  at  their  agency  at  Sandy  Lake  for  payment.  Many  of  them  had  come  from  a  con- 
siderable cKstance,  and,  not  expecting  a  long  detention,  were  but  scantily  provided  against  the 


62  REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

inclemency  ol"  the  we;itlier,  but  do  not  appear  to  have  suficred  generally  from  disease  before 
their  arrival  at  Sandy  Lake,  where  they  were  obliged  to  wait  for  several  weeks  before  receiving 
their  anunities.  Tlie  provisions  there  issued  to  them  are  credibly  reported  to  have  been  of  the 
vilest  descrii>tion,  and  iiisuilicient  in  quantity.  The  effect  of  such  diet,  combined  with  expo- 
sure, soon  showed  itself  in  the  prevalence  of  dysentery  to  a  fearful  extent ;  and  no  less  than 
150  deaths  are  said  to  have  occurred  among  them  before  they  dispersed,  which  number  is  esti- 
mated to  have  been  increased  to  300  on  their  way  to  their  homes.  Upon  wliom  the  responsi- 
l)ility  of  this  infamous  transaction  rests,  this  is  not  tlie  place  to  inquire,  nor  does  the  writer 
know  ;  but  there  can  be  no  donlit  that  the  majority  of  tliese  deaths  were  immediately  caused  by 
the  damaged  provisions  which  hunger  forced  them  to  consume. 

Cases  of  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  are  said  to  have  been  rare  among  the  Ojibways  previous  to 
the  autumn  of  1849,  since  which  time  they  have  been  quite  common. 

If,  notwithstanding  its  length,  this  report  seem  meagre  and  unsatisfactory,  it  will  readily 
be  understood  that  a  district  so  thinly  settled  is  somewhat  barren  in  a  medical  as  well  as  a 
literal  sense.    . 

The  following  letter  from  Dr.  David  Day,  respecting  the  vital  statistics  of  the  Winnebago 
Indians,  accompanied  the  foregoing  report  of  Assistant  yurgeon  Head: 

Winnebago  Agency,  July  5,  1852. 

Sir:  In  answer  to  your  request,  I  proceed  to  give  you  such  information  in  regard  to  the  vital 
statistics,  diseases,  &c.,  of  the  Winnebagoes,  as  I  have  been  enabled  to  collect  during  a  resi- 
dence of  two  years  among  them. 

The  present  number  of  these  Indians  is  1,631,  embracing  about  two-thirds  of  the  tribe,  the 
remainder  never  having  removed  to  this  Territory.  It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  theii'  rate  of 
diminution  (if  their  numbers  really  do  diminish),  on  account  of  tlieir  migratory  character,  as 
they  are  constantly  receiving  accessions  from  their  old  liomes  in  Wisconsin  and  Iowa,  and  as 
constantly  deserting  their  present  location.  It  was  the  opinion  of  General  Fletcher  (late  agent 
for  this  tribe),  whose  observation  is  entitled  to  much  respect,  that  within  the  last  five  years  they 
have  not  diminished,  but  increased  in  numbers ;  and  such  is  the  opinion  to  which  I  am  led  by 
the  result  of  my  own  observation.    Although  this  opinion — contrary  to  the  one  usually  received 

18  not  at  present  capable  of  actual  demonstration,  it  is  rendered  probable,  by  the  fact  of  their 

invariably  marrying  off  their  daughters  immediately  upon  the  accession  of  puberty,  so  that 
none  of  the  child-bearing  period  of  the  lives  of  their  women  is  spent  in  maidenhooa.  This, 
allowing  their  fecundity  to  be  the, same  as  that  of  other  women,  would  make  a  considerable 
difference  in  the  amount  of  births,  which  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  chief  reasons  why  their 
numbers  do  not  decrease. 

Part  of  the  Winnebagoes  in  this  Territory  reside  at  the  agency,  while  the  other  portion 
wander  along  the  Mississippi,  generally  between  the  Watab  and  <Jrow  rivers.  Those  making 
the  agency  their  home  for  the  last  three  years  and  nine  montlis  have  averaged  about  TOO  in 
number.  The  deatlis  occurring  among  them  since  their  removal  hitlier — a  space  of  45  months 
.-i-I  have  ascertained  to  be  about  100;  of  which  70  were  children,  and  30  adults.  The  numljcr 
of  deaths  was  ascertained  by  counting  the  graves  at  the  different  places  of  interment  near  the 
a'^ency  ;  which  probably  gives  a  nearly  correct  result,  as  they  carefully  preserve  the  marks  of 
their  graves.  The  size  of  the  graves  enabled  me  to  determine  whether  they  were  children  or 
adults.  The  30  adults  include  all  graves  of  medium  size — probably  all  those  of  persons  over 
15  years  of  age. 

It  is  thus  seen  that,  out  of  a  population  of  700  Winnebagoes,  there  have  died  2G.60  per  annum, 
or  3.808  per  cent,  per  annum  of  the  whole  number.  This  gives  one  death  in  every  20.23  inhab- 
itants. Of  the  entire  mortality,  70  per  cent,  has  been  among  children,  and  30  i)er  cent,  among 
adults. 

By  comparing  these  results  with  the  vital  statistics  of  other  races,  we  find  that  the  ratio  of 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  G3 

mortality  is  mucli  higher  among  these  Indians  than  in  the  white  race,  and  considerahly  above 
that  of  the  negro  population  of  the  United  States;  the  rate  of  mortality  in  Great  Britain  being 
1  death  in  44  inhabitants;  in  Massachusetts,  1  in  35.30,  (Eighth  Report  to  the  Legislature  of 
Massachusetts,  relating  to  the  Registry  of  Births,  &c. ;)  in  Philadelphia,  1  in  43.12  of  the 
white  population,  and  in  the  colored,  1  in  31.05,  (Emerson  on  Vital  Statistics  of  Philadelphia.) 
In  Baltimore,  the  average  ratio  of  mortality  is,  in  the  white  population,  1  in  46.40 ;  in  the  free 
colored,  1  in  34.17;  while  in  the  slave  population,  it  amounts  to  1  in  26.59,  (Joynes:  Stat,  of 
Mort.  of  Bait.,  Am.  Jour.  Med.  Sci. :   October,  1850.) 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  rate  of  mortality  among  the  Winnebagoes,  and  that  of  the  slave 
population  of  Baltimore,  as  given  by  Dr.  Joynes,  (which,  I  believe,  does  not  materially  difler 
from  that  of  the  same  population  in  other  American  cities,)  are  very  nearly  the  same. 

The  average  age  at  death  cannot  be  ascertained  with  any  certainty,  as  an  Indian  rarely 
knows  his  age;  in  fact,  a  mother  cannot  often  tell  the  ages  of  her  children  during  their  child- 
hood. It  will  be  seen,  however^  that  the  proportion  of  mortality  is  much  greater  among 
children  than  appears  to  exist  elsewhere  in  childhood.  In  Great  Britain,  35  in  every  100  deaths 
are  under  10  years  of  age;  in  Philadelphia,  56  per  cent,  are  under  21  years;  and  in  Baltimore, 
58  per  cent. ;  while  among  these  Indians,  those  dying  under  15  years  amount  to  TO  per  cent,  of 
the  total  mortality. 

I  infer,  from  my  observation  among  these  people,  that  the  average  duration  of  life  among 
them  is  less  than  among  the  whites,  or  even  the  negro  population  of  the  United  States.  Cases 
of  extreme  longevity,  however,  are  not  rare  among  them;  one  I  remember,  of  a  female,  who, 
from  her  appearance,  and  from  what  could  be  gathered  of  her  history,  must  have  much  exceeded 
the  centenary  period.  I  believe  that  at  her  death  she  was  not  less  than  120  years  old.  Others 
now  living  must  be  verging  near  to  100  years.  This  is  in  accordance  with  the  fact,  that  that 
class  of  a  jiopulation  having  the  shortest  life  in  the  aggregate,  furnishes  the  most  cases  of 
extreme  longevity  in  proportion  to  its  numbers. 

From  the  above  meagre  facts,  but  more  from  my  general  observation,  I  draw  the  following 
conclusions: 

1.  Tliat  the  ratio  of  mortality  is  greater  among  these  Indians  than  among  the  white  race, 
and  somewhat  higher  than  in  the  worst  class  of  the  negro  population  of  the  United  States. 

2.  That  the  average  age  at  death  is  much  less  than  in  any  other  class  of  the  American  popu- 
lation. 

3.  That  in  the  early  periods  of  life  tlie  mortality  is  far  greater  than  in  the  corresponding 
periods  of  any  other  race. 

4.  That  the  proportion  of  births  among  these  Indians  is  greater  than  among  a  corresponding 
number  of  any  other  people. 

5.  That  this  tribe  has  not  diminished  in  numbers  within  the  last  three  years;  the  excess  of 
births  being  equal  to,  or  greater  than,  the  excess  of  mortality. 

Since  my  acquaintance  (now  some  seven  years)  with  the  population  in  tlie  northwest,  of  mixed 
white  and  Indian  blood,  I  have  made  the  following  observations,  which  I  believe  may  be  set 
down  as  facts : 

1.  That  a  mixture  of  the  white  and  Indian  races  produces  an  olTspring  of  less  pliysical  and 
moral  force,  and  of  less  viability  than  either  of  the  original  races. 

2.  That  the  offspring  of  this  mixture  of  the  two  races  is  a  hybrid,  and  incapable  of  propa- 
gating itself  beyond  the  third  or  fourth  generation. 

So  long,  however,  as  one  of  the  parents  is  of  pure  white  or  Indian  blood,  the  offspring  may 
be,  to  a  certain  degree,  healthy,  but  is  not  generally  vigorous  ;  but  when  both  parents  are  of 
mixed  blood,  the  offspring  is  nearly  always  scrofulous,  feebly  developed,  and  generally  dies  be- 
fore the  accession  of  puberty.  I  have  never  known  an  individual,  whose  parents  were  hotli  of 
mixed  blood,  live  to  old  age. 

These  Indians  are  subject  to  the  same  diseases  as  are  the  human  race  in  general,  while  the 


64  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   ANT)   MORTALITY 

causes  of  death  among  them  are  more  frequent  than  among  civilized  people.  These  I  propose 
briefly  to  notice. 

Tlie  large  percentage  of  deaths  occurring  in  tlie  early  periods  of  life  among  these  Indians,  is 
abundantly  accounted  for  by  the  Spartan  treatment  to  which  they  are  subjected  in  infancy. 
As  soonas  an  infant  is  born,  it  is  laid  on  a  board,  ])reviously  covered  with  a  few  folds  of  blanket; 
then,  with  a  strip  of  cloth  two  or  three  inches  wide,  is  as  amply  and  securely  bandaged  from 
head  to  foot  as  an  Egyptian  mummy,  and  then  strapped  to  the  board,  care  being  always  taken 
to  include  tlie  arms,  which  are  extended  ui)0ii  the  sides  of  the  infant,  and  leaving  nothing  out 
of  the  bandage  but  its  head.  In  this  straitened  position  they  spend  the  greater  part  of  the  first 
year  of  infantile  life,  remaining  at  times  for  weeks  without  being  taken  from  the  board.  The 
effect  of  this  cradle  (?)  with  the  heavy  woolen  bandages,  is  to  interfere  with,  if  not  entirely  pre- 
clude, the  healthy  functions  of  the  skin.  The  excrements  of  the  child's  body  collect,  excoria- 
ting the  skin,  and  keeping  up  a  constant  irritation.  The  motions  of  the  limbs — the  only  vol- 
untary exercise  an  infant  can  have,  and  one  so  necessary  to  the  development  of  its  physical 
powers — being  entirely  precluded,  it  soon  becomes  weak  and  enfeebled.  But  the  most  j)erni- 
cious  eifect  of  strapping  their  infants  upon  these  boards  is  exerted  upon  the  brain.  Being 
always  laid  upon  their  backs,  with  little  or  nothing  between  the  hard  board  and  the  imperfectly 
ossified  head,  the  continued  jjressure  exerted  by  the  weight  of  the  head  almost  universally  pro- 
duces a  displacement  of  the  occipital  bone  inwards,  causing  trismus  nascentium,  paralysis,  &c., 
and  deranging  the  functions  over  which  the  cerebellum  presides.  They  think  it  a  mark  of  great 
comeliness  to  have  the  head  perfectly  flattened  behind;  and  tlie  Indian  mothers  show  much 
anxiety  in  this  respect. 

It  is  wrong  to  suppose  Indian  children  better  capable  of  surviving  less  careful  treatment  in 
infancy  than  are  those  of  the  whites.  The  former  arc  generally  born  with  less  vigorous  consti- 
tutions than  the  latter ;  and  in  taking  into  consideration  the  numerous  causes  of  disease  and 
death  to  which  these  forest  children  are  subjected,  the  wonder  is,  how  any  survive — not  why  so 
many  die. 

Among  the  diseases  to  which  this  tribe  are  especially  subject,  and  one  tending  more  than  all 
others  to  produce  suffering  and  death,  is  scrofula,  or,  more  properly,  the  strumous  diathesis, 
which  maybe  said  to  pervade  the  whole  tribe.  This  disease  shows  itself  among  them  in  all  its 
usual  form.s — enlargement  and  suppuration  of  the  cervical  and  other  glands,  scrofulous  diseases 
of  the  joints,  tubercular  meningitis,  &c.,  are  its  most  usual  forms  among  children;  while 
phthisis  pulmonalis  is  frequent  in  the  middle  periods  of  life.  I  believe  that,  within  the  last  few 
years,  the  deaths  resulting  from  this  cause  are  equal  to  those  from  all  others. 

Pleurisy,  pneumonia,  and  bronchitis,  are  common,  and  sometimes  fatal.  These  diseases  often 
occur  locally,  induced,  no  doubt,  by  tubercular  deposits.  I  have  thought  that  these  and  other 
inflammatory  disorders  yield  more  readily  to  the  use  of  the  lancet  and  other  antiphlogistic 
remedies,  in  the  Indian  constitution  than  in  the  white.  The  reparative  powers  appear  to  be 
more  powerful  in  the  former;  they  certainly  are  so  in  the  reparation  of  wounds.  An  Indian 
will  generally  survive  a  greater  bodily  mutilation  than  a  white  man.  This  has  been  attributed 
to  the  simplicity  of  their  diet.  It  is,  however,  more  probably  the  consequence  of  a  lower  degree 
of  organization,  and  less  delicate  sensibility  of  the  nervous  system. 

Intemperance  is  a  fruitful  source  of  disease  and  suffering  among  these  people.  Unable  to 
control  themselves  in  this  respect,  they  indulge  in  frequent  and  excessive  debauches,  often 
going  a  week  without  food,  or  other  sustenance  than  the  stimulus  of  ardent  spirits.  At  such 
times  they  are  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  which,  of  course,  is  not  \yithout  its 
effects;  and  many  of  them  destroy  the  vigor  of  their  constitutions  in  a  single  debauch,  or  excite 
an  acute  attack  of  some  latent  disease,  which  might  otherwise  have  remained  dormant,  or  en- 
tirely passed  away. 

Epidemic  and  contagious  diseases,  especially  smallpox  and  measles,  have  heretofore  been 
more  fatal  among  these  Indians    than   among  whites.     The  fatality  of  these  diseases  I  think 


s 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION.  65 

altogether  awing  to  the  mismanagement  of  their  patients,  and  not  to  any  constitutional  inabil- 
ity to  withstand  them.  During  an  attack,  and  especially  during  a  paroxysm  of  the  fever  at- 
tending these  disor<lers,  they  expose  themselves  naked  to  tlie  open  air,  and  lie  during  the  night 
in  a  draught,  or,  more  frequently,  plunge  into  cold  water.  The  reaction  after  these  cold  baths 
usually  proves  too  powerful,  and  they  generally  sink.  The  last  occurrence  of  smallpox  among 
them  was  in  the  summer  of  1849,  when  the  deaths  from  it  were  not  more  than  four  or  five,  and 
the  disease  spread  but  little.  They  are  now  all  protected  by  vaccination,  and  nearly  all  have 
had  the  measles. 

The  diseases  incident  to  tlie  female  organs  of  generation  are  extremely  common,  especially 
prolapsus  uteri  and  leucorrhcea.  The  former  of  these  complaints,  amounting  in  many  instances, 
to  complete  procidentia,  is  so  frequent,  that  a  majority  of  all  the  women  who  have  borne  chil- 
dren are  aflected  with  it.  Nor  is  this  surprising,  when  the  ill  after-treatment  to  which  their 
parturient  females  are  subjected  is  taken  into  consideration.  They  never  maintain  the  recum- 
bent position  an  hour  after  delivery,  and  generally  return  within  a  day  or  two  to  the  labors  of 
the  corn-field,  or  to  the  carrying  of  heavy  burdens,  and  performing  all  the  laborious  duties 
usually  assigned  to  the  "squaw."  An  Indian  woman  can  no  more  violate,  with  impunity,  the 
obvious  hygienic  treatment  necessary  in  the  parturient  state,  than  can  a  white  woman. 

The  process  of  jiarturition,  among  Indian  women,  does  not  differ  in  any  material  respect  from 
the  same  process  in  otlicrs;  except,  perhaps,  in  being  somewhat  sliorter,  and  attended  with  less 
suffering,  which  I  believe  to  be  owing  rather  to  a  low  degree  of  nervous  sensibility,  than  to 
any  material  physical  difference. 

It  is  generally  supposed  that  a  large  proportion  of  this  tribe  are  affected  with  a  syphilitic 
taint.  Such,  however,  is  not  the  result  of  my  observation  among  them.  I  saw  two  cases  in  the 
autumn  of  1850 — a  man  and  his  wife,  who  were  suffering  under,  and  who  finally  died  from, 
genuine  .syphilis,  combined  with  scrofula.  Many  of  the  superficial  glands  had  enlarged  and 
suppurated,  and  then,  becoming  inoculated  with  the  syphilitic  virus,  were  converted  into  chan- 
cres, with  indurated  sides  and  bases,  discharging  from  their  surfaces  a  large  quantity  of  watery 
fluid.  I  do  not  know  of  a  single  case  of  secondary  or  tertiary  syphilis  in  the  whole  tribe. 
The  variety  of  chancre  generally  existing  among  them  is  of  a  very  mild  character,  always 
yielding  to  mild  escharotics. 

Gonorrhcea  is  common  among  these  Indians,  and  generally  of  a  virulent  character,  resisting 
all  ordinary  means  of  treatment.  I  have  never  had  among  them  any  success  with  the  abortive 
treatment,  recommended  by  Ricord  and  Acton.  The  effect  of  the  injections  I  have  found  to  be 
to  aggravate  the  disorder.  Buboes  are  a  frequent  accompaniment  of  the  disease,  and  often  pro- 
ceed to  suppuration. 

The  first  winter  after  the  removal  of  the  Winnebagoes  to  this  country  (that  of  1 848-' 49)  was 
one  of  unusual  severity.  The  Indians  were  poorly  clad,  and  miserably  fed  ;  their  diet  being  salt 
pork  and  flour,  and  not  nearly  enough  of  that.  They  soon  became  feeble  from  want  of  food  ;  in 
consequence  of  which,  and  the  severity  of  the  weather,  they  lay  in  their  wigwams,  taking  no 
exercise.  This  produced  scurvy  pretty  generally  among  them;  but  few,  if  any,  died  of  the 
disease.  The  only  thing  remarkable  about  it,  I  believe,  was  the  rapidity  with  which  it  dis- 
appeared when  its  causes  were  removed  ;  since  which,  it  has  not  returned.  I  do  not  think  the 
scorbutic  tendency  among  them  nearly  so  great  as  among  whites  ;  their  powers  of  digestion 
and  assimilation  (when  they  have  anything  to  digest  or  assimilate)  certainly  being  better  than 
those  of  almost  any  other  people.  The  white  population  of  the  place,  who  were  much  better 
fed,  clothed^  and  lodged  than  the  Indians^  suffered  almost  equally  with  them. 

From  the  gluttonous  habits  of  these  Indians,  one  would  suppose  a  j)riori  that  diseases  of  the 
prim;e  vite  would  be  common  among  them;  such,  however,  is  not  the  case.  They  enjoy  a  re- 
markable exemption  from  tlie  usual  affections  of  the  alimentary  canal. 

DAVID  DAY. 

J.  FiiAziER  Head,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  Fort  Bipley. 
s.  96 9 


6G  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRArnY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  RIDGELY. 

By  Assistant  Siirgeon  Alex.  H.  Hassoii :   1S5G. 

Tliis  post  was  established  in  the  spring  of  1853.  It  is  in  or  near  latitude  44°  30'  north,  and 
lonjiitudo  17°  45'  west  of  Washington  ;  hut  no  ohsorvations  liavo  heen  made  on  the  spot  to  de- 
termine its  i)Osition  exactly,  nor  have  the  distances  to  neiglihoring  ])oints  heen  accurately  ascer- 
tained. It  is  situated  in  an  angle  formed  hy  the  junction  of  a  small  stream,  called  Rock  river, 
witli  the  Minnesota,  and  about  half  a  mile  i'rom  the  left  bank  of  the  latter,  upon  the  bluffs, 
by  which  its  bottom  is  bounded.  On  the  ordinary  maps,  its  site  would  best  be  indicated  by  a 
point  on  the  Minnesota,  midway,  or  nearly  so,  between  the  Redwood  and  Waraju  or  Cotton- 
wood rivers.  By  the  usual  land  route,  it  is  said  to  be  ninety  miles  from  Fort  Snelling;  though 
by  the  river,  which  is  exceedingly  crooked,  this  distance  is  probably  doubled. 

The  valleys  of  Rock  river  and  the  Minnesota  are  sunk  abruptly  beneath  the  level  of  the  sur- 
rounding country.  The  summits  of  the  steep  bluffs  that  bound  them  are  continuous  with  the 
adjoining  prairies,  and  at  this  place  are  elevated  one  hundred  feet  or  more  above  the  level  of 
the  rivers. 

Rock  river,  which  is  a  mere  creek,  has  its  source  five  miles  back  on  the  prairie,  and  at  the 
post  its  valley  attains  the  width  of  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  It  is  a  clear-water  stream,  run- 
ning over  beds  of  sand  and  gravel,  and  seldom  acquires  a  greater  width  than  four  or  five  yards, 
or  a  depth  exceeding  two  feet. 

The  Minnesota  rises  in  Big  Stone  lake,  about  150  miles  above  this  place.  Its  valley  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  post  is  from  one  to  three  miles  in  width,  and  equally  divided  between  woodland 
and  prairie.  Through  this  bottom  the  river,  which  is  upwards  of  sixty  yards  wide,  winds  a 
very  tortuous  course,  and  its  current,  moving  sluggishly  over  a  muddy  bottom,  is  somewhat 
yellow  and  turbid.  It  is  generally  confined  within  its  present  banks,  but  in  the  spring  of  1853 
it  overflowed  widely  the  adjacent  bottom.  At  low  water  it  may  be  forded  in  several  places 
near  the  post..  The  principal  obstructions  to  navigation  below  this  point  are  two  rapids — one 
near  the  Mankato,  or  Blue  Earth  river,  in  the  big  bend  of  the  Minnesota;  and  the  other,  called 
the  Little  rapids,  farther  down  the  river,  and  about  thirty  miles  from  its  mouth.  During  high 
water  in  the  spring,  medium-sized  steamers  can  make  a  few  trips  as  far  up  as  the  Mankato 
rapids,  and  occasionally  above  them  ;  but  they  are  soon  confined  to  the  river  below  the  Little 
rapids,  whence  small  stern-wheel  boats  may  run  for  a  few  months  longer,  even  to  points  above 
the  post.  Competent  persons  consider  that,  by  a  comparatively  small  expenditure  of  money  at 
the  rapids,  and  one  or  two  other  points  along  the  river,  it  might  be  made  navigable  for  boats, 
of  tlie  average  LTpper  Mississippi  size,  as  far  up  as  Patterson's  rapids,  about  forty  miles  above 
the  post.  In  ordinary  seasons,  there  is  a  portage  of  probably  two  miles  between  Big  Stone  Lake 
and  Lake  Travers,  which  divides  the  waters  of  the  Minnesota  from  those  that  flow  into  the  Red 
river  of  the  North  ;  and,  indeed,  in  some  seasons  of  very  high  water,  boats  have  passed  from 
one  lake  into  the  other  without  making  any  portage  at  all. 

The  country  surrounding  the  post  is  for  many  miles  a  gently  rolling  prairie,  occasionally 
interrupted  by  a  small  patch  or  thin  line  of  timber  indicative  of  a  lake  or  water-course.  There 
is  no  elevation  in  the  vicinity  that  can  properly  be  called  a  hill,  and  few,  if  any,  in  the  whole 
Territory.  Running  streams  are  comparatively  few,  and  the  extensive  plains,  being  inade- 
quately drained,  abound  in  lakes,  ponds,  and  marshes ;  but  there  is  no  body  of  water  suffi- 
ciently large  to  exercise  any  modifying  influence  on  the  climate.  Some  of  these  lakes  are  very 
beautiful,  having  an  area  of  one  or  more  square  miles,  firm  banks  fringed  with  timber,  pebbly 
bottoms,  and  clear  waters  abounding  with  fish.  The  smaller  bodies  of  water  are  usually 
marshy,  and  devoid  of  timber.  In  rainy  weather,  the  water  collects  in  low  spots  on  the  prairies, 
forming  extensive  sloughs,  which  render  the  roads  almost  impassable.  Clear  cool  springs  are 
frequently  met  with  in  the  ravines  that  break  through  the  line  of  bluffs  along  the  river;  and, 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION,  67 

iu  many  places  on  the  prairie,  good  water  has  been  obtained  by  digging  ten  or  twelve  feet 
through  the  subsoil  of  sand  and  gravel,  into  a  bed  of  sandy  blue  clay  beneath. 

Tlie  nearest  large  body  of  timber  is  the  "  Big  Woods,"  about  forty  miles  distant  to  the  south 
and  east.  The  post  is  supplied  with  wood  from  the  river-bottom  in  its  vicinity,  portions  of 
which  are  very  well  covered.  It  consists  principall}^  of  different  species  of  oak,  soft  and  sugar 
maple,  ash,  elm,  hickory,  butternut,  hackberry,  bass,  cottonwood,  and  white  poplar.  No  pine 
is  found  on  the  Minnesota,  though  common  on  the  Mississippi  above  the  falls. 

A  species  of  wild  plum,  the  small  wild  grape,  thornapple,  and  hop,  abound  in  the  bottom; 
and  the  wild  rice  in  tlie  marshes,  wild  strawberries,  gooseberries,  raspberries,  currants,  and 
hazel-nuts,  may  be  gathered  in  season,  though  generally  in  but  small  quantities.  Early  summer 
brings  a  profusion  and  variety  of  wild  flowers,  some  of  rare  and  delicate  beauty.  The  wild  rose 
is  particularly  common,  and  its  fragrance  floats  in  every  dell. 

Bones  of  the  buffalo  are  sometimes  found  bleaching  upon  the  surrounding  prairies  ;  but  it  is 
now  nine  years  since  these  animals  visited  this  section  of  country,  and  they  are  rarely  seen 
nearer  than  a  hundred  miles  to  the  northwest.  The  deer  are  few  in  this  immediate  neighbor- 
hood, on  account  of  the  comj^aratively  small  quantity  of  timber  ;  but  in  the  "Big  Woods"  and 
in  the  "  Blue  Earth"  river  country,  south  and  east  of  us,  they  are  still  abundant.  The  common 
fox,  prairie-wolf,  and  gopher  are  found  on  the  prairie,  and  the  coon  and  red  squirrel  in  the 
timber.  Large  black  wolves  have  been  seen  in  the  "  Big  Woods,"  and  are  said  occasionally  to 
have  carried  off  young  i^igs.  Skunks,  minks,  and  muskrats  are  numerous,  and  otter  are 
not  uncommon.  The  beaver,  though  now  rare,  is  still  taken  occasionally  at  points  on  the  river 
above. 

The  principal  birds  seen  in  this  vicinity  are  the  wild  goose,  teal  and  mallard  duck,  common 
grouse,  rough  grouse  or  pheasant,  curlew,  plover,  snijie,  woodcock,  wild  pigeon,  and  blackbird; 
this  last  is  an  exceedingly  numerous  sj^ecies,  and  very  destructive  to  corn  crops. 

Bass,  pike,  pickerel,  catfish,  pouts,  and  hard-shell  turtles  abound  in  the  lakes  and  rivers. 

Two  harmless  species  of  snake  have  been  seen  at  the  post.  One  averages  about  two  feet  and 
a  half  in  length,  and  has  longitudinal  green  stripes  upon  its  back;  it  is  exceedingly  numer- 
ous, and  has  been  frequently  found  in  the  quarters.  The  other  is  about  five  feet  long,  and  its 
back  is  crossed  transversely  with  bands  of  black  spots.  No  venomous  reptiles  have  been  seen 
here,  but  rattle-snakes  are  said  to  be  abundant  in  the  country  bordering  on  the  Missouri. 

From  June  until  the  last  of  September  the  mosquitoes  are  exceedingly  numerous  and  annoy- 
ing, and  last  season  the  same  was  true  of  the  Jleas  also. 

The  subsoil  is  a  yellow  sand,  of  various  degrees  of  fineness.  Near  its  upper  surface  lies  a 
seam  of  gravel  and  small  boulders,  and  beneath  it  a  bed  of  blue  clay,  of  which  bricks  of  ordi- 
nary quality  have  been  made.  The  face  of  the  bluffs  bounding  the  river-bottom  is  thickly 
strewn  with  granite  boulders,  some  of  them  of  a  large  size ;  but  a  few  rods  back  upon  the 
prairie,  stones  are  rarely  found  on  the  surface.  The  nearest  outcrop  of  solid  rock  is  in  Rock- 
river  bottom,  near  the  base  of  a  steep  bluff  that  walls  in  the  stream,  and  at  a  depth  of  about 
seventy-five  feet  below  the  level  of  the  adjacent  prairie.  It  is  a  soft  red  sandstone,  and  prob- 
ably rests  directly  on  the  granite,  which  shows  itself  in  many  places  along  the  river. 

Our  commissary  storehouse  and  company  quarters  are  built  of  granite,  obtained  about  two 
miles  up  the  river,  where  the  bluffs  on  the  opposite  side  come  down  to  the  water's  edge.  In 
various  places  along  the  bottom,  on  this  side  of  the  river,  knobs  of  granite  rise  up  like  barren 
islands  amid  the  surrounding  green  and  level  prairie.  Pieces  of  coal  have  been  picked  up  at 
various  jilaces  below,  but  nothing  like  a  bed  of  that  mineral  has  been  discovered.  Limestone 
has  not  yet  been  found  nearer  the  post  than  the  mouth  of  the  Waraju  or  Cottonwood  river, 
though  it  is  abundant  below  that  point.  The  means  at  hand  were  too  rude  for  making  an  exact 
or  extended  analysis  of  the  superficial  soil,  and  none  was  attempted.  It  is  rich  in  organic 
matter,  black,  loose,  and  sandy;  and  being,  therefore,  warm  and  ''lively,"  is  well  adapted  to 
the  short  growing  season  of  the  country.     Its  depth  on  the  prairie  is  about  one  toot,  but  in 


68  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

portions  of  the  bottom  it  is  upwards  of  two.  Its  specific  gravity  was  found  to  be  2.061.  Three 
hundred  grains,  thoroughly  dried  over  a  spirit-Uvmp,  and  then  exposed  to  the  air  for  twenty-lour 
hours,  gained  four  grains  and  a  half.  By  agitating  a  portion  ^yith  warm  water,  and  decanting, 
it  separated  into  three  parts  of  fine  sand  to  one  of  finely-divided  aluminous  vegetable  and  other 
matters.  Its  loss  of  weight  in  burning  was  more  than  one-tenth  of  the  whole.  One  liundred 
grains  contain  about  four  grains  of  carbonate  of  lime. 

An  abundant  crop  of  the  ordinary  roots,  and  of  cabbages,  cauliflowers,  peas,  beans,  squashes, 
pumpkins,  and  cucumbers,  may  generally  be  relied  on.  The  Lima  beans,  musk-melons,  canta- 
loupes, water-melons,  and  tomatoes,  planted  in  the  post  gardens  last  year,  were  overtaken  by 
the  frost,  and  but  few  attained  perfection.  This  was  owing  to  the  late  cold  weather  and  drought 
in  the  spring,  by  which  their  progress  was  retarded.  The  preceding  year  was  not  so  unfavor- 
able, and  the  cultivation  of  these  vegetables  was  more  successful.  Good  crops  of  corn  and  oats 
have  been  made  in  the  surrounding  country,  and  experimental  sowings  of  sjjring  and  winter 
wheat,  rye,  and  buckwheat,  have  turned  out  favorably.  No  advantage  is  derived  from  plant- 
ing in  the  open  ground  earlier  than  the  middle  of  May.  This  section  of  country  is  yet  too  new 
to  afford  any  satisfactory  data  upon  the  cultivation  of  fruit-trees. 

The  Minnesota-river  country  was  purchased  by  the  general  government  from  bands  of  tlie 
Sioux  or  Dacota  Indians  in  the  year  1851.  These  bands  are  still  permitted  to  occupy  a  tract 
of  the  country  above  the  fort,  and  only  the  lands  below  have  as  yet  been  thrown  open  to  white 
settlement.  Already  most  of  the  desirable  claims  along  the  river — that  is,  those  combining 
the  advantages  of  timber,  prairie,  and  water — are  occupied  by  squatters  ;  and,  although  none 
of  this  land  has  yet  been  sold  by  government,  some  tracts  for  farming  purposes  have  already 
changed  hands  at  ten  dollars  and  upwards  per  acre,  on  the  security  of  quit-claim  deeds.  Seve- 
ral town  sites  have  been  laid  out  along  the  river,  and  some  of  these  are  rapidly  becoming  places 
of  considerable  business.  There  are  many  Germans,  Danes,  and  Norwegians  among  the  set- 
tlers ;  but  the  population  consists  principally  of  Americans  from  the  northern  and  northwestern 
States,  in  accordance  with  the  usual  law  of  emigration,  by  which  our  new  States  are  settled  by 
immigrants  from  the  older  ones  lying  in  the  same  parallels  of  latitude.  Thus  we  trace  the 
pedigree  of  Texas  back  through  the  States  bordering  on  the  Gulf,  to  Georgia;  that  of  Arkansas, 
to  Tennessee  and  North  Carolina;  of  Missouri,  to  Kentucky  and  Virginia  ;  and  of  the  west  and 
northwest,  to  the  middle  and  New  England  States.  The  Indians  living  in  this  vicinity  are 
bands  of  Dacotas,  or  Sioux,  a  numerous  nation  that  roams  the  country  to  the  west  and  north- 
west as  far  as  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Prior  to  1837  these  bands  occupied  the  country  extend- 
ing from  a  point  on  the  Mississippi  below  Lake  Peinn,  up  the  Minnesota  to  Big  Stone  lake  ; 
but,  having  sold  it  by  treaties  to  the  general  government,  they  are  now  restricted  to  a  reserved 
portion,  whose  lower  boundary  is  the  post.  Upon  this  tract  the  Indian.  Department  has  estab- 
lished an  agency,  and,  in  compliance  with  the  treaty,  have  broken  up  land  at  several  points, 
and  maintain  farmers,  blacksmiths,  and  two  physicians,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Indians. 

The  number  of  individuals  of  all  the  bands  who  are  paid  annuities  by  the  government  is  be- 
tween six  and  seven  thousand. 

Those  belonging  to  the  "lower  bands,"  besides  receiving  annuities  in  common  with  the  rest, 
by  virtue  of  the  treaty  of  1851,  are  also  paid  an  additional  amount  in  accordance  with  the 
treaty  of  1837,  by  which  they  disposed  of  lands  lying  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  annual 
amount  jiaid  to  these,  exclusive  of  the  specific  sums  exjjended  by  the  agent  for  agricultural  and 
other  purposes,  is  about  twenty  dollars  per  head  in  cash,  and  five  dollars  per  head  in  provi- 
sions ;  besides  some  guns,  ammunition,  and  blankets,  which  are  distributed  among,  the  princi- 
pal men  and  heads  of  families.  The  members  of  the  other  bands  are  paid  about  one-half  these 
amounts.  As  the  sum  annually  distributed  is  fixed  by  treaty,  of  course  the  amount  paid  each 
individual  varies  yearly  with  the  census. 

Besides  these  annuities,  they  depend  for  subsistence  on  hunting,  fishing,  the  cultivation  of  a 
little  corn,  and  on  the  natural  products  of  the  country — the  wild  rice,  plums,  maple  sugar. 


AMONO   THE   TROOPS   IN  THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION.  69 

&c.,  in  their  season.  The  bands  which  have  long  resided  about  the  head-waters  of  the  Minne- 
sota hunt  the  buifalo  ;  but  those  which  have  been  moved  up  from  below,  seldom  venture  so 
far  out  upon  the  plains,  and  have  been  in  the  habit  of  frequenting  the  "  Big  Woods"  and  the 
timber  country  south  and  east  of  us,  where  the  deer  are  still  abundant.  This,  however,  is  in 
violation  of  their  treaties,  and  the  rapid  settlement  of  the  country  must  soon  deprive  them  of 
those  hunting-grounds.  Almost  every  animal  the  Indian  meets  contributes  to  his  subsistence, 
and  the  dogs  that  throng  his  wigwam  constitute  a  favorite  material  of  his  choicest  feasts.  The 
musk-rat,  which  is  very  abundant  in  this  country,  supplies  a  large  proportion  of  his  winter 
food.  These  are  taken  by  cautiously  approaching  their  houses  on  the  margins  of  the  ponds, 
and  thrusting  an  iron-pointed  stick  through  the  earthen  walls  ;  thus  impaling  the  animals 
within,  before  they  can  escape  through  their  subterranean  passages.  Persons  who  have  par- 
taken of  this  dish,  speak  of  it  as  being  by  no  means  ill-flavored  or  unpalatable. 

These  Indians  obtain,  also,  many  sujiplies  from  the  white  traders,  wlio  furnish  them  with 
goods  in  exchange  for  their  peltries  and  annuities.  They  raise  some  corn  every  season  on  the 
land  prepared  for  them  by  the  Indian  Department,  the  only  part  of  the  work  performed  by 
themselves  being  that  of  planting  and  gathering  tlie  crops  ;  and  this,  like  all  else  tliat  can  be 
properly  called  work,  is  done  entirely  by  the  squaws,  their  lords  and  masters  by  no  means  sub- 
scribing to  the  doctrine  of  the  "dignity  of  labor." 

Convenient  to  their  cornfields  are  bark  houses,  in  which  they  live  during  farming  operations ; 
but  after  the  crop  is  gathered  and  buried  in  the  earth,  they  roam  the  country  in  search  of  game, 
living  in  their  moveable  lodges  or  teepees.  These  are  made  of  cotton  cloth  or  buffalo  skins 
stretched  upon  poles. 

Tlieir  costume  consists  of  a  cotton  or  woolen  shirt ;  leggings  for  the  men,  and  petticoats  for 
the  women,  of  the  same  materials  :  moccasins  ;  and  a  blanket,  which  envelops  the  form,  and 
hangs  from  the  head  or  shoulders. 

As  in  all  primitive  communities,  where  tlie  means  of  subsistence  are  precarious,  and  the 
danger  from  enemies  constant,  the  men's  share  of  duty  consists  only  in  hunting  and  war,  and 
much  of  their  time  is  spent  in  idleness.  Labor  devolves  entirely  upon  their  squaws,  and  for 
this  reason  the  married  women  are  generally  superior  to  the  men  in  strength,  and  inferior  in 
grace -of  motion  and  symmetry  of  form.  Among  the  young  unmarried  females,  however,  indi- 
viduals may  be  met,  who,  with  the  advantages  of  cleanliness  and  becoming  dress,  would  possess 
very  fair  pretensions  to  beauty.  Both  sexes  are  remarkable  for  the  small  size  of  their  hands 
and  feet,  but  the  latter  are  flat,  and  the  instep  low.  The  men  are  rather  above  the  average 
height  of  white  men,  and  are  generally  possessed  of  great  endurance  and  bodily  activity.  A 
young  warrior  was  confined  in  an  upper  room  of  the  barracks,  under  constant  charge  of  a  senti- 
nel. For  some  days  he  feigned  to  be  extremely  ill ;  but  suddenly  at  midnight  he  sprang  through 
the  upper  sash  of  a  window,  alighted  on  hard  ground  about  twenty-five  feet  below,  and  imme- 
diately escajjcd  into  the  surrounding  darkness.  About  three  months  afterwards,  I  saw  him  at 
the  house  of  a  half-breed  near  the  post,  where  be  had  just  returned  from  a  foray  against  the 
Pawnees  ;  and,  from  curiosity,  I  made  an  examination  of  his  person,  which  confirmed  his  own 
statement  that  he  had  received  no  injury. 

It  is  rare  for  a  man  to  have  more  than  three  wives,  and  a  widow  with  cliildren  is  a  prize 
much  sought  after ;  for  as  every  individual  is  entitled  to  an  annuity,  these  Indians  measure  their 
wealth  by  the  size  of  their  families.  When  a  man  desires  any  particular  woman  for  wife,  he 
usually  proceeds  for  Several  nights  to  the  vicinity  of  her  wigwam,  and  entertains  her  with  a 
monotonous  serenade  on  a  rude  pipe.  After  this  preliminary  courtship,  he  seeks  the  consent  of 
her  parents  by  the  offering  of  presents,  and,  if  these  be  accepted,  receives  his  wife  in  return. 

The  vari<ius  bands  of  this  luimerous  nation  are  bound  together  by  no  political  organization, 
or  other  tie,  save  that  of  community  of  language  and  race.  Each  band  seems  to  be  an  inde- 
pendent body,  having  its  own  chief  and  oi-ators :  but  the  organization  is  exceedingly  loose,  and 
it  is  not  uncommon  for  individuals  to  leave  one  band  lor  another.     Their  chiefship  is  nominally 


70  REPORT   ON    TUE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

hereditary ;  but  this  rule  must  frequently  be  broken,  where  power  and  influence  depend  so  mucli 
upon  purely  personal  qualifications.  In  fact,  the  acknowledged  chief  often  plays  but  a  secondary 
part  in  his  baud  to  some  daring  warrior,  eloquent  orator,  or  sagacious  "medicine-mau."  The 
Dacota's  law  is  that  of  retaliation,  and  depends  for  its  execution  solely  upon  the  personal  abili- 
ties of  the  party  injured  and  the  devotion  of  his  friends.  Quarrels,  which  may  tlius  spread,  and 
continue  indefinitely,  are  generally,  however,  brought  to  a  conclusion  by  pcace-olferings  from 
the  weaker  to  the  stronger  party,  and  often  by  the  mutual  interchange  of  presents.  Among 
those  bands  which  receive  annuities,  the  Indian  agent  is  enabled  to  adjust  many  disputes, 
especially  concerning  property,  as  the  funds  accruing  to  eacli  individual  uuist  i)ass  through  his 
hands. 

The  Sioux  have  been  engaged  in  an  hereditary  warfare  with  the  Chippeways  from  time  imme- 
morial, and  are  taught  from  their  earliest  infancy  to  regard  them  as  mortal  loes.  Tliey  are 
under  the  constant  necessity  of  guarding  against  surprise  by  the  war  parties  of  their  enemies 
that  prowl  through  their  country,  and  may  at  any  moment  be  lurking  in  ambush,  watcliing  an 
opportunity  to  rusli  upon  some  party  weaker  than  themselves,  or  an  unprotected  camp  of  women 
and  children,  and  rca})  a  rich  reward  of  scalps — the  dearly-prized  tokens  of  the  warrior's  prow- 
ess. In  the  summer  of  1854,  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  this  post,  a  war  party  of  eight 
Chippeways  rushed  from  ambush  upon  three  Sioux,  one  of  whom  was  killed,  and  the  others 
escaped  to  the  post.  The  Sioux  warriors  are  not  slow  in  retaliation ;  and  a  short  time  after  the 
above  occurrence,  a  party  of  them  fell  in  with  a  camp  of  Chippeways,  mostly  women  and  ciiil- 
dren,  and  murdered  about  thirty  of  their  number. 

That  "the  essence  of  war  is  violence"  is  truly  the  Indian's  maxim,  and  the  chivalrous  senti- 
ments of  civilized  warfare  are  to  him  but  foolishness.  His  principle  is  to  exterminate  the  whole 
race  of  his  enemies,  or,  as  his  sign  forcibly  expresses  it,  to  wipe  them  out ;  and  neither  old  nor 
young,  women  nor  children,  are  exempt  from  his  fury.  Sometimes  a  woman  or  cliild  is  taken 
prisoner,  and  then  their  lives  are  at  the  entire  disposal  of  their  captors.  About  a  year  ago,  a 
Chippeway  girl  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  Sioux  warrior  ;  but  not  proving  as  completely  submis- 
sive as  her  master  thouglit  desirable,  he  subjected  her  to  much  harsh  treatment.  Her  suff'er- 
ings  excited  the  sympathy  of  a  half-breed  trader,  who  carried  her  off  clandestinely,  and  brought 
her  to  this  post,  whence  she  was  sent  to  her  own  country.  Her  Sioux  master  has  been  annoyed 
ever  since  by  the  upbraidings  of  his  band,  and  his  own  regrets,  at  his  folly  in  sparing  a  Chip- 
peway to  become  the  mother  of  warriors  that  will  battle  against  his  race. 

In  the  Indian's  creed,  cunning  is  the  better  part  of  valor;  and  he  seeks  his  foe  upon  the 
same  principle  that  he  liunts  his  game.  To  creep  stealthily  upon  his  enemies  when  sleeping,  to 
attack  them  always  at  their  disadvantage,  to  evade  their  superior  war  parties,  and  suddenly 
burst  upon  an  unprotected  camp  of  their  women  and  children,  constitute  with  him  the  highest 
claims  to  a  warrior's  honors.  Hostile  meetings  of  war  parties,  open  and  premeditated  on  both 
sides,  are  therefore  exceedingly  rare ;  and  their  warfare  is  but  a  series  of  surprises  and  butclieries. 
Upon  the  same  principle,  successful  horse-stealing  ranks  high  in  the  scale  of  military  honor  ; 
and  it  is  not  uncommon  for  parties  of  three  or  four,  and  sometimes  for  a  single  individual,  to 
penetrate  on  foot  into  the  enemy's  country,  lurk  about  liis  camp  until  an  opportunity  offers, 
which  is  usually  at  night,  and,  having  stealthily  crawled  to  the  nearest  horses,  suddenly  to 
mount  and  gallop  away  in  the  direction  of  their  distant  home.  Almost  every  one  who  has 
campaigned  upon  the  western  plains  can  bear  testimony  to  their  expertness  in  this  honorable 
accomplishment.  Judged  by  the  standard  of  civilized  life,  which  exalts  the  open  combat  above 
the  secret  blow,  the  Indian  might  be  pronounced  deficient  in  true  personal  courage  ;  but  this 
difterence  is  probably  one  of  education  alone,  and  liis  stoical  fortitude  under  jjhysical  suffering 
is  proverbial. 

Their  religious  creed  seems  to  consist  principally  in  the  notion  that  there  are  spirits  per- 
vading every  object  in  tlie  universe,  determining  the  fortunes  of  men,  and  the  operations  of 
nature ;  and  that  these  spiritual  essences  bear  to  each  other,  and  to  the  Great  Spirit  wlio  presides 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION.  71 

over  them  all,  some  close  and  mysterious  relationship.  They  recognize  but  faintly  the  idea  of 
future  punishment ;  and  their  notions  of  tlie  next  world  are,  for  the  most  part,  hut  exaggerated 
conceptions  of  the  Indian's  pleasure  in  this.  Their  word,  inadequately  rendered  "medicine," 
is  vaguely  applied  to  every  incomprehensible,  mysterious,  and  therefore,  in  their  belief,  spiritual 
influence.  Dr.  Daniels,  the  physician  who  resides  among  them,  tells  me  they  have  an  almost 
idolatrous  reverence  for  opium  and  chloroform,  the  "great  medicines"  that  bring  repose  and 
insensibility  to  pain.  The  Doctor  and  myself  having  had  occasion  to  perform  several  opera- 
tions, in  which  we  used  chloroform,  the  fame  of  this  medicine  soon  spread  among  the  neigh- 
boring Indians  ;  and  one  of  their  young  men,  who  had  been  disappointed  in  a  love-suit,  came 
to  Dr.  D.  and  earnestly  hesouglit  him  for  a  few  drops  of  the  mysterious  liquid,  for  which  he 
would  willingly  have  exchanged  his  horse.  He  had  no  desire  to  administer  it,  but  simply  to 
have  it  in  his  possession,  that^  by  conjurations,  he  might  secure  the  favor  of  the  powerful  spirit 
to  which  he  attributed  its  mysterious  influence. 

As  in  all  primitive  communities,  the  functions  of  priest  and  physician  are  based  alike  upon 
the  supernatural,  and  constitute  a  single  profession,  of  which  the  sages,  or  "  medicine-men," 
are  the  exponents.  The  candidates  for  the  honors  of  this  fraternity  are  initiated  within  the 
medicine  lodge,  from  which  laymen  are  excluded.  Women  are  sometimes  admitted  to  mem- 
bership. The  functions  of  these  "medicine"  men  or  women  are  to  appease  angry  spirits,  to 
invoke  their  favor  upon  enterprises  of  war  or  hunting,  to  tell  the  time  when  these  may  be 
favorably  undertaken,  to  exorcise  diseases  or  evil  spirits,  and  to  perform  various  other  myste- 
rious offices.  Their  various  ceremonies  consist  principally  in  feasting,  singing,  dancing, 
haranguing,  and  grotesque  gesticulation,  accompanied  with  the  beating  of  skins  stretched 
upon  frames,  and  the  rattling  of  gourds  filled  with  pebbles.  When  a  man  of  note  dies,  it  is 
customary  for  his  friends,  as  soon  as  they  have  the  means,  to  give  a  grand  "medicine"  feast 
to  his  shade  ;  and  liis  horses,  guns,  blankets,  and  otlier  effects,  are  held  sacred  until  that  occa- 
sion, when  they  are  distributed  among  his  friends  and  relatives.  The  custom  is  seldom  observed 
among  these  bands,  of  burying  the  dead  person's  effects  with  the  body,  or  of  leaving  them  upon 
the  grave;  long  proximity  to  the  whites  having  probably  changed  their  practice  in  this  respect. 
Besides  their  medicine  feasts  and  dances,  there  are  many  others  common  to  the  whole  band,  as 
the  "thunder  dance,"  "buffalo  dance,"  "scalp  dance,"  and  "dance  and  feast  of  the  virgins." 
The  scalp  dance  is  performed  around  an  enemy's  scalp  stretched  upon  a  frame.  It  may  be 
danced  an  indefinite  number  of  times  within  three  months  after  the  capture  of  the  scalp,  which 
must  be  buried  at  the  expiration  of  that  period.  At  the  feast  and  dance  of  the  virgins,  only 
the  chaste  of  both  sexes  are  allowed  to  participate;  and  should  any  intrude,  who  can  be  proved 
unworthy,  they  may  be  dragged  in  disgrace  from  the  assembly.  The  rude  drum,  rattle,  and 
primitive  i)ipe,  used  by  the  lovers  in  their  serenades,  are  their  only  instruments  of  music. 
Their  dancing  is  little  more  than  a  succession  of  uniform  shuffles,  and  tlieir  singing  of  monotonous 
jerking  sounds. 

In  cases  of  sickness,  these  Indians  sometimes  resort  to  the  external  and  internal  use  of  various 
herbs,  scarifications  of  the  surface,  and  the  vapor-bath.  The  latter  is  administered  by  setting 
up  a  small  frame  of  twigs,  covered  in  closely  with  blankets,  within  which  the  patient  seats 
himself,  and  pours  water  upon  heated  stones.  Theit  principal  reliance,  however,  in  severe 
cases,  is  placed  upon  the  conjurations  of  the  "  medicine-men."  These  proceed  to  the  patient's 
lodge,  usually  at  night,  where  they  chant,  beat  their  rude  drums,  rattle  their  gourds,  and  per- 
form other  magical  rites.  At  a  given  signal,  they  discharge  their  guns  through  the  entrance 
of  the  lodge  at  the  disease,  or  evil  sjiirit,  as  it  passes  out  from  the  body  of  the  patient.  But, 
usually,  it  returns  again  and  again;  and  night  after  night  it  must  be  "drummed  out,"  until  it 
is  entirely  banished,  or,  proving  too  strong  for  its  opponents,  it  kills  its  victim. 

Very  old  persons  are  seldom  seen  among  them  ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  a  very  large 
number  of  children  fall  victims  to  the  "hardening  iirocesses"  to  which  they  are  imavoidably 
subjected,  who,  in  civilized  life,  woxild  have  been  reared  to  useful  maturity. 


72  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

The  diseases  atteiulaiit  upon  privation  and  exposure  are  the  most  common  amonu;  tiiem,  as 
phthisis,  scrofulous  affections,  rheumatism,  dysentery,  diseases  of  tlie  ear  and  of  tlie  eye. 
These  last  are  remarkahly  frequent  among  Indians  generally,  owing  to  their  exposure  to  the 
glare  of  sun  and  snow,  the  cold  winds  of  the  prairies,  and  the  smoky  atmosphere  of  their 
wigwams.  Tlieir  systems  seem  to  possess  comparatively  hut  little  irritahility,  or  tendency  to 
hif'h  •'•rades  of  inflammation,  and  wounds  usuallv  heal  witli  remarkable  tacilitv.  The  process 
of  parturition  rarely  jjroves  dillicult,  or  interrupts  the  usual  avocations  of  the  woman  more  than 
a  few  hours. 

From  their  long  intercourse  with  the  whites,  the  bands  inhabiting  this  vicinity  have  become 
entirely  dependent  on  them  for  almost  every  article  of  daily  and  indispensable  use,  as  clothing, 
cotton  for  their  teepees,  hunting  and  fishing  apparatus,  knives  and  hatchets,  cooking  utensils, 
even  the  paint  that  adorns  their  faces,  and  the  instruments  that  fashion  their  pipes.  Yet  they 
can  scarcely  be  said  to  have  made  any  progress  in  civilization,  or  to  evince  any  desire  of. 
relinquishing  their  vagrant  habits  and  precarious  means  of  subsistence  for  fixed  habitations  and 
systematic  labor.  When  a  party  of  them,  on  a  late  occasion,  was  laying  before  the  agent  their 
numerous  wants,  he  told  them  that  if  they  would  work  upon  the  farm  like  the  white  men  whom 
he  had  hired,  they  would  never  want  for  food,  and  would  severally  receive  as  much  mo'ney  every 
month  as  their  annuities  amounted  to.  "The  Great  Spirit,"  said  an  Indian  warrior,  in  reply, 
"made  the  squaw,  tlie  negro,  and  the  white  man  for  work;  but  us,  he  made  for  warriors." 

It  is  rare  to  find  a  full-blooded  Sioux  wlio  understands  more  than  a  few  words  of  English,  or 
will  make  use  even  of  those;  and  their  interpreters  are  always  half-breeds  or  white  men. 

If  civilization  has  made  so  little  progress,  Cliristianity  may  be  said  to  have  made  none. 
There  have  been  one  or  more  missionary  establishments  among  these  Indians  for  the  last  twenty 
years.  At  the  mission  on  the  Yellow  Medicine  river,  there  is  preaching  every  Sunday  in  the 
English  and  Dacota  languages,  and  a  day-school,  in  which  Indians  may  be  taught  to  read  the 
Bible  in  tlieir  native  tongue.  But  besides  the  white  and  half-breed  employees  of  the  Indian 
Department,  and  their  families,  there  are  few  or  no  attendants,  either  at  school  or  meeting. 
The  Indians  themselves  seem  perfectly  indifierent,  and  practically  ignore  the  establishment. 

Meteorology. — The  earliest  frosts  recorded  were  on  September  20th,  1853,  October  4th, 
1854,  and  September  27th,  1855;  the  latest  on  May  11th,  1854,  and  May  8th,  1855.  The 
Minnesota  river,  at  the  post,  was  closed  with  ice  November  20th,  1854,  and  opened  on  the  6th 
of  the  ensuing  April.  The  young  grass  was  seen  in  the  bottom  on  the  11th,  and  a  prairie 
flower  on  the  15th  of  April,  1855.  Heavy  thunder-storms  are  not  uncommon  in  the  summer, 
and  several  severe  hail-storms  are  recorded.  Heavy  dews  and  fogs  at  night,  especially  over  the 
river-valley,  are  frequent  in  the  months  of  August  and  September.  The  autumn  weather  is  the 
most  pleasant  of  the  year,  and  much  of  it  has  that  soft  mellow  haziness  characteristic  of  Indian 
summer.  The  winter  weather  is  often  very  rigorous ;  this  severity  depending  on  the  combined 
influence  of  low  temperature  and  the  strong  northwest  winds  which  prevail  at  this  season,  and 
sweep  for  hundreds  of  miles  over  an  almost  imbroken  prairie.  These  winds  render  travelling 
over  the  prairies  in  the  winter  season  not  only  difficult,  but  at  times  dangerous,  by  forming 
extensive  snow-drifts,  rapidly  obliterating  the  roads,  and  fearfully  augmenting  the  dejiressing 
influence  of  cold  upon  the  system.  On  one  occasion,  during  the  present  winter,  when  the  mer- 
cury was  six  degrees  below  zero,  the  atmosphere  was  so  thick  with  drifting  clouds  of  snow, 
borne  onward  by  a  furious  northwest  wind,  that  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  house  could 
not  be  seen  at  the  distance  of  forty  yards ;  and  it  was  almost  impossible  to  keep  one's  eyes  ojien, 
even  for  a  single  moment,  in  the  face  of  the  storm.  On  such  occasions,  the  traveller  whose 
course  is  against  the  wind  renounces  all  thoughts  of  advancing,  and,  if  caught  by  the  storm 
upon  the  prairie,  quickly  retraces  his  steps  to  the  nearest  shelter.  It  is  from  exj^osure  to  these 
winds,  wliicli  so  rapidly  conduct  the  heat  from  the  system,  that  severe  frost-bites  usually  occur; 
while  at  other  times,  though  the  mercury  indicates  a  much  greater  degree  of  cold,  if  the  atmo- 
sphere be  calm,  these  accidents  are  comparatively  rare.     The  great  variation  between  the  sum- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 


73 


mcr  and  winter  temperature  of  this  po.st  gives  to  its  climate  that  excessive  character  peculiar  to 
interior  localities  remote  from  the  modifying  influence  of  large  bodies  of  water.  Fort  Howard, 
on  Green  bay,  is  but  a  few  minutes,  and  Astoria,  on  the  Pacific,  is  about  a  degree  and  a  half 
north  of  Fort  Ridgely  ;  and  subjoined  is  a  comparative  view  of  some  of  the  climate  statistics  of 
these  three  posts.  The  statistics  also  of  some  Atlantic  post,  situated  in  nearly  the  same  lati- 
tude, would  be  an  interesting  addition,  but  the  requisite  data  are  not  at  hand.  Tlie  amount  of 
rain  given  for  Astoria,  is  for  eleven  months  only ;  the  data  from  which  it  was  obtained  being 
incomplete.  The  means  for  Fort  Ridgely  are  calculated  from  the  observations  for  two  years, 
ending  December  31, 1855. 


Stations. 

Annual 
mean. 

Spring 
mean. 

Summer 
mean. 

Autumn 
mean. 

Winter 
mean. 

Maximum 
temperature. 

Minimum 
temperature. 

Rain  and 

melted  snow 

in  inches. 

45.54 
44.33 
5.3.26 

48.75 
43.66 
5180 

70.89 
67.71 
61  63 

48.46 
45  45 
55.48 

14  03 
20.53 
44.15 

98 
99 
94 

—24 

—30 

22 

31  55 

Fort  Howard 

Astoria 

35.74 
60.58 

In  the  accompanying  tabular  statement,*  eighty-two  cases  oi:  intermittent  and  remittent  are  re- 
ported; yet  even  this  number,  though  comparatively  small,  gives  an  exaggerated  idea  of  the 
prevalence  of  miasmatic  disease  at  the  post.  In  many  instances,  the  same  individual  has  been 
reported  sick  of  intermittent  on  two,  and  even  three  and  four  separate  occasions ;  so  that  the  whole 
number  of  persons  who  have  been  ill  of  this  disease  will  not  amount  to  one-half  the  number  of  re- 
ported cases.  And  of  these  individuals,  more  than  one-half  suffered  from  the  disease  previously 
to  coming  here,  and  after  any  unusual  exposure  were  liable  to  have  a  slight  attack,  which  was 
always  registered  as  a  distinct  case  of  intermittent.  But,  after  making  this  allowance,  even 
tlic  small  number  remaining  will  hardly  be  a  fair  criterion  of  the  amount  of  miasmatic  disease 
which  originated  at  the  post,  and  for  the  following  reasons  :  During  a  great  portion  of  the  time, 
the  hospital  accommodations  were  so  inadequate,  that  many  men  on  the  sick-report  were  allowed 
to  rcuiiiin  in  quarters  with  their  companies;  and,  in  these  cases,  the  diagnosis  had  frequently 
to  depend,  in  a  great  measure,  on  the  patient's  own  statements,  which,  among  soldiers,  is,  for 
obvious  reasons,  not  always  reliable  ;  and,  as  a  great  majority  of  the  cases,  both  of  remittent 
and  intermittent,  were  returned  to  duty  within  four  days  after  reporting  sick,  it  is  probable 
that  some  of  them  were  attributable  ratlier  to  some  transient  source  of  irritation  than  to  mias- 
malic  influence. 

Upon  the  whole,  then,  I  may  say  that  I  have  never  seen  a  single  case  of  grave  or  protracted 
miasmatic  fever  at  the  post,  almost  every  one  being  of  that  grade  of  mildness  that  "scarcely 
confines  the  jjatient,  or  requires  the  intervention  of  medicine."  (Wood's  Practice,  art.  Remit- 
tent.) 

Upon  the  foregoing  report,  no  case  of  idiopathic  continued  fever  is  recorded  ;  but,  from  the 
commencement  of  the  present  year  up  to  this  date,  (February,  1850,)  as  many  as  twelve  have  oc- 
enrroil.  Tliougii  some  of  these  cases  continued  for  three  weeks  before  convalesence  fairly  com- 
menced, yet  none  of  them  were  at  any  time  regarded  as  particularly  grave;  the  patients  were 
never  ch_^lirious,  and  were  always  altie  to  get  out  of  lied,  unassisted,  to  attend  to  the  calls  of  na- 
ture. Tlic  present  winter  has  been  colder  than  any  I  have  known  at  the  post,  and  to  economize 
fuel  lias  been  with  us  an  imperative  necessity;  hence,  the  men  have  been  unusually  crowded, 
and  ventilation  and  personal  chanliness  have  doubtless  received  less  attentiiui  tlian  in  more 
favorable  weather.  To  these  causes,  and  the  depressing  influence  of  the  severe  cold,  these 
fever  cases  seem  to  be  attributable. 

?  The  talik-  liore  referred  to  by  "r-  H:is.son  is  omitted,  for  tlie  reason  that  its  form  eannot  oouvcniently  be  adapted  to 
tlie  pa^'osof  tliis  volunio ;  and,  also,  becar.fe  it  is  believed  that  the  aualysis  in  the  text  is  sullicii-ntly  minute  for  practical 

piiipuses. — C. 


S.   96- 


-10 


74  KEPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

One  case  of  sporadic  cholera  was  reported  on  the  30th  of  last  August.  Tlie  jiatieiit  liad  eaten 
a  large  quantity  of  wild  plums  just  before  going  to  lied,  and  was  taken  ill  the  same  night. 
When  I  saw  him,  his  ])ul.sc  was  extremely  feehle,  his  features  pinched,  skin  cold,  nails  blue,  and 
voice  faint;  he  had  violent  cramps,  vomiting,  copious  rice-n-afer  discharges,  and,  in  fact,  the 
usual  symptoms  of  collapse  in  epidemic  cholera.  Tlie  remedies  iised  were  opium,  canqthor, 
brandy,  and  mustard,  as  usual ;  but  the  principal  reliance  was  jilaced  on  calomel,  of  which  I 
administered  about  sixty  grains  within  the  first  half-hour  after  seeing  liim.  No  salivation  or 
other  unpleasant  symptoms  resulted,  and  in  five  days  the  soldier  was  returned  to  duty.  This 
is  the  only  case  of  cholera  which  I  have  seen  at  the  post.  Cases  of  diarrluca  a])pear  to  have  been 
most  frequent  during  the  quarters  ending  December,  1854,  and  Septeml)er,  1855.  Many  of 
these  are  attributable  to  the  wild  plums,  which  are  eaten  freely  in  the  months  of  September  and 
October.  Yet  twenty-one  cases  are  also  reported  for  the  quarter  ending  March,  1855  ;  but,  as 
tlie  duty  during  this  quarter  was  sometimes  very  severe,  and,  as  before  stated,  the  men  who  re- 
ported sick  could  not  always  be  subjected  to  observation  in  hosjiital,  I  have  no  doubt  that 
during  that  period  an  unusual  number  of  feigned  cases  were  reported  And  if  the  soldier  can- 
not be  placed  under  the  strict  surveillance  of  the  medical  officer,  there  is  no  disease  he  will  more 
readily  feign  than  diarrhoea. 

Tlie  case  oi'  thronic  hepatitis  reported,  was  that  of  a  soldier  who  had  been  previously  sick  of 
miasmatic  fever  in  Florida  and  Mexico.  The  generally  light  character  of  the  diseases  of  the 
"respiratorij  system"  can  be  seen  by  a  glance  at  the  table,  and  the  cases  of  pnenmonia  and  pleu- 
ritis,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  were  comparatively  mild.  The  two  desiths  from  phthisis  were 
of  soldiers  who  came  here  in  October,  and  died  in  the  ensuing  March;  and  I  have  little  doubt 
that  tubercles  existed  before  their  arrival  at  the  post.  In  the  other  reported  case,  no  great 
amount  of  disease  was  developed;  urgent  symptoms  were  palliated,  and  the  patient  returned  to 
duty. 

The  death  from  epilepsy  was  in  consequence  of  apoplectic  congestion  occurring  during  a  par- 
oxysm.   The  patient  was  very  intemperate,  and  had  been  subject  to  the  disease  for  many  years. 
In  one  case  of  frost-bite,  it  was  necessary  to  amputate  the  foot ;  the  rest  terminated  without 
any  mutilation. 

But  few  cases  of  severe  rAe?<ma^ic  disease  were  seen,  and  some  reported  acute  might  more 
properly  have  been  classified  as  sub-acute  rheumatism.  Rheumatic  affections  are  favorites  with 
malingerers,  and  it  is  not  imjjrobable  that,  in  the  course  of  two  years  and  a  half,  some  feigned 
cases  have  been  reported. 

"  Abscess  a.r\i\  idcers"  constitute  a  large  item  in  the  report,  for  furunculus  is  a  very  common 
disease  among  soldiers,  particularly  recruits.  Onychia  find  pai-onj/chia  were  almost  exclusively 
confined  to  the  cooks. 

One  hundred  and  sixty-two  cases  of  "woimds  and  injuries"  are  reported,  most  of  which  oc- 
curred to  men  engaged  in  building  operations,  which  have  been  going  on  since  the  establish- 
ment of  the  post. 

The  cases  of  '■^ophthalmia"  were  generally  mild,  and  readily  subdued  by  the  ordinary  treat- 
ment. 

The  cases  registered  as  "  morbi  varii,"  presented  no  characteristic  sufficient  to  warrant  a 
definite  diagnosis.  They  were  borne  on  the  sick-report  but  a  day  or  two,  and  in  many  of  them, 
doubtless,  there  was  nothing  at  all  the  matter. 

The  operations  performed  during  the  period  specified  were  :  one  amputation  of  the  thigh,  in 
a  case  of  gun-shot  wound  of  the  knee-joint;  urethrotomy  once,  in  a  case  of  lacerated  urethra 
from  external  injury;  and  Chopart's  operation  once,  in  a  case  of  frost-bite.  These  were  per- 
formed on  soldiers,  but  I  had  occasion  also  to  amputate  both  the  legs  of  a  female  patient  up- 
wards of  sixty  years  of  age,  whose  feet  had  been  frozen  during  an  exposure  of  three  days  and 
ni"-hts  upon  the  prairie  in  a  snow-storm.     All  the  operations  resulted  favorably. 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION.  75 

Chloroform  was  administered  in  every  case,  excepting  that  of  urethrotomy.  On  this  occa- 
Ri(m  there  was  none  on  liand,  and  the  local  application  of  ice  and  salt,  which  was  employed  as  a 
substitute,  proved  hut  a  poor  one.  Cliloroform  was  also  used  with  admirahle  effect  in  a  case  of 
luxation  of  the  humerus  downwards  into  the  axilla.  Tlie  patient  was  brought  into  the  hospi- 
till  somewhat  drunk  and  in  great  agony,  and,  being  a  powerlul  man,  was  almost  unmanageable. 
Without  the  induction  of  anaesthesia,  aH  attempjts  at  immediate  reduction — so  very  import- 
ant in  these  cases — would  have  been  attended  with  great  risk  of  really  aggravating  the  original 
injury,  and  proving  worse  than  useless,  through  the  patient's  own  violence.  A  towel  strongly 
charged  with  chloroform,  partly  through  persuasion  and  partly  by  force,  was  applied  to  his 
mouth  and  nostrils,  and  almost  in  a  moment  he  lay  senseless  and  relaxed ;  the  luxation  was 
at  once  and  easily  reduced,  and  he  woke  to  ease  and  comfort. 

It  appears  from  the  table  that  every  man  was  reported  sick  about  once  in  every  5^  months  ; 
and  this  fact,  as  well  as  the  general  light  character  of  the  cases,  argues  for  the  post  a  high  de- 
gree of  salubrit}'. 

It  will  also  be  seen  how  essential  it  is,  in  instituting  comparisons  of  the  relative  healthiness 
of  military  and  civil  communities,  based  upon  medical  statistics,  that  the  character  of  the  dis- 
eases, as  well  as  their  numerical  amount,  be  considered.  A  large  proportion  of  cases  borne  upon 
the  army  "returns  of  sick  and  wounded,"  had  they  occurred  in  civil  life,  would  never  have 
been  presented  to  the  notice  of  a  physician.  The  soldier  receives  medical  attention  without  cost, 
and  is,  in  general,  not  backward  in  availing  himself  of  the  privilege  ;  and  if  his  duties  are  in- 
terrupted by  the  slightest  ailment  for  a  single  day,  the  case  is  recorded.  And  from  the  peculiar 
nature  of  his  duties,  they  are  liable  to  be  interrupted  by  a  thousand  accidents,  which  scarcely 
interfere  with  the  ordinary  occupations  of  civil  liie.  Thus,  he  may  be  disqualified  for  military 
duty  by  an  otherwise  trifling  affection  of  a  finger  or  toe  ;  the  one  unfitting  him  for  drill  at  the 
"  manual  of  arms,"  or  the  other  for  marching  with  the  requisite  precision. 

FORT    KEARNY. 

In  the  absence  of  any  special  topographical  report*  resjiecting  this  station,  the  following  brief 
statement  has  been  collated  from  Captain  Howard  Stansbury's  report  of  his  "Exploration  of 
the  Valley  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,"  and  from  other  sources: 

Fort  Kearny  is  o])posito  Grand  Island,  on  the  level  plain  which  extends  south  from  the  Platte  or 
Nebraska  river  to  the  distance  of  three  miles,  where  it  terminates  in  bluffs  of  moderate  elevation. 
The  immediate  site  of  the  fort  is  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  right  bank  of  the  river. 
In  1849,  it  consisted  of  several  adobe  buildings  for  offices  and  stables,  and  two  wooden  struc- 
tures for  quarters.  The  character  of  the  Platte  valley  here  is  that  of  a  flat  prairie,  composed 
of  sand  and  clay,  in  which,  when  the  latter  predominates,  water  is  found  standing  in  small 
pools  ;  but  wlien  the  sand  is  most  abundant,  the  water  passes  through  it  like  a  sieve,  and  is 
quite  drained  away.  The  water  is  generally  clear  and  cool,  but  much  of  the  sickness  among 
emigrants  has  been  attributed  to  its  use.  This  water  is  evidently  derived  from  infiltration  from 
the  higher  levels  and  bluffs,  which  in  this  hidden  manner  discharge  their  surplus  moisture  into 
the  river.     Wood  for  fuel  is  difficult  to  be  had,  and  is  mostly  procured  from  the  island. 

Geographical  position:  latitude  40°  38',  longitude  98°  58' ;  distant  from  Fort  Leavenworth 
311  miles,  by  the  usually  travelled  route,  and  about  midway  between  the  Mississippi  river  and 
the  Rocky  Mountains. 

'=■  In  repeated  instances,  the  absence  of  the  medico-topographical  reports  rcqnired  by  tlie  regulations  for  the  Medical  De- 
partment has  been  a  source  of  no  little  embarrassment  in  tlie  compilation  of  this  work.  It  is  clue  to  the  medicnl  ofticers, 
.however,  to  state,  that  these  omissions  arc  not  owing  to  forgetfulness,  or  intentional  avoidance  of  this 'duty,  but  arise 
from  an  impression  that  the  required  observations  on  topo,i;Tai)hy,  &c.,  &c.,  have  been  made  by  some  of  tlieir  predecessors 
at  the  several  stations.  In  mu.'it  casts,  this  error  might  be  avoided  by  special  examination  of  ,the  retained  records  of  the 
several  hospitals. — C. 


76 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


FORT    LARAMIE. 

Respecting  this  inilitury  station,  Captain  Stansbiiry,  in  tLe  report  above  cited,  gives  tlie  fol- 
lowing particulars: 

"Fort  Laramie,  formerly  known  as  Fort  John,  was  one  of  the  posts  established  by  the  Amer- 
ican Fur  Company  for  the  protection  of  their  trad(i.  Its  walls  are  built  iu  the  usual  style  of 
such  structures,  of  adobe  or  unburnt  brick.  The  soil  in  the  vicinity  appears  to  be  sterile,  owing, 
no  doubt,  to  the  extreme  dryness  of  the  air  and  almost  total  absence  of  dews.  The  great  quan- 
tity of  coarse  conglomerate,  too,  which,  by  its  disintegration,  leaves  the  surface  covered  with 
gravel,  must  operate  as  a  great  impediment  to  cultivation.  The  rocks,  however,  contain  the 
elements  of  fertility,  being  composed  of  limestone,  clay,  and  sand  ;  and,  with  the  aid  of  irrigation, 
the  bottom  lands  of  Laramie  creek  might  be  made  to  produce  most  abundant  crops.  Hay  is  cut, 
about  eight  miles  up  the  stream,  in  quantity  sufhcient  for  the  wants  of  the  garrison." 

According  to  Assistant  Surgeon  G.  K.  "Wood,  the  fort  is  elevated  about  twenty  feet  above  the 
plain  immediately  surrounding  it,  wliich  is  enclosed  by  hills  at  a  distance  of  about  a  mile,  ex- 
cept on  the  north  and  southwest.  The  latter  direction  is  occupied  by  tlie  valley  of  the  Laramie 
river,  through  which  the  wind  sweeps  almost  constantly  with  great  violence ;  in  summer,  raising 
clouds  of  dust  so  dense  as  to  obscure  vision  for  hours;  and  in  winter,  the  snow,  perfectly  dry, 
is  similarly  raised ;  and  lives  are  frequently  lost  on  the  plains  about  the  post,  from  the  inability 
of  the  traveller  to  discover  the  direction  to  pursue. 

As  regards  the  geographical  position  of  Fort  Laramie,  it  is  in  latitude  42°  12'  38",  longitude 
104°  31'  26",  as  determined  by  Captain  Stansbury.  Its  altitude,  4, .519  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  sea. 

The  mean  annual  temperature  is  50°. 6,  having  an  extreme  range  of  123°;  rising  in  summer 
to  102°,  and  falling  in  winter  to  — 21°.     The  mean  annual  precipitation  is  19.98  inches. 


DISEASES. 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  6  of  this  division,  represents  the  aggregate 
amount  of  sickness  and  mortality  among  the  troops  serving  in  the  region  west  of  the  Great 
Lakes : 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALI'J'Y. 


Mean  strength. 

Number  treatci]. 

Deaths. 

RATIO   PER  1,000  or  MEAN  STRENGTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

7,308 
C,'J70 
7,306 
7,  335 

3,158 
3,839 
5,430 
4,320 

22 
21 
25 
13 

4.32 
550 
743 
602 

3 

3 

TJiird  quarter. 

3.4 

1.7 

Anuuul  ratio. .... ■__. 

7,230 

16,747 

81 

2,316 

11.2 

16,707 

77 

2,310                        10  6 

i 

An  examination  of  this  table  shows  that  the  proportion  of  cases  treated  annually,  to  the 
mean  strength  of  the  forces,  is  2.31  to  1 ;  that  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deatlis  is  1  in  89,  or 
1.1  per  cent. ;  and  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  cases  treated  is  1  in  207,  or 
0.4  of  one  per  cent.     Exclusive  of  cholera,  the  deaths  were  1  in  94,  or  about  one  per  cent. 


AMONQ   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 


77 


FEVERS. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOOETn. 

VEAR. 

sto 

•o 

S    . 

1     Itt 

Strfn-'th                               

7,308                 6,970 

7,306 

7,  335 

7,230 

.1  s 

11 

Diiieases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

1    1^ 

Febris  continua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotiiliana. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana  .. 

34 

lU 

124 

7 

14 
0 
0 

290 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

22 

201 

347 

7 

39 

6 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

1 

0 

61 

556 

411 

6 

178 
3 
0 

0 
.  2 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 

34 

309 

4U 

8 

36 

1 

0 

0 

1 
1 

0 
0 
0 
0 

151 

1177 

1293 

28 

267 

10 

0 

0 
3 

1 
0 
2 
1 
0 

0  in    151 
lin    392 

1  in  1293 
Oin       28 
lin    133 
lin       10 
Oin        0 

20 

162 

178 

3 

37 

1 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0 

Total 

0 

622 

1 

1215 

4 

799            2        2926 

7 

lin  418 

407 

1 

An  examination  of  the  original  reports  shows  that  the  military  stations  in  this  region  are, 
with  two  exceptions,  quite  exempt  from  fevers  of  an  intermittent  type.  The  exceptions  are 
Forts  Crawford  and  Des  Moines.  Bearing  in  mind  that  these  posts  ceased  to  be  occupied  by 
regular  troops  in  184G,  the  fact  now  stated  is  quite  apparent  in  the  consolidated  abstracts. 
Thus,  of  556  cases  of  quotidian  fever,  in  the  abstract  for  the  third  quarter,  455  occurred  in  the 
eight  years  from  1839  to'  1846,  inclusive,  and  only  101  during  the  subsequent  eight  years.  Of 
tertian  fevers,  335  occurred  during  the  first  eight  years,  and  76  in  a  corresponding  period  after 
the  abandonment  of  those  two  posts.  A  similar  ratio  will  be  found  to  obtain  in  the  other 
quarters.  Most  of  the  intermittent  fevers  at  other  posts  in  this  region  are  stated  by  the  medi- 
cal officers  to  occur  in  recruits  from  various  points  on  the  lower  Mississippi. 

Surgeon  Alfred  W.  Elwees,  in  his  report  of  sick  at  Fort  Crawford  for  the  third  quarter  of 
1840,  during  whicli  intermittent  fever  and  dysentery  had  been  very  rife,  holds  the  following 
language : 

"The  present  report  exhibits  an  unusual  degree  of  sickness.  I  had  anticipated  this  early  in 
the  season.  The  Mississippi  has  bec-n  unusually  low  during  tlie  whole  summer,  and  tlie 
season  dry.  The  prevailing  winds  during  the  month  of  July,  south  ;  in  August,  east  and 
southwest;  and  in  September,  south  and  southwest.  East  and  southeast  winds  bring  the  fogs 
from  the  Wisconsin,  and  the  south  and  southwest  winds  those  from  the  extended  marsh  lying  in 
front  of  the  village  of  Prairie  du  Chien  and  the  fort.  The  course  of  the  winds,  the  dryness  of 
the  summer,  and  the  unusually  low  stage  of  water  in  the  Mississippi,  abundantly  explain  the 
existence  of  so  much  intermittent  fever ;  and  when  a  remarkably  damp  atmosphere,  almost 
daily  fogs,  and  frequently  cool  mornings,  are  added  to  the  other  prolific  causes  of  bilious  fever, 
the  epidemic  dysentery  whicli  has  prevailed  here  may  be  readily  accounted  for." 

Surgeon  George  F.  Turner  makes  the  following  remarks  in  transmitting  the  report  of  sick  at 
Fort  Snelling,  for  the  quarter  ending  September  30,  1840  : 

"A  large  proportion  of  the  cases  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fever  reported  had  their 
origin  at  Fort  Crawford,  and  occurred  here  in  men  belonging  to  a  comjniny  of  infantry  wliich 
returned  to  this  post.  There  was  nothing  peculiar  in  the  treatment  of  these  cases,  except,  per- 
haps, the  use  of  the  tartrate  of  antimony  in  combination  with  the  suljihate  of  quinine,  wliich  was 
always  prescribed  when  there  was  a  reasonable  doubt  as  to  the  condition  of  the  system  to  bear 
the  stimulating  effect  of  quinine;  and  especially  in  the  remittent  cases,  in  which  the  diaphoretic 
efiect  of  the  tartrate  of  antimony  was  almost  always  produced  when  combined  with  the  quinine, 


78 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


while  the  latter  had  its  specific  eflect  in  preventing  the  recurrence  of  the  periodic  paroxysm. 
The  following  is  the  usual  prescription:  Sulph  :  quiniio,  grs.  x;  tart:  ant:  et  potass,  gr.  1.; 
ft^  pil:  no.  viij;  one  every  hour  during  apyrexia.  I  consider  the  combination  invaluable  in 
the  treatment  of  intermittents  and  remittents,  but  i)articularly  tlie  latter  ;  and  my  conclusion 
is  founded  on  my  experience  in  the  management  of  tliese  diseases  in  Florida." 

DlSZiVSES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YKAR. 

0 

l 

0  » 

§  s 

0 

1 

g 

s  1 

Strength 

7,308 

6,970 

7,306 

7,335 

7,230 

0)    m 

DisGnscs. 

Cuscs. 

Deaths. 

I 
Cases.  1  Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Oases. 

Deaths. 

1^ 

0 
116 
18 
4 
0 
1 
6 

0 
3 
0 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

7 

369 

60 

1 

1 

1 
0 

1 
0 
0 

33 

974 

247 

10 

5 

7 

3 

162 

224 

3 
3 
0 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 

429 

51 

12 

1 

4 

5 

93 

165 

0 
1 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 

1 

40 

1888 

376 

27 

7 

20 

19 

424 

713 

4 

7 
1 
6 
1 
0 
1 
0 

1 

lin     10 
1  in  269 

1  in  376 

2  in       9 
1  in       7 
Oin     20 
1  in     19 
Oin   424 

1  in  713 

Diarrhoea. . 

261 
52 

Dysenteria  chronica 

4 

Enteritis --     _    --- 

I 

Hepatitis  acuta 

8 

5 

102 

178 

0 

1 

0 
0 

2  7 

">  6 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this  65-8- 
tem 

Total 

67 
146 

58 
98 

358 

7 

731          3 

1665 

7 

760 

4 

3514 

21 

1  in  167 

486 

1 

3474 

17 

1  in  204 

480 

j 

The  only  military  stations  in  tliis  region  visited  by  cholera  were  Forts  Kearny  and  Laramie. 
It  is  well  known  that  in  the  summer  of  1849  the  emigrants  crossing  the  western  jjlains  suffered 
with  this  disease.  The  garrisons  at  the  abovementioned  posts,  on  the  line  of  emigration^  es- 
caped ;  but  two  cases  being  reported — one  at  each  post.  Assistant  Surgeon  William  Hammond, 
jr.,  at  Fort  Kearny,  states  that  the  case  of  cholera,  included  in  his  report  for  the  quarter  end- 
ing June  30th,  1849,  was  brought  to  that  post.  No  case  originated  there.  The  case  included 
in  the  report  for  Fort  Laramie,  really  occurred  on  the  march  to  that  post  from  Fort  Leaven- 
worth . 

Taking  the  quarterly  rejjorts  from  Fort  Kearny  in  due  order,  it  is  foimd  that  in  June,  1850, 
Assistant  Surgeon  Wm.  Hammond,  jr.,  reports  the  health  of  the  troops  good,  but  adds  tliat 
"  the  California  emigrants,  between  Forts  Leavenworth  and  Laramie,  have  suffered  a  good  deal 
from  a  disease  called  by  them  cholera,  and  which,  in  its  sometimes  rapid  and  fatal  course,  very 
much  resembles  that  malady ;  but  which  was  nothing  more  than  an  acute  form  of  diarrhoea, 
brought  on  by  excessive  imprudence  in  diet,  and  exposure  to  many  hardships  on  the  plains,  to 
which  they  were  entirely  unaccustomed  at  home.  The  universal  use  of  quack  nostrums,  called 
cholera  mixtures,  compo/!cd  principally  of  brandy  and  Cayenne  pepper,  has  tended  to  aggravate 
the  disease  when  formed.  I  have  seen  a  great  many  cases  among  the  emigrants,  all  of  which, 
when  fairly  treated  with  calomel,  opium,  and  astringents,  have  readily  yielded.  I  do  not  think 
there  has  been  any  true  Asiatic  cholera  upon  the  plains  this  summer." 

The  quarterly  report  of  this  officer  for  June,  1851,  contains  the  following  remarks:  "The 
case  of  cholera  reported  above  occurred  in  a  recruit,  just  arrived  from  Fort  Leavenworth,  who 
had  been  suffering  with  diarrhoea  several  days  before  reaching  this  post.     When  brought  to  the 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION.  79 

hospital,  at  11  o'clock  a.  ii.,  June  28,  he  had  all  the  symptoms  of  Asiatic  cholera — constant  and 
profuse  rice-water  discharges  from  the  stomach  and  bowels;  violent  cramps  in  all  the  limbs; 
pulse  almost  imperceptible  ;  skin  cool  and  shrunken.  Gave  calomel,  15  grains;  opium,  1  grain; 
and  applied  -blister  to  abdomen.  At  1  o'clock  p.  m.  gave  calomel,  30  grains  ;  soon  after  which, 
vomiting  and  purging  became  less  frequent,  and  ceased  about  midnight,  at  which  time  the 
pulse  had  increased  in  volume,  and  tlie  siciu  was  slightly  warm."     This  patient  recovered. 

In  transmitting  his  report  for  the  quarter  ending  June  30th,  1852,  Assistant  Surgeon  Ham- 
mond makes  the  following  statement :  "The  two  cases  of  cholera  reported  in  Jane  are  the  first 
that  have  occurred  among  the  troops  slationed  at  this  post.  The  men  had  been,  on  detached  ser- 
vice at  the  village  of  the  Pawnee  Indians,  on  the  Platte  river,  abrmt  thirty  miles  from  the  State 
line.  One  of  them  was  drunk  several  times  on  the  road.  They  both  had  diarrhoea  while  absent, 
which  continued  after  their  return  to  Fort  Kearny,  but  did  not  report  sick  until  the  rice-water 
discharges  and  cramps  of  cholera  announced  the  gravi(y  of  their  complaints.  When  I  first  saw 
them,  all  the  violent  symptoms  of  cholera  were  jjreseut,  large  and  repeated  doses  of  calomel  were 
immediately  resorted  to,  and  promptly  arrested  the  disease.  I  have  seen  some  five  or  six  cases 
of  Asiatic  cholera  among  the  emigrants;  all  of  which  proved  fatal.  In  these  cases,  there  had 
been  premonitorj-  diarrhcea  of  several  days,  and  even  weeks'  standing.  I  have  had  frequent  oc- 
casion to  treat  this  diarrhcea,  and  found  it  to  yield  readily  under  the  use  of  calomel  with  a  very 
small  portion  of  opium.  The  treatment  which  I  have  found  most  beneficial,  in  fully  developed 
cholera,  was  large  and  repeated  doses  of  calomel.  This  remedy  has  seldom  failed  to  produce  a 
prompt  and  decided  alleviation  of  the  symptoms,  when  given  in  doses  of  from  20  to  60  grains, 
before  the  total  prostration  of  the  stage  of  collapse." 

The  reports  from  Fort  Kearny  for  June  and  September,  1854,  show,  that  while  the  troops 
continued  healthy,  cholera  prevailed  among  the  emigrants.  The  reports  for  the  summer  of 
1853  make  no  mention  of  this  disease. 

The  case  of  cholera  reported  in  the  abstract  for  the  second  quarter  of  1850,  and  the  tnirty 
cases  in  the  third  quarter  of  that  jear,  occurred  at  Fort  Laramie.  Respecting  this  disease. 
Surgeon  S.  P.  Moore  makes  the  following  remarks,  in  transmitting  his  report  of  sick  at  that 
post,  for  the  third  quarter  of  1850: 

"The  Asiatic  cholera,  one  of  the  most  formidable  and  destructive  pestilences  the  world 
has  ever  known,  made  its  appearance  at  this  post  during  the  past  season.  I  do  not  intend  to 
give  more  than  a  brief  sketch  of  the  epidemic,  and  to  trace  its  progress  to  this  station.  In  the 
spring  of  1849,  the  cholera  appeared  among  the  emigrants,  in  their  encampments  at  or  near 
the  towns  on  the  frontier,  irom  whence  they  took  their  departure  for  California  and  Oregon; 
the  prevalence  of  the  disease  hastened  the  departure  of  many  companies,  they  believing  the 
extensive  and  healthy  prairies  would  dissipate  all  traces  of  the  destroyer  ;  but  for  a  time  they 
were  mistaken,  for  cases  of  cholera  continued  to  occur  to  within  fifty  miles  of  this  post.  Three 
soldiers,  forming  an  escort  from  Fort  Kearny,  arrived  here  in  July,  1849;  one  was  attacked 
with  cholera  about  the  end  of  the  same  month,  and  another  the  1st  of  August,  as  will  be  seen 
by  my  quarterly  report  for  that  period.  These  were  the  only  cases  at  the  post  Tliis  year,  the 
l)rogress  of  the  disease  has  been  somewhat  difierent;  it  attacked  the  emigrants  after  they  had 
left  the  frontier  towns.  The  disease  was  prevailing,  however,  on  the  Missouri  river,  and  may 
have  prevailed  among  the  emigrants  before  they  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  the  land  of 
promittd  riches.  The  emigrants  were  healthy  when  they  left;  it  was  after  the  emigration  had 
been  on  the  route  many  days  that  the  disease  appeared,  about  the  Big  Blue,  thirty  miles  from 
Fort  Kearny ;  from  this  point  to  the  upper  crossing  of  the  Platte  river,  a  distance  of  about 
four  hundred  and  seventy  miles,  the  emigrants  suffered  severely.  Beyond  the  crossing,  the 
disease  disappeared.  Recruits  for  this  post  left  Fort  Leavenworth  last  sjiring,  perfectly  liealthv, 
and  continued  so  until  their  road  met  the  one  from  Independence  on  one  side,  and  the  St. 
Joseph's  on  the  other,  and  then  they  were  in  the  midst  of  tlie  emigration;  on  the  Big  Blue  the 
cholera  broke  out  among  the  men.     This  fort  is  one  mile  south  of  the  road  to  California  and 


80  REPORT   ON    THK   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

Oregon,  and  ovcrnin  liy  the  emigration.  Tlio  first  caso  of  cliolera  was  on  the  21st  of  June. 
From  tlie  healtliy  state  of  tiie  troops,  I  hail  hoped  we  slidiild  escape.  It  was  not  so;  (liarrJKEa 
became  quite  prevalent,  showing  some  atmosi)heric  influence  at  work;  and  on  tlie  4tli  of  July 
another  case  occurred;  the  last  case  was  on  the  20th  of  tlie  same  month.  Much  has  been 
written  as  to  whether  this  disease  is  communicated  from  tiic  sick  to  the  healthy,  in  the  manner 
of  a  contagion,  or  not.  From  the  foregoing  short  description,  it  appears  to  depend  upon  a  pecu- 
liar condition  of  the  atmosphere ;  that  all  are  liable  to  it,  when  under  its  influence,  and  in  this 
way  predisposed  to  the  disease.  The  cholera  was  confined  to  the  road,  and  among  the  emi- 
grants. Many  Indians  remained  on  the  road  through  curiosity,  and  for  the  purpose  of  beg- 
ging; they  paid  a  terrible  penalty.  Other  bands  of  Indians,  wiser  than  the  above,  left  the 
road  so  soon  as  they  learned  there  was  disease  among  the  whites,  and  escaped.  Of  the  thirty 
cases  in  July,  nine  only  were  of  the  soldiers,  who  had  arrived  here  the  previous  year ;  the  other 
cases  were  from  the  recruits  just  joined,  and  who  had  journeyed  witli  the  emigration,  and  conse- 
quently were  subjected  to  the  cholera  atmospheric  influence.  The  hospital  at  this  post  is  very 
small;  all  tlie  patients  were  sent  to  it;  yet  in  no  instance  did  it  attack  those  attached  to  the 
hospital,  or  the  otlier  iiatients.  The  two  cases  that  occurred  in  July  and  August,  1849,  were 
alone ;  the  command  continued  healthy.  Not  a  single  case  of  cholera  occurred  at  the  post ;  but 
many  persons  were  necessarily  exposed,  and,  if  the  disease  is  contagious,  it  is  incredible  that 
so  great  a  number  of  i)ersons  exjiosed  should  escape.  It  appears  difficult  to  account  for  all  the 
phenomena  connected  with  the  spread  of  this  disease,  without  the  existence  of  another  agency 
than  contagion.  Many  hypotheses  have  been  raised  to  explain  this  influence,  but  they  do  not 
rest  on  facts,  and  we  must  admit  our  ignorance  of  the  nature  of  this  agency.  If  epidemic 
influenza  is  contagious,  so  is  Asiatic  cholera. 

"With  regard  to  the  meteorological  phenomena  of  the  past  quarter,  there  was  nothing  to  be 
observed.  The  post  was  kept  m  good  and  strict  police;  thedietconsistingprincipally  of  fresh  meat 
and  rice.  I  presume  I  saw  and  prescribed  for  every  sick  emigrant  passing  the  fort,  and  many  were 
necessarily  left  under  my  charge.  Stimulating  emetics,  in  the  forming  stage,  were  prescribed 
with  the  happiest  effect.  It  is  known  that  active  vomiting  excites  the  action  of  the  heart  and 
arteries,  and  impels  the  blood  from  the  central  vessels  to  the  surface,  and  should  give  a  healthy 
impulse  to  the  circulation  in  this  disease.  In  the  stage  of  collapse,  I  am  disposed  to  think  that 
the  ordinary  remedies  of  the  materia  medica  arc  not  sufficiently  powerful ;  the  patient  may  be 
considered  as  lost;  the  remedy  is  yet  to  be  discovered;  and  I  have  nothing  to  ofl'er  which  can 
elucidate  the  treatmeni  of  this  disease.  More  extensive  trials  should  be  given  to  the  inhalation 
of  chloroform  and  oxygen  gas." 

Respecting  this  disease,  as  it  prevailed  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Laramie  in  1852,  Assistant 
Surgeon  G.  K.  Wood  makes  the  following  statement:  "In  the  summer  of  1852,  the  number 
of  emigrants  crossing  the  plains  from  the  Missouri  to  California  was  very  large,  and  cholera 
appeared  among  them  from  the  commencement  of  their  march.  About  one  thousand  deaths 
occurred  on  the  Platte  river.  The  disease,  although  affecting  all  classes  of  the  emigrants — 
those  furnished  with  every  possible  comfort,  as  well  as  the  mendicant  begging  his  way  to 
El  Dorado — was  not  in  a  single  instance  communicated  to  those  living  in  the  country,  or 
returning  on  the  road  from  California.  At  Fort  Laramie,  the  military  hospital  was  constantly 
crowded  with  the  sick ;  they  were  lying  about  the  garrison  and  in  tents  in  the  surrounding 
country;  were  waited  upon  by  the  hospital  attendants,  visited  by  the  soldiers,  and  treated  by 
the  medical  officer  on  duty.  Almost  all  had  the  disease  severely;  nearly  all  died  ;  yet,  not  in 
a  single  instance  was  the  disease  communicated  even  to  those  of  the  garrison  in  most  imme- 
diate contact  with  the  sick." 

The  solitary  case  of  cholera  reported  in  1854  occurred  at  Fort  Snelling,  in  a  recruit,  who 
landed  at  the  fort  in  a  state  of  collapse,  and  died  in  a  few  hours. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Head,  writing  from  Fort  Eipley  on  the  1st  of  July,  1850,  states  that 
"  since  the  latter  part  of  May  a  strong  tendency  to  diseases  of  the  intestines,  chiefly  diarrhcea 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION. 


81 


and  acute  dysentery,  has  been  observed,  principally  among  citizens  employed  in  the  quarter- 
master's department,  settlers  in  the  country,  and  some  of  the  Indian  tribes  in  our  neighborhood. 
The  same  disposition  was  remarked  last  summer  and  autumn,  to  a  degree  very  unusual  in  so 
high  a  latitude."  In  the  report  of  this  officer  for  September,  1851,  the  prevalence  of  diarrhoea 
and  dysentery  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Kijiley  is  again  remarked. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  - - -- 

FIRST. 

SECO.N-D. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

O 
(0 

s 

"s  i 

=  ?, 

S  f 

Strength 

1, 

308 

6, 

970 

7,306 

7, 

335 

7, 

230 

V      DO 

•i  o 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

i. 

o 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

20 

3 

20 

1 

38 

1 

30 

0 

108 

5 

1  in      21 

14.9 

Catarrhus 

656 

0 

475 

0 

419            0 

628 

0 

2178 

0 

0  in  2178 

301 

Phthisis  pulmonulis 

7 

5 

9 

5 

7     1       5 

7 

0 

30 

15 

1  in        2 

i 

Pleuritis 

49 

0 

47 

2 

21 

0 

36 

0 

153 

2 

1  in      76 

21 

Pneumonia 

21 

2 

33 

0 

8 

0 

25 

2 

87 

4 

1  in      22 

10.6 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 

tem  

9 

0 

11 

0 

23 

0 

12 

0 

55 

0 

0  in      55 

7.6 

Total 

762 

10 

595 

S 

516 

6 

738 

2 

2611 

26 

1  in    100 

361 

Rheumatismns 

238 

2 

291 

0 

270 

1 

259 

0 

1058 

3 

1  in   352 

146 

Tlie  influenza  prevailed  epidemically  at  Forts  Crawford,  Winnebago,  and  Snelling,  in  July 
and  August,  1843.  No  mention  is  made  of  tlie  disease  at  or  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Atkinson, 
the  only  remaining  post  in  tliis  region  then  occupied. 

With  reference  to  tlie  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system  at  Fort  Laramie,  Assistant  Surgeon 
G.  K.  Wood  submits  tlie  following  remarks  : 

"  The  climate  of  those  broad  and  elevated  table-lands  wliich  slcirt  tlie  base  of  tlie  Rocky 
Mountains  on  the  east,  is  especially  beneficial  to  persons  suflering  from  pulmonary  disease,  or 
witli  a  scrofulous  diathesis.  This  has  been  known  to  the  French  inhabitants  of  the  upper  Mis- 
sissippi and  Missouri  for  many  years  ;  and  it  has  been  their  custom,  since  the  settlement  of  that 
portion  of  the  country,  to  send  the  younger  members  of  their  families,  who  showed  any  ten- 
dency to  diseases  of  the  lungs,  to  pass  their  youth  among  the  trappers  of  the  plains  and  mount- 
ains. The  beneficial  result  of  this  course,  no  doubt,  depends,  in  a  great  measure,  upon  the 
mode  of  life  led  by  tliese  persons — their  regular  habits,  constant  exercise  in  the  open  air,  and 
tlie  absence  of  the  enervating  influences  incident  to  life  in  cities  ;  but  that  more  is  due  to  the 
climate  itself,  is  shown  by  the  fact,  that  among  the  troops  stationed  in  this  region  (whose  habits 
are  much  the  same  everywhere),  this  class  of  disease  is  of  very  rare  occurrence.  The  reports 
from  the  line  of  posts  stretching  from  the  upper  Platte,  through  New  Mexico,  to  the  IJio  Grande, 
give  a  smaller  proportion  of  cases  of  pulmonary  disease  than  those  from  any  other  portion  of  the 
United  States.  Tlie  air  in  this  region  is  almo.st  devoid  of  moisture  ;  there  are  no  sudden 
changes  of  temperature  ;  the  dejjressing  heats  of  the  eastern  summers  are  never  felt ;  and, 
although  in  the  north  the  winters  are  extremely  cold,  a  stimulant  and  tonic  #ilect  is  the  only 
result  of  exposure  in  the  open  air. 

"  It  is  of  great  importance  that  the  climate  of  this  region  should  be  generally  known,  that 
the  present  injudicious  course  of  sending  con;umptives  to  the  hot,  low,  and  moist  coast  and 

S.   SG 11 


82  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MOUTAMTY,    ETC. — NOUTHEKN    DIVISION, 

islands  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  should  he  ahandoiied.  In  tliseases  of  dehility,  the  remedies 
are  tonics  and  stimulants.  What  is  more  debilitating  than  affections  of  the  lungs,  and  what 
less  tonic  than  heat  and  moisture  combined,  as  is  found  in  the  climate  of  the  Gulf  coast?  It  is 
simply  not  cold,  and  lias  no  other  advantage  over  the  northern  States.  The  tovens  of  New- 
Mexico  should  be  selected  as  a  refuge  for  those  showing  a  tendency  to  disease  of  the  lungs,  or 
scrofula,  anywhere  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains^  and  west  of  the  region  where  'northers'  pre- 
vail." 

The  reports  of  sick  contain  no  other  special  remark  concerning'  diseases  of  the  respiratory 
system,  if  we  except  the  following,  respecting  consumption,  by  Surgeon  George  F.  Turner,  in 
Decfember,  1842  :  "Considering  the  medical  topography  of  Fort  Snelling,  the  striking  vicissi- 
tudes of  temperature  at  all  seasons,  the  high  annual  range  of  the  thermometer,  and  the  pecu- 
liarly exposed  position  of  the  station  in  reference  to  winds,  it  might  be  suspected  of  favoring 
the  development  of  phthisis  pulmonalis.  The  fact,  however,  is  otherwise  ;  for  of  2,267  cases 
of  disease  treated  at  this  post  during  the  last  ten  years,  seven  cases  only  are  registered  as  phthisis ; 
a  ratio  which  will  probably  compare  favorably  with  that  of  any  military  post  in  the  Union." 

Scurvy. — This  disease  manifested  itself  among  the  troops  at  Forts  Kearny  and  Laramie  in 
the  first  and  second  quarters  of  1840  and  1850.  Surgeon  S.  P.  Moore's  report  for  the  first 
quarter  of  1850  has  the  following  remarks: 

''The  scurvy  has  increased  to  a  much  greater  degree  than  was  anticipated.  Thirteen  of  the 
cases  were  very  severe,  attended  by  great  lassitude ;  stifi'ness  of  the  knees  and  feet ;  respiration 
difficult  upon  the  slightest  exertion ;  the  countenance  exhibiting  a  pale,  sallow,  and  bloated 
appearance ;  maculas  first  on  the  legs,  then  thighs  and  arms ;  (Edematous  swelling  of  the  legs, 
and  extensive  anasarcous  effusions  ;  the  gums  spongy  and  tender,  and  apt  to  bleed  on  the 
slightest  touch  ;  the  urine  turbid  and  dark  colored;  the  muscular  power  much  prostrated;  the 
blood  dissolved.  Indurations  of  the  muscles,  and  severe  pain  in  the  thighs,  back,  and  knees, 
were  frequent.  In  some  of  the  cases,  pain  in  the  intestines,  and  constipation ;  extensive  sub- 
cuticular extravasations  of  blood  on  the  extremities  and  other  parts  of  the  body;  passive 
haemorrhages  from  the  gums  and  nose,  the  gums  separating  from  the  teeth,  and  the  teeth  be- 
coming loose  in  their  sockets.  In  the  fatal  case,  extreme  prostration  occurred,  with  anxious 
and  oppressed  respiration^  dysenteric  discharges,  and  convulsions.  The  habitual  use  of  salt 
and  unwholesome  food,  conjoined  with  fatiguing  labor,  were  the  exciting  causes  of  the  disease. 
In  treating  the  disease,  the  causes  have  been  removed  as  much  as  possible;  fresh  animal  food 
was  given  in  conjunction  with  vegetable  acid  drinks.  During  convalescence  much  benefit  was 
derived  from  tonics,  particularly  the  mineral  acids.  The  solution  of  nitrate  of  potash  in  vine- 
gar, so  highly  spoken  of,  failed  to  produce  any  beneficial  results  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  caused 
pain  in  the  intestines  and  diarrhoea."  In  a  subsequent  report,  Surgeon  Moore  observes  that 
the  almost  entire  exemption  of  the  troops  from  scurvy  is  due  to  the  liberal  supply  of  anti-scor- 
butics furnished  by  the  Subsistence  Department. 


ABSTRACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCUKRING  AMONG   THE    TROOPS 


NOHTHEEN  DIVISION. 


84 


REPORT    ON    TUK    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 
No.  1.— iVBSTllACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURIUNG  AMONG  THE 


1 

FIRST  aUARTEE. 

1839. 

1840.            1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

129. 

329. 

529. 

423. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

1 

1 

Febris  intermittens  quotididna 

1 

Fevers 

Fehris  intermittens  quartana 

Febris  rcmittcns 

1 

Febris  tvph  us 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1  .  ... 

[ 

Varioloid 

I 

Cholera  Asialica 

; 

Diarrhoea 

1 

1 

4 

3 

1 

5 
1 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Diseases    of  the    oryans 

Dysenteria  chronica 

1 

Enteritis 

1 

Hepatitis  acuta 

1 

1 

1 
2 

6 

Obsiipatio 

1 
9 

o 

8 

1 
17 

I 

All  otlier  diseases  of  this  svslem 

4 

Calarrhus 

18 

32 
3 

1 
8 

25 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

1 
3 
1 

1 
1 

Pneumonia 

2 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1       1 
1 
1 

, 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

2 
3 

1 

Neuralgia 

i 

1 

2 

1 
8 

1 

Diseases  of  the  urinar>' 
and  genital  organs. 

Sirictura  urcthrte 

1 

Svpliilis  consccutiva 

.... 

1 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

.:":::;:::: 

1 
1 
5 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

Podagra 

1 
7 

muscular  structures. 

3 

7 

Fistula 

Abscesses  aqd  ulcers .... 

1 

1 

8 
1 
1 
17 
2 

3 

1 
1 

11 
1 
1 

2 
4 

1 

Ulcus 

:::::::::::: 

1 
7 
2 

Contusio 

3 


Luxaiio 

::::::  ::::;:i 

Wounds' and  injuries....' 

3 

1 

3 
6 
1 
2 

3 

• 

5 
4 

Vulnus  laceratuin 

Vulnus  sclopeiicum 

, 

::::::  ::::':i 

2 
2 

1 

1 
9 

2 
3 

1 

1 

2 

1 
4 

2 
8 

7 

2 
4 
5 

3 

All  other  diseases 

Total 

53 

122 

1 

118 

96 

I 



AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC  REGION.— COAST  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 


85 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 
8TRENGTU. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848.            1849. 

1 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

387. 

n.'i. 

342. 

307. 

479. 

414. 

401. 

72. 

3,927. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.!  Died. 

1 

Cases. 

''"'■'•:  c^ar 

Total 
died. 

1 

5 
6 
5 

1 

1 

7 

30 

6 

14 

18 

45 

1 

2 

3 

7 



3 

3 

3 

1 

32 

1 

39 
3 

a 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

I 

1 







13 
3 

5 
4 

9 

1 

2 



7 

8 
3 

2 

10 

18 
5 
6. 

3 

1 

...:::r-8i-- 

94 

3 



1 

a 

15 

1 

1 
1 

19 
84 
13 
351 
7 
33 
18 

.■.'.■::: ::.::: 

4 

8 

a 
a 
a 

23 

1 
10 

2 
34- 

1 
8 
2 

2 
13 

5 

4 

8 

10 

7 

67 

35 

1 

1 

22 

19 

54 

5 



1 

1 

9 

3 

1 

2 

1 
1 
2 

6 
2 

2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
3 
1 
2 
4 

1 

1 

a 

3 

9 

1 

3 

4 
1 

3 

1 

9 

17  i; 

_ 

1 

1 

15 
2 
13 
31 

15 
17 

"■; ;•■ 

2 
3 

1 
3 

a 

1 

1 

6 

2 

2 
1 

2 
8 

1 

4 

5 
1 
2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

5 

63 

4 

61 

9 

13 

119 

10 

8 

34 

48 

16 

6 

3 

5 

47 

10 

3 

14 

9S 

127 

2 

2 
6 

1 
3 
2 
11 
3 
2 

5 

6 

6 
1 
6 

9 

1 

11 

1 

a 

18 

5 

4 





8 
2 

1 
6 



B 
1 
1 

17 
1 

2 
17 
1 
2 
3 
2 
2 

1 
4 

3  :::::: 

13 

3 

2 
3 

4 

4 

1 
2 
o 

4 
2 

3 

1 
4 

I 

1 
8 

a 

1 

6        

7      

1 
1 

\ 

I 
2 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

a 

1 

• 

14 
2 

3 

............ 

3 

8 
2 
1 
2 
1 
40 

1 



1 

1 

1 



1 

1 
1 

1 
3 
8 

1 
2 
13 

2 

1 

.>...- 

1 

1 

1 
1 



10 

14 

20     

1 

1 

57 

149 

2 

112 

a 

iai 

a 

192 

242 

3 

33 

1,537 

10 

86 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 
No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


VBAR8 

SECOND  aUARTER. 

1839. 

18i0. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OI'  DIS- 

1 

EASEri. 

132. 

513. 

511. 

403. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

leases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

I 

3 

1 

. 

2 

Eruptive  fevers 

Scarlatina 

14 

4 
2 

5 

1 

3 

Diseases    of  the   orgnns 
connected  witii  the  di- 
gestive system. 

: 



2 

2 
4 
13 

1 
18 

2 

11 



1 
24 

9 

1 

64 
2 
3 

1 


6 

Diseases  of  tlie  respira- 
tory system. 

2 

4 
3 

2 
3 

4 

1 
2 
2 

1 

2 

DiBeases  of  the  brain  and 

1 

nervous  system. 

9 

7 

2 
6 

- 

6 
1 

2 

and  genital  organs. 



1 

2 
1 

3 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  J 

1 

5 

2 
2 

muscular  structures.     1 

I 

8 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

I 

19 
2 

12 

8 
1 

Ulcus 

1 
10 
2 

Contusio 

U 

1 

4 

» 

Wounds  and  ijijuries 

Bub-luxatio 

4 
5 

4 
3 

1 

2 
2 
2 
1 

1 
4 
6 
2 

Vulnus  punctum 

2 

Ebrietas 

1 

2 

7 

Ha-'morrhois 

3 

1 

Miscellaneous ■ 

Morbi  oc'uii 

8 

9 

3 

1 

» 

29 

2         10 

5 

Total t 

1 

49 

1 

186 

2 

163 

1 

99 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TllOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NOETH  ATLANTIC  KEGION.— COAST  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 


87 


' 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

AOOREOATE 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1^48. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

390. 

112. 

430. 

299. 

433. 

429. 

383. 

61. 

4,096. 

c 

ases.  1 

Died.  C 

ases.  : 

3icd.  C 

ases. 

Died.  C 

;ases. 

Died.  C 

^ases. 

Died.  ( 

;ases.  Died.  C 

'ases.  Died.  C 

'ases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

" 

1     . 
1      . 

1      . 
4      . 

8      . 

2 
3 
5 
4 
3 
1 

i 

10 
Si 
70 

5 
31 

8 

6      . 

11      . 
37     . 

1  . 

2  . 

5     . 
13      . 



1      . 
7      . 

21      . 



2      . 

1 



1      . 

3 

1 

.     i 

1 

1 

! 

1 

:::::!  :::;.i 

4 
1 
3 

4 
2 

6 
3 
6 

1 

4 

1 

10 

4 
2 

1 

23 
.■i 

17 

10     ' 
1 



1 

94 

SI 

13 

1 

4 

30 

119 
16 

254 

0 

30 

14 

12 

6 

17 

13 

4 

30 

47 

1 

U 

10 

12 

1 



6 
13 

1 
29 

1 
2 
2 

1 

6 
13 

2 
25 

1 
10 

1 
22 

1 

2 

2 
18 

5 
27 

u 

10 
4 

26     1 

1 
1 

5 

1 
8 

5 
1 
13 
2 
2 
1 

1 

2 

2 

5 
1 
1 
3 

2 

3 

3 
4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 
1 
4 
2 

... 

3 

1 

2 

7 

1 
3 
3 
3 
2 



1 

1 
2 

6 

6 

7 

3 

3 


1 

2 
3 

1 

1 



4 
2 
2 

I 





a 

1 

3 







1 

1 

I 

4 

1 

5 
90 

1 

131 

18 

8 
139 
10 

6 
SI 
41 
19 

8 

1 

2 
U 

6 

16 

1 
15 

1 

3 

11 

13 

13 

'      1 

7 



23 
1 

1 
10 

'^ 

20 
6 
4 

29 
1 
•2 

5 
5 

1 

9 
6 

1 
1 
12 

1 

1 
13 

12 
3 

11 
2 
2 
6 

7 
2 

15 

3 

1 
12 

1 
5 
3 
1 

1 

5 
2 
1 

1 

4 
6 

2 
4 
3 



1      » 

1 
9 

.       2 
5 
1 

1 

1 
1 
2 
1 

5 
43 

11 

4 

4 

43 

1 

215 

10 
1 
1 
2 
3 
1 

24 

169 

■1 

1 



2 

7 

2 

I 

.1 

1 

1 

1 

9 

.        2 

■        ' 

5 



1 

.......  ......|..... 

1 

4 

12 

.      24 

.      23 

1 

41 

.      31 

.       3 

1         4 

1 

1 

67 

L... 

.    197 

.     121 

.    234 

2 

356           1 

198 

1 

35 



1,774    '          9 

i 

1 

88 


REPORT    ON    TUE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 
Ko.  1.— AJ3STIUCT  OF  TUJi  PlUNCIl'AL  DISEASES  AND  DKiVTHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


. 

THIRD  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSKS  OF  DIS- 

367. 

590. 

463. 

379. 

j               SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

1 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

2 

1 
4 
3 

1 

2 

2 

1 

Febris  typhus 

4 

Febris  tvplms  icterodcs 

1 

1 

1 

Eruptiv'C  fevers 

Variola 

[ 

1 

1 

17 
15 

1 

32 

52 

12 
11 

10 
10 
2 

Diseases   or    the    organs 

Enteritis 

connected  with  the  di-- 

geaiive  system. 

1 

8 
27 

1 
5 

24 
1 

12 

8 

1 

11 

46 

1 

85 

1 

18 


n 

59 

Diseases  of  the  rcspira- , 

3 
1 
2 
5 
3 
1 

1 

2 

lory  system. 

3 
5 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  bruin  and 

nervous  system. 

1 

7 

5 

6 

2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

7 

3 

a 

3 

1 

2 

1 

3 

2 



exhalcnt  vessels. 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  &.  J 

1 
5 

muscular  gtruclures. 

4 

13 

10 
1 

11 
2 

1 
1 
14 

4 

21 

a 

1 

8 

1 
1 

9 

1 

21 
4 

11 

Wounds  and  injuries 

1 
2 
4 
1 

1 

a 

2 

14 

18 
3 



1 
2 

1 

1 

3 

1 

4 

9 

12 

2 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

25 
12 

9 
42 



2 

1 
9 

J 

All  other  diseases 

i 

24 

Total 

1. 

160 

1 

375 

3 

246 

1        153 

1           1           f 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POST.S  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC  REGION.— COAST  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 


89 


THIRD  aUAllTER. 

1 

1845. 

1840. 

i      1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

316. 

65. 

95. 

404. 

282. 

382. 

423. 

168. 

103. 

4,037. 

Cases 

.'oied 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases.'  Died 

i 

Clsee 

.  Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases.  Died 

i 

Total 
cases. 

[Total 
died. 

1 
3 

3 

4 
9 

2 
1 

10 
23 
36 

3 
15 

4 

3 

4 

3 

7 

3 

B 

1 
4 

1      1 

1 

1 

11 

2 

1 



1 



1 

4 



1  .. 

as 

19 

1 

37 
13 

13 
9 

1 

33 
19 

58 
15 
3 

9 
3 
6 

16 

1 

265 
175 
12 

1 



8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

25 

1 
9 

3 

67 

233 

5 

264 

1 

21 

4 

11 

21 

■  39 

11 

3 

10 

36 

6 

15 

31 

1 
10 

1 
4 

0 

7 
28 

.... 

6 
13 

10 

1 

8 

1 

I 

1 

1 



17 
1 
4 
1 

1 

22 

13 

2 

:::::; 

2 

3 



6 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 
3 

1 

3 
1 

1 
3 

1 
7 
3 
1 
7 
7 

5 

10 

1 
2 

3 



3     1 

::::::  2 

.::::; 

i 

2 

1 
2 

1 

1 

I 

2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 
3 
6 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
3 
2 

I       2 

1 

2 

1 

21 

11 

23 

1 

1 



5 

1 

1 

j 

1 

.::::;  .:;:::i::;;:::::::::i 

I 

I 

; 1 

1 
83 

3 
134 
19 

8 

3 

149 

17 

8 
45 

14 

1 

1 

9 

a 

i; 

8 

4 

2 
4 

1 

3 

11 
2 

1 

1 

1 

27 
1 
2 
2 

20 
2 

11 
2 

1 

1    IS 

'     1 

j 

18 
6 
2 

2 

1 

• 

! i 

8 
2 
4 
2 
4 
3 

4 
2 

1 

1 

12 

Ifi 

lU 

10 
2 
2 
3 
3 



4 

1 

.      .......     „     1 

""! 

1 
2 
5 

12    j 

4     '  - 

1 

2 



3 

4 

1 

3 

1 
2 
2 



1 

:! 

13     

2 

1 

3 
13 
45 
16 
2 
2 
49 
212 

4      

1 
2 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1 

11 

1 
1 

3 
2 

6 
3 

j 

1 

1 

1 1 

1 

1 
0 

, 1 

::::::  ::::":i 

2 
23 

2 
19 

4 

18 

I 
8 

3 

6 

4 

1 

43 

3 

175 

9 

266 

3 

103 

1 

9,903 

10 

I 

S.  96- 


-12 


90 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 
No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


YEiRS 

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840.            1841.      1 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

140. 

323. 

551. 

432. 

sas. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.                Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

Fevers 

:::.::  :..::. 

\"" 

1 

2 

2 

1 

' 

1 

4 
5 

10 

11 

2 

7 
1 

9 

11 



Diseases   of  Uic   organs 

1 

gestive  system. 

5 
15 

2 
17 

1 

1 
9 

4 
14 

1 

7 
1 
3 

19 

I 
2 

:::::: 

31 
1 
3 
3 

21 

1 
2 



1 
3 

Diseases  of  ihe  respira-j 

Pleuriiis 

1 
1 

tory  system. 

5 

1 

1 
2 

nervous  system. 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 
1 

1 
1 

2 

3 

Striciura  urethra' 

Diseases  of  llie  urinary 

7 
1 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

1 

2 

Diseases   of  the    serous  r 

'  Ascites , 

Diseases  of  the  tibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 

'   podagra 

2 
5 
1 
6 

1 
1 
10 
2 

Rhruniatismus,  aeutus  et  chronicus 

3 

12 

15 

5.   ! 

Fi>:iula 

r" 

Abscesses  and  ulcers. . .  ,^ 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

3 

1 
4 

2 

1 

6 

o 

10 

Ambuslio 



!    23 

1       . 

16 

I 

5 

Pracnu^a  .. ,- 

Luxatio 

Puniiio 

Wounds  ami  injuries....  ■ 

4 
5 

2 
5 

1 

4 

7 

5 
5 

1 

5     

Vulrius  laecratum 

1 

Vulnus  puncium 

1      

Vulnus  sclopeticum 

1 

3 

1 

10 
2 

Debilitas    

2 

1 
1 
3 

1 

1 

]  Ebrietas 

3 

3 

4 

1      3 

Heniia 

3 

6 

5 

2 

1 

All  other  diseases 

7 

7 

.s.... 

18 

9 

4 

Total 

GO 

139 

1 

165 

1 

105 

120 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
mOOPS  AT  POST'S  IN  THE  NOKTH  ATLANTIC  REGION.— COAST  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 


91 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

stre;«ctr. 

107. 

256. 

297. 

3S. 

405. 

406. 

70. 

100. 

3,794. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.j  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

1 

1 

1 

4 
2 
3 

8 

5 

6 
13 

1 
1 
2 

1 

I 

7 
19 

i 

26    i 

44      

2   : 

2       ; 

5              1 

6 

1 
1 
1 

1 

:::::::::::: 

::::::  ::::::i 

1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

7      



1 

[ 

5 
1 
1 

1 
4 
3 

10 
2 

17 

8 

3 
1 

1   '• 

69 
53 

a 

3      

7     \ 

1      .     ,   , 

1 

1 

1 
5 

1 

17 

7 
17 
13 
45 

1 
3 

■  6 
3 

27      

118              3 

16     

^8      

5    1          1 

23    1 

4 

1 

13 

3 

5 
1 

1 



2 

10 

9 

13 

35 

::::::  ..' 

3 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

3 

4 
1 



1    1 

8    ' 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1     

6    f 

3      

12           .   * 

2 
3 
1 

1 
2 

...!..:::::: 

1 
8 
9 

1 

4 
6 
2 





6      

1 
3 



" 

3      

26    ; 

1 
2 

3 

1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

1 

15     

1 
1 

1 

6 
13 



1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

103 

:::::::::::■ 

1 

7 

9 

7 

8 
1 
5 
2 
2 
7 

12 

17     ' 

1 



3 

2      

2 
1 

10 

9 
1 

11 
3 
4 

13 

6 

4      

I 

1 

1 

10 

1 

* 

13     

9     ' 

5 



5 
1 

7 
2 

2 
1 

1     ,_     .. . 

1Q8      

1 

1 

1 

\    1 

1 

1 

1 

34 

49 

16 

3 

3 

7 

39 

14 

5 

2 

99 

1 

141 

1 
2 

; 

1 

3 
1 
2 

8 
3 
3 



2      

5 

1 

1 

I 

5 

4 

1 

1 

1 



9 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

• 

1 

3 

, 

2 

2 

4 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1  ■ 

1 

3 

1 

1 

! 

1 

2 

3 

j.... 

1 

2 

: 

1 

1 

1 
13 

2 

1 

10 

1 

9 

11 

46 

3 

S 

1 

.,9 

1 

1 

83 

1 

81 

2 

lid 

173 

9147     ' 

48 

.IR 

1,421 

7 

1 

1 

1""    1  ■■•■ 

1 

92 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 
No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


Years 

FIRST  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842.           1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

217. 

370. 

471. 

698.               513. 

501. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

.  Died. 

1 
6 
3 

7 

5 

10 

7 

.....  |......| 

Fevers { 

Febris  reniittens 

3 

2 
6 

1 
3 

1 

3 

Erysipelas 

9 

2 

Eruptive  fevers 

Scarlatina 

Variola 

Varioloid 

' 

Cholera  Asiatica 

- 

Diarrlia'a 

2 
3 

6      

4 

2 

27 

4 

6 
5 

7 
1 

Diseases    of  the    organs 

1 

connecled  \viih  the  di- 

Enteritis  



gestive  system. 

1 

Hepatitis  chronica 

1 

8 
3 

6 
4 

7 

25 

1 

216 

1 

1 
3 

3 
5 

7 

8 

14 

45 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica 

Catarrhus 

28 

1 

1 

36 

1 

44 
2 
1 
3 

2 

43 
1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

Phthisis pulmonalis 

Pleuritis 

tory  sysTem. 

Pneumonia 

1 
1 

1 

2 

5 
4 

1 

2 

• 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Cephalalgia 

2 

2 
3 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

1 

1 

8 

Neuralgia 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

7 
12 
2 
5 
1 
3 

1 

2 
2 

1 
12 

1 
15 

Gonorrhrea 

6 

8 

14 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

and  genital  organs. 

Slrietura  urethrre 

Syphilis  pritnitiva 

Syphilis  consccutiva 

3 
2 

1 

3 

10 

3 

1 

3 

3 

2 

Diseases    of   the    serous  f 

Ascites 

and  t'.\halent  vessels,     i 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

Diseases  of  the  Hbrous  & 

Pernio i 

1 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ....  -j 

nheumatisnius,  acutus  et  chronieus 

Fistula : 

1 

11 

4 

34 

6 

21 
2 
13 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

2 
2 

12 

8 

3 

i 

Ulcus  .; 

4 

G 

1 
11 

Contu^io 

1 

5 

1 

25 

1 

7 

Fractura 

1 
3 

Luxatio 

1 
6 

8 

Wounds  ami  injuries ■{ 

Suh-luxatio 

2 
5 

4 
3 

3 
6 

3 

Vuliius  laceralutn 

5 
1 

Vulnus  sclopcticum 

Dcbjlitas 

1 

2 
5 
1 

Ebrietas 

1 

Ua-niorrhois 

3 

6 

Hemin 

1 

1 

iMorbi  cutis 

3 

4 

Morbi  oculi 

1 

20 

14 

17 

2 

Scorbutus  

54 

1 

58 

173 

2 

154 

37 

28 

Total 

l^'l 

2 

173 

2 

314 

10 

617 

9 

155 

224 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  ATI^VNTIC  REGION.— HARBOR  OF  NEW  YORK. 


93 


FIEST  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRESG-TH. 

607. 

397. 

508. 

555. 

602. 

5^. 

654. 

549. 

790. 

193. 

8,806. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

2 
9 

1 

22 

1 
118 



15 
1 

7      

21      

2 

27 

3 

69      

3 

8 

7 

16 

226      

1 

4      

3 
2 

4 

2 

2 

1 

^    i 

1 

3      

37 

i: 

3 

1 
IS 
7 

5 

1 

1 

1 

2    1 

1 

1 

2 

i 

1 
1 

1 

1 

7 
4 

1 

4           1 

1 

3 

3 

2 

1 

U 





7 

36 

4 

44      79     J       4 

1     1     , 

26 
8 

1 

21 
5 

15 
7 

-     I 

3    1 

65 
6 

376 
48 
3 

1 
3 

7 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 



1 



2 

i 

1 

18 
44 

9 
13 

30 

26 

1 

330 

27 

78 

11 
-38 

1 

13 

17 

36 

1 

65 

S 

8 
1 

47 

13 

24 

27 
Zi 
5 
170 
2 
5 
2 
2 

1 

189 

347 

23 

1,700 

9 

41 

50 

12 

10 

10 

22 

4 

25 

193 

5 

152 

28 

47 

1 

194 

1^ 

214 
1 
3 

95 

32 

1 
8 
3 

29 

8 

1 

1 
2 

13 

17 

9 

4 

2      

10          2 

2 

2 
2 
2 

7 

1 

2 
1 

1 

1 

1 



i 

4 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

6 

3 

2 
4 

, i          " 

11 

1 
21 



3 
3 

1 

2 
4 

1 

1 

8 

6 

1 

2 
17 

3 

46 

26 

1 
7 

1«      

,          1  

7 



10 

4 
6 

4 

,     11 

10 

1 
1 

11 

4 

1 
5 

1 

10     1 

6    1 

1    1 

27 
13 
3 



4 

2 

1 

6 

4 

2 

1 



1 
18 





1 
33 

6 

3 

5 

1 

i 

14 

17 

15 
2 
B 

29 
3 

15 
2 

8 
3 
15 
28 
4 
4 
■  1 

11 

4 

9 

5 



20 
1 

14 

1 

194 

8 

140 

115 

16 

173 

13 

6 

71 

57 

6 

13 

2 

1 

6 
9 
4 
10 
1 

10 
3 
1 

7 

16 
10 

6 
5 

17     j 

1      

16 

1 

11 
1 
1 
3 

-5 
8 
2 

24 
4 
2 
5 
2 
5 





18 



9 
1 

18     

16 

1 



■■■|  ■  "■ 

,. 

\ 

11 

1 



S 
2 

12 

7 

7 
8 

1 
2 

1 

3 

2 

5 
3 

1 
2 

6      

4    [ 

1 

1 

2 



3 

1 
1 
3 

, 1 

1 
2 
2 
2 
3 
7 
1 
32 

' 

10 
3 
4 

1 

17 

9 
3 

5 
1 
1 
1 

4 
5 
4 

5 
2 
3 
4 

8 

10 
3 

1 

1 

2      

3      

- 

7      

o 

54 

35 

16 

17 

115 

3 

1,282 

2 
2 

1 
3 

2 

5 

1 

20 



7 

9 

5 

5 

1 
32 

70 

54 

1 

196 

184 

96 

1 

45 

1 

49 

6 

456 

292 

1 

821 

1 

738 

5    \  446 

6 

213 

5 

443 

1 

232 

3 

283 

3 

545 

2 

6,076 

50 

94 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 
No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AJIONG  THE 


Years    ' 

SECOND  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  STRENQTB 

671. 

550. 

431. 

601. 

419. 

464. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

1 
1 
8 

1 

1 

77 

11 

39 

1 
6 

11 

8 

Fevers < 

I 

2 

1 

3 

' 

\ 

3 

6 

1 

7 

Eruptive  fevers ^ 

1 

1 

' 

59 
13 

51 
6 

35 
2 
6 

35 

1 

10 
3 

1 

30 

Diseases    of  ihc   organs 
coonected  with  tlie  di- 

gestive system. 

36 

20 

20 
40 

1         24 

1     " 

13 

7 

34 
14 

1 
32 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 

84 
5 

28 

102 
4 

3 

95 

1 
1 

2 

174 
1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory syslcin. 



1 
2 
3 
1 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

3 

• 

1 

1 

Delirium  tremens 

Epilepsia 

3 

2 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

2 

nervous  system. 

.\11  other  diseases  of  this  system 

9 
6 

3 
23 

4 
16 

3 
12 
1 
6 

1 

15 

:::::: 

1 
12 

Diseases  ol   the  urinary 

8 

7 



9 
2 

4 

1 

6 

and  genital  organs. 

2 



6 

1 

7 

1 

Diseases   of  the    serous  e 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 

muscular  structures. 

RheumalisDtus,  aculus  et  chronicus 

21 

13 

15 



25 



13 
1 
8 

32 

1 
5 

1 

14 
10 

1 

13 

10 

12 
8 
o 

18 
2 

Ulcus    . 

r 

I 
3 

15 
1 

6 

14 
1 
1 

10 
6 

6 

19 

1 
12 
3 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

Sub  luxatio 

6 

5 
9 

6 
4 

8 
8 

2 

1 

34 

5 

1 
7 

2 
5 

a 
1 

3 

2 

2 

1 
2 

2 

2 

Hernia 

Miscellaneous 

7 
35 
98 

52 

22 

3 

197 

19 

10 

300 

1 

171 

71 

72 

Total 

433 

1     1  fi04 

623 

5 

496 

5 

402 

3 

324 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    NORTHEEN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN^E  NORTH  ATLANTIC  REGION.— HARBOR  OF  NEW  YORK. 


95 


^                                                                   SECOND  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 

eTRESGTH. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853.      !      1854. 

539. 

430. 

7a6. 

640. 

583. 

6^. 

560. 

559. 

510.         I         351. 

8,986. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

ToUU     Total 
cases,    died. 

1 

2 
10 
12 

1 
33 

3 

33 

3 

1 

2 
5 
15 
3 

1 

10      ... 

13 
14 

48 
14 
9 

133     

19 



7 

50     

52 

12     

342     

19     

1      

3 

:::::: 

42             2 

. 

2 
4 

9 
1 

1 

1 

1 

11     1          2 

1 

3 

2 

4 

S 

1 

19      

1 

3 

3 

692 

45 

8 

4 

3 

1 

367 

357 

62 

1,100 

15 

18 

20 

14 

22 

7 

26 

2 

24 

303 

7 

156 

23 

61 

............ 

1 

1 

1 

1 
106 

1 

1 

2 

26 

3 

1 

30 

45 

1 

98 
4 

96 
3 

1 

14 

14 
4 

20 

23 

4 
1 

I 

2 
2 

2 

1 

1 

1 
33 

74 

31 

aa 

36 
16 
54 

43 

17 

31 
29 

6 
34 

3 
41 



1 

1 

17 
13 

1 
40 

15 
14 

28 

7 

31 
3 

64 
3 

73 

1 

131 
1 

1 

153 



71 

6 

16 

1 

g 

1 



1 

1 

6 
4 
1 
2 

10 

1 

9 
2 
3 
2 

1 

3 

2 
1 
4 

1 

3 

1 
8 
1 

1 

1 
1 
2 
2 



2 

1 

1 
4 

2 

1 

1 

6 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 
7 



1 

3 

48 

1 
6 
3 
2 
3 
1 
1 

2 

1 
9 

7 

14 



11 

1 

9 

12 

6 
1 
4 

10 

15 

1 
6 

10 

16 
1 
6 

22 
1 
6 

.... 

1 

8     

7     

4     

1 

21 
8 
2 



I 

1 

7 

3 

4 

i.. 

1              ■' 

............ 



10 

18 

17 

3 



14 

1 
23 

17 

1 

20 

15 

30 

32 

15 

1 

U 

1 
1 

10 

11 
3 
8 
2 

19 

275      

6    ' 

8 

30 

5 

23 

21 

1 

34 
8 
1 

8 
2 

1 



27 

3 
4 

219 

127 

16 

1 

1 

31 
I 

10 

33 
2 

10 

1 
1 
10 
5 

16    I 

1 
i 

10 

1 

15 

.... 

11 

6 

2 
1 

3 
5 
1 

:::::: 

10 

1 
5 
3 

4 

1 

204 
10 
10 

137 

73 

1 
9 
2 

12 

10 



4 
3 

9 

8 

17 
3 

1 
1 



11 
2 

3 
4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

8     

^ 

10 

33 

3 

7 

2 

4 

3 
14 
3 

a 

1 
3 
1 
1 
1 
2 



67      

13 

3 

1 

1 

13 

10 
4 

1 
2 

7 



5 
1 

4 

9^    CZ 

1 

1 

2 

5 
6 

30 

;;;;;; 

3 

7 

1 

30 

•27       

1 
2 

1 1 

33 

.... 

3 



4 

3 

26 

9 

!      2fr2     

1          ^o    ■ 

144 

108 

211 

267 

1 

104 

33 



18 

40 

1,689 

2 

33 

483 

393 

1 

808 

3 

843 

4 

511 

2 

279 

2 

286 

2 

266 

4 

216 

2 

308 

2 

7,274 

96 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 
No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  (MjCURRING  AMONG  THE 


THIRD  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

I8il. 

1812. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  nis- 

• 

633. 

954. 

1,238. 

697. 

461. 

626. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

• 
Died. 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

.  Died. 

1 
8 
69 
2 
4 
2 
1 
2 

SH 

2 

19 

7 
41 

6 
23 

22 

Fevere 

2 

1 

4 
1 

1 

1 

..... 

5 

I 

1 

1 

Eruptive  fovers ■ 

1 
1 

I 

101 
9 

2 

398 
52 

1 

257 

192 

5 

3 
4 

162 
39 

57 
6 

188 

1 

Diseases   of  the   organs 

connected  with  the  di- 

1 

: i::"'" 

gestive  system. 

1 
65 
15 

18 
61 

13 
79 

5 

18 

67 
24 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

12 

Catarrlius 

53 

7 

133 

61 
4 

1 

73 

2 

28 
1 

1 

76 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- , 

Pleuritis 

tory  system. 

1  Pneumonia 

1 

a 

I 
6 

2 
I 
3 
3 
3 
I 

1 

1 
7 

Dehrium  tremens 

6 

1 

1 
2 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

1 

nervous  system. 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

16 
38 

1 

7 

- 

24 

21 
1 
B 
I 
7 

6 

10 

1 

29 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

40 

8 
3 
5 
1 

9 

9 

and  genital  organs. 

6 

2 

G 

5 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  J 

I 

exhalent  vessels. 
Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &,  1 

muscular  structures. 

,  Rheumatismus,  acutus  el  chronicus 

21 

31 

1 

17 

1 
22 
12 

16 

16 

1 
18 
3 

36 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

PliU-gmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcuii 

6 

35 

16 

1 

8 
6 
3 

31 

7 

1 
14 

Contusio 

9 

15 

16 
1 

28 

17 
1 

Wounds  and  injuries.,.. . 

Luxatio 

Suhhixntio 

a 

1 
8 
15 

1 

1 
8 
16 

3 

13 

6 
5 

U 
5 

1 

1 

1 

1 
2 

3 
14 
2 

1 

9 
4 

2 

1 
2 

2 

1 

8 

5 
3 

3 

82 

1 
6 

.Morbi  ocuh 

9 

1 
116 

23 

14 

622    ' 

449 

1 

204 

1 

114 

2 

152 

Total 

1 

485 

3 

,577 

1     1 

,305 

10 

726 

4 

390 

3 

721 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC  REGION.— HARBOR  OF  NEW  YORK. 


97 


THIRD  aUAUTER. 

1815. 

1846.           1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850.      i      1851.           1852. 

1                     1 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTB. 

508. 

7S0. 

sees. 

478. 

579. 

525. 

628.                  691.                 448. 

574. 

• 

10.402. 

Cases.  Died,  jcases.j  Died.  |cases.l  Died. 

1 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  l>ied. 

Cages. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases.' Died. 'casies. 

1 

ni,j       Total     Total 
"'*"•     cases,     died. 

1 
11 
20 
31 

10 
35 
31 

3     '. 3 

63 

21 
6 



13 

26 

28 



47 

22 

3 

10     

3 

32 
18 

390 
73 

I""" 

10 

i 

31 

5 

19 

■•■"■| 

4 

1 

1 

8    1          1 
1»    i 

■  1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

! 

1 

2              I 
2      

71              ■''« 

1 

1 

• 

............. 

19    1    15 

.:: 

Q 

4 
2 

2 
69 
S 

44 

148 
5 

1 

9 

146      327 

1      25 

300 
24 

1 

434 
11 
9 

1 

431 
4 
1 

1 

1 

34 
4 

63 
83 

2 

186 
10 

1 

3.293 
471 

5 

7 

2 

1 

1 

3     1 

I 

20 
30 

138 
46 

S 
59 

2 



77 

37 

1 

78 

39 
22 

1 
83 

4 

2 

39 
4 
2 

19 

1 

13 
12- 

15 

33 

1 

10 

1 
7 

35 
27 





11 
11 

1  31 

:    10 

566      

430    ; 

10               1 

802    1 

24               8 

12      

6              1 
10               *> 

61      

1     .       1 
1 

23 

1 

28 
4 

3 

9 



... 

1 

1 

1           1 

1      1      2     1 

1           1 

1 

1 
2 

1 
3 

1 

« 

3      1 

1 

3 

........... 

1           2 
1       7 

1 

1 
3 

16             3 

3 



1 

1 

1 
1 
4 
1 
10 

I 

3 
33 

287 
5 

6      2     1       1           3           1 

2 

35 

1 

1       

1 
7 

2 

21 

38 

36      

1      

'     16      

3 

7 

14 

17 

1 
7 

1      ' 

1 

S 

1 

j     13 

1     '"      

6 

1 
6 

2 

10 
4 
2 

11 

1 
1 

211      

11              1 

67     

3     



4 

4 

1 

7 

3      

.... 

2 

1 

1 

■ 

1 

"      \ 

:::::::;::::!  :::::i 

i 

1 
6 

21 

36 

20 

26 

13 


4 

6 

1 

16 

j      6 

6 
3 

18 

1 

283    ! 

6    1 

319    1 

32 

9 

49 

14 

1 



16 

18 

1 



30 
14 

14 
3 
3 

9 

21 

o 

11 

1 

1 
3 

123      

18      

2    ! 

366      

9    1 

20    j 

96      

110      

4      

9 

'      2 

3 

1 

31 

15 

19     11 

1     1      1 

13 

15 

22 

17 
1 
3 
S 
6 
1 

6 
3 
2 

1 
4 

18 
1 

11 
2 
5 
2 



.     1 
9 

7 

7 
6 



19 
10 



7 
9 



2 

1 
1 
2 

1 
3 

...... 

1 
6 

^    1 j      ^    t 

1 

3 
SO 

103 
48 
19 
21 

321 

3 
18 
2 

1 
3 
9 

4 
14 
3 

9     ' 

10 

1 
1 

4 
4 

1 

1 
1 
8 

S 
3 
2 

1 

1 


11 

5 
1 

I 

18 
7 

1 

1 

20 

S 
6 
6 

4 

7 
2 

2 

1 

6 
11 

::::::.:::::;:::::: 



23 

7 

4 

1 

1 
19 



'     S7      

333 

....'.. 

^3 

314          4 

116           1 

11 

19 

14 

20 

2,913              9 

544 

1 

1,902 

3 

1,17 

2 

1,201 

8 

747 

21 

230 

407 

8 

4.W 

6 

asa 

1 

407 

3 

11,803 

80 

S.  06- 


-13 


98 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 
No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  TlfE 


Years  

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  ov  nus- 

£4pK£^. 

559. 

629. 

671. 

514. 

529. 

554. 

Sl'ECir-IC   DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Oases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

i 
Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

1 

6 

27 

2 
9 
10 

5 
26 



i-Vvi-rs ■ 

Fehri!^  intermillons  terliana 

20 

1 

7 

10 
1 

2 

1 

3 

1 
2 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

Krujilivc  ffvcrs ■ 

* 

1 
1 

1 
76 
31 

DiarrliQ^a 

1 

1 

81 

7 

50 
40 
4 

23 
2 
1 

IS 
3 

24 
2 

Discuses    of  tlio    organs 
connected  with  llir  di' 
gcstivc  system. 

12 
7 

29 

18 
1 
127 
2 
1 

11 
19 

3 

10 

8 

6 

1 

52 

U 
12 

97 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Catarrhus 

57 
3 

1 

2 

107 

1 

2 

32 

Diseases  of  ilie  rcspira- , 

1 

tory  system. 

2 

1 

1 
2 

• 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

CL'i)halal''ia  . 

1 
1 
1 
5 

1 
1 

2 
2 

1 

2 
1 

1 

Dipcaseti  of  tUv  Uruiu  and 
nervous  system. 

Kpilepsia 

4 

All  other  diseases  of  iliis  system 

1 
20 

3 
17 

1 

10 
11 

1 

2 
6 

14 

5 

14 

1 

21 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  prinutiva    

15 

14 

1 
3 

11 



7 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

1 
1 

2 
2 



2 

2 

Diseases   of  the    eerous  t 
and  cxhalent  vessels.     < 

1 

1 

2 

Diseases  of  ilie  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 

Itheumaltsmus,  acutus  cl  chronicus 

Fistula         

21 

M 

23 

10 
1 
9 
4 

15 



2S 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  . 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

2 

8 
1 

1 
2 
1 

5 
5 

1 

2 
8 

13 
1 

I 

12 
6 

5 

4 
1 

13 

5 

I 

13 

AVciiiuls  and  injuries....  ■ 

2 
7 

2 

8 

7 
4 

10 
5 
2 

10 
3 

6 

1 

I 

1 

1 

7 

1 

8 
2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

39 

3 

Miscellaneous ^ 

10 

6 

7 

2 

103 

222 

173 

1 

81 

165 

37 

Tolal 

432 

5 

648 

S 

532 

5 

270 

1 

238 

303 

1 

AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSITS  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC  REGION.— HARBOR  OF  NEW  YORK. 


99 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1845.           1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850.      !      1851. 

1 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

6THE.NGTU. 

350. 

859. 

521. 

682. 

550. 

484. 

704. 

«@. 

507. 

578. 

^   9.333. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

1 

22 

7 

1 

1 
19 
39 

5 

114 

1 

27 

t 

9 
59 

19 
8 

13 
4 

11 
17 

2 

31 

25 

310      

4 

3 

1 

1 

17 

1 

8 
2 

1 

1 

11 

65              3 

1 

6              7 

1 

1 

1 

.... 

1 

1      

1 

1 

2 

3 
2 

3 

• 

1 

e  1 

1 

2 

4     

1      

18 

123 
43 

64 
12 

152 
2 
1 

5 

■■♦.. 

26 
4 

37 
1 
3 

1 

40 
40 

3 
1 

25 
3 

23 

26 
9 
2 





806              6 
207              4 

11              2 

2 
13 
26 

5 

176 

1 
7 
11 

' 

3     

18 
8 

31 

48 

10 

309 

1 

4 

1 

31 
12 

4 

14 
5 
2 

12 

8 
28 

1 

10 
8 
3 

21 

1 
1 
1 

8 
6 

27 
4 

241 

228 

22 

1,185 

8 

13 

3 

1 

55 

1 

1 

95 

28 

80 

18 
1 

19      

I 
11 



S 

4 

1 

1 
2 
3 
1 

1 
1 
1 

2 

1 

1 

13     1           1 
IK       

4 
11 

2 

1    " 

2 

2 



2 
1 
1 
3 

|..;... 

2      1         '^'^     

1      

1    ; 

8 

29 

6 

18 

203 

6 

205 

19 

1 

4 

3 

3 

3 
1 
3 
5 

1 

2 
23 

1 
19 

8 

4 

1 



3 

3 

28 

26 

4 



8 

9 
1 
6 
2 
2 

8 

17 

7 

12 
1 
2 
1 
1 

37 

1 
3 

16 

1 

^ 

3 

13 
6 

2 

6 

1 

4 

4 

1 

1 

2 

34      

5 
2 

7 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

■■■| 

13 

36 

17 

■'■•     , 

8 

2 

6 

1 

7      4 

1       -2 

14      .1 



8      

260 

4 

146 

107 

19 

1 

214 

13 

5 

76 

53 

5 

4 

5 

25 

61 

26 

10 

19 

113 

1 

1,315 

8 
9 

1 

17 
7 
2 

17 

22 

1 

10 

"io" :::::: 

9 
1 
2 



14 
13 
2 

10 
4 

5 
2 

2 

2 

2 



4     1 



14 

1 

39 

13 

20 

8 

17 

13 

1 
I 
1 
1 

1 

23 

12 
3 
2 

13 

' 

................... 

:::;;■  ::::■■:::::■ 

4 

2 
3 

8 
6 

G 
5 

3 
3 

2 
2 

15 

1 

4 

2 

.:::::  :::::'i 

1      

1 
4 
5 

2 
7 
10 
5 
3 

12 

1 
1 

............ 

3 

7 

2 
5 
12 

3 
2 

1 

5 

7 

1 
6 

3 

1 



3 

1 

3 

1 

6 

2 

2 
3 
11 



1 

::::::  ..... 

1 

3 

7 

1 

2 

1 

a 

• 

1 
10 



41 

160 

1 

131   : 

170 





40 

39 

1     12      

13 

19 

2 

211 

1 

887 

3 

543     ' 

807          10 

196 

1 

246 

3 

382 

8       211           3 

205 

1 

204      

6.317    1        47 

1 

100 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840.      ,      1811. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EAj^S. 

Mean  strength 

384. 

388. 

377. 

393. 

389. 

373. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Febris  continua  communis 

3 

4 

2 

2 

4 

1               1 

Febris  intermittens  quotididna 

Febris  intennitten?  tertiana 

4 

1 

5 

Febris  intermittens  quartana 



Febris  remittens 

Febris  tvplius  icterodes 

1 

....     1..,. 

Varioloid 

2 

Cholera  Asiatiea 

niarrlitra 

6 

21 

....            44 

27 

32 

34      

1      

Dvsenteria  acuta 

• 

Diseases    nf  the    organs 

Dvsenteria  chronica 

1 

connected  with  tliedi-. 

gestive  sysieui. 

Hepatitis  acuta 

1 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Ohstipatio 

52 
16 

31 
61 

15 
26 

8 
27 

All  otlicr  diseases  of  this  system 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica 

36 

45 

Cat.arrhus 

42 

71 

177 

56 

61 

140 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

tory system. 

Pleuritis 

5 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  tills  system 

Cephalalgia 

61 

62 

39 

84 

41 

136 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

2 

|. 

2 

Diseases  of  the  urinar}' 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

Syphilis  priuiitiva 

Syphilis  conseculiva 

3 

Diseases    of    the    serous^ 

Ascites 

and  cxhalent  vessels.    ( 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class. 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

mu>>cular  striictiirrs.      1 

I 
f 

Rlicu  inatismus,  aculus  el  chronicus 

Fistula 

14 

18 

14 

11 

8 

10 

Abscesses  and  iilrcrs ....  \ 

riilegmon  et  absccssus 

10 

8 
8 

12 

4 

6 

5 

[ 

Ulcus 

Ambustio 

.2 



25 

1 

29 

8 

21 

18 

31 

Fraetura 

1      1 

Lux.itio 

17 

Wounds  and  injuries 



16 

3 

8 

15 
13 

Vulnus  incisum 

10 

9 

Vulnus  laceraluni 

3 

Vulnus  sclopeticuin 



f 

Dcbilitas 



EbrieLxs 

Miscellaneous 

• 

25 

10 

8 

1 

5  . 
65 



4      

8 
51 

4 

70 

7 
56 

—  J, 

50 

Total 

240 

351 

380 

485 

1 

^              ,                        ^. ^ _  _ 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  CADETS  AND  TKOOPS  AT  WEST  POINT.— NEW  YOUK. 


101 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850.            1851. 

1 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

378. 

370. 

378. 

437. 

477. 

493. 

533. 

486. 

517. 

48a. 

6,855. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

1 
Cases.  Died.  Cases.' Died. 

1            1 

Cases.  Died. 

i 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.      Total     Total 
casein,     died. 

11 

10 

8 

5     

9      

8 

5 

7 

71 
10 

3 

3 

6 

6 

... 

' 

■  i 



1 

1 
1 

1           1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 
4 
4 
3 

4 



• 

2 



2 

a 

4 

1 

1 

1 

6 

... 

25 
2 

13 

29 

19 

19 

53 

23 

28 
2 

21 

9 

18 

402 
14 

1 
1 

2 

1 
1 

I 

L 

1 

4 

77 

21 
87 

15 

28 

12      

67    ' 

12    ' 

40      

1      

33      

1 
24 

5 
20 

4 
18 

13 
29 

194 
624 

217 

135 

123 
1 
6 

133 

172 

103      95 

137 

139 

1 
1 

1 

166 

1,967 
2 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

50 

17 

4 

23 

1,186 

1 

2 

115 

1 

1 

1 

1 
44 

1 

4 
90 

11      

50      

1      

2 
23 

144 

108 

110 



29 

2 

2     

2 

1 
3 
3 

1 

g 

2 

1 



2 

2 
2 

3 

1 
2 
1 

1 

1 

12 
15 
3 
2 

6 

1 

3 

1 



...       1 

i 

1 



1 

2 

'i 

1 

1 

2     10 

1 

1 

3 

1 



4 

10 

7 

16 

13 

19     , 

14 

13 

6 

9 

19 



aoi 

10 

20 

10 

19 
1 
3 

16      

21 

16 

1 
1 

21 

63 



67 

308 

10 

11 

1 

489 
7 

as 

178 
95 
5 
7 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

,     I 
27 
2 

37 

41 

43 

24 

28 

29 

1 



26 

3 
1 
4 
3 
1 

44 

9 
3 
10 

a 



58 





3 
19 

7 

24 
11 

28 
6 

5 
3 

1 

15 
6 



19 
5 

■  1 

9    1 

2   : 

14      

4      

1      





a    

.  %.. 

...:::..;;;. 

2 

1 
2 
3 
5 
75 

1 

1 

4 

I 
43 

5 

2 
4 

8 
86 

4 

4 



2      !       1 



3 

1 

9 

73 

■■ 

1 

6 

56 

3 

a 

179 

4 
106 

...... 

3 
75 

12     ' 

6 
75 

5 
119 

::::::   ^ 

1,201 

I 

613 

476 

482      

542 

1 

445 

354 

I 

378 

477            1       656      7.3-36               6 

102 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  TRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCUMIINQ 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840.           1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

Mean  strenotd 

373. 

3@. 

374. 

381. 

373. 

373. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

.  Died.  Coses 

Died 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

Died. 

CnsCH 

Died. 

5 

S 

11 

5 

2 

18 

SO 

20 

4 

2 

1 

r 

2 

Ernpiivfi  fevers ■ 

, 

6 

21 

16 

14 

U 

1 

40 

1 

Diseases    of  the   organs 
connected  with  the  di- 

1            [ 

- 

35 
37 

16 

!    38 

17 
8 

11 

28 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

65 

17 

Catarrhus 

50 

53 

92 

1     77 

303 

134 

Diseases  of  ilic  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

! 

1 

1 

14 

70 

12 
82 

16 

108 

76 

76 

59 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

1 

nervous  j-y^^tcni. 

: 

•4 

Diseases  of  the  urinarj- 

1 

3 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

2 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases   of  the   serous^ 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

Portapra 

muscular  suuctures. 

Rheuinatismus,  at-utus  ct  chronicus 

Fistula 

29 

12 



25 

14 

1 

9 

7 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus    . 

15 
37 

16 

15 

I 

8 

11 

3 
126 

1 
29 

1 

as 

33 

16 

32 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries 

Sub  luxatio. 

2.1 
6 

U 

e 

8 
9 

20 
4 

6 

W 

4 

3 

2 

3 

3 

7 

10 

4 

a 

1 

8 
70 

2 

1 
5 
5 
92 

3 

7 

a 

4 
34 

1 
113 

1-S 

337 

321 

479 

416 

2 

632 

.MS 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  CADETS  AND  TROOPS  AT  WEST  POINT.— NEW  YORK. 


lOS 


SECOND  aU.\RTER. 

AGGREGATE 
STRE.VCTU. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851, 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

364. 

368. 

391. 

456. 

434. 

494. 

480. 

436. 

443. 

423. 

6,563. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Toial     Total 
cases,     diid. 

7 

10 

15 
2 

4 

15 

7 

4 

90 
8 

6 
6 



2 

I"' 

9 

16 

27 

10 

11 

14 

157      

4 
2 

1 

! 

1 

8              1 

1 

■  t        ■■ 

3     

1 

« 

1 

J 

3      

1 

1 

1 

, 

1 

1 

37 

37 

35 

35 

7 

■••••• 

44 

62 

24 

1 

22 

13 

49* 

463      

18     



1 

.■:::;::::::: 

9 

59 

6 
61 

8 
30 

27 
52 

19 
43 

9 
36 

3 

20 

13 
23 

3 
12 

19 
29 

193 

558 

88 

83 

113 

89' 

30 

80 

87 
1 

1 

83 

1 

1 

3 

53 

' 
2 

5 

100 

1 

61 

1 

1 

6 

27 

1 

1,343 

1 

5 

4 

G2 

1,304 

1 

9 

12 

28 

19 

3 

4 

1 

10 

3 

3 

3 

107 

1 
96 

1     1 

87     1 

2 
36 

I 

1 

2 

41     1 

120 



135 

i29 

1 

4 

1 

' 

1      

1      

1            1 
1      

1 

1 

1 

1 
5 

.... 

12 

8 
2 

1 

5 

1 
1 
1 

2 

J 
2      

2  ....: 

1 



1 

2 

1 

1 

......  ...... 

1 

1 

3 

1 



1 

1 

1 

2 

■■■« 

11 

11 

10      

U 

4 

12 

7 



4 

20 

15 

201 

1 

9. 

37 

9      

11 
1 

29 
1 

32 

-23 

26 
2 
2 

34 

104 

48 

395 

42 

12 

510 

4 

27 

S!l 

131 

8 

6 

1 

34 

1 

52 

4 

1 
34 

1 
40 

4 

24 

23 

22 
2 
1 

33 
6 
3 

32 

51 

__ 

35 

47 
1 
4 

17 
8 

1. 

7 
8 
5 
1 

■7::;::: 

7 
9 

8 

21 
13 

19 
10 

10      

14      

18 
10 

1 

20 
4 
3 
1 

6 

1 

3 

1 

1 

3 

8 
1 



2 

1      

1 

1      

4 

3 

::.:::  ..:::: 

a 

" 

6 

3 

1 

3      

1 

2 

1 
2 
6 
76 

1 

2 

10  ■ 
117 

1 

13 
90 

2 
6 
91 

3 

15 
88 

2 
6 
96 

3 
6 
83 

24      



6 
91 

5 
74 

5 
79 



103 
1,316 

8 

545 

538 

521 

543 

1 

474 

528     

410 

1 

400 

1 

480 

2 

451     1      1 

7,627 

104 


REPORT   ON   THE   SrCKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

Ko.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THK  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


VEA.RB                     

THIRD  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

408. 

404. 

433. 

414. 

371. 

393. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

!  Died. 

Coses 

Died. 

9 
2 

7 
40 

6 
15 

3 

17 

Fcbris  intermittens  qnoiidiana 

34 

15 

5 

Fevers ^ 

6 

1 

1 

[ 

1 

Rubeola 

1  Variola 

• 

44 

77 

144 

*•          - 

0 

78 

14 

96 
4 

84 
3 

24           I 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

connecicd  with  the  di- 

Hepatitis acuta 

1 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  chronica 

21 
27 

33 

47 

39 

10 
19 

5 
33 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

48 

50 

22 

61 

64 

73 

67 

Diseases  of  the  respira- , 

Pleuritis 

Pneumonia 

1 

1 
80 

11 
37 

33 
61 

6 
83 

45 



51 

Delirium  tremens 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

Epilepsia 

I 

nervous  system. 

.. 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 

6 
3 

3 

5 

4 

2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

j  Syphilis  primitiva 

and  genital  organs, 

1 



3 

1 

1 
1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  J 
exhalent  vessels. 

Ascites 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  &. , 

Podagra 

* 

museular  structures. 

•  Rhouinatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

,   Fistula 

13 

10 

■  ••• 

9 

13 

8 

11 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

i  Phlegmon  et  absccssus 

Ulcus - 

26 

14 

17 
1 

11 



13 

Ambustio 

1 

3 

Amputatio 

Contusio 

36 

23 

31 

33 

31 

58 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

Lu\aiio 

;   Siib-luxatin 

Vulnus  inrisum 

13 

15 

14 

7 

12 

12 

12 
14 

8 
14 

Vuliiu:>  lacfrraluiii 

Vulnus  punctum 

1 

Debihus 

7 

1 

3 

3 

Hieniorrhois 

6 

6 

::::"  ■  vi 

3 

6 

Miscellaneous 

3 

6 

7 

334 

Morbi  cutis 

6 
142 

3 

1 

173 

3 

5 

160 



Morbi  oculi 

5 
oaft 

46 

1 

355 

614    1 

1 

3 

721 

2 

546 

1    r.c-7      1 

580 

1 

] 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  CADETS  AND  TROOPS  AT  'WEST  POINT.— NEW  YORK. 


lOS 


THIRD  QUARTER. 

1845.     1      1846.     '      1847.           1848.           1849. 

1                   { 

1850. 

1851.     1      1852.     :      1853.     !     1854. 

1                                      1 

STRESCTH. 

372. 

416. 

4SS.         1         313.                 306.         i         539. 

492.                  500.         1         430.                   «M. 

7,035. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died,  'cases. 

Died.  Cases 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

r                       ;            1 
Died.  Cases.  Died.  Ca.«es.  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

8     

5     j 

2 

4 
6 

12                    1      14       

15 

11 

8 

1       1  ..  1 

Ill 
44 

2 
8 

1 

7 

9 

22 

1 

28 

46 

19 

6 

23 

252        

1     1 

3 

5 

1 

15      





■■ 

1 

1      



_   .. 

.  ...  i 

.::::::::::: 

' 

1 

1      

1 

............ 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4               1 





1 

.  ^ 

::::::  ......1 

3 
238 

.1 

3 

1 



2 
83 
6 

5              3 

119 

97 

1 

39 
8 

107 
23 

1 

Ml          90 
3      3 

50 

1 

78 
3 

1    1.524               1 

H4               4 

1 



1 

1 
20 
50 

1      

3S 
100 

at 
es 

11 
29 

1-3 
44 

14 
32 



6 
24 

6 
30 



3 
19 

■■;;;; 

4 

230 
ISO 

74 

43 

36 

1 

33 

40 

41 

1 



1 

65 

S3 

77 

1 

I 

57 

880 
2 

3 



1 

4 

1 
60 
847 

3 

66 

2      

45      

3 
23 

4 
29 

1 
43 

2 
23 

1 

33 

91 

53 

80 

1 



2 

:::::::::::■ 

3      

1 
2 
6 

1 
2 
9 

:E: 



2 
3 
6 

I 
7 
1 

4      

I 

1 
3 

I 

a  : 

4     

8 
3 



2 



1 

25               2 

3    ( 

2 



34      

3      

1 

I 

9      

1 
1 

3       

3 

2 

1 



1 

12     

1      

1      

« 



. 

6 

7 

12 

14 

13 

17 

4 

6 

7 

8 

156      

S8 

25 
6 



17 
1 



12 

18 
2 

41 

32 

41 

1 

1 
S3 



52 
2 

1 

41 

362 

39 

11 

1 

530 

3 

17 

242 

139 

94 

31 

1 

60 

1 

a 

.... 

1 

2 

I 

17 

23 

SO 

21 

24 

27 

1 

39 

40 

32 
2 
4 
16 
13 

6 

5 

18 
12 

26 

7 

17 
2 

38 
3 

83 
4 

16 
10 

7 
3 
1 
3 

18 

18 
3 

1 
3 

9 
10 

13 

1 
4 

7 

2 

4 

9 

1 

8 

3 

4 
1 

1 

9 
I 
3 

7 

7 
1 
o 

5 

3 
1 

5 

1 

3 

3 

168 



...... 

1 

3 
12 
114 

2 

3 

1 

2 

6 

150 

42      

i  ■ 

3    ' 

6 

9 

133 

3 
14 
162 

7 

5 

1  131 

2 

4 

141 

37    1 

46 

4 

47 

1 

10 
103 

93    1 

a,iao  1       1 

699           1 

351 



476     1       1 

494     ' '  6.-.9     '       4     '  .ToO     1      2 

509 

.wi   '     1     aas  '    a 

528    ' 

8,918             15 

S.  9G- 


-14 


106 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PKINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FOXJRTII  aiJARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

400. 

395. 

411. 

399. 

372. 

38S. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Ciuea. 

Died 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

4 
2 

6 

1 

' 

2 

11 

Frhris  intermittens  tertiana 

y 

6 

2 

4 

4 

Eniptive  fevers ■ 

..A.. 

Diarrha?a 

30 

21 

1 

34 

26 
2 

20 
2 

33 

Diseases    of  the    organs 

coiineclod  with  the  tli- 

get^iivc  yystciii. 

11 
25 

14 
37 

15 
10 

14 
14 

16 

18 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system !    ^^ 

'  Catarrhus 

141 

144 

196 

63 

75 

1 

131 

Diseases  of  ihe  rcspira-. 

tory  system. 

1 

10 
58 

1 

7 
8 

7 
111 

1 
101 

Cephahilcia 

60 

40 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and  • 
nervous  system. 

■ 

1 

2 

3 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

1 

1 

an<l  genital  organs. 

1  All  other  diseases  of  this  ela.ss 

2 

j 

1 

2 

1 

Diseases    of  the    serous  e 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  I 

muscular  structures.       i 
L 

1   Uheumaiisniusj  aeulus  ot  ehronicus 

5 

9 

20 

10 

8 

16 

Abscesses  and  ulcers,,..  ■ 

I'liU'cnmii  el  aliscessus 

UIru-< 

10 

5 

4 

13 

S 

1 

3 

22 

7 

8 
8 
2 

15 

1 

11 
1 
1 

50 
5 

30 

19 

Wounds  and  injuries.,,.  ■ 

28 

11 

18 

14 
U 

14 
11 

21 
9 

1 

. 

:::::::::::: 

1 

5 

6 

1 

2 

Miscellaneous ^ 

1 

7 

35, 

6 
135 

•;:::: 

4 

5 

108 

2 
61 

2 

8 

98 

6 

79 

Total 

1 

413 

1 

397 

562          1 

332 

383 

505 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  CADETS  AND  TKOOl'S  AT  WEST  POINT.— NEW  YOKK. 


107 


FOURTH  CiUARTER. 

! 

1815.            1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRE.NOTa. 

375. 

388. 

421. 

504. 

512. 

512. 

526. 

543. 

497. 

509. 

7,149. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

'  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

'  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

1 

Cases 

.  Died 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

9 

28 
7 

7 

7 

4 

6 

95 
9 

70 
7 
4 
1 

1 

1 

4 

5 

5 

13 

7 

8 

7 

7 
2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

6 

• 

1 

1 
2 
3 

2 
1 

1 

1 

k 

37 

42 

31 

1 

96 
4 

63 

43 

44 

27      

23 

27 

1 

527 
11 



1 
30 
33 

1 

160 
495 

18 
52 

2 
53 

11 

48 

13 
25 

5 
31 

6 
25 

3 

37 

16 
39 

6 
29 

78 

269 

114 

164 

78 

73 

101 

158 

100 

75 

1,960 

1 

21 

1 

4S 

1,168 

9 

10 

1 

1 

1 
2 
36 

9 

88 

4 

65 

4 
32 

1 
39 

160 

151 

144 

33 

42 

1 

2 

1 
5 
3 

1 

2 
3 
2 

1 
1 
3 
1 

7 
11 
24 
18 
2 
6 

i: 

1 
3 

1 

3 

1 
3 
1 

I 

2 

7 
2 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

I 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

1 

:::::: i 

1 

1 
1 

,,\ 1 

1 

9 

14 

9 

14 

17 

4 

6 

11 

2 

7 

161 

16 

16 
1 

11 

14 

28 
1 
1 

34 

22 

27 

49 

1 

1 

35 

88 

60 

378 

4 

21 

456 
4 
8 

287 

no 

44 
10 

3 
17 

1 
36 

1 

19 

102 

1,4-22 

2 
10 

1 
15 

4 

46 

1 
27 

29 

84 

3U 

40 

1 
8 
7 
3 
5 
1 

1 

13 
5 

3 
5 

7 

2 

23 

5 

28 
S 

27 
4 
30 

14 
8 
2 

1 

U 
3 

21 
5 

4 
9 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

1 
2 

6 

1 

1 

5 

95 

2 

1 

2 

4 

3 

I               1 

5 

7 

169 

S 

4 
185 

6 
79 

12 
52 

9 

10 

82 

8 
63 

84 

48 

49 

558 

770 

532 

523 

464     1 

339 

417 

496 

575 

504 

^-70     i 

3 

108 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIl'AI,  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG 


FIRST  aUAKTER.                                                   | 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842.      j      1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  Dis- 

357. 

497. 

466. 

463.                 528. 

346. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

• 
Cases.  1  Died. 

1 

Cases.l  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

i 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

-1. 

7 
1 
2 

3 

G 

8 

3 

2 

1 

1     1 

2 

1 
5 

2 

1 



4 
3 

12 
2 

■ 

7 
4 

11 

1       1 

3 

1 

connected  H'iih  ihe  di--^ 

1 

gestive  svsiein. 

Hepatitis  acuta 

1 

Obstipatio 

2 

8 

4 

7 

4 
14 

8 
17 
1 
48 
1 
9 
3 

5 

8 

1 

29 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

17 

4 

76 

;      2 

9 

1 

1 

CataiThus 

- 

51 
2 
2 
4 

1 

65 
1 

16 
8 

2 

1 

tory  system. 

2 

4 

Pneumonia 

3 

Cophai.'ilgia 

7 
8 
1 

diseases  of  the  brain  and 
neivous  system. 

1 
1 

1 

4 

2 

I 

1 
1 

4 

4 

3 

1 



All  oilier  diseases  of  this  system 

Gonorrhfca 

1 
1 

1 

1 

4 

2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Strictura  urethra' 

1 

Syphilis  priiniiiva 

Svphilis  consecutiva 

1 

7 
2 

1 

2 

1 
2 

2 

2 

4 

Diseases    of   the    serous  t 

1 

2 

1 



3 

1 

4 

Diseases  of  ihe  fibrous  &  j 

Podagra 

muscular  structures.      1 

Rheumaii.^nuis,  aculus  et  chrnnicus 

Fi:^lula 

4 

3 

2 

8 

8 

10 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Phlegmon  et  abscessu.s 

1 
4 
1 

2 

1 

19 

16 

10 

1 

11 
8 
7 
1 

13 
1 

5 
2 

UK  us 

Ambustio 

Concussio  cerebri 

7 

1 

25 



5 
o 

3 
3 

1 

7 

11 

1 

1 

Fractura 

Luxutio 

Wounds  and  injuries 

6 
10 

1 

11 

6 

10 

5 

71 

Vulnus  incisum 

Vulmis  laceratum 

3 
1 

Vulnus  punciuin 

1 

2 

Vnlnus  selopeticum 

6 

f 

Debilitas 

' 

5 

2 



„ 

1 

12 

Ila'inorrhois 

5 

1 

.    4 

1 

Miscellaneous 

!  Hernia 

Morbi  cutis 

1 
6 
14 

3 

7 

22 

1 
6 
10 

Morbi  oculi 

2 

2 

10 

14 
15 

All  other  diseases 

Total 

1»     

97     1       ^ 

166 

255 

3 

200 

oco 

2 

132 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  INTERIOR.— EAST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


109 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850.      !      1851. 

1 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

S96. 

87. 

49. 

74. 

140. 

136. 

123. 

88. 

38. 

41.          !          3,731. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

ni-rt       Total     Total 
"'*■'•  1    cases,     died. 

3 

7 

2 

1 

4 

27 
7 
13 

1 

1 

1 
1 

3 

..::;.!.;;;::i: 



j 

! 

«      

; 

I i 

, 

1 

1 

1 



6 

7 

1 



j 

1 

i 

7 
1 

3 

1 

6          2 

3      

3 

62 
15 

1 

3 

3 



a 

8 
4 
37 

3 

1 
2 
1 
2 



3 

9 

3 

7 
3 
15 

7 
2 

48 
112 

20 

404 

7 

42 

35 
1 
9 

20 
9 

11 
9 
8 
1 
9 
6 

13 

3 

12 
1 



1 
2 
3 

3 

1 
9 

2 

3 

21 

8 

3 

1 

1 

2 

2 

J 

1 

1 

3 

6 

...;: 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 


2 

1 
1 

1 

• 

3 

i... 

1 
2 



'      1 





i 

1 

1 

1 

13 



1 
1 
9 
1 
2 

1 

4 

1 

3 



2 

1 

2 

1         ■=. 

1 
69 
48 
13 

1 
69 

7 

3 

4 

i 

2 

1 

2 
I 

1 

2 



1 

1 

1 

i 



9 

1 

3 

1   • 

3 

2 
2 
1 
2 
2 
1 

S 
4 

::::::.:.::::::::. 



3 

1 
1 

€^ 

1 



1 

1 

1 

84 

1 

1 

2 

10 
8 

10 
4 

48 

11 

1 
1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1 

11 

4 



R 

1 

2 
1 
S 

■■■ 

.... 

7 
38 
inn 

1 

j 

2 

9     

«           i             '          1 

1 

3 

1 

' 



116 

21 

10            1 

ao 

65           2 

40           1          67      

38 

23 

29 

1,541     '        13 

110 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 
No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  rKlNCIl'AL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG 


V'BA.ita    

18 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

i9, 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength  

457. 

510. 

430. 

460. 

591. 

342. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

1 
Died.  Cases 

1 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

[■ 

2 
3 

12 

4 
o 

5 
8 
8 
1 

5 

1 

:::;::i  2 

Fevers ■ 

Febris  ititerniittens  tertiana 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

0 

1 

1 

1 

17 

2 

1 

EriiptiVR  fovurs 

6 

1 

DiarrluL-a 

2 
9 

2.5 

1 

21 
3 

13 
4 

2 

18 
4 

5 
3 

Diseases    of  the   orgiins 
.        ,     .      ..  -i 

la 

conncntcd  witli  tlie  di- 

gestive system. 

8 
14 

8 
6 

1 
10 

3 
15 

4 
48 

3 

17 
3 

84 
1 
3 
4 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 

5 
10 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

27 

23 

1 
5 
1 
1 

2 

61 

1 

2 

21 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

3 

7 
5 
2 

1 

3 
5 

2 
2 
1 

1 
4 

1 

3 
1 

1 
2 

1 

3 

1 
2 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

nervous  system. 

Nenral'-ia 

3 

1 

4 

■ 

3 

8 

1 

f 

S 

1 

Diseases  of  tlio   urinarj' 

8 

2 

4 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

1 
2 

I 

1 

1 

Diseases    of  the    serous  j 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  &  J 

muscular  structures.      [ 

Kheuniatisnins,  .irutus  ot  cliroiiicus 

U 

13 

10 

1 

12 

10 

8 

1 
7 
1 

1 
7 

1 

5 
3 



Abscesses  and  ulcers .... 

Phlegmon  et  ahseessus 

truus 

4 
8 
2 

9 
1 
4 

27 
2 
1 
1 

10 

13 
8 
3 

12 
3 
1 
8 
8 

16 
5 
1 
5 
6 
1 
8 
9 

9 

10 
2 
1 
10 
16 
4 

....... 

' 

Wounds  and  injuries....  ■ 

8 
13 

1 

3 
3 

17 
4 
1 
1 
3 

Debilitas 

8 

5 

6 

1 

Hiemorrliois 

3 

1 

1 
16 



Hernia 

1 
1 
3 

1 

Mifictnancous ■ 

1 

lo 

8 

6 

7 

15 

1      2 

::::::''29' 

1 

9 

1 

6 

Total 

154           1 

205 

2 

231 

4 

248 

4 

263 

4 

115 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NOKTH  INTERIOR.— EAST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


Ill 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1 

ACOReOATB 
STRENGTH. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.            1853. 

1854. 

287. 

87. 

54. 

81. 

i;e. 

134. 

94. 

39.                  34. 

44. 

3,706. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

1 

1 
1 

2 

2 

7 
6 

2 

43          -   -  - 

6 

2 

4 

:::::::::::: 

30 

27 

6 

10 

1 

5 

6 

5      

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

i 

1 

2 

1 

1 


8 
17 

% 

6 

1 

6 

4 
1 

2 

4 

4 

7 

2 

2* 

4 

119 

2.1 

2 

14 

I 

o 

53 

114 

14 

321 

2 

25 

27 

6 

11 
.'> 

16 
5 

22 

: 1 

1 



1 

1 
1 
2 

:::::: :::::: 

I 

2 
11 

2 
20 

5 

1 
3 

1 

1 

3    > 

"     1 

2 
6 

5 
2 

7 

2 

2 
1 
6 

1 



3 

7 

12    1 

3 

1 

4 

1 

4 

2 

1 

....     1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

3 



2 



1 
1 

1 

2 

....:.-::: 

1 
2 

1 

1 

1 

5 

1 

3 

1 

1 

:::: i 

1      

1 



15      

1 
2 

1 

4      

1 

1 



9      

1 

1      

1 

] 





a          1 

;                      1 

7 
1 
7 
1 
3 
1 

2 

1 

5 

4 

7 

1 

I 

93             1 

2 
68 
35 
14 
72 
16 

6 
46 
71 

2 

3 

1 

2 
I 

1 

1 

1 

\ 

:::::': 



1 

1 

1 

2    ■ 

3     ' 

3 

' 

1 

\ 

2 

1 
2 
1 
2 

2 
1 
1 

3 

1 
1 
1 

4 

1 

2 

2 

1 

8     

3 

7      

3      

2 
2 

j  ■ 

2 

3      

7 

1 

52               1 

i 

::::::i.::::: 

1 

4      

1 
4 

3 

1 

53 

1 
85 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1       7 

1 

2 

1 

3 

3 



1 

95 

38 

15     1 

1 

40 

1 

48 

73 

33 

17 

17 

33 

1,624     1         17 

112 


REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 
No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG 


YsAitg  

THIRD  aUARTEU. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842.      1      184.^. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1 

i 

363. 

555. 

497- 

is!!. 

503. 

324. 

1 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

1 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

1 
Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

13 

4 
1 

'      3 

5 
10 
13 

1 

1      4 

2 

2 
3 

Fcvcre 

2 

1 

1 
2 

1 

1 

• 

16 
5 

56 
6 

52 
2 

28 
9 

23 
7 

12 
4 

'  Enteritis 

8 

1 

geativc  system. 

4 
9 

1 
14 

4 

30 

9 
29 

2 
28 

1 

6 
16 

5 
38 

6 

12 

4 

139 

2 

14 
2 
17 

1 

L 

1  All  other  diseases  of  this  system . . 

Catarrhus 

19 

Diseases  of  ihe  rcspira- , 

3 

3 

5 

1 
1 

3 

1 
3 

5 
2 

4 
3 

Pneumonia 

1 

I 

8 
1 
3 

3 
5 

2 

1 

3 
5 
3 
2 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

2 

2 

1  i::::::i 

1  Neuralgia 

1  All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 

. 



1 
1 

1 
1 

7 

2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

2 

3 
3 



3 
1 
2 





1 

1 
1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 
2 

2 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  J 

Ascites 

4 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  St . 

muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

Fistula 

11 

8 

11 

9 

5 

12 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Phlegmon  ct  abscessus 

!  Ulcus 

4 
3 

4 
13 

18 
4 
2 

12 
3 

1 

7 
4 
4 

12 
2 

1 
17 

1 
1 

Contusio 

2 

22 

8 
1 

10 

6 

Wounds  and  injuries. . . . . 

Luxatio 

1 

1 
8 
2 
1 

Sub  luxatio 

4 
8 

2 
15 

7 
10 

■■;;■■;:.::: 

13 

1 
1 

Vulnus  laccratuin 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
2 
2 
3 

Debilitas 

1 
11 

3 

1 

2 
3 

1 

16 
1 

Miscellaneous 

.   Hernia 

1 

2 
39 
37 

4 
3 

4 

9 

3 
13 

8 

1 

7 

Morbi  oculi.. 

2 
19 

1 

^R 

Total 

128 

290                 '  "'fi 

1 

233 

1 

286 

135 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
THE  TKOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  INTERIOR.— EAST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


113 


THIRD  QUAKTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847.     1      1848. 

1849.            ISoO. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853.      1      1854. 

STRB.NGTU. 

135.                  63. 

70.        j         96. 

83.         1         133.                 86. 

1 

36.         i         34. 

44. 

3,473. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  ICases.  Died. 
1           1 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

2 

A 

3 
4 

1 

1      1 

4 

1 

1 

41 

28 

58 

3 

4 

5 

7 

5 

2 

9 

7 

1 

1 

7 

S 

!.__... 

1 

"•■■ 

1 

1 

1 

i 

1   1            i   "   '"  '   

1 1 

j 

[ 

1 

3 
2 

"""""1 T'— ! 

1 

1 

, 

3 

3 

10 

7 

:    17 

i     ' 

i     10 

1      4 

1 

21 
1 

8 
7 

i 

8 
3 

11 
2 

17 
11 

295 
69 

1 

1 

i 

8 

4 

2 

64 

18U 

15 

256 

4 

S2 

18 

5 

14 

11 

15 

18 

6 

18 

1 

2 

1 

7 

15 

!          1 

1 

1 
2 
4 



3 
10 

5 

2 
9 

1 
1 

5 

10 

1    1 

6     

i.  ,, 

2 
3 

2 

4 

4 
9 



2 

0 



1    ' 

2 

■   ■ 
1 

1      9 

1 

3 

1 

1 

I 
1 

1 



4 

1 

2 

[  1"""" 

3 

1 

1 

1 



3 

2 

2 

2 



T :..... 

1 
1 

i 

2 

'        1 

2 

1 

1 

::::::i:::::: 



11 
7 
9 

1 



1 

:.:::::::::::::::::::::: 



1 

1 

1 

j 

i 

1 

4 

1 

4 

2 

9 

o 

2 

1 

69 

:::::. -"J 

7 

4 

1 

2 

3 



1 

5 

3 

3      

86 

31 

7 

1 

75 

4 

3 

31 

69 

18 

5 

a 

7 
SI 
11 

4 
20 
61 
109 

1 

1 

I  

5 

1     1 

1 
1 

3 

' 

I 



2 
1 
2 

9 

3 

1 

2 
3 

5 

1 

\ 



1 

1 

.   . 

2 

I 

3 



1 

2 

2 

4 

3 



-1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

1 

i             

2 
1 
3 



1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

7       4 

1 

a 

1 



74 

GO 

32 

48 

73 

,M       ....          ■)»      93     ' 35 

1          62 

I.s,v3               3 

S.  96 15 


114 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG 


Years  

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840.     1      1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

440. 

441. 

469. 

517. 

334. 

307. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 
Cases.!  Died. 

Coses.  Died. 

7 

7 
1 

1 

5 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
5 

4 
9 

Fevers 

Fcbris  intermittens  quurlana 

"•r- 

"■; 1 

1 



1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

8 

22 

2 

25 
1 

31 
2 

7 

2 

1 

■ 

1 

'  Hepatitis  acuta 

1 

1 
4 
5 

1 

2 

1 

10 

28 
1 
2 
3 

5 
16 

2 
40 

1 

3 
13 

2 
63 

2 

1 

7 
20 

4 
68 

1 
14 

2 

\  All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

9 

a 

]8 

1 

Diseases  of  iJie  rcspira- 

2 

11 
5 

2 

g 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 

2 

1 

4 

1 
2 

2 

Discases  of  the  brain  and- 
nervous  system. 

1 

Neuralgia 

o 

■■■;■■  :::::;i 

All  other  diseases  of  tliis  system 

4 

2 

2 

1 
3 

1 

a 

2 
3 

1 

2 

1 

Disca^ies  of  the  urinary 
and  gt-nital  or<;:iiis. 

3 

1       2 

3 
1 
2 

1 

1 
4 

1 

Piseases   of  the    serous* 

1 



1 

1 

3 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

■ 

muscular  structures. 

1  Klieumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

Fistula 

6 

4 

12 

12 

11 

3 

4 
5 

1 

13 
14 

1 

5 

7 
4 
1 

20 
4 
1 
3 

17 

8 
4 
3 
1 
21 
2 

5 

8 
2 

Ulcus 

6 

13 
1 



26 
1 

8 

4 
3 

Luxatio 

Wounds  and  injuries.,..  ■ 

8 
9 

4 

11 

■■■;■■  :::;;:i 

7 

5 

Vuliius  laceralum 

1 

1 

1 
3 

1 

1  Debilitas    ... 



3 

1 
2 

1 

'  Ehrictas 

4 

1 
2 

J2 

6 

1 

2 

Miscellaneous -i 

1 

1 
5 
12 

I 
8 
17 

2 
10 
22 

2 

5 

5    

2 ! 

5 

8  : 

^ 

Total 

104 

2 

210 

1 

239 

2 

282 

1 

140    i 

96    1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
THE  TROOPS  AT  POST'S  IN  THE  NOKTH  INTERIOR.— EAST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


115 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 

( 
1845.      ;      1846.      j      1847. 

1848.           1849.           1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

86.        1         71. 

72. 

94. 

141. 

129. 

87. 

35. 

33. 

46. 

3,304. 

Cases 

1 

!  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

.iDied 

Cases.'  Died. 

Cases 

.  Died. 

1 
Cases.  1  Died 

Cases.  Died 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died 

Toal     Total 
cases,     died. 

1 

1 

3 

1 

5      

2 

2 

S 

1 

40 
16 
IS 

7 

... 

2 

2 
I 

2 

1 

1 

1 

( 

4 

1 

3 
3 
2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

I 

3 

6 

1 

1 

6 

2 

4 

1 

121 
6 
2 

j 

1 

' 



2 
4 

43 
102 

15 

294 

4 

32 

16 
1 
7 
8 
5 

12 
7 

15 
1 

12 
8 

14 

1 

J 

! 

1 
1 

1 

2 



1 
6 

5 
6 

4 

4 

1     , 

7     ; 

5 

1 

1 

6 

4 
11 

3 

1 

e 

1 

1 

IS 

8 

1 

1 

4 

4 

2 

1 

4 

" 

, 

5 

:::::::::::: 

1 

1 
1 

5 

1 

2 



1 

5 

1 

I 

2 

1 

2 
1 

1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

: 

... 

2 

7 

1 



1 

2 

3 

4 

58 

3 

4 

1 

3 

3 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

sa 

47 

12 

2 

101 

16 

1 

28 

54 

21 

2 

6 

5 

47 

8 

3 

6 

37 

79 

2 

i 

a 

1 

a 

1 

a 

2 

2 

1 
1 

::::::  :::;:i 

1 
5 
3 

•i 

2 

4 

1 

f 

6 

3 

2 

a 

4 

«►   1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

8 

7 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
I 

a 

3 

1 

6 



....... 

1 

2 

1 

28 

1 

oo                    .'^n 

61 

26     ^ 

13-1 

96  : 1 

92   ;. 

1  409     '           R 





1 

116 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  5.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years    

FIRST  QUAHTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OP  DIS- 

TUS. 

1,620. 

1,  l!i8. 

1,318. 

1,245. 

1,118. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

CnsCB. 

Died. 

Cnsos 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

4    i 

i 

1 

18 
26 

3 

1 

17 
11 
44 
2 

1          1 

12 

1    28 

7 

■E 

3 

6 

27 

5 
2 
2 

34 
4 

Ft'bris  iiiteniiittf  ns  quartana 

4 

4 

' 

2 

Febris  tj'phus 

12 

1 

1 

1       1 

1 
1 
12 

Varioloid 

26 
3 

83 
9 

2 

42 

1 

36 

!       3 

15 
2 

8 
1 
1 

Biseasea    of  the    organs 

3 

1 

Hepatitis  chronica 

2 
10 

14 

8 

120 

1 

8 

3 

1 
5 

28 
4 
144 
1 
16 
14 
3 

1 

1 

6 

S9 

1 
1 

14 
44 
1 
155 
3 
8 
17 

1 

3 

1 

7 
40 
3 
111 
2 
12 
5 
3 
5 
5 
2 
2 

8 

i     16 

3 

108 

4           1 

14 

6 

1        3 

1 

1 
1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

92 
3 
4 
3 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

Phthisis  pulnionalis 

. 

3 
6 
6 
1 
2 
56 

1 

9 
5 

5 

12 
6 
6 
1 

29 
I 
9 
1 
9 

nervous  system. 

3 

1       4 

2                 1 

3 

19 

15 

0 

2 

15 

1 
18 

40 

;   23 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

27 
6 

1 

9 
4 

1 

i       8 

]       2 

1        7 

6 

Diseases    of    the    soroiisj 
and  cxhalent  vessels.     \ 

Ascites 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

13 

22 

9 

9 

4 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 

Podagra 

2 
26 

muscular  structures. 

Kheumaiismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

Fistula 

33 

50 

38 

20 

25 

Abscesses  and  ulcers. . . .  • 

I 

Phlegmon  ct  abscessus 

Ulcus 

17 
10 
4 

16 
10 

::: 

11 

11 

2 

13 

7 
2 

15 
25 

5 

7 
15 

3 

Ambustio 

Amputalio 

3 
55 
5 
3 
1 
5 
32 

j 

1 

29 
1 
3 
1 

13 
12 
2 
2 
2 
9 
3 
2 
4 
13 
32 

... 

ContU'^io 

23 
S 
2 

1 

1 

43 
3 

....      i     -l-l 

28 
4 
2 



2 
3 
2 
6 
19 

Woundsand  injuries.... 

Luxalio 

Punitio 

1 

8 
19 
2 

. 

17 
17 



15 
11 
9 
5 

Vulnus  incisnm 

Vulnus  punctimi 

3 

3 
4 
1 

Ebrietas 

13 
5 
3 

12 
5 

33 

20 

1 
2 

3 

4 
2 
1 
9 
15 
63 

21 
2 

Hrrmnrrhois 

Miscellaneous 

5 
6 
38 

2 
14 
34 

1 

19 
105 

All  other  diseases 

Total 

462 

2 

873 

16 

584 

5 

529 

3 

499 

3 

495 

2 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  REGION  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


117 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTn. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848.            1849. 

1 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

1,042 

509. 

87. 

16. 

4«. 

495. 

418. 

353. 

160. 

1 
153.                  10,999. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

[ 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.|  Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

1 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

„j.j       Total     Total 
"""•     cases,     died. 

5 

1 
3 

1 
1 

3 

4 

2 
4 

3 
3 
2 



1 
2 
2 

45 

70 
188 

X 

3 

5 

1 

2 
2 

1 
2 

2 
4 

1 

6 

5 

,5    1 

.TB                •> 

3 

3      

9 

3 

1      



3 

2 

1 
1 

1 

1 



8 

2 

1          1 

1 

21 

•> 



1       

36      

9               9 

24 

1 

i   'i:. 

1 

5          2 

4 
4 
3 

1 
1 

4 
304 
30 

11 
3 
1 

13 

A 

3 

25           1 

25           1 

12      

1     i 

7      

1 

4 

1 

4 

1 

2 

1 

1 

7     I.... 
15               1 

1 

1 

... 

1 

'.____ 

::::::.;;;:: 

1 

1 
4 
16 
3 

104 
1 
7 
9 
1 
10 
1 

1 

ai 

5 

90 

257 

39 

5 

5      

16      

1     1 

35      

6 

2 
3 
2 
22 
2 

8 

4 

2      

7      

6 

2 

1 
1 

9 



9      

6      

28    j 



1 

25 

4 

28 

1 

1 

37 

9 



1,013      

14              1-3 

2 
4 

4 

3 

8 
3 

1 
2 

1 

4 

83 
89 
IK 

1 

"  1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

10    i 

1     1 

2 

4 

1 
5 
1 

1 

1 

. 

2      

1 

7 

4 

i          48 

52 

9.1 

2 

1 

5      

3      

1      

1 
3 

3  ...::. 

3 



6 
2 

14 

1 

2     1 

1 

25 
10 

1 
2 

1 

1 

1 

3 

2     

1      

3      

3 

2 

211       

. 

1 

1 

2 

1 
3 

4 

"T": 

1 
2 

103 
25 
33 

1 
1 

2      

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 





1    . 

1 



1 

3 

1 

2 

__ 

.... 

2 

21 

11      



1 

22      

9      

7  : 

1 

10 
1 
9 

J2 
1 

13 

8 



293 
2 

I8J 

1 
31 

12 
5 
.1 

4      

1     , 

1 
1 

18    : 

13      

17      

13      

7 
2 

6 
3 

13  .;:::: 

l.M 

1 
1 

o 



1 

43 

3 

1 

12 
2 

1 

1 



I 
13 





20 

18 
1 
2 

21      

"  1 

9 

3 

318     1           1 

1 
1 

1 

I 

1 

3 

1 
6 

1 

3      

3      

13      

3      

1 

14 

3 

22 

3 

2 

7 

3      

8      

3      

3 

1 

1 

85     ' 

1 

;  i:::::: 

2 

1 
5 

2 
1 

178     ' 

5 

36     i 

3 



17     i  ... 

2 

11 
2 
1 

4 

1 

2 

3     

3 

1 

4      

1 
1 
2 
4 

IS 

1 . 

1 

1 

2 

1 

12 

i^    1 

3 

1 
19 

1    1 

3 
6 

1 
3 
5 

3 



43 

7 
41 

1 

1 
9 

1 

98     ■ 

27      

9 

444               9 

14 

405 

2 

154 

o 

34 

2S6           6 

249     '       1 

176 

128 

1 

119    1      1 

100      S-tOT             44 

118 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  5.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  rUINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Vears 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Mean  sTRBNOTn 

1,377. 

1,460. 

1,139. 

1,064. 

1,178. 

1,100. 

SrECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Coses 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

6 
103 
20 

3 

11 
79 
76 
13 

19 
55 
158 

9 

76 

122 

5 

12 

U 
38 

3 
14 
34 

Fubris  reinitlt-ns 

10 

8 

2 

6 

4 

7 

18 

1 

En'sipelas 

3 

4 
1 

2 
3 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

Scarlatina 

1 

5 

Cliolcrn  Asiatica 

Diarrhtca 

183 
5 

94 
6 

1 

53 
2 

1 

68 
6 

1 

30 

10 

27 

2 

Diseases    of  the   organs 
connected  wiUi  the  di-' 

Enteritis 

1 
3 

2 
10 
42 

1 
73 

4 
10 

7 

1 

10 

33 

4 

287 

1 

1 
9 

12 
5 

94 

1 

10 
17 
2 
85 
1 
6 
1 

1 

14 

73 

3 

166 

1 

1    19 

!    26 

1       2 

2 

1 

1 

All  otlicr  diseases  of  this  system 

3 

a 

113 
2 

14 
6 
9 
9 

10 
3 

tor>*  system. 

Pleuritis 

11 
2 
2 

15 
4 
5 

10 
4 

41 
1 

19 
7 

10 

1 

1 

6* 
2 

1 
7 
4 
6 
1 
o 

15 

1 
8 
I 
6 

6 

Pueuiiionia 

1 

10 
5 

Cephalalgia 

5 

8 

Diseases  of  the  braiu  and 

Epilepsia 

3 

!      6 

2 

4 

2 
42 

r 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Gonorrlicea 

12 

17 

2 

6 

1      4 

11 

8 
1 
13 
2 
5 



Syphilis  priiiiitiva 

IG 

1 
1 



10 
2 
R 

Syphilis  consccutiva 

Diseases   of  the    serous  r 
and  exhalent  vessels.    I 

Ascites  

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

2 





1 

1 

r 

Pernio 

1 
2 
47 

1 

Diseases  ol  the  fibrous  & 

Podagra 

1 

59 

3 

18 

11 

3 

2 

39 

S 

1 

15 

11 

1 

nmscular  structures. 

Khcuinatismus,  acutus  el  chronicus 

Fistula 

34 
3 

23 
3 

34 

31 



24 

24 

21 

'::::• 

15 
15 
6 

17 
22 
5 

1 
18 

14 

8 
4 

A  mhustio 

Coiicussio  cerebri 

1 

Contusio 

10 

3 

1 

21 

34 

43 

34 

4 

28 
1 
1 
10 
14 
4 
4 

Fractura 

Wounds  and  injuries...,  ■ 



1 

7 

23 

Sul>-luxatio 

13 
16 

10 
15 
5 
3 

Vulnuii  laccraluiii 

Vulnus  pu)ictu[ii 

:::::::::" 

3 
4 
5 
2 
4 
3 
4 
29 
in?5 

Vulnus  sclopeticum 

3 
2 
11 
6 

1 

Dcbilitas 

2 
5 

4 

1 

1 
15 
2 
1 
1 
5 
34 

Ebriclas 

16 
2 



!  1 

7 

1 

HiTmorrhois 

Miscellaneous ■ 

1 

Morbi  cutis 

21 
IS 

44 

12 
42  ■ 
82 

7 

60 

20 
60 

Total 

1 ""  1 

724 

4 

1,019 

7          RftJ 

7 

876 

5 

707 

1 

426 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  REGION  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


119 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848.           1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

1,052. 

529. 

93. 

15.                  SOB. 

455. 

404. 

244. 

175. 

156. 

10,949. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1           1 
Cases.l  Died., Cases. 

'; 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     To;al 
cases,     died. 

11 
19 
31 

7 

1 

11 

1 

2 

1 
2 
2 

1 
10 
14 

1 

8 
1 
3 

8 
3 
17 

1 

1 

86 
390 
541 

28 

1 

3 
16 

7 
8 

3 

10 
2 

3 

9    i 

1 

...ft. 

6 

1 

11    ' 

1 

2 



75    ! 

5              1 

1 

1 

.1     !_.._ 

1 

23              1 

10 

1 

1 

34     

4 



4     

.      1      

1 

5     

1 
2 

1 

1              1 

30 

1 

17 

1 

4 

30 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

19 

23 
3 

9 
3 

1 

5 

594 
45 

4 
7 
3 

3 

5  .::::::! 

1 

2 

1 

2 

...... 

1 

2 

1 
9 

17 
2 

20 
1 
1 

•  • 

5     

9 

25 

3 

142 

11 
25 

1 
20 
1 
4 
2 
1 
4 
9 
1 
3 
3 
5 

13 
8 
6 

S 
3 
1 
3 

14 

10 

1 

6 

5 
3 

137 

314 

48 

1,061 

9 

63 

4 
11 
2 

1 

1 

15 

6 

21 

1 

19       

10 

1 

8 

12 
4 
3 

13 
1 
8 
1 
1 
9 
2 
2 
6 

2 

5     

1 
3 

1 

3 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
3 
3 
1 

1 

4 
2 
5 
2 

35              4 

21     !          1 

3 
3 
1 
3 

1 
1 

3 

86    ! 

3 

1 

53               2 

34 

29 

16 

168 

.       8 

83 

34 

53 

2 

3 

1 

4 
3 
2 



... 

1 
2 

8 



1 

6 

1 

2 

2 
2 





3 
2 
3 

1 

2 

1 

3 
1 



.:.■; 

2 
3 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

.... 







3      



3    1 

39 

7 

4 

13 

9 

10    ' 

3 

10 
2 
4 
2 

5 

329 

8 

197 

148 

30 

S 

277 

18 

10 

107 

163 

19 

18 

9 

14 

90 

42 

16 

91 

I 



;:;::: 

11 
16 

4 

6 
1 
2 

20 
18 

20 

8 

16 

11 

3 

6 

6 
6 

1 

14 
1 
3 
5 
15 



1 
8 

25 



12 
1 

1 
8 
4 

1 
1 

6 

12      

1      

14      

2     

1           1 

5 
3 

9 

1 
4 
7 



1 

7 
11 
3 
3 
1 
3 
13 
5 
3 
3 
13 
45 

2 

1 
S 
3 

4 
1 
1 

3 

3 

1 
2 



1 
I 
1 

1     1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
12 

2 
1 
3 

3 
3 

3 

8 

8 

3 

S 

3 

1 
1 
3 

1 

2 



1 
I 
2 
7 
9 

1 

4 
10 

1    ! 

1 

52 

1 
8 

3 

18 

160    1 

3 



12      

15 

543 

559 

217 

57 

i ■• 

8 

304 

4 

233 

2 

200 

2 

68 

130      

95 

1 

6,426 

34 

120 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

Ko.  6.— AbSTIlACT  OF  THE  PllINCirAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


THIRD  aUAIlTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1811. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

1,427.              1,307. 

865. 

1,358. 

1,112. 

980. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died,  leases.  Died.  Coses.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

5! 2 

10 

125 

116 

15 

13 

1 

5 
29 
31 

7 
23 
20 

128 

52    1 

47 
90 

93 

Fcvcra ■ 

1   Febrls  remitiens 



104 

7 

48 
11 
2 
5 

41 

1 

14 

8 

Erysipelas 



1 

2 

ErupliVf  fevers 

i 

3 

* 

240 
2 
4 

129 
29 

1 

109 

17 

110 

17 

76 
12 

86 
6 

Diseases   of  the    organs 
connected  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 

; 

1 

3 

2 
1 
11 
38 
3 
69 

1 



18 

21 

2 

'I 

3 

1 

1 

24 
74 

1 
70 

4 
17 

3 

3 

•SO 
19 

s 

16 

4 
2 

1 

21 

25 

7 

141 

1 
7 
5 
1 
6 
5 
3 

9 

32 
2 
936 
2 
3 
1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Diseases  of  the  respiru- 

1 

tory  system. 

2 

1 

1     1 

5 
9 
2 

3 

7 

1 

4 

27 

...... 

4 
2 
4 
2 
3 
11 

5 
2 

Diseases  of  the  hrain  and 
nervous  system. 

1 

2 
3 
19 

2  :::::: 

9 

34 
2 

16 

1 
3 



22 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

6 

1 

11 
3 
6 

7 

.... 

8 
3 

7 

1 

14 
2 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  i 
exbalcnt  vessels.            ( 

Diseases  of  the  librous  &  e 
muscular  structures,      i 

All  other  diseases  of  lliis  class 

1 



3 

1 

1 

1 
30 

:  Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

28 



33 

1 
14 
17 

5 

1 

38 

22 

38 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ..... 

;  I'htcgnion  et  ahsccssus 

Ulcus 

2 





23 
9 
4 

1 

21 

30 

3 

:::::: 

18 
19 

1 

9 
9 
2 

1 

25 

1 
33 

1 

1 

6 
3 

1 

31 
1 
1 
10 
23 
22 

38 

1 

54 
2 

Wounds  and  injuries,..,  ■ 



2 

3 

23 

>  Sub  luxatio 

17 
45 

11 
14 

6 
17 
3 
2 

26 
15 
4 
1 
6 
1 
17 
9 
3 

7 

4 

3 
3 
3 
4 
4 
7 
20 
59 

6 

5 
3 
■4 

1 

1 

16 

49 

2 

3 
3 
3 
17 

81 

'  Ebrietas.  , 

8 
8 
1 

1 

1 

32 

3 

2 
46 
13 
39 



1 

Miscellaneous 

Morbi  oeuli 

9 
39 

Total: 

833 

9 

907 

S 

663 

2 

958 

2    1  672 

i 

2 

538 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN    DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TEOOrS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  REGION  OP  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


121 


THIRD  aUARTEB. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848.           1849. 

1850. 

1851.            1852.           1853.            1854. 

717. 

83. 

16.         ;          14.                  484.         1         422. 

362.                  187.                  191.                  156. 

1 

9,681. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

3 

2 

2 

....        1      

10       

9 

01) 

2 

1 

48              1 

7 

14    1 6      

469     

6 

6 

lo      1      4 

1    

404      

3 

3 

=) 

, 

28      

5 

3 

•;        ...      13 

5      

12      

0 

1 

292              8 

1 

1 



13      

2 

1 

8      

1 

5      

1 

1      

::::::.::::::::::;::;::■ 



s 

10 

8      

1 

4 

2 
Si 

1 

12               5 

36 
9 
1 

10 

1 

73      

50 

1 



31 

7 

14      18 

I.0I7      

7  1.::::. 

3 

116              2 

' 

] 

4 

1 

1 

5      

7      



1      

7 

36 

2 

34 
1 
2 
2 
2 
8 
1 

2 

8 

7 

6 
15 
2 
7 

U      

2      8 

4 
3 

150      



22      

16 

3      7      

309               1 

, 

34      

10      

7 

5      

e 

9     

i 

679      

1 



13               6 



1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

3 

2 
3 

42      

3      

5      

1 

21      

1 
3 

2           1 
4      

10               1 

13 

58      

1 

7 

3      

45      

1 

16      

1 1 

8      

1 
8 

1      

12      

1 
4 



1 
1 

16      

... 

3 

1 

151      

a      

8 

9      

1      

4 

1 

1 

1       4 

89      

1 

12               1 

30               1 

1                1 

1      

1      

255      

4      

I8;i               I 

3 

2 
1 

1 

2 

.... 

1 

20 

1 

10      

8 



8      

12      5      2 

._. 

2 

1 

1 1 

7    ; 

a    ■ 

2 
1 

22 

8 

16          1 
5      

13 

7 



7 
2 

,;  :::■■•  -; 

194      

1      

■2 

1 

6      

2               1 

285      

10      

3 

1 
21 

1 

1 

i 

s 

•211      

15 

U 
1 

7 

11 

8 

1 

1 
1 

.....|...... ............ ...... 

3 

9      

■ ■ 

12      

8 
6 
4 
2 

2 
13 

4 

6 

■3  !::::;:r  1 

a    1 

4    2 

3 
1 

1 

115      

13 
2 

178      

20      

1 

I 

18 

j 





9      

2 

8 
1 

15 

2 
3 



28      

, 

2 

, 

3 

5    7 

80      

1 

2 
4 

27 

1        9 

1     1 

1 
1 

2 
1 

1     1 

38      

1 

1 1 

16      

s 

7 

2     

7      3    1 

66      

2 
34 

304 

1 

1 
1 

3 
5 

1 
10 

104      

12    1 

25     IS    ; 10     

437               2 

!                    '                    '          ! 

57 

8    1 i     10 

'  318 

' 

245    '      2 

1S5    ■ 135     ' 154      108           2     '   6.125             31 

S.  96- 


-16 


122 


REPORT    ON    TUE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  o.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840.           1841.           1842. 

I                   1 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSKS  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

1,492. 

1,138.              1,073.              1,092 

1,109. 

1,080. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.; 

1 
Died.  Cases.l  Died. 

! 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cnses. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

7 
17 
71 

76 

1 
1 
5 

4 

1 

5 

28 

127 

1 

17 

10 
20 
33 

12 
4 

1 
1 

4 
50 
59 

6 

10 

1 
2 
1 

1      3 

8 

1       7 

Fevers 

Tcbris  inlcrniitlens  tertiana 

1  Febris  iiiterniitlons  (piartana 

1  Febris  remittcns 

3      

Erysipelas 

Scarlatina 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

Ciiolera  Asiatica 

923 
17 

44 
8 

G6 

21 

3 

18 
4 
9. 

16 
2 

1 

28 
3 

1 

9 



1  Dyscntcria  acuta 

1 

.      1 

gcslive  system. 



19 

96 

10 

214 

3 

11 

6 

3 

9 

11 

3 

4 

4 

48 

1 
3 

13 
52 
2 
106 
4 
5 
3 
3 
6 
6 
3 
1 

37 
2 

7 

2 

1 

1 

24 

25 

5 

111 

11 
3 
4 
5 

13 
4 
2 
8 

22 

19 

1 
1 

1 

3 

26 
3 

80 

3 
3 
1 

1 
1 
1 

3 

17 

2 

72 

1           0 





■ 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 

1 
1 

1 

14 

2 

106 

3 

7 

2 
5 

14 
5 

Catarrhus 

tory  system. 

2 
1 
4 

1 
2 

J 
o 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

nervous  system. 

Neuralgia 

AH  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 
19 

19 

.                1" 

3 

and  genital  organs. 

1                                 

1  Syphilis  primitiva 

40 
5 

1 

8 
6 
S 

24 

2 

23 

14 

6 

8 
2 
5 

10 

6 
4 
2 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

9 

7 

t  Ascites 

and  exlialent  vessels.     ' 

1  All  other  diseases  ot  iliis  class 

1 

1 
3 

Pernio 

4 



2 



Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

muscular  siruelures. 
Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . .  ■ 

Rhcumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus. ... 

48 
1 

18 

20 
1 
1 
1 

50 
4 
2 
5 
1 

47 

35 
1 
11 
35 
2 

30 

22 

26 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

13 

29 

5 

6 
12 
3 

17 
11 
2 

Concussio  eercin'i 

1 

25 
2 

38 
3 

1 

27 

17 

1 

20 

Wounds  and  iiijuri(?s.... 

Luxalio 

1 

4 

7 

27 

1  Sub-luxatio 

11 
10 

11 
21 

7 
9 
2 
2 

11 
10 
2 

2 
1 
1 
11 
1 

,  Vulnus  sclopcticum 

2 

Debilitas 

1 

15 
7 
3 
5 
21 
68 

1 
8 
2 

4 
4 
C 
2 
11 
59 

...... 

1 

2 

7 
2 
2 
2 
14 
37 



Ebrit'tas 

^ 

9 
3 
1 

1 
3 
34 



Miscellaneous • 

Morbi  cutis 

7    1  - 

14  • 
41 

1 

21 
42 

Total 

1,229 

11 

720 

5 

648 

6 

559 

3 

338 

1 

359 

' 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  REGION  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


123 


FOURTH  QUARTER 

AGr<RFn.iTB 

1845. 

1846.           1847.           1848. 

1849.     .      1850.           1851. 

j 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STKESOTU. 

482.                    85. 

16.           1          403. 

505. 

416. 

354. 

186. 

161. 

153. 

9,755. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cdses. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     Total 

4 
3 
2 

1 
1 
1 

2 
14 

7 
1 
3 



3 
6 
12 

12 

3 
6 
2 

1 
7 

1 
3 
1 

.... 

3 

1 
2 

5 

57 

169 

347 

16 

123 

7 

8 

7 

1 

6 

5 
10 

i      3 





1 

1 

1     

1 

4 

1 



1 

1 



1 

1 

1 

1 



1 



1 

1 
3 

1 1 ' i 

I 

1 

3 

1 

..     .. 

t 

15 
1 

3 

70 

18 

5 

37 
6 

13 
2 

1 

17 
3 

4 

1 

7 
1 
1 

10 

1      571 

6 

84 
8 
3 
3 

1 

1 

1 
5 
9 

1 

[ 

2 
2 

7 

1 

............ 

1 
11 

6 
13 

5 
11 

5 
6 
1 

5 
6 

2 
5 
2 
34 



6 

7 
1 
9 

106 

294 

35 

824 

11 

55 

40 

16 

40 

65 

24 

15 

•     26 

173 

5 

92 

24 

411 

1 

4 

22 

1 

266 

4 

169 

164 

24 

2 

2 

252 

14 

6 

12 

65 

163 

10 

10 

3 

6 

74 

27 

IB 

23 

113 

389 

2 
1 

4 

12 

1 
2 

IS 

21 

27 

4 

7 

2 

2 

3 
3 

9 

1 

1 

1 
2 

11 

1 

i      " 

1 

1 

2 

2 

6      

1 

1 

6 
1 

1 

8 
3 

1 
2 
2 

3 

4 

1 
8 



2 

1 

1 

1 
10 

1 

1 
1 

1 

o 

2 

2 

3 

" 

1 
2 
9 

4 

2 
2 

5 
2 





1 
2 

3 



1 

1 




■■■;:: i 



1 

1 

I 

1 

« 

1 

2 

2 

9 

2 

1 

13 

20 

9 

7 

14 

4 

^    i 

11 
2 

1 

9 

19 

13 

1 

11 

6 

6 

1    in 

9 

10 
2 

6      

>•.... 

1 

1 

7 
1 

2 

1 

1 

I 

1 

9 
3 

2 

1 

1      3 

1 

10 

10 

16 

11 

7 



6 

1 

2 

1 

i 

1 

1 

' 

1 
10 
5 
2 

1 

1 
3 
5 

1 

1 

1 

2 
5 

1 
1 

1 

6 
2 

13 

1 

9    1 

1 

1 

4 

• 

1 
2 

3 

6 

1 



6 

3 

1 

I 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 
1 
9 
16 

1 

3 

1 

2 
1 
5 

1 
3 
13 

a 

8 
24 

5 

1 
j       7 

1 

2         15 

::::::r  1 1 

7     1 

6 

1  '^ 

3 

132 

1    33 

1          6 

218 

( 

5 

253 

3    1  163 

2     !  165 

1 

119 

100 



98 

5,139 

37 

I'i4 


BEPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 
No.  6.— ARSTRACT  OF  THE  PUINCH'AL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


FIRST  aUARTER. 

1839.            1840.      1      1841. 

1842.           1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1 

EASES. 

363. 

1 

633.            eaa. 

473. 

S32. 

574. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.!  Died.  Cases.  Dicu.  ,Ca8C8. 

1           !            [           1 
Died.  Cases.,  Died.  Cnses.  Died. 

1 

Cascs.i  Died. 

i 

\ 

1 

34 
31 

9 
15 
33 

3 
1 

1 
5 

30 

5 

3 

1 

3  :::::: 

Ffvers ^ 

Febris  interaiitteiis  r|tiiirtana 

1 

3 

3 

I 

1  Fi;bris  typhus  



1 

3 

i         '. ;   

1 

1 
3 

i 

4 

3 

3 

•21      

6 
2 

2 

Diseases    of   the   organs 

3 

1 


connected  with  llic  d\-\ 

Enteritis 

gestivc  system. 



1 

1 
3 
36 

3 
3 

7 

1 

64 

1 
4 
1 
1 
4 
3 

3 

Obstipatio    

1 

1 
18 



8 

1 

37 
3 

1 



3 
11 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system  

1 
I 

7 

43 
3 

1 

1 

88 
1 

39 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

3 

7 

4    1 

3     

1     1 

3 

1 

1 

3 
3 

7 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  tliis  system 

' 

1 
1 
3 
1 



4 
7 
1 
3 
1 
9 



1 

3 



Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

Epilepsia 

1 
3 

1 
1 
6 

[ 

All  otht-r  diseases  of  this  system 

2 
3 

1  :::::: 
1 

1 

8 

5 

Diseases  of  the   urinar>' 

1 

1 



1 
1 

2 

All  other  diseases  of  Uiis  class 



1 

Diseases    of  the    serous  t 
and  exbalent  vessels.     I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

1 
33 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 

9 



6 

31 

13 

9 

Podagra 

niiiscuhir  .stnii'tnres. 

r 

Abscesses  and  ulcers.,,.  ■{ 

I 

Rlieumnlismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

Fistula 

6 

1 
5 

...... 

19 

44 

13 

25 

10 

I'hlegirion  et  absccssus 

17 
4 

9 
5 
5 
1 

16 
3 

1 

13 

1 
1 

15 
3 

Ulcus 

2 

1      1 

,      - 

1 

1 
1 

Contusio 

6 
2 

34 
5 

13 

14 

1 

• • .. • ^ 

13 
3 

1 

, 

Wounds  and  injuries....  ■ 

Punitio 

3 

17 
37 
5 

4 
2 
5 

Sub-luxatio 

3 
8 
3 
3 

3 

30 
3 

i      6 

11 

11 

Vulnus  punctiun 

, 

i 

... 

1 

1 

Dcbilitas 

■■■;■■';:::::! 

Ebrietas 

5 

1 

5 

1 
3 
3 
3 

S 

3 

3 

I 
3 

3 
6 

5 



3 

3 

4 

11 

15 

8 

19 

15 

Tola! 

ti 

333 

247 

I        <>84 

3 

aoi 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   THE    NORTHERN    DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  INTERIOR  REGION.— WEST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


125 


FinST  QUARTER. 

1845. 

184G. 

1847. 

1848.      j 

1849.            1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTQ. 

653. 

197. 

71. 

86. 

595.                   552.                   510.                   .ITa. 

455. 

460.                  7,308. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. ' 

Cases.j  Died. 

Cases.i  Died. 

Cases.! 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.i  Died. 

1 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

3 
5 
11 

1 

2 
3 

7 

2 
4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

34 

111 

124 

7 

14 

14 
8 
2 

2 

5 

5 
8 
3 



3 

18    ' 
2 

3 

2 

1 
1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

'' 

1 



1 

6 

1 

i 

j 

1 1 1 

4 

1 
1 



1            1      1 

13 

2 

14 
7 

26 

2 

2      

7 

7      

6     

116 
18 
4 

3 

1  ! 

.... 

1 

1 

1 

4 

! 

i 

1 

. 

6      

1 
4 

1 

1 
13 

11 

7 

14 

70 

1 

12 
3 
1 
1 
2 

1 

12 
8 
1 

72 

13      '       3      '       9 

1       1 

67    1 

6 
49 

1 

5 

1 
9 

8 
1 

' ! 1 " !  ' 

146      

20    '          3 

26 

7 

53 

35      

21      

35 

ax    

7               5 

2 
2 

1 

1 

4 

2 

1 

4     '■ 

6 

49     

4 

1 

21 

9 
29 
25 
11 
10 

8 
•     54 

1 
14 

5 
15 

3 

... 





3 

1 
2 

1      

1 

S 
3 

2 

1      

3      

1 

3. 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2      

1 

... 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

5 

2 

1 

9 

1 

4 

1 

2 

1 

5 

■ 

3 

2 

6 

1 

1 

i             1 

1 

1 
14 

2       

1 

5 

1 



31 

7 

' 

i      ' 

13 

165    1 

7 

1 

5 

2 



31 

2 

27 

14 

M 

10 
1 

24 



"     1 

238              2 
2      

8 
2 
3 

6 

1 

20 

8 

17 
2 

18      11 

6      G 

1 

17    ' 

a  1 

1 
197      

3 

1      9      

j 

54    

1 

1 



IS 

2 

2 

193 

18 

9 

14 

63 

136 

26 

23 

4 

1 

i 

1 

1 

1 

21 

2 

.     i 

15 

1 

9 

2 

20 
3 

18 
1 

11 

-10    i     a     

1 

2 

1 

1 

6 
2 
7 
1 
6 

1 

5 

3 

6 
6 
1 

1 

4 

S 

s    1 

5 
4 
7 

3 

...... 

3 
2 
1 

1 

2 

1 
1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

8     

6 

1 

1    1 

1 

3 
2 

3 

"v  j:::::: 

3 

I; 

3      

1 

3 
2 

1 

21    i 

5    1 

4 

'  _.       ,      0    ;   . . 

1 
2 

: 

,            1        :                                 7        1 

2 



24 
65 
41 
168 

6 

3 

4 

13       -   - 

10 

27 

9 

1 

1    s 

.   ...' 

::..;:  1 1 

10 
10 

1 

13 

4 

3 

1 

i      ' 

13    j 26      

9 

180     '       3         71 

81            1 

•15 

317           6       281            3       238 

1       166    j 

227      140 

3,158 

22 

126 


REPOUT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 
No.  6.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


Ybars 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES, 

42.1. 

637. 

474. 

683. 

555. 

680. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Coses. 

Died,  'cases. 

1 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Febris  continua  communis 

3 
35 

1 

2     

17 

1 
9 
4 

1 
41 
68 

4 
63 

1 

a 

53 

33 
1 
13 

Fevers 

3 

I 
3 

1 

10 

2 

2 

Febris  typhus 

Erysipelas 

Eruptive  fevers - 

1 

1 

1 

12 
3 

42 
20 

1 

n 

74 
5 

IS 
3 

13 
2 

Diseases   of  the    orsJinj! 

connected  with  the  di-. 
gesiivc  system. 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 
4 
12 

1 

16 
26 
3 
37 
2 
6 
3 
3 
3 
5 
1 

8 
17 

9 

19 

1 

53 

■   All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

7 

6 

1 

21 

1 
1 

1 

8 

1 

11 

100 

1 
1 

2 

lory  system. 

'   Pleuriti-^                          

2 
3 
1 
6 

■' 
3 

4 

1 

2 

1 
1 
4 
3 
1 
1 
2 
9 

1 

11 

4 
8 
1 
1 
2 
1 
15 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

1 

7 

2 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 

1 

3 
4 

1     i 

12      

3 

Diseases  of  iho  urinary 

1 

1 
3 



1 

1 

aud  genital  organs. 

Syphihs  consecutiva 

2 

1 

4 

1 

6 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and , 
eihalent  vessels.            J 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  St 
jiiuscuhir  slruolures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers.... , 

2 

2 

PodaTa                                         

1  UhLMiiuatismusj  acutus  ct  clironicus 



12 
1 
3 
2 
2 

29 

27 

28 

14 

12 

I*lile<:mon  ct  absccssus 

19 

U 
1 
I 

33 

8 
3 
1 



16 
3 

1 

16 
2 
2 

9 
4 
2 



i  Ambubtio 

15 
1 
4 

10 

1 
1 
1 
9 
6 





19 
2 

16 

12 
2 

Fraetura 

6 

7 

3 

21 

Wounds  and  injuries.... . 



1 
7 
13 



3 
12 

6 

8 

4 

8 





2 
11 





2 
2 
2 
4 
2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1 
2 
11 

1 

1 

Debilitas 

' 

3 

1 
3 
7 
2 

10 
2 

1 
3 
2 

1 

1 

Miscellaneous 

1 
5 

1 
12 

2 
21 

1 
22 

1 

'  Mnrbi  oculi 

14 

1 

18 

21 

26      

30 

20 

174 

2       410    1      3 

272 

466          4 

255 

282 

3 

AMONG   THK   TROOPS    IN    THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  INTERIOR  REGION.— WEST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


127 


SECOND  aUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

6TREHUTH. 

520. 

191. 

153. 

85. 

422. 

466. 

595. 

370. 

3il. 

403. 

6,970. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Coses. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total     Toinl 
cases,     died. 

3 
5 

18 

4 
24 
22 

5 
4 

19 

2 
19 
5 

9 
16 

2 

10 

8 
4 

8 
25 

11 
3 
5 

5 
4 



201     ' 

317    ,  

7     ' 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2     

1     

2 

1 

6              1 
8              1 

1 

1 

2 

2    \ 



1 
1 
63 
9 
1 

I 

7 

369 

60 

2 
23 

1 

1 

1 
42 
9 

3 

21 

3 

1 

13 
3 

10 
2 

5 

15 

10      



1 



1 

I 

3 

1 

8 

5 

102 

178 

20 

475 

9 

47 

33 

11 

51 

27 

1 
3 
10 

1 
14 
26 

5 
49 

1 

2 
6 

1 
3 
6 

9 
1 
9 

1 

2 

5 
5 
3 

24 
1 
4 

1 



12 
16 

7 
8 

4 

13 

1 
5 

15 

4 

1 

5 

3 

32 
1 
3 

1 
1 
5 

4 

6 

74 

19 
3 
3 

1 

1 

23 

2 

4 
4 

9 
5 
1 
2 
1 

1      

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 
3 

1 



4      

1 

4 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2     

10  ':::::: 

11  1 

2 

1 

7 

1 



9 

5 

1 



1 

2 

1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

9     

3      

30      

9 

2 



1 

■ 

1 

1 
2 

1 

1 

5     ,           1 
5 

1 

1 

42 

1 

S91 

o 

10 

8 
1 
3 
3 

7 

5 

27 

38 

19 

4 

«  ! 

6 
3 
1 

1 
2 

1 

22 
1 
1 
1 

28 

14 
2 

24 
12 

23 

8 

12 

6     

17 

182    I 

1 

1 

1 

u  i:::::: 

3    1  

253     • 

9    ' 

14 



15 
1 

9 

5 

16 

21 

13 
2 

21 

20 

... 

.. 

3 

9 
69 
112 
14 
21 
So 

8 
69 
21 

8 

9A 

5 
3 
2 

2 

1 

2 
2 

1 

::::::i  I 

4 
9 
1 



3 

4 
11 
6 
2 



6 
6 

2 

4 
2 

1 
1 
1 

9      

6      

2      

a    

2      

, 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 
3 

1 

1 

1 

1 
4 

1 

1 

\ 

6 
1 
2 
2 
7 
3 
9 

9 

1 

11 
2 

6 
4 

^  ! 

1 

1 

1 
1 
5 
3 

1 

1 

1 
17 
16 
28 

1 

2 
13 

\ 

1 

2 

4 

3 

5 

1 

18 

1  

1^  :::::: 

20              1 
283    ,         2 

17 

7 

17 

1      7 

17 

22 

12     

190 

103 

141 

3     ;     47 

239 

4 

314 

1 

379 

212 

1 

155 

1S8     

3,839    i       21 

128 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 
No.  6.— AliSTIiACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  ANU  DEATHS  OCCUEliING  AMONG  THE 


Years   i 

THIRD  aUAKTEll. 

1839.           1840. 

1841. 

1842.           1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

KASLId. 

S66.                684. 

687. 

736.                   604. 

523. 

SPECIFIC  DISE.ASE3. 

Cases.  Died.  Coses. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

1 
Died.  Coses.  Died.  Coses 

1 

Died. 

13 

2 

11 

2 
59 
67 

1 

1         34 

83 

I          97 

71 
19 
2 
24 

H7 

16 

45 

Fevers 

Febrisinlerniitlcns  quartana 

17 

1 

^     i 

1 

9 

31 

9 

1 

1 

1      

1 

1 

1 

...   j     ..  . 

33 
12 

96 

112 

1 

79 
24 
32 

1 

78 
21 

12 
5 

24 
11 

Diseases  of  tin;    orgnns 
cormccieti  with  ilic  di-' 

::::::i:::::' 

5 

1 

geslivc  system. 

1 

38 

4 

28 

1 

16       

14     ' 

10 
27 

1 
1    11 

1 

7 
15 

:;;:::!  : 



1  All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

18 

1 

12      

19 
1 
2 
1 
3 
7 

149      23 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

1 

3 

a 

2 

6 
3 

1 

1 

1 



2 
1 

1 
3 

3 
S 

7 

1 
1 

1 

r 

i  Ce|>lialal"ia                      ' 

7      B 

1 

1 

Diseases  or  the  hraiii  and 

3 

nervous  system. 

All  niher  diseases  of  this  system  

5 

1 

4 
13 

4 
5 

1 


1      - 

24 

9     i 

3 

1 

Diseases  of  the   urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 

1 

1    ' 

1 

1 
1 

1 
7 

Diseases  of  tlie    serous  t 
and  exhalent  vessels.     ( 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &.  j 
muscular  structures. 

5 

3      1       3 

Ascites 

Alt  other  disc:L«es  ot  this  class 

Pernio 

1 
1 
1 

.... 
3 

1 

1 

Rheuntatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

19 

34 

13 
3 
9 
2 

4 
1 

22 
1 
1 
1 
7 

24 

36 



21 

7 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  J 

Phlegmon  ct  absccssus 

i  Ulcus    . 

18 

25 
4 
2 

28 
1 

14 
6 

2 

17 

1 

1 

1 

9 
2 

2 

1     10 

1       4 

2 

!S! 

16 

4 

11 
1 

3 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

5 
32 

10 

21 

5 
15 

9     '      3 

18     9 



2 

1 

1 
1 
3 

1 

3 

3 



4 
7 
1 
13 
3 
2 
I 
9 

1 

2 
1 

2 

1 

25 
3 

1 
1 
4 

1 

::::::  i 

!      3 

'      3 

6 

1 
2 
2 
9 

Hernia 

1 
2 
16  • 

Miscellaneous •{ 

4 

1.5 

I-' 

29 

22 

15 

7 
950 

1 

Tunl 

:t7-» 

I       'ot\ 

1 

491 

4    1  410 

2    '  4Rn 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NORTH  INTERIOR  REGION.— WEST  OF  THE  GREAT  L.^KES. 


129 


THIRD  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRE.VGTH. 

317. 

200. 

93. 

290. 

511. 

552. 

484. 

217. 

423. 

419. 

7,306. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases, 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total 

cases. 

Toml 
died. 

15 

37 

20 

1 

8 

1 

30 

11 
8 
2 

5 
35 
5 

1 
25 
4 

3 
9 
6 

61 

556 

411 

6 

178 

3 

4 

1 

63 
21 

13 
13 

7 
14 
1 
5 

3 

2 
1 
9 
3 

2 

18 

2 



3 

5 

1 

4 

7 

3 

1 

1 

2 
110 
33 

1 

30 

127 

7 

5 

2 

2 

1 
59 

1 

33 

974 

247 

10 

5 

7 

3 

162 

38 
419 

7 
21 

6 
23 
59 
23 
31 

3 
31 
73 

3 

19 
3 

50 

16 

103 

115 
11 

1 

36 
4 

18 
5 

3 

3 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 
3 
7 

2 
11 

17 
3 
2 

44 



16 
12 
13 
13 
1 
3 

21 
6 
6 
9 
2 
2 

21 
27 

24 
13 
11 

3 
6 

1 
1 

6 
13 

7 

I 

7 

2 

3 

1 

40 



13 

1 

3 

5 

1 

3 

1 

2 

10 

2 
1 

3 
3 

1 

3 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
3 

5 
1 

1 
2 

3 

2 
7 
7 

3 
2 

1 
1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 
2 



1 

1 

3 
4 

1 

4 

2 

4 

5 



1 

1 

1 

2 
2 
3 

3 

9 

9 

39 

1 

8 

2 

1 

370 

3 

373 

49 

15 

3 

336 

18 

13 

4 

76 

186 

14 

38 

19 

23 

91 

36 

19 

23 

108 

6 

359 

3 
5 

1 
3 

2 

,, 

2 

2 

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 
21 

9 

4 

' 



14 

1 

21 

29 

So 

5 

6 

1 

13 
2 

1 

2 
6 

2 

4 

24 
6 

19 
4 

21 
10 
2 

20 
3 

1 

27 
5 

30 

3 

1 
13 



1 
13 

1 
I 

10 

11 

3 

5 

31 
2 

1 

30 
2 

7 
1 

13 

1 

4 

3 

7 
4 

2 

1 
2 
2 

1 

14 
1 

4 
13 
3 
6 

5 
9 
3 

2 

7 
14 

1 
3 

1 
1 

1 

6 
7 
3 
4 
4 

1 

3 

2 

5 

1 

1 
1 

1 

2 

1 
1 

13 
3 

2 
4 

17 

3 

4 
2 
2 
2 
1 
1 

6 

1 
1 
1 
2 
4 
3 
9 



2 

2 
1 
2 
2 
13 

4 

15 
3 
1 
1 

11 
1 

30 

1 

10" 
1 
2 

1 

1 

1 

4 



1 
3 
5 

1 
2 

1 

9 

1 
13 

ID 

12 

10 

9 

28 

9 

33 

214 

1 

202 

89 

1 

277 

3m 

3 

416 

3 

429 

2 

358 

2    1  183 



330 

3 

S.430     1         25 

S.  96- 


-17 


130 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND   MOETALITT 

No.  6.— ABSTIUCT  OP  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCUERING  AMONG  THE 


Years  

FOURTH  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

639. 

708. 

405. 

652. 

579. 

652. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

3 

9 

69 

1 

15 
65 
106 

1 

2 
4 
4 

1 
50 
56 

2 
15 
22 

25 
4 

Fevers 

3 

1 

3 

5 

1 
1 

Febris  tvpbus 

Er>-sipelas 

Rubeola 

4 

1 

Scarlatina 

r 

Cholera  Asiatica 

Diarrlioca , 

10 
4 

9 
4 

19 

1 

12 
2 

4 
4 

16 

7 

1 

1 

Disease»«    of  the    or^ns 

1  Enteritis 

connected  with  Uie  di- 

1 
2 
1 

25 
4 

43 
1 
7 
3 

1 

1 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  chronica 

13 

15 

4 

40 



4 

8 

3 

40 

5 
4 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

20 
2 

87 
1 
3 

5 

Catarrhus 

39 

1 

48 
1 
2 

Diseases  of  ihe  respira- 

.... 

1 
1 
2 
4 
4 
2 
1 
3 
9 
2 

1 

3 
5 

1  Pneumonia 

1 

4 
1 

1 

5 
4 
2 

1 

1 

11 

2 
4 

3 
2 
1 

1 

Delirium  tremens 

Dlseases  of  the  brain  and 

Epilepsia 

4 

nervous  system. 

Neuralgia 



1 
1 
6 

1 

1 
7 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

,  Gonorrhosa 

2 

9 

,  Striclura  urethra? 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 
1 
5 

1 

3 

17 

4 

Diseases    of  the    serous  r 

Ascites 

1 
3 

Pernio  

3 

3 

7 

15 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  8c 

muscular  structures. 

I 
f 

Rhcumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

12 

1 
8 
8 
4 
20 
1 
5 

43 

10 

35 

10 

10 

18 
9 
5 

21 
2 

17 
9 
2 

22 

1 

16 
4 
2 

22 
1 

10 
2 

9 
5 

[ 

Ulcus 

Contusio    

12 

10 
2 

1 

5 

Puniiio 

2 
10 
38 

VVuuiids  and  injuries,,,. ' 

9 

8 

5 
17 

7 
7 

5 
11 

1 

Vulnus  incisum 

28 

Vulnus  laceratum 

3 

3 

1 

1 
2 
4 
3 

Dcbilitas 

1 
7 

1 
3 
2 

12 
2 
2 

1 

3 
2 
1 
1 

2 
1 
12 

1 
5 

1 
4 

4 

6 

1 
7 

L 

16 

20 

24 

15 

13 

Total 

260 

390 

S 

401 

4 

337 

273 

222 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   NORTHERN   DIVISION. 
TKOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  NOKTH  INTERIOR  REGION.— WEST  OF  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 


131 


FOURTH  aUARTEE. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENOTB. 

270. 

200. 

87. 

232. 

573. 

636. 

384. 

318. 

452. 

548. 

7,335. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

[7ases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total   1  Total 
cases,     died. 

1 
49 
69 

2 
12 

1 
29 
38 

2 

1 

2 

3 
10 
3 

1 

2 
7 
12 
2 
4 

1 
1 

1 
4 

1 
3 
2 

34 

309 

411 

8 

36 

1 

7 

3 

10 



23 

7 

16 
12 

1 

2 

1 

::::::;:::::! 

1 

2 

1 

::::::  ;.;:.i 

1 

1 

12 

12 

4 

25 

1 
5 

84 
17 

36 
13 

33 
1 

43 
3 

1 

88 

1 

429 

1 

12              ^ 

1 

I 

I 

4 

5 

93 

165 

30 

628 

7 

36 

25 

12 

38 

21 

14 

9 

14 

61 

3 

7 

8 

45 

1 

1 

1 
3 
3 

1 

1 
7 

1 
6 
1 
2 
3 

10 
17 
2 

69 

1 
8 
1 
S 
2 
1 
1 

1 

19 
4 
3 

50 

6 
9 

11 
22 

............ 

10 
14 
10 
39 

1 

4 

7 

1 

14 

20 

4 

42 

56 

34 

1 
2 

1 

2 

1 
I 

1 

1 

2 
8 

1 
5 
4 

1 

4 

■■>••■ 

2 

1 
1 
2 

2 

1 

1 
1 

2 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
2 
2 

1 

5 

1 

1 

3 

• 

1 
I 

2 
2 

1 
6 

1 

2 
2 
2 

3 
3 

>      ••■• 

5 

2 

1 

1 

3 

1 
6 

1 

1 

1 
3 

1 

1 

4 
1 

i 

2 

3 

1 

75 

1 

259 

4 

244 

88 

24 

275 

1 

::::::;::::: 

1 

5 

8 

2 

1 
22 

1 
18 
13 

3 
46 

1 

9 



9 

8 



4 

3 

1 

17 

37 

12 

21 
1 

24 
2 

13      

29      

1      

10 

1 

27 

10 

1 
18 

21 
5 

1 
4 

1 

8 
1 
1 
10 
3 

21 

7 
4 

27 

1 

16 
8 
1 

13 



1 



5 

5 

1 

23 

1 
3 

20    1 

1 

1 

1 

2 
88 
178 
21 
22 

9 
23 
88 
32 

8 

17 

63 

13 

225 

1 
4 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

11 

13 
2 
9 
2 
2 

15 
9 
1 
4 
7 
5 

10 

9 

23 

3 

7 
7 

1 
2 

7 
11 
4 
3 

7 
5 
2 



5 
3 

7 
1 
1 

* 

1 
10 
10 

4 

2 
2 
2 
1 

2 

5 
2 

1 

11 
1 

2 
3 

1 



1 

1 

11 
3 

1 
1 

2 

' 

2 

1 
2 
2 



2 

7 

4 
2 

1 
10 

1 
28 

1 

3 

1 

2 



1 
12 

3 

8 

11 

1 

3 

30 

IS 

13 

3 

247 

160 

2 

32 

124 

433 

3 

379 

1 

213 

330     ! 

1 

178 

341 

1 

4,320 

13 

MIDDLE  DIVISION. 


MIDDLE  ATLANTIC  EEGION. 

This  region  includes  that  portion  of  the  Atlantic  coast  which  lies  between  the  35th  and  40th 
degrees  of  north  latitude,  comprising  not  only  those  stations  which  are  immediately  contiguous 
to  the  ocean,  but  those  also  which  are  situated  upon  the  bays  and  rivers  not  sufficiently  removed 
from  the  sea  to  have  decidedly  an  inland  climate. 

This  class  embraces  five  military  stations  proper,  and  two  arsenals — one  at  Frankford,  the 
other  at  Washington. 

The  military  stations  are  Forts  Mifflin,  McHenry,  Severn,  Washington^  and  Monroe. 

FRANKFORD   ARSENAL 

Is  on  Frankford  creek,  five  miles  in  a  northeastly  direction  from  the  State-House  at  Phila- 
delphia,  and  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  west  bank  of  the  river  Delaware. 

WASHINGTON   ARSENAL 

Is  on  Greenleaf's  Point,  at  the  junction  of  the  Anacostia  with  the  Potomac  river,  one  mile 
and  a  half  south  of  the  Capitol,  in  Washington.  Its  position  is  not  a  healthy  one,  having  low 
and  marshy  grounds  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  which,  with  the  subsidence  of  the  rivers  in  sum- 
mer, exposing  more  or  less  of  their  beds  and  banks  to  the  sun,  prove  fruitful  sources  of  inter- 
mittent and  remittent  fevers.  The  number  of  enlisted  men  stationed  here  rarely  exceeds  four- 
teen, the  larger  portion  of  the  work  being  performed  by  artisans  employed  by  the  month. 

FORT   MIFFLIN 

Is  located  on  a  low  island  in  the  Delaware  river,  five  miles  below  Philadelphia.  No  special 
report  of  its  topography  can  be  found  on  the  files  of  the  Medical  Bureau. 

FORT   M'HENRT, 

Situated  on  a  peninsula,  bounded  on  the  one  side  by  the  Patapsco  river,  and  on  the  other  by 
the  harbor  of  Baltimore,  is  about  three  miles  distant  from  tlie  centre  of  the  city,  in  a  southerly 
direction.  It  occupies  the  whole  of  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula,  covering  an  area  of  55  or 
60  acres  ;  the  fort  is  elevated  about  36  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river,  when  at  high-water 
mark ;  and  as  this  elevation  has  a  gradual  slope  in  every  direction,  the  drainage  is  naturally 
good. 

The  surrounding  country  is  rather  low  and  level,  with  occasional  undulations  ;  but  there  are 
no  mountains  or  very  high  lands  in  the  vicinity.  The  soil  is  mostly  argillaceous  and  silicious. 
During  the  summer,  the  prevailing  winds  vary  from  south  to  east,  while  those  of  the  winter 


134  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

are  mostly  northwest.  When  Mowing  from  the  south,  the  current  of  air  traverses  some  low 
land  called  Romney  marsh,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Patapsco  ;  hut  the  distance  of  this  marsh 
from  the  fort  is  upwards  of  a  luile. 

The  annual  quantity  of  rain,  on  an  average  of  20  years,  is  42  inches. 

FORT    SEVERN. 

This  post  is  situated  on  Severn  river,  on  a  point  of  hind  which  makes  out  IVom  the  city  of 
Annapolis.  It  is  very  little  elevated  ahove  the  level  of  Chesapeake  hay.  The  river  is  here 
ahout  800  yards  wide.  There  are  no  marshes  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  The  post  was  aban- 
doned on  the  3d  of  September,  1845,  being  on  that  day  turned  over  to  the  navy  for  a  naval 
academy. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  WASHINGTON.  " 

By  Assistant  Surgeon  Lewis  A.  Edwards:  1852. 

Fort  Washington,  Maryland,  in  latitude  38°  41',  and  longitude  76°  58',  is  situated  on  a  high 
ridge  of  land,  running  nearly  parallel  with  the  Potomac  river,  and  terminating  soutliwardly  in 
a  bluff  point,  in  the  angle  formed  between  the  river  and  Piscataway  creek.  Immediately  in  rear 
of  the  fort  (S.E.)  is  a  deep  ravine,  about  300  feet  wide  at  the  top,  its  sides  sloping  rather  preci- 
pitously, about  80  feet  in  depth.  At  the  bottom  there  is  a  level  plain  of  about  70  feet  in  width, 
extending  the  whole  length;  about  50  yards  of  this  bottom,  adjoining  the  creek,  is  marshy,  and 
covered  with  a  growth  of  the  swamp-willow.  A  portion  of  the  valley  is  under  cultivation  ; 
the  remainder  is  used  as  a  pasturage.  The  western  slope  is  thickly  covered  with  a  growth  of 
the  papaw  tree,  and  an  underbrush  of  dwarf-sunflower  and  pokeherry.  The  eastern  side,  as  also 
the  crown  of  the  hill  (opposite  the  fort),  is  covered  with  a  flourishing  young  forest.  At  the 
foot  of  this  slope  runs  a  small  stream,  on  a  sandy  bed.  West  and  northwest  of  the  fort  runs 
the  Potomac;  southwardly  is  Piscataway  creek,  which  extends  up,  as  an  arm  of  the  river,  about 
two  miles,  at  an  average  width  of  800  yards.  The  water  of  tlie  creek  is  very  shoal,  deposits 
probably  being  made  year  by  year.  In  times  past,  schooners  of  20  to  30  tons  could  ascend, 
where,  now,  the  common  "long  boat"  cannot  reach.  The  river  is  about  1,300  yards  in  width. 
The  tide  has  a  variation  of  3i  or  4  feet.  Tlie  shores  of  the  river  and  creek  are  gently  sloping  ; 
the  river  having  a  beach  of  well  washed  gravel  and  sand,  while  that  of  the  creek  has  a  deposit 
of  clay  and  marl  from  its  banks,  and  the  mud  or  sediment  of  the  river. 

The  common  river-grass  grows  abundantly  on  both  shores,  the  low  tides  leaving  it  above  the 
surface  of  the  water. 

The  men's  barracks  and  a  set  of  officers'  quarters  are  at  either  end  of  the  parade-ground, 
which  is  of  fine  gravel,  and  115  feet  above  high-water  mark.  The  commanding  officer's 
quarters  are  situated  on  the  same  ridge  as  the  fort,  about  600  feet  north,  a  considerable  depres- 
sion intervening,  in  which  the  hospital  is  located,  about  equidistant  from  the  two  points  above 
mentioned,  and  80  yards  from  the  river.  This  ridge  is  composed  of  layers  of  clay,  gravel,  and 
marl.  Many  fossils  are  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  marl-beds,  opening  on  the  river  banks,  and 
in  the  small  rivulet  running  through  the  ravine  in  the  rear.  A  variety  of  forest-trees  are  found 
here,  as  follows,  viz  : 

White  oak,  red  oak,  black  oak,  Spanish  oak,  wild  cherry,  white  and  red  hickory,  white  and 
sugar  maple,  white  and  black  gum,  white  and  red  ash,  hackberry,  red  cedar,  red  and  black 
haw,  chinquepin,  white  and  black  walnut,  white  and  yellow  poplar,  beech,  chestnut,  chestnut 
oak,  locu-st,  white  and  red  elm,  dogwood,  tulip  popliir,  pajiaw,  pines  (two  or  three  varieties),  red 
and  paper  mulberry,  catalpa,  slippery  elm,  sugar  nut,  red  bud,  sassafras,  weeping  willow,  syca- 
more, persimmon,  holly,  yellow  willow,  Lombardy  poplar,  bayberry,  common  willow. 

Among  the  shrubs,  wild  and  cultivated,  may  be  enumerated  the  following,  viz  : 

Alder,  sarsaparilla,  pokeherry,  Jamestown  weed,  i^lantain,  catmint,  horse  and  garden  mint. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


135 


Indian  turnip,  dog  fennel,  wild  pepper-grass,  peppermint,  winter  green  or  partridge  berry, 
liverwort,  wild  spice,  nettle,  Virginia  snake-root,  dewberry,  blackberry,  life  everlasting,  hore- 
hound,  pennyroyal,  horse-radish,  garlic,  calamus,  wormwood,  boneset,  hops,  wild  cress,  blood- 
root,  swamp  lily,  prickly  ash,  ivy  and  box-wood,  mullen,  burdock,  nightshade,  yarrow,  sagei 
balm,  sumach. 

As  I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  botanical  names  of  all  the  trees  and  plants,  I  prefer  to  give 
such  as  are  commonly  known  and  recognised  through  the  neighborhood. 

I  am  not  familiar  enough  with  the  fauna  of  this  district  to  give  any  details. 

The  meteorological  tables,  embracing  a  period  of  about  14  months,  are  too  meagre  to  furnish 
any  deductions  in  reference  to  climate.  I  may  state,  however,  that  the  prevailing  winds  appear 
to  be  from  the  southward,  and  that  the  average  quantity  of  rain,  during  this  period,  has  been 
about  two  inches  per  month. 

In  past  years  it  was  the  custom  to  form  summer  encampments  for  the  troops,  in  the  highlands 
either  of  Virginia  or  Maryland,  from  about  the  middle  of  July  till  the  beginning  of  October. 
During  the  last  four  years,  the  troops  remained  at  the  fort  throughout  the  summer.  On  com- 
paring the  statistics  of  diseases  for  that  period,  with  those  for  corresponding  quarters  as  found 
in  the  tables  published  by  the  Department  in  18-40,  we  find  a  decrease  in  the  ratio  of  all 
diseases. 

Intermittent  fever  still  prevails  over  all  other  disorders  ;  but,  taking  into  consideration  the 
fact  that,  20  years  ago,  the  troops  were  absent  from  the  post  nearly  the  whole  of  the  3d  quarter, 
it  would  appear  that  it  had  very  much  decreased  vo.  frequency .  As  regards  severity,  I  can  form 
no  comparison,  as  in  the  printed  reports  no  particular  mention  is  made  of  the  grade  this  form  of 
fever  assumed.  The  bare  circumstance,  however,  of  the  troops  leaving  the  fort  every  summer, 
shows  that  it  was  not  judicious  that  they  should  be  exposed  to  the  attacks  of,this  fever.  Kelying 
on  the  printed  reports  as  an  index  of  the  prevalence  of  this  affection  in  former  times,  my  experi- 
ence of  the  last  year  justifies  me  in  asserting  that  it  is  very  much  modified.  I  believe  that  in- 
termittent fever  is  not  only  less  frequent  in  the  neighborhood  than  formerly,  but  that  it  bears  a 
milder  form.  In  these  opinions  I  am  sustained  by  the  experience  of  persons  residing  on  either 
shore  of  the  Potomac.  The  proprietor  of  Mount  Vernon  has  frequently  assured  me  that  within 
a  few  years  past — eight  or  ten — the  affection  has  appeared  with  less  frequency  and  severity 
among  his  own  family,  and  the  negroes  belonging  to  the  estate.  I  have  found  the  disorder 
readily  disappear  on  the  exhibition  of  quinine,  in  moderately  large  doses — from  12  to  20  grains 
given  at  a  single  dose,  from  eight  to  fourteen  hours  before  the  expected  paroxysm.  In  one  case, 
the  morbific  agent  seemed  to  lurk  in  the  system,  suddenly  showing  itself  at  very  irregular 
periods,  after  there  was  every  reason  to  suppose  it  had  fled  before  the  potent  spell  of  cinchona 
and  calomel.  Liquor:  potass:  arsenit:  had  the  effect  of  quenching  this  intermittent  flame  for  a 
period  of  two  or  three  successive  months,  when  again  it  would  burst  forth.  This  patient  was  a 
laundress,  who  occupied  one  of  the  casemates  (ever  unfit  places  for  persons  to  inhabit),  and  was 
of  a  peculiarly  bilious  temperament.  Remittent  fever  has  certainly  diminished.  I  subjoin  a  table 
showing  the  relative  frequency  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  at  periods  of  about  20  years 
interval.     The  records  for  the  fourth  quarters,  being  imperfect,  are  omitted  : 


Quarters ---  - 

FIRST. 

SECOJTD. 

THIRD. 

Total. 

Years  - 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

1831. 

1832. 

1833. 

1834. 

1830. 

1832. 

1833. 

50 
1 

58 
1 

63 
11 

171 
13 

59 
8 
5 

48          61 

57 

10 

1 

225 
31 

10 

48 

10 

5 

47 
15 

56 

18 

1 

151 
43 

6 

547 

Intermittent  fever 

5 

2 

8 
2 

87 
16 

\"" 

186 


BEPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

TUIUD 

Total. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1S52. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

Mean  strength 

Intermittent  fever.. 

50 
4 

62 
4 

56 
4 

168 
12 

G6 
3 

46 
15 

61 
2 

52 
3 

225 
23 

50 

8 
7 

44 
9 

1 

56 
5 
4 

150 
22 
12 

543 
57 
12 

I  am  unable  to  arrive  at  any  satisfactory  conclusion  as  to  the  cause  of  the  diminution  of 
malarial  fever  in  this  vicinity.  The  lands  have  always  been  as  much  cultivated  ;  the  duck-weed, 
or  river-grass,  has  not  been  less  abundant,  or  less  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  atmosphere  and 
sun  by  the  low  tides,  than  formerly.  More  care  has  not,  probably,  been  bestowed  by  the  com- 
mand or  the  neighbors  upon  themselves,  or  those  connected  with  them,  than  iornierly.  It  cannot 
be  said  that  those  exposed  to  the  malaria  have  become  acclimated,  for  two  sets  of  troops  have 
formed  the  garrison  within  the  period  embraced  in  the  tables,  and  new  families  have  settled  in 
the  vicinity.  There  may  be  epochs  of  visitation  of  these  fevers  in  greater  or  less  intensity  ;  or, 
the  increase  of  other  disorders — antagonistic  they  may  be  considered — may  have  tended  to  break 
up  this  almost  monopolizing  influence.  But  there  are  no  grounds  for  adopting  either  sugges- 
tion as  an  explanation;  the  facts  will  not  sustain  any  such  conclusion. 

The  remaining  diseases  require  no  special  notice  as  to  etiology  or  frequency,  they  are  such 
as  ordinarily  occur  to  individuals  in  like  numbers  and  circumstances.  In  the  diet  and  water 
we  can  find  no  cause  of  disease.  The  former  has  been  that  of  the  regular  ration  and  common 
garden  vegetables,  and  the  water  used  collected  from  slate  roofs  into  cisterns  of  mason-work. 

There  were  4  deaths  during  the  last  four  years :  one  of  hamietemcsis,  one  of  varioloid  (in  a 
scrofulous  subject),  one  of  dropsy,  and  one  of  drunkenness  and  subsequent  exposure  to  cold.  The 
aggregate  mean  strength  is  181,  and  the  annual  ratio  of  mortality  is  about  2/„-per  cent. 

In  the  etiology  of  disease  in  general,  the  following  table  will  show  the  relative  influence  of 
seasons : 


Seasons. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Ratio  per  1,000  of 
mean  atrcngth 
treated  quarterly. 

Three  first  quarters 

Four  sccend  quarters 

Three  third  quarters 

168 
225 
150 

41 

71 
69 

244 
315 
460 

Annual  ratio.  -  -  -  -  - 

181 

181 

1,000 

Once  only  in  twelve  months,  therefore,  Avas  each  man  reported  sick. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  procure  any  statistics  in  relation  to  the  health  of  the  neighboring 
country.  I  may  state,  however,  that,  beyond  the  first  range  of  hills  bordering  on  the  river, 
intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  are  not  common;  but  bilious  fever  is  more  jirevalent.  Dysen- 
tery and  diarrhoea  are  general  during  the  summer  months,  and  pneumonia  and  catarrh  during 
the  winter  and  spring. 

In  concluding  this  report,  I  may  be  permitted  to  state  that  I  found  very  little  material  to 
work  upon.     I  have  employed  it  in  the  best  manner  that  suggested  itself  to  me. 


AMONa   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE    DIVISION.  137 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FOET  MONROE. 
By  Surgeon  Henry  A.  Stinnecke  :  1852. 

The  geogiai)liical  position  of  this  post  properly  pertains  to  the  middle  region  of  the  United 
States,  being  in  lat.  37°  2'  north,  long.  76°  12'  west.  It  occupies  the  extremity  of  a  level  sandy 
beach,  known  as  Old  Point  Comfort,  Virginia — a  point  of  land  forming  the  terminus  of  the 
western  shore  of  the  Chesapeake  bay. 

The  most  prominent  physical  features  it  presents  are  its  watery  environs,  being  encompassed 
on  every  side  (with  the  single  exception  of  a  narrow  strip  of  sand-beacli  on  the  north)  by  water, 
viz:  on  the  northeast,  east,  and  southeast,  by  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake  bay;  on  the  south 
and  southwest,  by  those  of  Hampton  Roads  ;  and  on  the  north  and  northwest,  by  Mill  creek, 
an  inlet  of  Hami)ton  Roads. 

Bordering  upon  Mill  creek,  on  the  north  and  northwest,  and  in  pretty  close  proximity  to  the 
fort,  tolerably  extensive  margins  of  salt-water  marsh  prevail.  These,  however,  from  their 
two-fold  character  of  tidal  and  salt-water  marsh,  are  innocuous  as  respects  any  deleterious 
malarial  influence. 

A  barren  sandy  plain,  extremely  limited  on  tlie  west  and  southwest,  narrow,  but  stretching 
out  to  a  considerable  distance  on  the  north  to  form  the  peninsula,  on  the  extremity  of  whicli 
the  defences  are  built,  constitutes  mainly  the  terrestrial  surface  presented  to  view. 

The  geological  formation  of  this  peninsula  is  that  of  ocean  sand  resting  ujjon  clay. 

The  general  aspect  of  the  country,  both  proximate  and  distant,  is  uniformly  low  and  flat. 

The  very  limited  extent  of  barren  sandy  ground,  and  the  consequent  almost  entire  absence  of 
soil  immediately  around  the  fort,  are  necessarily  productive  of  a  circumscribed  vegetation  in 
the  shape  of  trees,  shrubs,  plants,  or  grapes. 

In  scattered  and  limited  spots  of  soil  (and  this  mostly  of  artificial  formation),  among  the 
few  observable  products  of  the  vegetable  world,  may  be  seen  the  dandelion  {leontadon  taraxi- 
cum),  the  santonicum  (artemisia  santonicum).  and  the  wild  garlic  {allium  sativum.') 

Within  the  enclosure  of  the  work,  and  growing  sparsely  on  the  grounds  immediately  con- 
tiguous to  it,  the  live-oak,  in  its  evergreen  foliage,  is  quite  conspicuous  ;  having  been  here  re- 
tained and  preserved,  for  purposes  of  ornament,  in  the  original  clearing  of  the  grounds. 

What  renders  the  presence  of  this  tree  (the  live-oak)  here  more  particularly  worthy  of  notice, 
is  the  fact,  that  this  point  is  the  extreme'northern  limit  of  the  southern  Atlantic  coast  at  which 
it  is  found  to  thrive,  or  found  at  all. 

In  the  neighboring  forests  and  woodlands  (distant  from  two  to  four  miles),  the  usual  varie- 
ties of  native  trees,  shrubs,  and  plants,  pertaining  to  the  middle  regions  of  the  United  States, 
are  met  with,  viz:  the  pine  {j^inus pahmtris) ,  v^Anch  is  the  predominant  tree  of  the  country  ; 
the  oak,  in  its  different  common  species,  (quercus  alba,  Q.  rubra,  Q.  nigra);  the  gum,  cedar, 
walnut,  locust,  chestnut,  and  hickory  (in  small  quantities)  are  associated. 

In  some  localities  the  association  of  tliose  various  trees  is  in  tolerably  fair  proportions  ;  while 
in  others,  the  oak,  the  gum,  and  cedar  are  in  nearly  equal  prevalence  with  that  of  the  pine. 

In  these  woodlands  and  forests,  and  on  their  borders,  interspersed  in  moderate  profusion, 
grow  also  the  dogwood  (cornus  Jiorida),  the  crab-apple,  and  the  common  yellow  jasmine, 
whicli,  with  their  gay  blossoms  and  delightful  fragrance,  lend  additional  charms  to  the  attrac- 
tive beauties  of  vernal  scenery. 

Clim.\te. — The  geographical  locality  of  Old  Point  Comfort,  Virginia,  intermediate  between 
those  relative  divisions  of  the  United  States  recognized  as  having  climates  positively  northern 
and  southern  in  their  characters,  would  naturally  denote  the  climate  of  this  position  to  be  that 
of  an  intermediate,  mild,  or  temperate  one;  and  such  the  leading  meteorological  phenomena 
of  the  different  seasons  impress  upon  it. 

The  winters  are  open  and  mild,  but  seldom  accompanied  with  such  depressions  of  tempera- 
ture as  give  "rise  to  snow.     The  same  general  condition  of  atmosphere  (excepting  depressed 

s.  96 18 


138  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

temperature),  terminating  in  a  fall  of  snow  a  degree  and  a  hall',  two,  or  three  degrees  north 
of  this,  proves  here  only  prodnctivc  of  rain. 

The  fruits  in  cultivation  also  evidence  its  mild  and  intermediate  qualities  of  climate ;  for 
while  the  fig  and  grape  find  the  heat  adapted  to  their  wants,  the  apple,  pear,  and  cherry  thrive 
well  in  a  congenial  atmosi)here;  though  of  these  different  and  opposite  classes  of  fruits,  none, 
we  think,  ever  here  attain  that  perfection  they  are  susceptible  of  in  closer  affinity  with  their 
natural  requirements  of  climate. 

In  connexion  with  this  subject,  climate,  we  would  observe  that  the  proximity  of  this  particu- 
lar position  to  the  ocean,  its  direct  communication  therewith  by  an  unobstructed,  expansive 
watery  surface,  its  little  altitude  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  its  encompassment  by  water,  the 
refrigerating  effects  of  (quite  constant)  winds,  are  causes  operating  to  impress  uiJon  its  atmo- 
sphere such  a])preciable  modifications  as  to  render  it  rather  distinctive  in  character  from  that 
of  more  internal  and  less  exposed  localities  near  at  hand. 

The  most  obvious  of  these  aerial  modifications  are  deemed  to  be  a  greater  amount  of  humid- 
ity, a  perceptible  decrease  of  temperature,  and  a  low  state  of  electric  tension. 

The  existence  of  this  altered  or  modified  condition  of  local  atmosphere  is  distinctly  visible  in 
its  checking  the  advances  of  spring,  by  retarding  the  action  of  all  physical  agencies  ;  in  the 
development  and  growth  of  vegetation,  when  compared  with  that  of  surroimding  districts;  in 
the  rapid  and  large  accumulation  of  mould  on  all  articles  susceptible  of  imbibing  moisture ;  in 
weakening  and  relaxing  the  animal  tissues;  and  in  exalting  the  impressibility  of  the  entire 
system.  In  a  practical  point  of  view,  professionally  considered,  the  most  important  conse- 
quences of  these  peculiarities  of  air,  are  the  tendencies  (noticed)  to  afi'ect  the  animal  tissues — 
tendencies  manifested  in  the  frequent  induction  (and  obstinacy  when  induced)  of  certain  of  the 
profluvia,  such  as  Icucorrhoea  and  menorrhagia. 

Similar  pathological  conditions,  and  referrible  to  like  causes  (hinuid  air),  are,  we  believe, 
noticed  as  pertaining  to  the  coast  of  Holland.  Leucorrhcea  and  menorrhagia,  therefore, 
together  with  a  portion  of  the  rheumatic  cases,  being  here  so  apparently  dependent  ujjou  local 
influences,  may  be  correctly  placed  under  the  head  of  incidental  or  local  diseases. 

But  the  most  active  properties,  and  consequent  physiological  impressions  connected  with,  and 
dependent  upon,  the  atmosphere  of  this  locality,  must  be  referred  to  its  constituents,  as  a 
marine  air.  The  potent  influences  of  the  air  of  the  ocean  are  more  fully  recognized  than  defi- 
nitely understood.  Its  efl'ects  and  operation  upon  the  system  are  distinctlj^  evinced  by  imparting 
an  increase  of  activity  to  all  functional  action ;  indeed,  exalting  the  organic  life  and  secerning 
processes  of  the  entire  glandular  apparatus  of  the  animal  economy.  We  have  long  entertained 
the  opinion,  and  accordingly  have  long  been  in  the  habit  of  ascribing  these  active  properties  of 
sea  air  to  the  chemical  princijiles  of  iodine  and  bromine  contained  therein. 

These  principles  are  recognized  as  constituents  of  ocean  water,  in  the  form  of  iodide  and 
bromide,  of  soda  and  magnesia.  The  presence  of  iodine  or  bromine  to  the  air  of  the  ocean 
may  not  be  susceptible  of  proof  by  any  endometrical  process,  precisely  as  the  miasmata  of 
marshes  and  the  effluvia  of  infected  places  are  insusceptible  of  demonstration.  Yet,  notwith- 
standing this  inability  of  chemical  analysis  to  detect  their  presence,  we  conceive  that  through 
the  process  of  evaporation,  constantly  in  progress  at  the  ocean's  surface,  these  chemical  princi- 
ples, iodine  and  bromine,  are  taken  up,  and  thus  become  constituents  of  the  ocean  air. 

The  efiicacy  of  a  marine  atmosphere  as  an  alterative,  is,  we  think,  but  imperfectly  appre- 
ciated. 

In  cases  of  glandular  obstruction,  interrupted  and  deranged  functional  action,  in  old  and 
long-standing  cases  of  dyspepsia  (invariably  acccompanied  with,  and  dependent  upon,  such 
impeded  and  altered  vital  action) ;  in  many  cases  of  uterine  functional  disorder,  too,  frequently 
rendering  this  organ  prolific,  when  otherwise  torpid  and  barren  as  regards  its  special  function 
[[conception),  we  believe  a  marine  air  to  be,  in  point  of  potent  alterative  properties,  quite  equa 
to  any  one  of  thin  class  of  therajieutic  agents. 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    THE  MIDDLE   DIVISION.  139 

"With  this  opinion  we  wouhl  couple  the  intimation  that  important  errors  prevail  respecting 
the  length  of  time  requisite,  by  its  employment,  to  secure  the  remedial  advantages  desired. 
No  one,  it  is  presumed,  would  direct  the  use  of  iodide  of  ijotash  or  cod-liver  oil  (to  which,  in 
alterative  properties,  the  sea  air  is  somewhat  analogous)  as  an  alterative,  and  expect  to  ob- 
tain permanent  salutary  impressions  in  the  course  of  a  week,  ten  days,  or  a  fortnight.  Yet, 
such  are  the  transitory  periods  for  which  most  invalids  place  themselves  under  the  influence  of 
a  sea  air. 

These  limited  periods  of  time  are  entirely  too  short  for  effecting  anything  like  a  permanent 
beneficial  impression.  It  is  true,  they  are  long  enough  for  favorable  effects,  but  only  such  as 
are  so  wholly  evanescent  and  transitory  in  character  as  to  pass  away  with  the  passing  away  of 
the  individual  from  the  scene  and  circumstances  imparting  them. 

For  a  permanent  result,  marked  and  definite  in  its  character,  periods  of  from  six  weeks  to  six 
months  should  be  employed  in  most  cases  of  chronic  ailment  for  which  a  marine  air  may  be 
deemed  Suitable. 

As  allied  to  this  subject  of  sea  air,  we  would  here  allude  to  that  unpleasant  affection  known 
as  sea-sickness ;  our  purpose  being  to  offer  the  opinion,  that  in  most  of  the  aggravated  and  pro- 
tracted cases  of  this  peculiar  abnormal  state  of  system,  they  are  far  less  (in  accordance  with 
popular  belief)  dependent  upon  the  unsteady  motion  of  the  vessel,  than  upon  impressions  made 
on  the  peripheral  nerves  of  the  ganglionic  system  distributed  to  the  stomach  and  alimentary 
tract. 

And  we  would  assign  as  a  source  or  cause  of  these  impressions,  such  peculiar  properties  of  the 
sea  air  as  those  given  to  it,  and  already  noticed,  viz:  the  iodide  and  bromide  of  soda  and  mag- 
nesia. The  rationale  of  their  mode  of  operation  is,  we  conceive,  readily  obtained  by  the  bare 
statement  that  these  constituents  of  the  ocean  air  are,  by  the  process  of  respiration,  taken  in 
and  imparted  to  the  blood,  and,  through  this  channel,  to  the  ultimate  filaments  of  the  ganglionic 
nerves ;  or,  in  other  words,  the  delicate  special  sentient  organism  of  the  stomach  and  bowels 
receives  the  impressions  productive  of  the  peculiar  morbid  effect. 

In  elucidation  of  our  proposition,  we  would  refer  to  the  operation  of  certain  poisons,  which, 
when  introduced  into  the  alimentary  canal,  affect  life,  in  consequence  of  the  direct  nervous  con- 
nexion subsisting  between  the  gastric  and  enteric  mucous  surfaces  and  the  common  sensorium. 
Yet  the  same  poisons,  taken  in  by  inhalation,  produce  their  effects  exclusively  through  the 
medium  of  the  circulation. 

Prevailing  Diseases  of  the  Post. — The  abnormal  states  of  system  most  frequently  falling 
under  professional  attention  at  this  post,  deviate  but  little  from  the  various  ordinary  diseases 
incident  to  the  middle  States. 

In  type,  character,  and  prevalency,  in  common  with  the  same  class  of  complaints  elsewhere, 
they  are  found  so  associated  with,  and  dependent  upon  season,  as  properly  to  require  a  general 
classification  or  division  into  that  of  summer  and  winter  diseases. 

The  nervous,  cutaneous,  and  intestinal-mucous  tissues,  more  than  any  other  portions  of  tlie 
animal  economy,  during  the  hot  months  of  summer,  become  the  seat  of  such  morbid  action  as 
is  productive  of  disease. 

In  accordance  with  the  severity  of  impression  (eitlier  sedative  or  hyperajmic)  made,  the  por- 
tion of  alimentary  tract  concerned,  the  implication  of  particular  tissues- — such  as  the  mucous,  sub-  ■ 
mucous,  cellular,  and  muscular  tissues — together  with  the  accompaniment  of  more  or  less  inter- 
rupted and  embarrassed  hepatic  function,  the  hot  months  of  summer  induce  the  common 
pathological  states  known  and  embraced  under  the  terms  "gastric  irritability,"  "biliary 
derangement/'  "dysentery,"  "diarrhoea,"  "cholera,"  and  "cholera  infantum." 

Dysentery. — The  remote  or  exciting  causes  of  this  disease  are  now  pretty  well  understood  to 
be  heat  and  vicissitudes  of  temperature. 

The  pathology  of  dysentery  may  be  summed  up  in  the  brief  statement,  that  it  consists  in  a 


140  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

loss  of  the  equilibrium  of  the  healthy  innervation  and  vital  function  existing  between  tlie  skin, 
large  intestines,  and  liver.  The  more  immediate  morbid  effects  are  seen  in  a  suppressed  per- 
spiration, engorgement  of  the  portal  and  hepatic  circulation,  with  the  consequent  derangement 
and  interruption  of  the  biliary  secretion;  engorgement  and  excessive  irritaliility  (amounting  in 
some  cases  to  subacute  inflammatory  action)  of  the  entire  tissues  (especially  the  mucous)  of  the 
large  intestines,  particularly  the  descending  colon  and  rectum. 

The  })rincii)les  lor  the  guidance  of  our  treatment,  based  upon  this  pathology,  must  necessarily 
be  the  restoration  of  the  lost  equilibrium  of  innervation  and  circulation  of  the  skin  and  internal 
membranous  and  solid  viscera,  together  with  the  re-establishment  of  the  perspiratory  function 
and  biliary  secretion. 

These  desirable  purposes  are  in  almost  every  case  readily  accomplished  by  the  appropriate 
combination  of  such  medicines  as  meet  and  gradually  fulfil  the  different  wants:  that  is,  mercury, 
to  act  upon  the  secretions  of  the  liver ;  ipecacuanha,  to  restore  the  functions  of  the  skin ;  and 
opium,  to  allay  the  inordinate  action,  pam,  and  irritability  of  the  implicated  bowels.    • 

Our  usual  prescription,  therefore,  consists  of  a  ])ill  of  the  above  medicines,  varying  in  its 
proportions  of  each,  and  varying,  also,  in  intervals  of  administration,  according  to  the  severity 
of  the  disease,  the  age,  temperament,  and  constitutional  vigor  of  the  patient,  viz :  Calomel, 
grains  |,  f,  1,  or  1^  ;  opium,  grains  ^,  f,  |,  or  1  ;  ipecac:,  grains  ^,  J,  or  1;  to  be  given 
suitably  with  the  requirements  of  each  particular  case,  at  intervals  of  four,  five,  and  six  hours. 

The  employment  of  these  remedies  for  eighteen,  twenty-four,  or  thirty-six  hours,  is  ordinarily 
attended  with  an  abatement  of  the  abdominal  irritation,  pain,  and  tenesmus  ;  their  further 
use  is  then  temporarily  suspended,  and  a  half-ounce  or  ounce  of  oleum  ricini  is  given  as  an 
aperient,  for  the  purpose  of  unloading  the  bowels  and  facilitating  the  expulsion  of  morbid 
secretions. 

This  object  eflected,  the  previous  prescription  (the  mercurial,  anodyne,  and  diaphoretic  pill) 
is  resumed. 

Should  the  disease  not  be  relieved,  the  continuance  of  this  treatment  is  not  checked  until 
some  slight  mercurial  impression  shows  itself.  Upon  the  occurrence  of  this,  the  sub:  mur: 
hydrargyri  is  dispensed  with,  as  a  constituent  of  the  pill ;  and  a  like,  or  a  little  increased  quan- 
tity of  pulvis  camphorre  is  substituted ;  and,  with  this  change,  the  remedies  are  continued. 

The  adjuvants  brought  to  the  aid  of  this  medicinal  treatment  embrace  but  little  more  than 
keeping  the  patient  ibr  the  first  day  or  two  on  warm  barley-water,  tea,  toast,  boiled  rice,  and 
a  small  allowance  of  light  animal  broth.  After  which,  if  nothing  unfavorable  forbids  it,  an 
increased  quantity  of  animal  broth  is  permitted. 

Diarrhcea. — This  complaint,  in  respect  to  its  remote  causes,  physiological  interruptions 
concerned,  and  ultimate  sickness  incurred,  bears  so  strong  a  resemblance  to  dysentery  as  to 
require  but  a  concise  notice  of  the  partial  pathological  differences  distinguishing  it  from  the 
latter  disease. 

In  diarrhoaa,  as  in  dysentery,  the  depressed  action  and  checked  function  of  skin  occurs  ;  the 
obstructed  portal  and  hepatic  circulation  and  suppressed  biliary  secretion  are  also  the  same. 
But  here  the  resemblance  ceases ;  and  the  chief  distinction  presents  itself  in  the  intestinum 
tenue  ;  the  jejunum  and  ileon  being  the  seat  of  the  most  prominent  disturbance  rather  than 
(as  in  dysentery)  the  colon  and  rectum. 

The  diverse  organic  structure  and  function,  and  greater  extent  of  surface  of  the  small  intes- 
tines—the portion  of  alimentary  tract  concerned  in  diarrhoea — could  not,  in  resulting  effects  from 
the  same  remote  causes,  fail  to  originate  such  different  disorder  as  to  furnish  the  usual  line  of 
demarcation  laid  down  by  authors  between  diarrhcca  and  dysentery,  that  is,  the  thin  watery 
ftecal  dejections  of  the  former,  while  they  consist  chiefly  of  mucus  or  blood  in  the  latter. 

From  the  close  pathological  resemblance  and  remedial  indications  in  the  two  diseases,  our 
therapeutic  means  in  diarrhoea  vary  but  little  from  those  already  given  for  the  treatment  of 
dysentery.     In  all  the  severer  cases  of  diarrhoea,  we  have  recourse  to  the  mercurial,  anodyne,  and 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION.  141 

diaphoretic  pill,  enjoining  the  directions  given  for  its  use  in  dysentery.  The  only  deviations  in 
the  treatment  of  this  complaint,  from  that  pursued  in  dysentery,  are  comprised  in  the  less  fre- 
quent use  of  the  aperient  {ol:  ricini),  and  in  comhining  with  the  calomel,  opium  and  ipecacuanha, 
when  much  atony  of  viscera  is  present,  three-fourths  of  a  grain,  a  grain,  or  a  grain  and  a  half 
of  gum  camplior. 

The  milder  forms  of  diarrhoea  are  readily  relieved,  and  a  cure  effected,  hy  correcting  and 
restoring  the  unhealthy  secretions,  through  the  corrective  and  alterative  use  of  small  doses  of 
hydra:  sub:  muriatis,  or  mass:  hydrargyri,  according  to  the  following  formulae,  viz  : 

Hydrar:  sub:  mur:  grs.  f  to  2  ;  pulv:  gum:  camph:  gr.  |  to  1^ ;  pulv:  ipecac:  gr.  ^  to  | ; 
make  a  pill,  and  give  one  every  third  or  fourtli  hour  during  the  day  :  Or,  mass:  hydra:  grs.  4 
or  5;  pulv:  gum:  camph:  gr.  f  to  1|  ;  pulv:  ij^ecac:  gr.  5  to  | ;  make  a  pill — one  to  be  taken 
evei-y  fourth  hour. 

With  these  prescriptions,  we  frequently  prescribe,  at  the  same  time,  tinct:  opii  camph:  and 
spirits  camphor,  each  ^  drachm,  to  be  given  twice,  thrice,  or  four  times  daily,  in  a  saucer  of 
warm  infusion  of  common  green  tea. 

It  is  owing  to  the  enervating  effects  of  heat,  and  especially  its  long  continued  and  uninter- 
rupted sedative  influence  upon  the  skin,  that  bowel  complaints  present  so  obstinate  and  unman- 
ageable a  character,  and  so  often  assume  a  chronic  form  in  hot  climates. 

Furthermore,  when  the  tone  or  innervation  of  the  surface  falls  below  that  measure  of  vital 
force  capable  of  reactive  efforts,  these  forms  of  disease  are  no  longer  recoverable  under  the  given 
physical  circumstances  of  life  ;  the  only  hope  for  recovery  consisting  in  the  removal  of  the 
patient  to  a  colder  atmosphere,  and  one,  too,  of  sufficient  tone  to  impart  new  life  and  vigor  to 
the  skin,  muscular  fibres,  and  tissues  of  the  body  generally — indeed,  invigorate  anew  the  entire 
frame. 

For  the  relief  and  successful  treatment  of  chronic  dysentery  and  diarrhoea,  we  have  derived 
decided  advantage  from  the  use  of  oxide  of  silver,  combining  it  with  a  minute  quantity  of  opium 
(not  enough  to  check  any  of  the  secretions),  say  the  tenth  of  a  grain,  and  a  trifle  of  some  aro- 
matic, such  as  one  grain  of  pulvis  nux  moschata — the  whole  to  form  one  pill,  to  be  administered 
twice  or  thrice  a  day  ;  together  with  the  use  of  this  article,  enjoining  a  proper  diet  and  suitable 
attention  to  all  the  habits  of  life. 

By  virtue  of  its  tonic  and  astringent  properties,  the  scsqui-pernitratis  ferri  has  also  been  found 
valuable  as  a  remedy  in  tliese  troublesome  chronic  aflections  of  bowels.  But  due  attention 
must  be  observed  in  using  none  but  that  of  recent  preparation ;  otherwise,  through  precipitation, 
■which  is  apt  to  take  place,  its  active  medicinal  properties  are  lost,  and  its  use  then  only  serves 
to  disappoint  expectation. 

Cholera  (epidemic)  and  common  cholera  morbus. — Attentive  observation  cannot  fail  to  induce 
the  conclusion  that  the  peculiar  phenomena  of  cholera  are  to  be  traced,  chiefly,  to  the  action  of 
the  remote  cause  (whether  of  specific  cholera  or  common  cholera  morbus)  upon  the  organic 
system  of  nerves. 

To  elucidate  this  principle  of  the  pathology  of  the  disease — namely,  that  the  action  of  ihe 
remote  cause  is  concentrated  upon,  and  is  the  onus  of  the  morbid  impression  I'elt  by  the  chylopcetic 
viscera,  and  essentially  through  their  nervous  or  organic  projjerties — we  would  refer  to  the  opera- 
tion of  si^ecific  exciting  causes  of  other  diseases,  such  as  the  effects  of  marsh  efliuvia,  as  seen  in 
the  production  of  its  special  types  of  fever ;  the  contagion  of  the  exanthemata,  showing  their 
special  tendencies  in  the  resulting  eruptive  fevers,  and  in  the  specific  influence  of  the  exciting 
cause  (epidemic  constitution  of  atmosphere)  of  influenza,  or  specific  catarrh. 

Explanatory  of  the  connexion  between  cause  and  effect  in  cholera  and  cholera  morbus,  and 
their  exciting  agents,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  in  the  epidemic  variety  a  special  influence 
exists,  acting,  however,  indirectly;  while  in  the  sporadic  or  common  form,  intemperance, 
improper,  injurious,  or  too  much  food,  unripe  and  unsuitable  fruits  or  vegetables — in  fact,  what- 
ever is  calculated  to  make  a  pernicious  impression,  makes  that  impression  directly  ;  together  with 


142  REPOKT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

whicli,  the  impression  is  generally  made  upon  a  predisposed  system,  rendered  tlms  predisposed 
}>y  tlio  disturhiiit;;  inflnonces  of  summer  heats. 

The  mode  oi' indirect  action  of  the  remote  cause  of  specific  cholera,  already  mentioned,  would 
be  explained  by  stating,  in  the  first  place,  that  it  is  conceded  on  every  hand  the  cause  exists 
in  the  atmosijhere;  hut  wliether  in  the  form  of  a  suhtilc  poisonous  effluvia  or  not,  is  not  so 
well  understood ;  though,  for  our  part,  we  think  the  electrical  condition  of  atmosphere  has  much 
to  do  with  it.  With  this,  its  confessed  existence,  in  an  extremely  subtile  form,  in  the  almo- 
sphere,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  most  apparent,  if  not  the  only  mode,  through  which  its 
deleterious  impressions  upon  the  system  can  be  efi'ected,  is  by  imbibition  through  the  respira- 
tory functions. 

From  this  source,  and  by  this  mode,  then,  it  is  imparted  to  the  blood;  its  presence  in  the  cir- 
culating fluids  serves  very  soon  to  deteriorate,  deprave,  and  render  these  fluids  unfit  for  main- 
taining in  organic  function  and  healthy  secretion  tlie  viscera  of  the  larger  .splanchnic  cavity. 
This  becomes  conspicuously  manifest  in  the  production  of  diarrhoea,  the  first,  or  initiatory 
stage  of  this  fatal  disorder,  cholera. 

This  stage  of  diarrhoea  continues  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period;  all  the  while,  however, 
(hour  by  hour,  with  an  increasing  ratio,)  tending  to  weaken  and  depress  the  general  health, 
and  in  an  uncommon  degree  reduce  and  weaken  the  organic  nervous  power  of  the  different 
chylopcetic  viscera,  until  at  length  a  point  of  dei:)ression  and  prostration  is  attained,  below 
that  which  serves  to  sustain  an  equalized  relation  of  action  between  them,  or  that  integrity  of 
organic  life  needful  to  each  separately. 

The  pathological  changes  consequent  ujjon  tliis  subversion  and  exhaustion  of  the  organic 
nervous  power  are,  great  irregularity  of  the  general  circulation,  and  excessive  irritability  of  the 
entire  assimilating  tract,  marked  in  the  incident  prostration,  and  in  a  retroverted  action  of  the 
stomach  and  upper  intestines ;  while  the  lower  portions  of  intestinal  tube  are  so  eni'eebled  in 
life  and  strength  of  capacity,  as  to  be  incapable  of  sustaining,  with  quietude,  the  slightest 
impression  made  upon  their  extremely  irritable  lining  surfaces.  The  abnormal  condition  just 
described  constitutes  the  second  stage,  or  disease  proper  (cholera). 

This  second  stage,  or  state  of  open  and  urgent  disease,  is  not  of  long  continuance  ere  it 
brings  about  the  third  and  last,  or  stage  of  collapse ;  when  the  sunken  countenance,  the  cold 
and  livid  surface,  the  cramps  of  the  extremities,  the  feeble  and  irregular  mental  action,  all  dis- 
play the  extreme  im])lication  of  the  circulation  and  entire  nervous  system. 

It  is  conceived,  then,  that  in  open,  specific  cholera,  the  leading  pathological  principle  is  to  be 
found  in  an  impaired  and  subverted  innervation  of  the  ganglionic  system  of  nerves  pertain- 
ing to  tlie  abdomen. 

Keeping  in  view  this  jirinciple  as  the  fundamental,  our  endeavors  to  relieve  and  cure  must 
accordingly  be  directed  to  the  adoption  of  such  measures  as  are  known  and  found  to  be  suitable 
for  sustaining,  in  the  first  place,  and  then  recovering,  and  restoring  to  a  natural  state  (or  one  at 
lea.st  capable  of  acting  and  reacting,  on  the  remedies  to  be  employed),  the  splanchnic  system  of 
nerves. 

With  this  leading  morbid  feature  in  view,  the  remedies  first  in  importance  must  necessarily 
be  active  stimulants,  and  diffusable  stimulants,  to  counteract  tlie  prostration,  and  bring  about 
reaction. 

For  the  jjarticular  resulting  consequences,  such  as  the  engorgement  of  organs,  disabled  func- 
tions, disordered  secretions,  and  extreme  irritability,  the  more  special  remedies  required  are  small 
and  divided  doses  of  hydra:  sub:  mur:,  to  restore  the  secretions;  small  and  divided  doses  of 
opium,  to  allay  the  excessive  irritability ;  with  small  and  divided  doses  of  camphor,  to  sustain 
the  enfeebled  nerves.  We  often,  also,  add  a  minute  quantity  of  ipecacuanha,  to  promote  the 
action  of  the  calomel. 

Most  generally,  nothing  unfavorable  occurs  to  prevent  the  ready  and  successful  management 
of  the  initiatory  stage — that  of  diarrhrea.     The  treatment  we  find  best  adapted  to  it  is,  with 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION.  14 

some  modifications,  the  one  heretofore  stated  for  ordinary  summer  diarrhcea,  namely :  Hydra: 
sub:  mur:  g^r.  f  to  grs.  2;  pulvis  camph:  gr.  |  to  gr.  1| ;  pulvis  ipecac:  gr.  1^ — fiat  pil:  j ; 
modifying  the  prescription  in  this  (the  epidemic)  form  by  tlie  addition  of  a  half  to  one  grain 
of  pulvis  opii.  The  \n\l  made  from  any  one  of  the  above  quantities  is  directed  to  be  taken  at 
intervals  of  three,  four,  and  five  hours,  according  to  the  requirements  of  the  case.  While,  in 
the  larger  proportion  of  cases,  this  prescription,  with  the  aid  of  ordinary  drinks,  may  be  prin- 
cipally relied  upon;  yet,  again,  many  will  occur  where  the  exhaustion  of  the  nervous  system, 
the  exhaustion  of  the  fluids  of  the  body  (from  the  frequent  watery  evacuations),  and  the  irri- 
tability of  bowels,  is  so  great  as  to  demand  stimulating  drinks  and  additional  anodynes. 

These  urgent  indications  are  to  be  properly  met  with  decoct:  hordei  (fervent)  made  suita- 
bly stimulant  by  the  addition  of  brandy,  or  the  common  pleasant  beverage  of  mint  julep,  in 
portions  of  from  one  to  three  ounces.  Together  with  these  drinks,  we  occasionally  give  (in  a 
portion  of  the  one  used)  a  draught  of  a  drachm  or  a  drachm  and  a  half  of  spirits  of  camphor, 
essence  of  peppermint,  and  laudanum,  of  each  equal  parts. 

Frequently  the  milder  forms  of  this  epidemic  diarrhcea  admit  of  being  readily  and  perfectly 
relieved  by  so  simple  a  treatment  as  one  or  two  grains  of  hydra:  sub:  mur:,  the  like  quan- 
tity of  pulvis  camph:,  and  half  a  grain  of  ipecacuanha,  given  in  the  form  of  a  pill,  four 
or  five  times  daily ;  or  from  three  to  five  grains  of  mass:  hydra:  with  one  or  one  and  a  half 
grain  of  pulvis  camph:  and  half  a  grain  of  ipecacuanha,  in  a  pill  three  or  four  times  a  day; 
in  union  with  which,  exhibiting  occasionally  a  full  dose  of  tinct:  opii  camphorata. 

As  is  now  clearly  understood,  the  judicious  treatment  of  this,  the  primary  stage  (diarrhoea) 
of  cholera,  obviates  in  a  large  majority  of  cases  the  development  of  the  subsequent  ones.  But 
notwithstanding,  from  a  variety  of  causes,  we  are  not  always  allowed  the  advantage  of  thus  easi- 
ly relieving  the  complaint;  but,  on  the  contrary,  its  management  is  required  in  the  far  more 
troublesome  shape  of  the  second  or  fully  developed  stage  of  violent  vomiting  and  purging. 

On  being  required  to  prescribe  at  this  period  (the  second  stage)  of  the  disease,  our  reliance 
is  still  mainly  upon  small  portions  of  calomel,  opium,  and  camphor,  with  a  minute  quantity  of 
ipecac  sometimes  added,  exhibited  as  directed  in  the  treatment  of  diarrhcea. 

Commencing,  therefore,  at  once  with  the  administration  of  these  medicines  (in  the  form  of  a 
pill),  to  be  repeated  every  third  or  fourth  hour,  the  more  urgent  indications  (vomiting  and 
purging)  are  conjointly  met  with  the  same  stimulants  and  cordials  recommended  in  the  first 
stages,  but  here  used  with  much  greater  freedom  in  quantities  and  in  frequency  of  use. 

These  remedies  alone  will  often  be  found  inadequate  and  unavailing,  and  conscquentlv  aux- 
iliary means  demanded ;  in  resorting  to  which,  our  expectation  has  not  often  been  disappointed 
in  the  use  of  the  following  adjuvants,  to  wit: 

Warm  stimulating  cataplasms  of  mustard  and  Cayenne  pepper,  or  even  an  epispastic  to  the 
abdomen  ;  frictions  with  stimulating  liniments  to  the  spine,  or  the  application  of  a  mustard 
sinapism  between  the  scapulaj^  and  increasing  the  internal  stimuli  and  opiates  by  givin"'  an 
occasional  cordial  draught  composed  of  aromatic  confection,  tinct:  opii,  ajther,  or  Hoffman's 
anodyne,  liquor,  and  mint  or  cinnamon  water,  viz:  Aromat:  confect:  ^  drm.  to  2  scruples; 
ajther  sulph:  h  drm.  to  1  drm. ;  tinct:  opii,  drops  30;  aqua  menthre  piperita^,  1  ounce  to  1^ 
ounces.     Fiat  haustus. 

A  more  ordinary  admixture  of  stimulants,  and  the  one  we  more  commonly  resort  to,  is  a 
pretty  free  draught  of  warm  barley-water  and  brandy,  equal  parts,  exhibiting  in  it  full  doses 
of  spirits  of  camphor,  fether,  or  Hofiman's  anodyne  and  essence  of  peppermint. 

Where,  in  opposition  to  these  remedies,  diligently  employed,  the  disease  continues  and  tends 
to  exhaustion  and  collapse,  we  have  derived  decided  benefit  from  the  use  of  nutrient  enemata, 
such  as  thin  mutton  or  cliicken  broth,  rendered  cflectively  pungent  with  pulv:  sem:  sinap:  alb: 
or  pulv:  capsicum  annuum. 

In  no  condition  of  disease  is  the  practical  application  of  tlie  proverb,  "give  strong  drink  unto 
him  that  is  ready  to  }ierish,"  more  appropriate  tlian  in  tlie  collapse  attendant  upon  cholera. 


144  EEPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Here,  truly,  is  the  individual  about  to  perish  ;  and  we  as  truly  are  required  to  endeavor  to 
prevent  it  by  giving  strong  drinks.  And,  indeed,  besides  such  agents  as  may  be  embraced  in  this 
general  term,  we  know  of  but  few  means  wherewith  to  sustain  our  endeavors.  Attention  can 
onlv  be  directed,  with  any  confidence,  to  the  hot  and  warm  bath,  or  wrapi)ing  the  patient  u\) 
in  iieated  blankets,  and  directing  at  the  same  time  the  liberal  employment  of  almost  any  and 
every  article  comiirised  in  the  terms  strong  drinJcs  and  stimulants. 

In  our  previous  remarks  upon  the  prevailing  diseases  of  this  post,  they  were  classified  or 
divided  into  those  of  summer  and  winter.  "We  have,  therefore,  briefly  to  notice  those  of  the 
latter  season. 

■  As  a  well-known  general  principle,  the  effects  of  cold  in  its  abnormal  impressions  mostly 
involves  another  set  of  structures  from  those  heretofore  under  consideration — to  wit:  the  thoracic 
organs.  Consequently,  the  cold,  variable  weather  of  the  winter  and  early  spring  months  is 
here,  in  about  the  same  ratio  of  fertility  as  most  other  places,  productive  of  such  disorders  as 
common  catarrh,  bronchitis,  pneumonia,  pleura-pneumonia,  and  pleuritis. 

From  the  imposed  regularfty  of  the  stddier's  habits  of  life,  and  his  facility  of  access  to  medical 
advice,  almost  all  cases  of  sickness  in  garrison  are  seen  under  the  favorable  condition  of  their 
early  stages,  and  mostly  unattended  by  any  of  the  serious  complications  so  apt  to  be  present 
when  neglected  or  badly  treated  in  their  primary  forms. 

For  reasons  of  this  kind,  it  is  but  seldom  that  cases  of  any  of  those  acute  pulmonary  com- 
plaints are  jireseuted  of  so  grave  or  aggravated  a  character  as  to  render  their  treatment  at  all 
difficult,  or  otherwise  than  plain  and  simple. 

To  sustain  this  proposition  of  therapeutics  respecting  these  diseases,  we  would  simply  adduce 
the  fact,  that,  in  the  larger  proportion  of  the  worst  forms  of  pneumonic  disease  occurring  here, 
general  or   local  blood-letting  is  not  called  for,  or  can,  with  perfect  security,  be  dispensed 

with. 

As  a  method  of  efficacious  and  speedy  relief  in  common  catarrh  and  the  lighter  bronchial 
affections,  we  find  nothing  better  than  the  tartras  antimonii  et  potassae  given  in  nauseating  and 
diaphoretic  doses.  Our  principal  reliance,  therefore,  in  the  treatment  of  those  aftections,  is 
upon  that  article,  in  combination  with  the  citrate  of  p^otassa,  their  employment  being  conducted 
according  to  the  following  formula,  viz:  Tart:  antimonii  et  potassaj,  1  grain;  citras  potassas, 
1  drachm;  aqua  pura,  4  ounces.  Fiat  mist: — of  which  half  an  ounce  is  given  for  a  dose,  and 
repeated  every  second  or  third  hour,  until  an  amelioration  is  had. 

With  the  above  prescription,  and  with  the  view  of  promoting  a  salutary  action  in  aid  of  it, 
such  adjuvants  as  warm  decoctum  hordei,  or  infus:  sem:  lini:,  either  plain  or  acidulated,  as 
may  be  deemed  most  advisable,  are  employed,  being  directed  to  be  drank  freely. 

In  thus  giving  the  tartrate  of  antimony  and  citrate  of  potassa  according  to  the  preceding 
formula — one-eighth  of  a  grain  of  the  former,  with  some  seven  and  a  half  or  eight  of  the  latter — 
these  proportions  are  sometimes  found  to  be  not  exactly  suitable ;  the  tartrate  of  antimony  not 
being  in  sufficient  quantity  to  excite  nausea,  and  the  citrate  of  potassa  in  excess  tending  to 
purgation.  A  little  variation  in  the  proportions  of  either,  as  the  case  may  be,  is  all  that  is 
requisite  to  attain  the  purposes  in  view — slight  nausea,  diaphoresis,  and  moderate  action  upon 
the  bowels. 

When  aperients  are  called  for,  the  sulphate  of  magnesia,  in  three  drachm  doses,  conjoining 
with  it  an  eighth  or  sixth  of  a  grain  of  the  tartrate  of  antimony,  exhibited  at  intervals  of  two 
hours  imtil  an  aperient  effect  results,  is  the  one  we  usually  select  in  catarrhal  affections. 

With  respect  to  the  more  intense  or  higher  grades  of  pulmonic  disease,  we  still  have  recourse 
to  the  tartrate  of  antimony ;  using  it  here,  also,  in  divided  doses  of  the  sixth  or  eighth  of  a  grain, 
in  combination  with  seven  or  eight  grains  of  the  nitrate  of  potassa;  uniting  with  them,  when  a 
deobstruent  is  required,  or  any  biliary  derangement  present,  one  grain  of  hydra:  sub:  mur:, 
prescribing  these  quantities  in  the  form  of  a  single  powder,  at  intervals  of  two  hours,  for  six  or 
eight  repetitions,  or  until  some  favorable  impression  is  induced. 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


145 


With  this  medicinal  treatment,  the  diluents  before  mentioned,  warm  decoctum  hordei  et 
infus:  sem:  lini,  acidulated  and  plain,  are  freely  administered  as  a  drink. 

Therapeutic  management  of  this  kind,  actively  instituted  in  the  first  stages  of  most  thoracic 
affections,  obviates  subsequent  troublesome  complications,  and  likewise  the  necessity  for  general 
or  local  blood-letting,  or  counter-irritation;  occasionally,  however,  these  active  remedies  are 
re(|uired,  and  recourse  is  had  to  thera. 

Although  the  entire  district  of  country  contiguous  to  this  post  is  annually  subjected  to  the 
calamity  of  having  rife  every  form  of  malarial  fever,  the  immediate  locality  of  Fort  Monroe  may 
justly  claim  exemption  from  that  evil.  The  few  cases  of  remittent  and  intermittent  fever  occa- 
sionally noted  in  the  quarterly  reports  of  sick  from  hence,  within  the  last  two  or  three  years, 
are  readily  traceable,  in  their  origin,  to  exposure  to  places  well  known  to  be  prolific  in  noxious 
marsh  exhalations  and  their  corresponding  ills. 

It  is  thought  worthy  of  observation,  that,  in  the  course  of  four  years'  service  at  this  post,  no 
one  case  of  any  one  form  of  the  exanthemata  has  ever  fallen  under  our  observation.  During 
the  time  this  immunity  has  shown  itself  here,  they  have  frequently  prevailed,  both  in  sporadic 
and  epidemic  character,  in  various  sections  of  the  United  States,  and,  in  several  instances,  so 
close  at  hand  as  Norfolk,  Virginia,  only  some  fifteen  miles  distant. 

The  opinion  is  entertained,  that,  owing  to  peculiarities  of  climate  and  other  physical  influ- 
ences, alL  the  exanthematous  fevers  would  present  here  a  milder  grade  of  sthenic  action,  and 
certainly  far  less  organic  implication,  than  when  occurring  in  a  more  northern  atmosphere,  or 
one  of  greater  tone,  as  to  dryness,  cold,  and  electric  tension. 


DISEASES. 


The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  1  for  this  division,  gives  a  condensed  view  of 
the  amount  of  sickness  and  mortality: 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  KATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quartefs. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  per  1,000  of  meax  stre.xgth. 

Treated.        [            Died. 

First  quarter  -   . 

5,693 
5,841 
6,940 
6,723 

2,804 
3,266 
5,078 
3,114 

19 
17 
67 
14 

492 
560 

3  3 

Second  Quarter         -    . 

9  7 

731                         9.5 

Fourth  Q uarter ....__ 

463                         2 

Annual  ratio ----- 

6,299 

14, 262 

117 

2  264                       IS  i^ 

From  the  foregoing  data,  it  appears  that  the  proportion  of  cases  of  sickness  to  the  mean 
strength  of  the  command  is  2.20  to  1 ;  and  that  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  troops 
is  1  in  53. T,  or  1.8  per  cent.  The  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  treated  is  1  to  121,  or  0.82  per 
cent. 

The  cause  of  this  high  ratio  of  sickness  and  death  is  explained  by  reference  to  the  original 
report  for  Fort  Monroe,  for  the  third  quarter  1848,  which  shows  a  total  of  132  cases  of  remit- 
S.  96 19 


146 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


tent  fever,  42  of  yellow  fever,  328  of  diarrhoea,  and  42  of  acute  dysentery,  occurring  in  troops 
which  arrived  during  that  quarter,  either  direct  from  Vera  Cruz,  or  by  the  way  of  New  Orleans. 
An  examination  of  the  abstract  shows  that  in  the  third  quarter  of  1848  the  "mean  strength" 
was  736;  the  number  of  cases  treated,  848;  and  tlie  dcatlis,  5G.  If  we  leave  out  altogether  the 
statistics  for  that  quarter,  we  have  the  following  as  the  mean  results  for  this  region  for  a  period 
of  fourteen  and  tliree-fourths  years: 

Annual  ratio. — Mean  strength,  6,115;  cases  treated,  13,414;  deaths,  61.  Tliis  makes  the 
proportion  of  cases  to  the  number  of  troops  2.19  per  cent.,  and  that  of  deaths  1  in  100,  or  one 
per  cent.     The  ratio  of  cases  treated  would  be  1  in  219,  or  0.45  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


Quarters  - 

FIHST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YE.VR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases. 

1 

IP 

Strengtli 

5, 

693 

5,841 

6, 

HO 

6,723 

6,299 

11 
a. 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Febris  continua  communis... 
Febris  inteimittens  qnotidiana 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana.. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana. 
Febris  remittens 

5 

32 

181 

9 

19 

2 

3 

0 
0 
0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

17 

71 

289 

20 

38 

1 

2 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

32 

180 
417 

28 

263 

5 

44 

0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
36 

12 

85 

333 

21 

51 

3 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 

66 

368 

1220 

78 

371 

11 

49 

0 
0 
0 
0 
5 
0 
36 

0  in      66 
0  in    368 
0  in  1220 
0  in      78 
lin      74 
0  in      11 
5  in        7 

10.4 
58 
193 
12.3 
59 

Febris  typbus     .     ......... 

1.7 

Febris  typlius  icterodes 

7.7 

Total - 

251 

1 

438 

0 

969 

39 

505 

1 

2163 

41 

1  in      53 

343 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  --.- 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

o 

o 

1 

o 

i . 

Strength 

5,693 

5,841 

6, 

)40 

6, 

r23 

6,299 

s  z 

^   03 
OS 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

0 

121 

58 

6 

0 

1 

1 

91 

157 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 

0 

346 

192 

22 

0 

10 

8 

195 

203 

0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

983 

343 

10 

0 

1 

2 

184 

351 

0 
15 
2 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 

0 

218 

125 

4 

9 

3 

5 

80 

166 

0 
1 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

1668 

718 

42 

9 

15 

16 

550 

877 

0 
16 
4 
3 
0 
0 

» 
3 

0  in      0 

1  in  104 
1  in  179 
1  in    14 
0  in      9 
Oin    15 
0  in    16 

0  in  550 

1  in  292 

0 

266 

114 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Knteritis          __-,_ 

6.6 
1.4 

TTepatitis  acuta _,. 

2.4 

Henatitis  chronica    ...... 

2.5 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseasesofthissystem 

87 
139 

Total 

435 

1 

976 

2 

1874 

20 

610 

3 

3895 

26 

1  in  150 

618 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    MTODLE    DIVISION. 


147 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIEATOKT  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

rOUBTH. 

TEAE. 

c 

X 

» 
<—  S 

o  « 

o 

o* 

fc.'S 

Strength 

5,693 

5,841 

6, 

940 

6, 

■23 

G, 

299 

U  el 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

o  S 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

Catarrhus. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

Pieuritis . . 

15 

669 

1 

22 

29 

21 

0 
0 
2 
0 
2 

0 

18 

364 

3 

22 

15 

9 

1 
0 
5 
0 
0 

0 

16 

486 

5 

23 

6 

10 

0 
0 
2 
0 
0 

0 

17 

484 

7 

18 

11 

10 

0 
0 
5 
0 
0 

2 

66 
2003 
16 
85 
61 

50 

1 
0 
14 
0 
2 

2 

lin      66 

0  in  2003 
7  in        8 
Oin      85 
lin      30 

1  in      25 

10.4 
318 
2.5 
13  4 

Pneumonia 

All    other    diseases    of  tliis 
system 

9.6 

g 

Total 

757 

4 

431 

6 

546 

2 

547 

7 

2281 

19 

lin    120 

362 

Rheumatismus 

166 

0 

170 

0 

163 

1 

160 

0 

659 

1 

1  in    659 

104 

The  only  remarks  found  on  the  sick -reports  relative  to  the  diseases  occurring  in  this  region 
are  those  already  cited,  touching  the  prevalence  of  remittent  and  yellow  fevers^  diarrhoea,  and 
dysentery,  at  Fort  Monroe,  in  the  third  quarter  1848.  These  diseases  do  not  appear  to  have 
heen  marked  by  any  peculiarities. 

The  catarrhus  epidemicus,  which  we  have  found  to  prevail  very  extensively  throughout  the 
northern  division  in  1843,  affected  the  troops  at  Forts  McHenry  and  Monroe  quite  severely  in 
July  of  that  year. 


MIDDLE  INTERIOR  REGION— EAST. 

This  region  iuclndes  all  that  portion  of  the  United  States  lying  between  the  immediate  Atlan- 
tic slope  and  the  Mississippi  river,  and  within  nearly  the  same  parallels  of  latitude  which 
defined  the  northern  and  southern  boundaries  of  the  middle  Atlantic  region. 

Although  only  three  stations  are  located  in  this  district,  it  has  been  found  advisable  to  present 
the  diseases  in  two  abstracts,  on  account  of  the  dissimilarity  between  those  prevailing  in  the 
region  of  the  Alleghanies  and  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio. 

The  first  abstract  will,  therefore,  present  the  diseases  occurring  at  Carlisle  Barracks  and  at 
Alleghany  Arsenal;  the  second,  those  at  Newjjort  Barracks. 

CARLISLE   BARRACKS. 

This  post  is  situated  in  a  beautiful  valley,  about  midway  between  the  north  and  south 
mountain-spurs  of  the  Alleghany  range,  which  are  separated  here  the  distance  of  ten  miles. 
The  site  of  the  barracks  is  as  elevated  as  the  general  surface  of  the  valley.  It  is  exposed  to  the 
N.W.  wind  coming  from  the  mountains,  about  five  miles  distant ;  but  its  other  aspects  are,  in 
a  considerable  degree,  protected  by  woods,  and  by  the  town  of  Carlisle,  situated  on  a  slight  emi- 
nence, half  a  mile  off.  Leitart  creek,  averaging  ten  feet  in  width,  has  its  origin  in  a  spring, 
two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  the  town  ;  flows  past  the  garrison,  on  the  N.W.,  distant  about 
two  hundred  yards.  .  A  small  marshy  tract  of  land  (the  only  one  in  the  vicinity)  lies  north 
of  the  barracks  some  three  or  four  hundred  yard.s.     This  creek  is  not  confined  by  well-de- 


148 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


fined  banks ;  hut,  at  intervals  in  its  course,  spreads  over  considerable  tracts  of  land.  Inter- 
mittent fever  lias  jirevailed,  at  different  times,  to  a  considerable  extent,  having  its  origin  in  the 
boggy  tract  along  the  creek;  tliougb,  of  late  years,  a  niajurity  ol' the  cases  rejjorted  were  in 
recruits  who  contracted  the  disease  before  joining  the  post. 

No  local  causes  of  disease  exist  in  or  about  the  post,  unless  such  as  are  possibly  found  in  con- 
nexion with  a  tract  of  low  ground,  sometimes  partially  submerged,  extending  along  the  whole 
length  of  the  government  line  of  fence,  on  the  southwest.  Sundry  cases  of  intermittent  fever 
have  occurred  during  the  quarter,  which  cannot,  with  plausibility,  be  attributed  to  any  other 
source  or  origin. 

The  barracks  are  old,  but  unexceptionably  good  ;  being  built  of  brick,  and  finished  in  a  com- 
fortable and  commodious  way.  The  same  remarks  apply  to  the  hospital.  The  diet  of  the  men 
consists  of  the  ration,  with  such  moderate  supply  of  vegetables  as  can  Tie  purchased  by  the  com- 
I)any  fund,  and  raised  in  the  post  garden. 

The  water  is  of  good  quality,  being  brought  in  pipes  from  the  Canadequinete  creek.  It  is 
slightly  impregnated  with,lime,  but  not  to  an  exceptionable  extent. 

The  foregoing  facts  have  been  obtained  from  the  quarterly  reports  of  Surgeons  Finley  and 


Wright. 


ALLEGHANY    AESENAL 


Is  at  Pittsburg,  three  miles  northeast  of  the  city,  and  on  the  immediate  banks  of  the  Alle- 
ghany river,  in  a  valley  of  limited  extent,  surrounded  by  high  hills,  which  abound  in  bitumi- 
nous coal. 

This  post  is  remarkably  healthy,  and  the  diseases  are  such  as  are  mainly  caused  by  sudden 
variations  of  temperature. 

NEWPORT    BARRACKS 

Is  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Ohio  river,  opposite  Cincinnati,  and  at  the  mouth  of  Licking  river. 
The  immediate  site  of  the  barracks  is  about  forty  feet  -above  the  river  at  its  ordinary  stage  of 
water.  This  has  been  for  many  years  principally  used  as  a  depot  for  recruits  enlisted  in  the 
valleys  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi.    No  special  report  of  its  topography  has  been  received. 


DISEASES. 


Following  the  order  heretofore  pursued  in  this  report,  the  aggregate  amount  and  ratio  of 
sickness  and  mortality  at  Carlisle  Barracks  and  Alleghany  Arsenal  are  presented  in  the  follow- 
ing table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  2  for  this  division. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strenglli. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO  PER  1,000  OF  MEAN  STRENGTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  quarter.  - 

2,408 
2,309 
2,773 
2,334 

1,359 
1,488 
2,118 
1,420 

11 

6 

14 

8 

564 
644 
763 
608 

4.  5 

2.  6 

5. 

Fourth  quarter ...... 

3.  4 

Annufil  ratio         --   - 

2,456 

6,385 

39 

2,599 

15.  8 

6,373 

36                    9.  Ml 

14.6 

AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


149 


The  proportion  of  cases  treated  to  the  mean  strength,  is  259  per  cent. ;  and  of  deaths,  1  in  63, 
or  1.5  per  cent.  .The  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  cases  treated  is  1  in  163.70,  or  0.61  of 
one  per  cent.  Exclusive  of  cholera,  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  men  is  1  to  68,  or  1.4 
per  cent. 

FE\TEKS. 


FIEST. 

SECOND. 

THIBD. 

FOURTH. 

TEAR. 

S 

s 

o 

1 

1 

-,    M) 

strength 

2,  408 

2,309 

2,773 

2,334 

2,456 

^  5 

Diseases. 

Cases 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Febris  continua  communis 

Febris  inteimittens  quotidiana.. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana. . . 

10 
6 

35 
6 

13 
9 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

11 
20 
62 

3 
43 
16 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 

7 
29 
52 

0 
99 

3 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

24 
29 
62 

1 
37 
17 

0 

0 
0 
1 
0 
3 
0 
0 

52 

84 
211 

10 
197 

45 
0 

0 
0 
1 
0 
3 
3 
0 

0  in    52 
Oin    84 

1  in  211 
Oin    10 
1  in    66 
1  in    15 
0  in      0 

21 
34 
85 
4 
80 

Febris  tvohus.        . 

18 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0 

Total 

84 

1 

155 

2 

190            0 

170 

4 

599 

7 

lin    85 

?43 

The  quarterly  reports  are  almost  silent  respecting  the  class  of  fevers.  The  prevalence  of 
scarlatina  and  pertussis  is  noted  in  March,  1845,  at  Carlisle  Barracks;  and  a  severe  and  fatal 
epidemic  of  scarlatina  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town  of  Carlisle,  during  the  summer  and  fall  of 
1850,  is  also  reported,  but  without  particulars. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  "WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters.  -- 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

so 

a 

•u   . 
^.  * 

og 

-  ts 

1 

§ 

-5 

Strength 

2,408 

2,309 

2,773 

2,334 

2,456 

*  a 

o  g 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

.Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases.- 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

1 
90 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
57 

166 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 
213 
32 
2 
0 
0 

87 

93 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

11 

476 

135 

2 

4 

0 

0 

88 

182 

3 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 

2 

0 

179 

34 

0 

1 

0 

0 

C8 

83 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

12 

958 

210 

4 

5 

0 

1 

300 

524 

3 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

3 

1  in       4 

0  in   958 

1  in   210 
0  in       4 
0  in        5 
0  in       0 
0  in        1 

0  in    300 

1  in    175 

Diarrhoea. .. 

390 

Dysenteria  acuta.  _   

85 

Dysenteria  chronica 

1.6 

0 

Hepatitis  acuta 

0 

Hepatitis  chronica 

0 
122 

All  Other  diseases  of  this 
system .--. ..- 

213 

Total 

323 

0 

428 

0 

898 

6 

365 

1 

2014 

7 

1  in    2S8 

820 

Exclusive  of  cholera 

2002 

4             1   in    500 

815 

150 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


The  Asiatic  cholera  made  its  appearance  at  Carlisle  Barracks  in  July,  1849.     Surgeon  De 
Camp  remarks  : 

"  The  circumstances  under  wliicli  cholera  made  its  appearance  at  this  post  have  tended  very 
much  to  convince  me  that  it  is  a  disease  of  a  contagious  character.*  The  disease  was  evidently 
brought  here  in  the  person  of  a  recruit, f  and  the  other  ca.ses  (11  total,  3  fatal)  occurred  in 
quick  succession.  There  was  a  peculiarity  in  the  discharges  from  the  bowels  in  some  of  the 
cases,  toward  the  close  of  the  disease,  which  I  never  saw  before,  viz:  instead  of  rice-water, 
white  mucus,  occasionally  streaked  with  blood.  The  treatment  was  similar  to  that  which  I  pur- 
sued in  1832,  except  that  I  did  not  use  the  lancet  so  freely.  Calomel  in  large  doses  was  my 
main  dependence;  dry  cupping  over  the  abdomen,  sinapisms,  dry  rubbing  witli  mustard,  and 
external  warmth  were  freely  resorted  to.  There  were  many  cases  of  suspicious  diarrhoea,  which 
might  have  become  cases  of  cholera,  but  for  early  treatment ;  they  were  generally  relieved  by  a 
mixture  of  tinct:  opii,  tether,  and  spts:  camphora3." 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EESPIKATORY  SYSTEM. 


Qufirters  ....      _    .       ...--- 

FIKST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

rODRTH. 

YEAR. 

2 

•S 

■s  . 

°  i 

i  3 

1 

1 

?^ 

Strengtii 

2,408 

2,309 

2,773 

2,334 

2,456 

s  i 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

o   B 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica  . 
Catarrh  us                           ..... 

30 

182 

2 

24 

13 

0 

0 
0 

1 
0 
3 

0 

3 

133 

3 

9 
24 

5 

0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

1 

98 

1 

9 

14 

0 

0 
0 
1 
0 

1 

0 

14 

167 

0 

17 

7 

0 

0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

0 

48 

580 

6 

59 

58 

5 

0 
0 
3 
0 
5 

0 

0  in     48 
Oin    580 

1  in       2 

0  in     59 

1  in     11 

0  in      5 

19 
235 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

Pleuritis  -- - - 

2.4 
24 

Pneumonia  . 

23 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 
tem   

2 

Total 

251 

4 

177 

1 

123 

2 

205 

1 

756 

8 

1  in     95 

307 

Rheumatismus-  . . 

66 

0 

58 

1 

45          0 

52 

0 

221 

1 

lin   221 

90 

In  regard  to  the  diseases  of  this  system,  the  original  reports  of  sick  are  without  remark,  ex- 
cept a  note  of  the  prevalence  of  epidemic  catarrh  at  Carlisle  Barracks  in  July  and  August,  1843. 

The  tables  which  immediately  follow  are  compiled  from  abstract  No.  3  for  this  division: 
one  station  only — Newjiort  Barracks,  Kentucky. 

"  For  similar  views  by  Surgeon  De  Camp,  see  "  Statistical  Report  on  the  Sickness,  &c.,  in  the  V.  S.  Army,  1840,"  p. 
86.— C. 

I  It  is  the  belief  of  the  compiler  that  this  recruit  was  transferred  from  Fort  Columbus,  New  York  harbor,  where  cholera 
prevailed. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


161 


TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Numher  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  pee  J.OOO  of  mean  STREsoTn. 

1 
Treated.           |             Died. 

First  quarter. . ___- 

1,422 
1,395 
1,455 

1,546 

846 

957 

1,208 

890 

19 

25 
20 
11 

595                        t^ 

686 
830 
575 

18 

13 

Fourth  quarter 

7 

Annual  ratio 

1,454 

3,901 

75 

2,682 

51  5 

Exclusive  of  cholera 

3,670 

•  59 

2,524 

40.5 

The  foregoing  table  shows  that  the  annual  ratio  of  sickness  to  the  strength  of  the  command 
at  Newport  Barracks,  is  2.68  to  1;  and  that  of  deaths,  1  in  19,  or  5.1  per  cent.  It  is  also  dedu- 
cible  from  the  table  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  treated  is  1  in  52,  or  1.9  per  cent. 

If  we  deduct  from  the  aggregate  sickness  the  231  cases  of  Asiatic  cholera,  and  from  the  mor- 
tality the  16  deaths  from  that  disease,  the  following  will  be  the  result:  Mean  strength,  1,454; 
number  treated,  3,6T0 ;  deaths,  59.  The  proportion  of  sick  to  number  of  men,  with  this  modi- 
fication, is  2.52  to  1;  that  of  deaths,  1  in  24.6,  or  4.05  per  cent.  ;  and  the  ratio  of  deaths  to 
cases  treated,  1  in  64,  or  1.5  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


Quarters. 


Strength  . 


1,422 


Diseases. 


Cases.    Deaths. 


1,395 


1.455 


1,546 


1,454 


Cases. 


Deaths.  I  Cases. 


Deaths,  t  Cases. 


Deaths,  i 


^  i 
o  S 
So 

13 

es 


Febris  continua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana 

Febris  remittens 

Febris  typhus. 


1 

114 

51 

0 
13 
30 


Febris  typhus  icterodes <       0 


Total . 


209 


0 

151 

35 

0 
34 
18 

0 


238 


0 
180 
30 
U 
23 
17 

4 


265 


0 
187 

6 

3 
12 
23 

1 


1 

632 

122 

14 

82 

88 

5 


232 


94i 


0  in      1 

0  in  632 
Oin  122 
Oin  14 
liu    82 

1  in  11 
0  in      5 


1  in  105     649 


0 

434 
83 

9 
56 
60 

3 


152 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

S 

w 

rt 

-a   . 

=  u 

o 

■a 

I 

s 

1 

Strength 

1,422 

1,395 

1,455 

1,516 

1,454 

V  to 

Sg 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Coses. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

0  S 
& 

0 

C7 

9 

1 

2 

0 

3 

30 

47 

0 
2 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

95 
141 

IG 

1 
3 
2 

•1 
31 
50 

4 

2 
0 
0 
(1 
0 
0 
2 

119 

2C7 

49 

1 

0 

0 

0 

48 

80 

10 

5 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

17 
147 

21 
0 
2 
1 
0 

2G 

31 

2 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

231 

622 

95 

3 

13 

3 

4 

135 

208 

16 

7 
4 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 

1  in    14 
1  in    89 
lin    24 
1  in      3 
0  in     13 
0  in      3 
0  in       4 

0  in  135 

1  in    69 

427 

65 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Enteritis 

2 

8 

2 

Hepatitis  chronica. 

2 

Obstipatio 

92 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system. . 

153 

Total 

159 

3 

340 

8 

570 

15 

245 

5 

1314 

31 

lin    42 

903 

Exclusive  of  cholera 

1083 

15 

lin    72 

744 

Cholera. — In  the  report  from  Newport  Barrack.?,  for  the  quarter  ending  June  30,  1849,  Sur- 
geon Finley  makes  the  foUowing  remarks  :  "It  will  be  seen  by  this  report,  that  there  have  been 
sixty-six  eases  of  Asiatic  cholera  uiic^er  treatment ;  these  were,  even  the  mildest,  characterized 
by  the  di.schargcs  peculiar  to  that  disease ;  the  doubtful  cases  '  of  diarrhcea'  have  been  placed 
under  the  head  of  diarrhcea.  The  treatment  in  every  case  which  has  occurred  since  my  special 
rejjort,  has  been  that  laid  down  in  that  report — the  free  exhibition  of  calomel  and  camphor,  and 
the  quinine  after  reaction  was  fairly  established." 

The  report  of  Surgeon  Finley  thus  referred  to,  is  dated  "  Newport  Barracks,  Ky.,  June  14, 
1849,"  and  is  as  follows: 

"  I  consider  it  my  duty,  under  existing  circumstances,  to  anticipate  my  quarterly  report,  so 
far  as  to  give  an  outline  of  the  treatment  and  its  results  of  the  only  two  cases  of  Asiatic  cholera 
which  have  been  under  my  charge. 

"  Kecruit ,  a  musician  of  intemperate  habits,  was  confined  in  the  guard-house  on 

Wednesday  for  drunkenness ;  he  was  released  on  Saturday  morning,  and  in  the  evening  of  that 
day  was  attacked  with  diarrhoea;  but  no  report  was  made  of  his  situation,  although  an 
order  requiring  such  report  by  the  patient,  or  the  non-commissioned  officer  in  charge, 
immediately  upon  the  appearance  of  such  symptoms,  had  been  issued.  This  diarrhcea  con- 
tinued until  the  next  day,  between  4  and  5,  p.  M.,  when  he  was  accidentally  discovered 
in  his  bunk  by  my  steward  and  conveyed  to  the  liospital.  I  saw  him  immediately,  and 
found  him  in  the  stage  of  collapse;  no  pulse  perceptible  in  the  radial  artery;  skin  cold, 
corrugated,  and  covered  with  profuse  ijerspiration ;  spasms  of  the  muscles  of  the  lower  extremi- 
ties; cold,  white  tongue;  serous  discharges  per  aiium  ct  orem.  The  treatment:  Large  sina- 
pisms over  stomach  and  bowels ;  spinal  irritations,  by  applying  a  strip  of  flannel  saturated  with 
spts:  terebinthiniu  over  the  entire  vertebral  column,  and  jiassing  a  hot  smoothing-iron  on  it_ 
(This  appeared  to  relieve  the  muscular  spasms  immediately).  Calomel,  grs.  xx;  camphor,  grs. 
x;  opium,  gr.  j;  was  given  every  hour  till  the  arterial  action  was  excited,  then  every  two  hours 
till  five  doses  were  taken.  For  some  time  I  had  hopes  of  his  recovery;  but  tliough  the  heart's 
action  was  for  a  time  increased  and  sustained  by  stimulants  (carbonate  of  ammonia  and  brandy), 
he  died  the  next  day  by  astlienia. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION.  153 

"Second.   Eecruit ,  a  man  of  temperate  habits,  brought  to  hospital.  His  bowels  had  been 

more  or  less  disordered  for  three  days;  had  taken  some  medicine  ;  what  it  was,  I  did  not  learn. 
Symptoms :  Great  prostration ;  pulse  in  the  radial  artery  scarcely  discernible ;  husky  voice ; 
cold,  clammy  skin  ;  tongue  white  and  cold  ;  serous  discharges  per  anum  et  orem.  The  treat- 
ment in  this  case  was  the  same  as  in  the  preceding,  with  the  following  exceptions:  Oi)ium  was 
not  exhibited.  After  arterial  action  was  in  some  degree  restored,  I  gave  twice,  with  the  calomel 
and  camphor,  ten  grains  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine ;  and  with  the  next.dose  of  calomel  and 
camphor,  five  grains  of  quinine  ;  making  twenty-five  grains  of  quinine  in  four  hours.  My  chief 
attention  was  directed  to  sustain  the  heart's  action,  and  prevent  death  by  asthenia,  till  the 
nervous  system  should  be  restored  to  its  tonic  state,  and,  with  that,  the  normal  condition  of  the 
secreting  organs.  The  serous  discharges  continued  at  intervals  of  from  three  to  five  hours,  for 
twenty-four  hours  ;  the  calomel  and  camphor  in  varied  quantities  being  given  after  each  dis- 
charge, when  the  patient  for  the  first  time  tfuring  his  treatment  passed  about  half  an  ounce  of 
high-colored  urine  (this  secretion  having  been  totally  suppressed),  followed  in  a  short  time  by 
a  dejection,  evidently  the  eff'ect  of  the  calomel.  From  that  time  his  recovery  commenced.  I 
was  induced  to  omit  the  opium  in  this  case,  by  the  consideration  that  it  contrilmted  to  the 
atony  of  the  nervous  system,  and  counteracted  the  effect  of  the  nervous  tonics,  quinine  and 
camphor.  I  have  treated  the  disease  in  its  incipient  stage  of  diarrhcea  with  calomel  and  cam- 
phor alone,  with  uniibrm  success.  I  will  mention  that,  in  the  second  case,  spinal  irritation  was 
made  as  in  the  first,  and  there  were  no  spasms  or  cramps.  In  both  cases  creosote  was  given 
to  check  emesis,  and  apparently  with  good  effect.  The  quantity  of  calomel  varied  from  half  a 
drachm  to  ten  grains  ;  the  camphor  from  two  to  ten  grains  ;  the  evidence  of  improvement  being 
the  lengthened  intervals  between  the  discharges  and  the  diminution  of  quantity.  The  thirst 
in  both  cases  was  excessive,  for  which  ice  and  ice- water  to  a  limited  extent  was  allowed." 

In  addition  to  the  66  cases  of  cholera  treated  by  Surgeon  Finley  in  the  second  quarter,  1849, 
19  occurred  in  the  succeeding  quarter;  making  a  total  of  85,  of  which  5  proved  fatal;  being  1 
death  in  17  cases. 

Cholera  again  made  its  appearance  at  Newport  Barracks  in  September,  1851.  In  the  reports 
for  that  and  the  following  quarters,  85  cases  are  reported,  9  proving  fatal.  These  cases  were 
treated  by  Assistant  Surgeon  B.  M.  Byrne,  who  makes  the  following  remarks  respecting  them, 
in  his  report  dated  September  30,  1851 : 

"The  cholera  made  its  appearance  in  this  garrison  on  the  22d  September,  and  nearly  all  the 
cases  here  reported  (Y3)  occurred  within  four  days  subsequent  to  its  incursion.  It  had  been 
prevailing  on  Licking  river,  in  the  vicinity  of  this  garrison,  for  some  weeks  previously ;  and, 
althougli  I  have  not  been  able  to  trace  it,  but  little  doubt  can  exist  that  it  was  from  there  it 
was  introduced.  The  disease  has,  within  the  last  few  days,  begun  to  spread  through  the  city 
of  Newport,  the  first  cases  having  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  the  barracks.  In  every  instance 
which  proved  fatal,  the  patient  had,  through  neglect  to  report  in  time,  reached  the  stage  of 
collapse  before  entering  the  hospital.  Owing  to  the  great  difliculty  in  getting  the  men 
(recruits)  to  report,  during  the  premonitory  stage  of  the  disease,  the  cases  were  generally  of 
a  severe  character.  But  few  entered  the  hospital  before  they  had  reached  the  spasmodic  stage; 
and  several  of  those  now  convalescent  were  badly  collapsed.  Calomel  was  the  main  remedy 
resorted  to  in  the  treatment  of  the  disease.  It  was  administered  in  scruple  and  half  drachm 
doses,  coml)ined  with  ten  grains  of  camphor,  and  repeated  after  each  evacuation,  till  bile  appeared 
in  the  stools.  In  some  instances,  more  than  300  grains  had  been  exhibited  before  this  result 
was  obtained ;  but  in  every  instance,  except  one,  in  which  bile  was  restored  to  the  jiassages,  the 
patient  convalesced.  As  auxiliaries  to  this  treatment,  dry  heat,  occasional  opiates,  carbonate 
of  ammonia,  brandy,  mercurial  frictions,  mustard-plasters,  blisters,  &c.,  were  employed." 

In  May,  1852,  cholera  again  appeared  at  Newport  Barracks.     The  first  case,  says  Dr.  Byrne, 
occurred  in  a  recruit,  wliu  bad  recently  come  uji  the  Ohio  river  in  a  boat  on  which  cholera  hud 
S.  i)U 20 


154 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


prevailed.     In  May  and  June,  19  cases  were  successfully  treated  by  Dr.  Byrne,  wliicli,  -with  85 
the  previous  year,  makes  a  total  of  104 ;  of  wliicli  9  died,  being  about  1  death  to  12  cases. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quiirtt^rs. .... - 

FIKST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

roiiKTn. 

YEAR. 

O 

S 

S 

g. 
S 

o 

S 

si 

Strength          

1,422 

1, 

J  1)5 

1,455 

1,546 

1,454 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Dcalbs. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

1° 

Broncliitis  acuta  etchronicii 
Catairhus.  ...--._- 

19 
96 

1 
17 
68 

2 

0 
0 
1 
0 
4 

0 

11 
21 
3 
12 
23 

.  3 

0 
0 
2 
0 
2 

0 

6 
14 

1 
13 

1 

4 

0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

0 

10 

74 

0 

14 

29 

3 

0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

0 

46 

205 

5 

56 
121 

12 

0 
0 

4 

1 
6 

0 

0  in     46 

0  in  205 
4  in       5 

1  in     56 
1  in     20 

0  in     12 

31 
141 

Phtliisis  piilmonaHs.  .  . .  -  -  . 

3.4 

38 

Pneiuiionia 

83 

All  other  diseases  of 
system - 

this 

g 

Total . 

203 

5 

73 

4 

39 

1 

130 

1 

445 

11 

1  in     40 

306 

22 

0 

25 

0 

16 

0 

17 

0 

80  1       0 

0  in     80 

55 

MIDDLE  INTERIOR  REGION— WEST. 

The  region  thus  designated  for  the  purposes  of  this  report,  embraces  that  portion  of  country 
lying  between  the  Mississippi  and  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  the  thirty- 
sixth  and  fortieth  parallels  of  north  latitude. 

The  military  stations  which  have  been  or  are  now  occupied  in  this  region  are  six  in  number, 
viz:  Jefierson  Barracks,  St.  Louis  Arsenal,  Forts  Leavenworth,  Scott,  Atkinson,  and  Riley. 

Jefferson  Barracks  having  been  occupied  as  a  depot  for  recruits^  and  being  also  peculiarly 
located  in  reference  to  its  medical  topography,  it  has  been  determined  to  present  the  diseases 
occurring  tiiere,  and  at  St.  Louis  Arsenal,  which  is  in  its  vicinity,  in  a  separate  abstract,  and  to 
classify  the  diseases  of  the  remaining  four  posts  together. 


MEDICAL  TOrOGIlAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  JEFFERSON  BAKltACKS  AND  ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL. 

Compiled  from  reports  by  Surgeon  S.  G.  I.  De  Camp  :  1839-'40  and  '56. 

JEFFERSON    BARRACKS. 


Jefferson  Barracks  is  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river,  ten  miles  below  the 
city  of  St.  Louis,  uj)on  a  sloping  ridge,  elevated  about  100  feet  above  the  river,  and  distant  from 
it  about  150  yards.  The  ground  continues  to  rise  gently  for  one  mile  west  of  the  barracks, 
attaining  an  elevation  of  about  200  feet  above  high-water  mark.  Tlie  surface  of  the  earth  for 
many  miles  south  and  west,  and  for  four  or  five  miles  north,  is  undulating;  and  as  it  frequently 
ri.ses  into  abrupt  hills  with  deep  ravines,  the  drainage  is  perfect.  The  soil  is  a  rich  loam, 
based  upon  clay,  with  a  substratum  of  limestone.     The  country  around,  with  the  exception  of 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE    DIVISION.  155 

the  public  grounds,  remains  (1839)  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  timber.  Indications  of  lead 
are  common,  and  stone-coal  is  found  in  abundance  within  a  few  miles  of  the  post. 

The  river  is  about  one  mile  wide,  and  upon  the  opposite  side,  in  Illinois,  is  the  great  "Ameri- 
can bottom,"  which  is  said  to  be  sixty  miles  long,  and,  on  an  average,  seven  miles  wide.  On  the 
river  it  is  skirted  with  forests,  varying  in  breadth  from  a  half  to  one  mile,  whilst  the  remaining 
space  to  the  liigh  ground  consists  principally  of  prairie,  covered  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of 
grass.  This  prairie  is  cliequered  witli  numerous  lakes  ;  and  as  the  evaporation  of  the  water  during 
theJatter  part  of  the  summer  exposes  the  surface  of  the  subjacent  soil,  a  fruitful  source  of  dis- 
ease is  engendered,  the  influence  of  which  is  sensibly  felt  at  the  barracks.  The  water  used  at 
the  post  is  usually  that  of  the  river  ;  but  in  summer  it  has  been  common  to  resort  to  wells  and 
sjjrings,  the  waters  of  which  are  prejudicial  to  health,  causing,  in  many  persons,  bowel  com- 
plaints. 

The  buildings  used  as  barracks  are  built  of  stone,  and  occupy  three  sides  of  a  sr|uare.  They 
were  erected  in  1827,  and  were  calculated  to  accommodate  twenty-two  companies,  under  the  or- 
ganization of  that  period,  including  store-rooms,  offices,  and  mess-rooms.  The  position,  with 
regard  to  health,  is  as  good  as  any  which  could  have  been  selected  upon  the  river  bank ;  but,  from 
an  acquaintance  with  the  diseases  of  this  country  for  more  than  twenty-two  years,  I  am  able  to 
state  that  fewer  cases  occur,  and,  when  they  do,  they  are  much  milder  in  their  character,  when 
removed  from  the  river.  At  least  three-fourths  of  the  persons  at  this  post  liave  had  fever  this 
season  (1839);  while  at  the  distance  of  one  mile  from  the  river,  a  dense  forest  intervening, 
there  has  scarcely  been  a  single  case. 

ST.    LOUIS   ARSENAL. 

St.  Louis  Arsenal^is  situated  within  the  incorporated  limits  of  the  city,  in  latitude  38°  37'  28"; 
longitude  90°  15'  16".  It  is  elevated  above  the  Mississippi,  at  an  ordinary  stage  of  water, 
^bout  12  feet.  The  main  channel  of  the  river  runs  east  of  the  arsenal  grounds  about  half  a 
mile,  an  island  intervening,  and  a  small  channel,  which,  at  times,  has  but  little  water  in  it, 
leaving  exposed  a  broad  surface  of  a  muddy  deposit,  covered  to  a  considerable  extent  with  de- 
cayed wood,  brought  by  each  rise  of  the  upper  rivers  from  the  wood-drifts.  Being  situated  at 
the  lower  end  of  a  large  city,  where  great  numbers  of  dead  animals  are  thrown  into  the  river, 
not  a  few  of  them  are  deposited  in  the  vicinity  of  the  arsenal  when  the  river  is  low.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  above  causes  of  disease,  a  little  below  the  arsenal,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
there  is  a  chain  of  lakes,  which  in  midsummer  become  very  low,  leaving  large  tracts  of  muddy 
ground  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  sun.  All  these  causes  are  fruitful  sources  of  malaria,  pro- 
ducing fever  of  an  intermittent  t}'pe.  From  long  residence  in  this  vicinity,  I  am  convinced 
that  when  the  east  and  southeast  winds  prevail,  these  causes  are  made  operative  to  a  considera- 
ble extent.  Elevation  above  the  river,  especially  if  a  little  removed  from  it,  tends  to  a  great 
extent  to  render  the  above  causes  inoperative.  Persons  residing  in  tlie  rear  of  the  arsenal,  on 
high  ground,  are  seldom  attacked  with  chills  and  fever. 

Persons  who  have  recently  come  to  reside  at  the  arsenal,  from  distant  parts  of  the  country, 
are  subject  to  this  disease;  and  the  family  of  the  present  commanding  officer  is  proof  of  this,  as 
several  of  its  members  have  been  afflicted  with  it. 

The  enlisted  men,  whose  duties  are  very  much  under  cover,  and  who  have  been  living  at 
the  arsenal  for  a  length  of  time,  are  not  particularly  subject  to  it. 

I  am  fully  persuaded  that  the  arsenal  is  in  an  unhealthy  position,  and,  sliould  the  government 
ever  feel  disposed  to  occupy  any  other,  whether  for  health  or  for  other  reasons,  any  place  south 
of  St.  Louis,  in  St.  Louis  county,  seventy  feet  or  more  above  the  river,  will  give  a  guaranty 
for  much  better  health  than  can  be  found  at  the  arsenal;  and  if  thrown  back  one-half  mile  at 
that  elevation,  the  immunity  from  disease  will  be  greatly  increased. 


156 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


DISEASES. 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  4  of  this  division,  exhibits  a  summary  of  the 
amount  of  sickness  and  mortality  at  these  two  stations : 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  EATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO    PER  1,000  OF  MEAN  BTRENOTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

5,525 
4,232 
6,245 
6,320 

3,908 
4,545 
5,761 
5,741 

90 

94 

129 

80 

707 

1,073 

922 

908 

IC 

22 

Third  quarter, 

20 

Fourth  Q Utirter --__-_- 

12 

5,580 

19,955 

393 

3,576 

70 

Exclusive  of  cholcrfi-- -- .. 

19,587 

263 

3,510 

47 

1 

It  is  here  shown  that  the  annual  proportion  of  sickness  to  the  mean  strength  of  the  command 
is  3.5*7  to  1 ;  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  troops  1  in  14.4,  or  7  per  cent. ;  and  the  pro- 
portion of  deaths  to  the  number  of  casos  treated  1  in  51,  or  2  per  cent.  Exclusive  of  cholera, 
the  proportion  of  deaths  to  persons  is  1  in  21,  or  4.6  per  cent. ;  and  to  the  number  of  cases 
treated  1  in  74,  or  1.34  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

TEAR. 

2 

'    x: 

■S 
°  s 

C    eS 
o    o 

•fi 

o 
o. 

s 

S 

5,525 

4,232 

6,245 

6,320 

5,580 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

0  a 

o    <.. 

1  = 

a 

7 

2 

318 

435 

6 

33 

10 

0 

811 

7 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

1 

0 

1 

7 

527 

423 

9 

39 

13 

3 

1 
0 
0 

2 
0 

2 
1 
0 

6 

12 

662 

10 

2 

174 

13 

1 

6 
0 
2 
0 
0 
10 
4 
0 

8 

6 

625 

868 

1 

96 

19 

2 

6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
7 
0 
1 

22 

27 

2132 

2536 

18 

342 

55 

6 

20 
0 
2 

2 

0 

20 

6 

1 

10  in      11 
Oin      27 
lin  1066 
1  in  12G8 
Oin       18 
1  in       17 
lin        9 
lin        C 

4 

Febris  continua  communis 

FebriB  iutermitteus  quotidiana. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana  .. 

6 

382 

454 

3 

61 

Febris  typbus- - -.- . -__. 

10 

Febris  typli us  icterodcs 

1 

Total 

9 

1022 

6 

1680 

22 

1625 

14 

5138 

51 

1  in  100 

920 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


157 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  , 


Strength  . 


Cholera  Asiatica 

Diarrhcea 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dyseuteria  chronica 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 
tem   


Total  . 


Exclusive  of  cholera. 


5,525 


C-dsea,    Deaths. 


81 

471 

136 

58 

1 

1 

0 

80 

164 


992 


39 
7 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 


49 


4,232 


Cases.    Deaths. 


80 

49 

999 

7 

241 

2 

89 

1 

0 

0 

4 

0 

2 

0 

164 

0 

111 


1690 


60 


6,245 


Cases.    Deaths. 


196 

1262 

384 

32 

0 

4 

2 

196 

148 


2224 


34 
37 
9 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 


81 


6,320 


Cases.    Deaths. 


11 

8 

1042 

11 

182 

8 

15 

7 

1 

1 

0 

0 

8 

2 

178 

0 

182 


1619 


39 


5,580 


Cases.    Deaths. 


368 

3774 

943 

194 

2 

9 

12 

618 

605 


6525 


6157 


130 

62 

19 

10 

1 

0 


1  in  2. 

1  in  61 

1  in  50 

1  in  19 

1  in  2 

0  in  9 

lin  6 

0  in  618 

1  in  121 


229   1  in  28 


99 


1  in  62 


^  S 


676 

169 
34 
0.4 
1.5 
2 

110 

108 


1169 


1103 


In  regard  to  the  foregoing  table,  the  prevalence  of  an  epidemic  dysentery  in  September,  1840, 
at  Jefferson  Barracks,  and  the  occurrence  of  epidemic  cholera  in  1849-'50-'51-'52,  and  '54,  are 
to  be  noted. 

In  1849,  the  first  case  of  cholera  occurred  on  the  22d  of  January.  The  patient  sickened  in 
St.  Louis,  but  died  at  the  barracks.  After  this,  says  Surgeon  Wheaton,  "one  or  two  cases 
occurred  daily  for  a  time,  but  soon  became  more  frequent.  After  ten  or  twelve  days  the  disease 
began  to  decline,  and  ceased  on  the  27th  March"  (83  days).  No  one  treatment  apjjeared  more 
successful  than  another  after  the  stage  of  collapse.  Eighty-one  cases  are  reported  (exclusive 
of  women  and  children),  11  terminating  in  death.  This  disease  reappeared  in  May  following. 
Cholera  again  visited  Jefferson  Barracks  in  June,  1850,  continuing  till  some  time  in  August, 
the  precise  date  of  cessation  not  reported.  In  June,  1850,  this  disease  occurred  at  St.  Louis 
Arsenal.  The  medical  officer  there.  Assistant  Surgeon  Abadie,  remarks:  "Since  the  com- 
.mencement  of  May,  very  unmanageable  cases  of  cholera  have  been  observed  in  St.  Louis.  At 
the  arsenal  a  good  deal  of  diarrhcea  prevailed  among  the  men.  One  well-marked  case  of  cholera 
is  reported.  The  usual  treatment  pursued  by  me  in  such  cases,  viz :  large  doses  of  calomel, 
camphor,  with  a  little  opium  given  until  biliary  evacuations  were  produced,  together  with  fric- 
tions with  dry  mustard,  proved  successful." 

In  June  of  the  next  year  (1851)  we  once  more  find  cholera  at  Jefierson  Barracks,  ceasing 
this  time  in  July;  and  again  in  April,  1852,  ceasing  in  May.  In  March,  1854,  a  few  cases  are 
reported,  and  the  disease  appears  to  have  continued  to  affect  the  garrison  until  November  fol- 
lowing.    The  average  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  was  about  1  in  3. 


158 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  . 

FIB.ST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

ForKxn. 

TEAK. 

S 

x: 

1    ■ 

as 

C  » 

§ 

s| 

Strength 

5, 

525 

i, 

232 

6, 

245 

c, 

320 

5,580 

i! 

oS 

■So 
a 

^    Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Bronchitis  .acuta  ct  chronica.. 

19 
690 

7 
53 
42 

6 

1 
0 
5 
4 

8 

1 

11 
410 

4 
41 
17 

5 

2 
0 
2 
3 

7 
0 

4 
485 
9 
17 
3 
6 

0 
1 
10 
1 
0 
0 

35 

765 

3 

51 

57 

6 

1 
0 
4 
3 
11 
1 

69 
2350 

23 
162 
119 

23 

4 

1 

21 

11 

26 

2 

lin    17 
1  in  2350 
21  in    23 
lin   15 
1  in     4 
lin     11 

12 
421 

4 

Plcuritis 

29 

Pneumonia 

21 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

4 

Total 

817 

19 

488 

14 

524 

12 

917 

20 

2746 

65 

1  in     42 

492 

139 

0 

158 

0 

104 

0 

132 

0 

533 

0 

0  in  553 

99 

The  epidemic  catarrh,  so  frequently  noted  in  this  report,  prevailed  at  Jefferson  Barracks 
in  July,  1843. 

We  now  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  the  topography  and  diseases  of  the  remaining  posts 
in  this  region  ;  and,  first,  of 

FORT    LEAVENWORTH. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  right  hank  of  the 'Missouri  river,  ahout  500  miles  ahove  its  con- 
fluence with  the  Mississippi.  As  the  Missouri  here  is  not  more  than  300  yards  wide,  heing  one 
of  its  narrowest  points,  the  water  is  deep  and  the  current  rapid.  This  mighty  river  is  at  times 
navigahle  for  steamhoats  1,750  miles  ahove  the  fort,  and  always,  unless  ohstructed  hy  ice,  to 
its  mouth. 

This  fort  stands  on  a  plain  elevated  ahout  150  feet  ahove  the  surface  of  the  river.  This  plain 
is  the  highest  point  of  an  undulating  prairie,  which  extends  as  far  south  as  the  eye  can  reaclr. 
The  opposite  shore  is  an  extensive  alluvial  bottom,  covered  with  a  dense  forest  of  cottonwood 
(populus  Canadensis).  The  margin  of  the  river,  north  of  the  fort,  presents  a  similar  character; 
but,  as  the  prevailing  winds  are  from  the  south,  the  full  effects  of  the  exhalations  from  this 
miasmatic  surface  are  not  experienced. 

The  soil,  which  is  quite  productive,  consists  of  a  sandy  loam,  covered  with  a  rich  vegetable 
deposit,  the  whole  based  on  a  stratum  of  clay  and  limestone. 

"The  forest,"  says  Surgeon  Macomli,  "abounds  in  trees  valuable  for  fuel  or  timber.  With 
the  excei:ition  of  the  pine,  almost  all  kinds  are  to  be  found.  The  most  common  are  the  juglans 
nigra,  carya  olivceformis,  carya  alba,  acer  saccliarinum,  acer  negundo,  platanus  occidentalis, 
cerasus  Virginiana,  morus  rubra,  quercus  alba,  &c." 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  SCOTT. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  K.  Barnes  :  1852. 

Fort  Scott  was  established  in  the  spring  of  1842,  by  the  removal  of  the  garrison  from  Fort 
Wayne,  Cherokee  Nation.  The  position  selected  for  the  encampment,  and  subsequent  site  of 
the  post,  is  in  latitude  38^  N.,  longitude   Vr   30'  W.  of  Washington;  four  miles  west  of  the 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    MIDDLE    DIVISION.  159 

Missouri  line,  and  upon  the  military  road  from  Leavenworth  to  Gibson.  The  nearest  point  on 
the  Missouri  river  is  ninety-five  miles  N.N.E.'  The  general  features  of  the  country  are  those  of 
a  high  table  prairie,  intersected  by  well-wooded  water-courses,  at  intervals  rarely  exceeding  ten 
miles,  and  cut  by  limestone  ravines,  wliich,  ordinarily  dry,  are  sometimes  the  beds  of  immense 
torrents.  The  streams  of  the  section  between  the  Kansas  river,  ninety-three  miles  north,  and 
Spring  river,  fifty-five  miles  south,  are  trilnitaries  of  the  Osage,  and  preserve  generally  an 
easterly  course,  until  forming  that  river,  which  flows  southeast  to  join  the  Missouri. 

The  immediate  site  of  the  post  is  a  flat  spur  of  high  prairie,  running  from  S.  to  N.,  \)ound- 
ed  on  tlie  N.W.  by  the  Marmiton  river,  and  on  the  N.E.  by  a  small,  clear-water  creek,  joining 
the  Marmiton  within  a  short  distance  of  the  spur.  This  plateau  opens  out  rapidly  to  the  south 
in  a  beautifully  undulating  prairie  ;  while  to  the  west,  north,  and  east,  it  terminates  abruptly  in  an 
almost  precipitous  descent  of  fifty  feet  to  the  river  and  creek  bottoms.  These  bottoms,  fifteen  to 
twenty  feet  above  the  usual  water-level,  are  heavily  timbered,  and  vary  in  width  from  one 
quarter  to  one  mile,  opening  again  on  high  prairie,  which,  to  the  west  and  east,  runs  up  into 
limestone  ridges,  averaging  forty  feet  more  elevation  than  the  land  to  the  south  or  north.  The 
soil  is  a  dark  chocolate-colored  loam,  with  much  granular  limestone  detritus,  but  little  clay,  no 
silicious  sand,  retaining  moisture  but  a  short  time,  and,  when  dry,  very'  hard  and  compact.  The 
prevailing  geological  formation  is  limestone,  which  is  found  bare  on  the  ridges,  in  the  ravines 
and  beds  of  streams,  and  at  depths  from  six  inches  to  six  feet  in  the  prairie-valleys  and  river- 
bottoms.  Bituminous  coal,  shale,  and  grey  sandstone  are  also  found.  Occasionally  small 
spots  of  timber  are  met  with  on  the  prairie ;  but,  as  a  general  rule,  this  growth  is  confined  to  the 
borders  of  the  streams,  and  consists  of  the  juglans  nigra,  jilatnnus  occidentalis,  morv.s  rubra, 
ulnius  Americana,  acer  saccharinum,  and  quercus  alba,  rubra,  nigra,  aquatica,  and  macrocarpa, 
the  filia  Americana,  and  the  Juglans  alba,  some  of  which  attain  great  size.  The  bottoms  are  also 
covered  with  a  luxuriant  undergrowth,  composed  principally  of  the  cercis  Canadensis,  amelan- 
chier  Canadensis,  hamamelis  Virginica,  laurus  benzoin,  sambucus  nigra,  ribes  grossularia,  rosa 
Carolina,  rubus  odoratus,  rubus  villosus,  and  vitis  aestivalis.  The  juniper  us  Virginiana  is  found 
twenty,  and  the  pimis  sylvestris  sixty  miles  south  of  us.  The  fauna  of  this  region  was  origin- 
ally extensive,  but  the  commercial  demand  for  furs  and  peltries  has  caused  their  almost  entire 
extinction  by  Indians  and  trappers.  The  birds  are  those  of  the  middle  States,  with  the  addition 
of  the  pinnated  grouse  (tetrao  cupido),  which  exist  in  great  quantities.  Reptiles  and  insects, 
both  noxious  and  innocuous,  abound  both  upon  the  prairie-ridges  and  river-bottoms. 

Owing  to  tlie  physical  conformation  of  the  country,  the  climate  is  one  of  extremes  of  heat 
and  cold,  of  dryness  and  moisture.  After  a  long  and  debilitating  summer,  the  winter,  most  fre- 
quently commencing  abruptly  with  cold  storms  from  the  northeast,  is  a  succession  of  alterna- 
tions, the  mercury  falling  or  rising  30°  to  40°  in  a  few  hours.  Springs  and  wells  supply  an 
abundance  of  good  water,  which  rarely  fails,  even  in  the  dryest  seasons.  Extensive  gardens, 
although  sometimes  failing  in  articles  intended  for  winter  use,  have  always  aflbrded  a  suffi- 
ciency of  esculents  during  the  spring  and  summer.  The  quarters  are  exceedingly  roomy,  well 
ventilated  and  comfortable,  and,  with  the  necessary  out-houses,  are  furnished  with  good  drain- 
age, preventing  all  accumulations  of  water  and  filth ;  the  general  ari'angement  of  the  post  being 
such,  that  any  inattention  to  police  would  at  once  become  apparent. 

An  accurate  examination  of  tlie  country,  for  several  miles  in  each  direction,  has  failed  to  dis- 
cover any  local  feature  which  may  be  considered  objectionable,  or  as  remotely  tlie  cause  of 
disease.  There  are  no  grass-ponds,  swamps,  or  lakes  near  us;  the  streams  are  numerous,  but 
without  stagnant  pools;  the  bottom-lands  extensive,  and  sometimes  overflowed,  but  they  drain 
as  rapidly  and  thoroughly  as  the  jirairies. 

The  medical  records  of  Fort  Scott,  from  May,  1842,  to  January,  1849,  exhibit  an  aggregate 
of  3,415  cases,  in  a  command  of  3,034  men — a  proportion  of  1.12  to  1.  Of  these,  1,717  were 
malarious  fevers  ;  which,  deducting  467  surgical  cases,  gives  a  proportion  of  1.38  to  1,  or  more 
than  one  and  one-third  per  cent,  over  all  other  diseases.     But  8  cases  of  remittent  arc  recorded. 


160  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

the  remaining  1,709  being  intermittent,  either  quotidian,  tertian,  or  qnartan.  This  proportion 
varies  with  the  different  quarters  of  tlie  3-ear,  and  with  different  years;  being  mucli  greater 
during  the  tliird  and  fourth  than  the  first  and  second  quarters,  and  in  the  years  IS-lo  and  1845 
than  any  others.  The  next  in  point  of  numbers,  and  by  far  the  most  serious  in  result,  are 
diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs,  which  constitute  331  in  1,241,  or  more  than  one-fcmrth  of 
the  cases,  after  deducting  the  niahxrious  and  surgical.  This  proportion  varies  with  different 
years,  and  is  influenced  by  unimportant  epidemics  of  catarrli  and  influenza,  but  maintains  a 
marl;^d  increase  during  the  first  and  fourth  quarters  of  each  year,  pneumonia  being  the  most 
frequent  and  dangerous  form.  Of  tlie  910  cases  not  already  specified,  287  were  diseases  of  the 
digestive  organs,  principally  diarrhoea,  colica,  and  obstipatio^  with  an  occasional  case  of  hepa- 
titis and  dysenteria.  The  second  quarter  of  each  year  furnishes  the  greater  portion  of  these 
cases;  owing,  doubtless,  to  the  abundance  of  vegetables  obtainable  at  that  season.  Kecruits 
newly  arrived  occasionally  complain  of  the  laxative  effects  of  the  well  and  spring  water,  but 
this  soon  passes  off;  and  were  it  not  for  errors  of  diet  and  intemperance,  these  affections  would 
be  still  more  unfrequent.  In  this  connexion,  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that,  although  spasmodic 
cholera  has  prevailed  within  fifty  miles  both  north  and  south  of  this  point,  not  a  single  well- 
marked  case  has  existed  here.  Diseases  of  fibrous  and  muscular  tissues  have  also  prevailed  to 
a  greater  extent  during  the  second  quarters  ;  of  the  whole  number  (133),  51  occurring  during 
the  months  of  April,  May,  and  June.  These  months  include  the  usual  rainy  season  ;  and 
diseases  excited  by  the  blustering  winds  of  March,  are  fully  developed  during  the  cold  easterly 
storms  of  April.  Of  77  cases  of  diseases  of  the  brain  and  nervous  system,  a  majority  are  referri- 
ble  to  habits  of  intemperance.  One  of  the  fatal  cases  of  meningitis  is  directly  ascribed  to  this 
cause.  Exposure  to  the  sun  ui)on  the  open  prairie  should  also  have  its  due  importance,  although 
many  of  the  cases  of  cephalalgia  were  doubtless  owing  to  simple  gastric  derangements.  With 
but  few  exceptions,  the  45  cases  of  disease  of  the  urinary  and  genital  organs  were  venereal, 
primary  syj^hilis,  and  gonorrhoea.  Of  the  remaining  368,  were  fourteen  cases  of  eruptive 
fevers  (non-contagious),  and  two  of  serous  and  exhalent  vessels ;  leaving  352  not  admissible  under 
either  of  the  foregoing  classes,  and  comprising  under  tlie  caption  of  "all  other  diseases"  many 
of  a  specific  character;  as  ebrietas,  toxicum,  scirrhus,  scorbutus,  debilitas,  amaurosis,  &c.,  &c. 
The  surgical  cases  are  divided  into  145  of  abscess  and  ulcers,  and  322  of  wounds  and  injuries. 

During  the  six  years  and  nine  months  included  in  these  statistical  details,  seventeen  deaths 
have  occurred — six  of  which  were  accidental,  and  not  affording  opportunity  for  medical  treat- 
ment ;  one  drowned ;  one  frozen  to  death ;  one  found  dead  from  intoxication ;  two  of  gun-shot 
wounds,  immediately  fatal;  and  one  stabbed  and  beaten  to  death.  Of  the  entire  number  of 
cases  treated,  eleven  terminated  fatally,  viz:  four  of  phthisis  pulmonalis,  one  of  pleuripneu- 
monia,  three  of  pneumonia,  two  of  meningitis,  and  one  of  apojjlexia  ;  making  the  proportion 
of  deaths  under  treatment  one  in  three  hundred  and  ten  and  forty-five  hundredths  (1  in  310.45). 

But  few  facts  concerning  the  vital  statistics  of  the  Osages,  the  tribe  of  Indians  occupying  the 
country  to  the  west  of  this  post,  can  be  collected.  The  traders  remain  but  a  few  years  among 
them,  the  agents  are  frequently  changed,  and  the  intelligence  of  a  half-breed  will  not  carry 
him  back  beyond  a  single  hunting  season.  They  are  essentially  a  nomadic  race,  moving  from 
point  to  point  as  their  wants  compel,  and  preferring  a  precarious  deiiendence  ujion  the  chase  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  Their  usual  hunting  seasons  are  the  early  summer  and  winter,  when 
they  go  upon  the  plains  in  pursuit  of  buffalo.  Improvident  and  wasteful,  a  successful  bunt  is 
but  an  inducement  to  feasting  and  gluttony,  and,  upon  their  return  to  the  villages  and  trading 
stations,  but  few  have  made  sufficient  provision  for  the  winter.  The  skins  procured  on  the 
summer  hunt  are  disposed  of  for  flour,  corn,  coffee,  sugar,  &c.,  &c.,  when  they  again  start  out 
for  the  second  or  winter  hunt,  which  is  i)rincipally  for  furs,  although  they  also  frequently 
obtain  buffalo.  By  spring,  the  proceeds  of  this  hunt  are  disposed  of,  and  they  sometimes  suffer 
for  want  of  food  before  the  grass  is  high  enough  for  another  foray.  The  history  of  one  year  is 
that  of  many — wasteful  plenty  and  intemperance  to-day;  want,  sickness,  and  misery  to-morrow. 


AMONG   TUE   TROOPS   IN  THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION.  161 

Of  all  the  frontier  tribes,  the  Osages,  originally  neither  hrave  nor  warlike,  would  seem  to  have 
suffered  most  from  association  with  the  whites  ;  for^  with  hardly  an  exception,  they  are  notori- 
ously intemperate,  and  will  deprive  themselves  of  the  actual  necessaries  of  life  to  procure  whisky. 
Filthy  in  their  persons,  irregular  in  their  habits,  continually  subjected  to  the  extremes  of 
excess  and  want,  it  is  not  surprising  that  most  diseases  assume  an  unwonted  malignancy  and 
fatality  among  them.  Sooner  or  later  in  the  autumn — and  the  less  successful  their  spring  hunt, 
the  sooner  and  more  severely — diarrhoea,  intermittent,  remittent,  and  bilious  fevers  appear. 
Diarrhoea  and  dysentery  are  the  almost  invariable  consequence  of  an  unfortunate  hunt ;  for,  in 
this  event,  they  betake  themselves  to  the  fields  of  the  half-breeds  and  their  frontier  neighbors, 
devouring  unripe  corn,  melons,  and  pumpkins,  stripping  the  bushes  of  green  haws  and  berries, 
and  searching  the  bottoms  for  roots,  which  necessity  has  taught  them  are  edible.  Deficient  nu- 
trition produces  its  effects  as  surely  in  the  Indian  wigwam  as  in  the  hold  of  an  emigrant  ship  or 
the  over-crowded  lanes  and  alleys  of  a  city.  Intermittent  fever  becomes  pernicious  or  congestive ; 
remittent  and  bilious  fevers,  typhoid  ;  and  diarrhoea,  merely  a  symptom  of  a  graver  disease. 
The  advance  of  the  season  finds  them  poorly  prepared;  the  cold  storms  of  winter  are  but  feebly 
resisted ;  imjjerfect  calorification  predisposing  to  pulmonary  engorgements,  pleuritis  and  t3'phoid 
pneumonia  are  added  to  their  list  of  evils.  In  1845,  the  Osages  numbered  about  6,000  ;  in 
1851,  5,000  ;  at  the  enrolment  of  1852,  it  is  expected,  by  those  best  informed  on  the  subject, 
that  this  will  be  reduced  to  3,500.  Epidemics  of  eruptive  fever  have  prevailed,  but  at  intervals 
so  remote  that  it  is  impossible  to  gather  any  correct  data  of  their  history,  character,  and  result. 
During  the  past  winter  and  spring,  an  epidemic  of  typhoid  measles  has  more  than  decimated 
the  tribe. 

The  adjacent  country  to  the  east,  and  within  the  State  of  Missouri,  presents  similar  physical 
aspects  to  that  of  this  immediate  vicinity.  It  is  but  sparsely  settled  by  agriculturists,  who 
merely  cultivate  enough  land  to  supply  themselves  and  families  with  the  bare  necessaries  of  life. 
For  the  convenience  of  wood  and  water,  their  log  cabins  are  placed  upon  the  banks  of  streams, 
or  the  nearest  ground  not  subject  to  overflow.  Clearings  are  rarely  made ;  their  farms,  in  most 
instances,  running  along  the  edge  of  timber  into  the  prairie.  Ignorant,  without  energy,  indus- 
try, or  foresight,  the  population  is  principally  composed  of  those  whom  cheap  and  rich  lands 
have  drawn  from  the  older  States,  and  whose  only  aim  is  an  easy  life — another  term  for  a  mid- 
way course  between  idleness  and  starvation,  or  labor  and  abundance.  Being  but  indifferently 
sheltered,  insufiiciently  clothed,  and  by  no  means  generously  fed,  they  resist  disease  badly,  and 
climatic  vicissitudes,  endemial  epidemics,  or  contagious  fevers,  which  would  be  comparatively 
unimportant  among  the  troops,  assume  an  alarming  consequence  with  them.  The  winter 
months  are  considered  the  most  unhealthy ;  typhoid  i:ineumonia  (known  as  the  winter  fever) 
being  the  prevalent  and  important  disease,  and,  as  they  are  dependent  upon  steam  doctors  and 
patent  medicines,  it  generally  terminates  fatally. 

The  records  of  the  post  showing  so  great  a  proportion  of  malarious  fevers,  an  exi^lanation  is 
required  of  the  statement  tliat  no  appreciable  local  cause  for  them  can  be  said  to  exist  in  this 
vicinity.  This  explanation  may  be  found  in  the  history  of  the  occupations,  habits,  and  exi)osures 
of  the  troops;  the  meteorological  conditions  of  the  seasons  when  most  prevalent;  and  in  what 
I  conceive  to  be  the  general  characteristics  of  rich  prairie  country. 

From  the  occupation  of  the  post  until  late  in  November,  the  command  was  in  tents,  and  every 
available  man  was  engaged  upon  fatigue  duty,  being  employed  in  the  erection  of  temporary  log 
buiklings.  Assistant  Surgeon  Simpson,  in  reporting  the  medical  topography  of  the  i)ost  (June, 
1842),  says:  "The  only  cause  of  sickness  I  can  see  will  be  the  employment  of  the  men  on  fatigue 
duty  in  the  rich  bottom-lands  immediately  on  the  river.  But  diseases  arising  from  this  cause 
must  be  diminished  in  proportion  as  the  land  is  cleared  and  cultivated."  In  the  last  quarter 
of  1842,  116  cases  of  intermittent  are  reported,  with  the  remark  by  Assistant  Surgeoi^  Walker, 
that  "  the  exposure  of  the  men  on  fatigue  duty  in  the  bottoms  must  account  for  the  greater 
prevalence  of  intermittent  fever  than  miglit  be  expected."  During  the  first  quarter  of  1843, 
s.  9« 21 


162  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

70  cases  of  intermittent,  and  47  of  catarrh,  are  reported  ;  Dr.  Walker  accounting  tlierefor 
' '  by  the  unusually  severe  weatlier ,  and  the  exposure  of  the  command  in  various  ways  to  it. "  In 
tlie  second  quarter,  83  cases  of  intermittent  are  reported,  although  the  command  was  reduced 
hy  the  dejjarture  of  one  company  of  dragoons  for  tlie  plains.  Dr.  W.  remarks:  "  Tlie  fatigue 
duties  of  the  command  must  be  considered  the  indirect  cause  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  fevers 
and  diseases  of  tlic  rcsfjiratory  system ;  at  the  same  time,  it  is  difficult  to  say  wlicther  this  pro- 
duces a  greater  amount  of  disease  than  the  abuse  of  ardent  sj)irits,  and  the  exposure  undergone 
in  procuring  it."  On  the  25th  July  the  dragoons  returned  from  the  plains,  and  by  the  30th 
September  tlie  number  of  cases  of  intermittent  had  increased  to  159 ;  an  epidemic  of  influenza 
also  prevailed,  assuming  an  intermittent  type.  During  this  quarter  12.79  inches  of  rain  had 
fallen.  Although  127  cases  of  intermittent  are  reported  during  the  fourth  quarter,  a  majority 
of  them  were  relapses  on  the  seventh,  fourteenth,  and  twenty-first  days;  the  air  was  becoming 
purified  by  the  prairie-fires,  and  but  5.46  inches  of  rain  had  fallen  during  the  three  months.  On 
the  31st  March,  1844,  only  42  cases  of  intermittent  are  reported;  the  men  were  still  constantly 
engaged  on  fatigue  duties  in  the  bottom-lands ;  but  a  temperance  reform  had  been  started,  and 
much  of  the  night  exposure  was  thus  done  away  with.  During  the  second  quarter,  "the  men 
have  been  very  much  exposed  to  rain,  which  has  i'allen  in  unusual  quantities,"  and  the  number 
of  intermittents  was  73 — the  weather  being  remarkably  dry  and  mild  during  the  remainder  of 
the  year;  and,  until  June,  1845,  the  proportion  of  malarious  fevers  was  greatly  reduced.  The 
annual  rains  did  not  set  in  until  late  in  June,  and  in  September  Doctor  Walker  reports : 
"  Intermittent  fevers  constitute  three-fourths  of  the  cases  occurring  during  the  quarter;  114 
have  occurred  in  September;  they  have  also  been  unusually  prevalent  throughout  the  country 
arountl  us;  but  the  circumstances  of  the  companies  have  increased  it  still  more  with  us,  as  they 
have  been,  previous  to  their  arrival  here,  living  upon  commissary  rations  ;  here,  they  indulged 
in  a  variety  of  vegetables,  melons,  green  apples,  &c.,  to  an  unlimited  extent."  By  this  time, 
most  of  the  permanent  works  were  completed  ;  the  fatigue  duties  were  less  arduous,  and  the 
men  were  very  comfortably  quartered.  The  spring  of  1846  was  very  dry,  the  rains  not  com- 
mencing until  July,  and  a  healthy  season  was  predicted  ;  but  the  reports  of  the  third  and  fourth 
quarters  show  a  jiroportion  of  seven-eighths  of  intermittent  to  all  other  diseases.  From  this 
time  a  gradual  decrease  appears,  until,  in  the  last  quarter,  1848,  the  proportion  was  only  one- 
twentieth  of  all  other  diseases. 

Did  the  medical  history  of  Fort  Scott  terminate  hero,  the  above  remarks  might  be  considered 
amply  explanatory  of  the  prevalence  of  malarious  fevers.  The  large  amount  of  timber  cut  for 
building  purposes,  leaving  the  bottom-lands  covered  with  immense  quantities  of  decaying 
vegetable  matter — the  duties  of  the  troops  requiring  unusual  exposure  to  the  sun  and  rain  in  the 
midst  of  its  exhalations — would  appear  to  predispose  to  such  afiections ;  and  the  prediction  that 
these  diseases  would  diminish  in  frequency  with  the  completion  of  the  post,  would  seem  to  be 
verified.  But  this  is  not  the  case.  After  an  interval  of  some  years,  malarious  fevers  again 
appeared,  and,  during  the  third  quarter  of  1851,  reached  the  proportion  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  per  cent,  to  all  other  diseases.  They  also  prevailed  to  an  extent  hitherto  unknown 
throughout  the  surrounding  country.  So  intense  was  the  malarial  influence,  that  no  one 
escaped,  no  precautions  were  of  avail ;  the  youngest  infant,  as  well  as  the  most  robust  adult, 
was  affected;  and  all  other  forms  of  disease  were  influenced  and  modified  by  it.  Ejiizootics 
appeared ;  in  some  districts  hundreds  of  young  cattle,  in  others  all  the  horses  sickened 
and  died,  with  every  aiipearance  of  sudden  and  violent  congestion.  The  circumstances 
which  had  been  considered  prolific  causes  of  disease  in  previous  years,  had  ceased  to  exist ;  the 
troops  were  but  little  exposed  ;  their  fatigue  duties  were  light,  and  did  not  require  them  to  be 
in  the  woods  or  bottom-lands  more  than  an  hour  or  two,  occasionally ;  the  emigration  into  the 
country  was  small,  and  but  few  new  farms  were  oj^ened.  We  must,  therefore,  look  to  other 
than  these  causes  for  an  explanation,  which  I  believe  can  be  found  to  exist  in  "  the  general 
characteristics  of  rich  prairie  lands,  and  the  influence  of  diflcrent  seasons  upon  them."     It  will 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION.  163 

be  found,  although  the  different  varieties  of  gramineous  plants  are  considered  the  usual  growth 
of  prairies,  that,  in  some  sections,  these  are  almost  entirely  crowded  out  hy  a  stronger  and 
larger  growth  of  other  species.  The  richer  the  soil,  the  greater  the  predominance  of  the  latter 
growth — amounting,  in  some  instances,  to  an  almost  entire  exclusion  of  the  grasses;  so  that,  in 
the  language  of  the  country,  a  distinction  is  made  between  grass  prairies  and  weed  prairies ; 
the  latter  being  the  character  of  much  of  this  section  of  country.  This  distinction  is  not 
confined  to  any  one  locality  ;  it  is  noticeable  in  Texas,  where  the  difference  between  the  mes- 
quite-grass  prairies  of  the  west,  and  the  weed  prairies  nearer  the  coast,  is  quite  as  decided  in 
salubrity  as  in  vegetable  productions.  It  will  be  found,  also,  throughout  the  vast  extent  of 
uncultivated  lands,  lying  upon  our  western  and  northwestern  frontiers,  that  the  rains  are  peri- 
odical, occurring,  for  the  most  part,  in  spring  and  winter;  the  intermediate  times  being  com- 
paratively dry. 

The  time  of  the  spring  rains  affects  the  growth  of  these  prairies  much  more  than  the  quan- 
tity, and  upon  a  supply  of  moisture  at  a  certain  period  the  vegetation  of  tlie  year  will  princi- 
pally depend.  In  an  ordinarily  productive  and  healthy  .season,  the  spring  rains  commence  in 
April,  and  do  not  continue  beyond  the  middle  of  May;  the  weeds  and  grasses  shoot  up  rapidly, 
are  fully  matured  in  July,  desiccation  commences  in  August,  and  in  September  the  horizon  be- 
comes smoky  from  numerous  fires,  which,  extending,  sweep  off  the  greater  portion  of  the  year's 
growth.  Should,  however,  the  spring  rains  not  set  in  until  June  or  July,  the  weeds  will  have 
withstood  the  drought  better  than  the  grasses,  and  will  then  start  into  rank  luxuriance,  the 
prairies  remain  green  until  late  in  the  fall,  and  the  winter  rains  commence  before  desiccation  is 
completed,  or  the  surface  burned  over.  That  the  growth,  as  well  as  the  decay  of  this  vast 
amount  of  vegetable  matter,  spread  over  the  entire  region  so  controlled,  generates  a  malarial 
influence,  either  by  I  he  evolution  of  miasma,  or,  as  is  most  probable,  by  the  development  of 
organic  germs  (cryptogamous  growths  in  such  seasons  being  inconceivably  abundant),  can 
hardly  be  questioned.  The  epidemics  of  1843,  1845,  and  1851  commenced  while  the  prairies 
were  still  clothed  with  verdure,  and  reached  their  acme  before  decomposition  was  established  ; 
the  striking  feature  of  resemblance  in  these  seasons  being  the  lateness  of  the  spring  rains. 
Summer  showers,  and  the  longer  rains  of  September  and  October,  can  have  but  little  influence 
upon  this  production,  although  undoubtedly  increasing  the  liability  to  a  recurrence  of  attack. 
Their  effect  upon  the  soil  and  water-courses  is  very  temporary ;  and  by  removing  quantities  of 
leaves  and  other  debris,  should  be  rather  beneficial  than  otherwise.  The  deductions  from  these 
observations  are  in  accordance  with  the  experience  of  the  oldest  residents  of  the  country,  who 
(without  recognizing  their  mode  of  action)  look  to  the  early  commencement  of  the  spring  rains 
as  the  harbinger  of  a  healthy  summer  and  fall,  and«^7'ce  versa. 

A  marked  relation  may  be  observed  between  the  jirevalence  of  diseases  of  the  respiratory 
organs,  and  the  pre-existence  of  malarious  fevers.  Among  the  country  people,  a  severe  winter 
following  upon  an  epidemic  of  intermittent,  produces  much  mortality  ;  for  either  through  the 
debilitating  effect  of  long  exposure  to  malarial  influences,  or  a  predisposition  induced  directly 
by  them,  pneumonia,  pleuritis,  and  pleura-pneumonia  usually  assume  a  typhoid  form. 

Were  it  possible  to  institute  a  statistical  comparison  between  the  sickness  and  mortality  of 
the  troops,  and  an  equal  number  of  persons  in  any  portion  of  this  country,  I  am  convinced 
that,  making  the  fullest  allowance  for  the  superior  comforts  of  the  former,  the  advantages  of 
discipline,  strict  police,  and  prompt  medical  attendance,  the  difference  in  their  favor  would  be 
so  striking  as  to  clearly  indicate  the  greater  healthiness  of  location,  and  tlie  entire  absence  of 
any  purely  local  cause  of  disease. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  ATKINSON. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  AquUa  T.  RiJgely  :  1852. 

Fort  Atkinson  is  situated  upon  the  Arkansas  river,  in  latitude  37°  46',  longitude  99°  40', 
twenty-six  miles  below  the  "crossing  of  the  Arkansas,"  and  74.07  miles  above  the  crossing  of 
the  Pawnee  fork. 

The  river  at  this  point  is  about  450  or  500  feet  in  breadth,  from  bank  to  bank.     During  the 


1G4  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

last  twelve  montlis,  the  eliannel  has  usually  covered  tliewliole  bed  of  the  river  ;  l)ut  i'or  a  por- 
tion of  the  siuninor  and  autumn  of  1851  there  was  no  water  flowing,  save  what  permeated  tlie 
sand.  In  conseqnenee  of  its  frcr[uent  rise  and  fall,  the  depth  of  the  river  cannot  be  definitely 
determined  ;  but  at  all  times  since  the  establishment  of  this  post  it  has  been  fordable  for  liorMcs, 
and  most  commonly  for  wagons  ;  and  since  January  1st,  1852,  its  average  depth,  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  post,  has  probably  been  two  feet. 

The  river-bottom,  at  and  near  the  post,  is  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  breadth  from  blutF 
to  bluff,  tliough  it  is  constantly  changing  in  this  respect  as  we  ascend  or  descend  its  course. 

Stretching  out  on  either  side  from  the  valley,  are  the  bluifs,  which,  upon  the  north,  rise  with 
some  regularity  and  uniformity  to  the  high  and  rolling  prairie  beyond;  while,  proceeding 
toward  the  soutK,  they  are  far  more  broken  before  we  attain  the  summit  of  the  river  range. 
The  whole  country,  for  miles  in  all  directions,  is  one  vast  prairie,  unbroken,  save  here  and 
there  by  some  small  creek,  whose  banks  are  sparsely  garnished  by  a  few  trees  of  stunted  growth. 
The  soil,  botli  north  and  south  of  the  river-bottom,  is  sandy  in  its  nature,  and  exceedingly 
sterile.  The  sandy  character  of  the  soil  is  more  marked  ujion  the  south  than  upon  the  north 
of  the  river,  while  upon  the  latter  side  a  substratum  of  dense  white  clay  has  been  found,  so 
hard  as  to  be  blasted  with  considerable  success  in  excavating.  The  buffalo  and  the  gramma 
grasses  grow  upon  the  hills  and  high  country,  whilst  the  longer  and  coarser  varieties  of  the 
meadow  flourish  in  the  Arkansas  bottom  alone.  The  prairie  is  well  drained  by  ravines,  and  is 
consequently  dry,  except  immediately  after  a  rain  or  the  melting  of  snow.  Small  pools  may, 
however,  be  seen  occasionally  upon  the  hills,  and  very  often  in  the  river-bottom. 

Various  varieties  of  sandstone  may  be  found  within  twenty  miles  of  the  post.  Limestone, 
jiroducing  lime  of  an  inferior  quality,  is  abundant.  Specimens  of  slate  have  been  seen  in  the 
vicinity,  and  iron-ore  has  been  deposited  in  large  quantities  about  100  miles  towards  the  east, 
and,  as  is  said  by  the  Indians,  towards  the  north,  upon  the  Smoky  Hill  fork  of  the  Kansas. 

Tlie  banks  of  tlie  Arkansas,  for  many  days'  march  from  the  post,  are  almost  entirely  desti- 
tute of  timber.  It  is  upon  the  creeks,  north  and  south  of  the  river,  that  we  depend  for  fuel, 
which  is  composed  of  the  following  kinds :  the  Cottonwood,  the  ash,  the  elm,  the  hackberry, 
and  tlie  coflee-bean.*  The  comparative  frequency  with  which  they  occur  is  denoted  by  the 
order  in  which  they  are  mentioned,  the  cottonwood  being  by  far  the  most  abundant.  Tlie  wild 
grape,  small  bushes  of  the  plum,  and  the  willow,  are  also  met  with  on  the  banks  of  the  streams. 
Among  the  plants,  those  which  are  most  numerous  are  various  varieties  of  the  cactus,  the  this- 
tle, the  wild  gourd,  and  the  American  sunflower. 

The  animals  frequenting  the  adjacent  country  are  the  wild  horse,  the  buffalo,  the  elk,  the 
deer,  the  antelope,  the  prairie  hare,  the  white  wolf,  the  prairie  wolf,  the  prairie  fox,  the  prairie 
dog,  the  gopher,  the  ground-squirrel,  the  badger,  the  raccoon,  the  otter,  the  beaver,  the  rattle- 
snake, and  several  other  prairie  snakes  ;  the  horned  frog,  the  toad,  the  lizard,  the  mouse,  the 
spider,  the  grasshopper,  and  insects  of  almost  every  kind. 

The  birds  wliich  I  have  observed  are  the  eagle,  the  hawk,  the  owl,  the  raven,  the  buzzard, 
the  meadow-lark,  tlie  sky-lark,  the  dove,  the  flicker,  the  swan,  the  goose,  the  duck,  the  plover, 
the  snipe,  and  the  sparrow.     In  addition  to  the  above,  I  have  seen  one  robin. 

Tlie  exact  lieight  of  tliis  post  above  the  level  of  the  sea  is  unknown  ;  but,  by  comparing  it 
with  that  of  the  crossing  of  the  Pawnee  fork,  as  given  by  Brevet  Major  William  H.  Emory, 
topographical  engineers,  it  is  probably  about  2,487  feet.  In  consequence  of  this  considerable 
elevation,  the  atmosphere  is  exceedingly  rarified,  as  is  painfully  evident  in  the  labored  respira- 
tion of  unacelimated  man  or  beast  when  in  the  performance  of  unaccustomed  exercise.  It  is, 
moreover,  unusually  dry,  and  is  almost  entirely  exempt  from  those  fogs  and  mists  which  are  so 
common  in  more  eastern  localities.  The  presence  and  continuance  of  high  and  blustering 
winds  is  a  characteristic  of  the  place.     I  believe  that  sudden  and  extreme  vicissitudes  of  tem- 

"  The  name  of  this  last  tree  I  have  given  as  it  is  known  in  this  country.     It  is  most  probably  a  species  of  locust;  is 
tall  and  slender,  and  bears  a  pod  some  six  or  seven  inches  in  length,  containing  seeds  about  the  size  of  a  large  chestnut. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION,  165 

perature,  as  Indicated  by  the  thermometer,  do  not  so  often  occur  witli  ns  as  at  more  eastern 
points  upon  the  same  parallel  of  latitude.  The  heat  of  summer  is  tempered  by  the  prairie 
breeze,  and  there  are  few  daj^s  in  winter  when  intense  cold  prevails.  Since  the  establishment  of 
the  post,  the  mercury  has  but  rarely  risen  above  90°  Fah.,  and  but  once  as  high  as  96°. 50;  it 
has  been  below  zero  but  on  a  few  occasions,  and  never  lower  than  — 12°. 

In  order  that  a  clear  and  comprehensive  view  may  be  had  of  the  diseases  usually  prevailing 
at  Fort  Atkinson,  the  accompanying  table*  has  been  jirepared,  which  is  a  synopsis  of  all  the 
quarterly  reports  of  sick  and  wounded  from  this  post  since  its  establishment.  The  diseases 
which  first  attract  attention,  from  their  position  upon  the  list,  as  well  as  from  their  numerical 
importance,  are  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers.  With  an  average  mean  strength  for  the 
eight  quarters  of  80.62  men,  there  has  been  an  average  of  nine  cases  per  quarter  of  malarious 
i'cver.  This,  though  not  a  very  large  percentage,  is  sufficiently  so  to  tend  to  establish  the  con- 
clusion that  this  is  a  malarious  district.  As,  however,  the  existence  or  non-existence  of  malaria 
in  any  given  locality  is  a  question  not  only  interesting  to  the  medical  world,  but  deserving  the 
utmost  consideration  in  the  establishment  of  posts,  it  is  desirable  that  a  false  impression  should 
not  be  created.  Reasoning  from  what  is  known  of  the  habitats  of  miasmata,  their  generation 
could  never  have  been  anticipated  in  a  country  so  circumstanced  as  this.  The  conditions  sup- 
posed to  favor  their  production  do  not  exist.  The  scant  growth  of  the  prairies  affords  but  little 
vegetable  decay.  The  almost  total  absence  of  timber  also  conduces  to  this  end.  Instead  of 
marshes,  we  have  high,  and,  for  the  most  part,  dry  prairie,  and  a  river-bottom  which  is  nowhere 
boggy,  and  has  no  extensive  pools.  Even  supposing  that  pestiferous  miasmata  were  generated, 
it  seems  most  likely  that  their  accumulation  in  sufficient  intensity  to  produce  disease  would  be 
frustrated  by  the  winds  which  so  commonly  jirevail.  As,  however,  malarious  diseases  have 
been  known  to  infect  countries  destitute  of  marshes,  and  whose  sandy  and  barren  soil  afforded 
but  little  vegetation,  we  might  still  remain  in  doubt,  had  we  not  a  history  of  the  cases  -which 
have  occurred  at  the  post,  to  which  we  may  refer. 

From  the  peculiar  situation  of  this  post,  communication  between  it  and  the  valley  of  the 
Missouri  is  very  frequent.  Not  only  do  recruits  for  the  command  come  to  us  by  way  of  Leav- 
enworth, but  it  often  becomes  necessary  to  send  detachments  to  that  post.  Periodical  lever  is 
very  usual  on  the  Missouri,  as  it  is  also  at  Council  Grove,  and  perhaps  other  points  on  the 
route ;  and  it  is  almost  exclusively  in  the  persons  of  those  who  have  recently  returned  from  the 
States  that  the  disease  manifests  itself.  Of  a  detachment  of  eight,  who  had  just  arrived,  I 
have  known  seven  to  be  taken  with  the  fever  upon  the  road,  or  immediately  after  going  into 
quarters.  The  exceptions  to  this  rule  have  been  exceedingly  rare ;  and  they  are  divested  of 
much  of  their  importance  when  we  consider  the  fact  that  persons  who  have  once  been  subjects 
of  the  disease  are  liable  to  its  recurrence,  even  after  they  have  been  removed  from  the  foci  of  in- 
fection. The  readiness  with  which  the  disease  yields  to  a^Dpropriate  remedies  would  also  go  to 
show  that  it  was  not  "a  native  here,  and  to  the  manor  born." 

From  a  review  of  these  considerations,  I  think  that  we  may  safely  draw  the  following  deduc- 
tions: 1st.  That  periodical  fevers  occur  at  this  post ;  2d.  That  they  have  not  their  origin  in 
tlie  vicinity ;  3d.  That  they  originate  in  the  Missouri  valley,  or  upon  the  route  between  the 
Missouri  and  Fort  Atkinson  ;  4th.  That,  from  its  necessary  connexion  with  the  Missouri,  any 
post  which  may  be  established  upon  this  route  will  be  liable  to  malarious  diseases. 

The  next  feature  in  the  table  which,  upon  examination,  appears  worthy  of  note,  is  the  great 
frequency  of  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs.  With  a  mean  strength  of  80.62  men,  there  are 
reported  130  cases  of  these  diseases,  for  the  eight  quarters,  or  an  average  of  1G.25  cases  per 
quarter.  This  is  in  striking  contrast  with  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs  ;  for,  with  the  same 
mean  strength,  there  were,  for  the  eight  quarters,  but  eight  instances  of  this  latter  class,  or  an 
average  of  one  case  per  quarter.  I  can  only  attribute  this  almost  entire  immunity  from  intra- 
thoracic disease  to  the  great  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  which  usually  characterizes  this  portion 

•s  Table  omitted,  as  in  otlier  similar  cases;  see  Introduction,  page  5. — C. 


160  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

of  "the  Plains."  I  can  see  nothing  in  the  peculiarities  of  the  location,  in  itself,  calculated  to 
induce  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs,  hut  rather  attrihiite  their  occurrence  to  the  habits  and 
mode  of  life  of  the  men  composing  the  command.  Since  the  establishment  of  the  ])ost,  the  gar- 
rison has  been  at  almost  constant  lalior,  whenever  the  season  would  permit.  The  gathering  of 
supplies  for  the  winter,  tlie  construction  of  fortifications,  the  renewal  of  tailing  houses,  the 
exploration  of  tlie  surrounding  country, — these  are  the  duties  which,  in  addition  to  their  regular 
guard  duty,  company  "D,"  (Jth  infantry,  has  been  re(iuired  to  perform.  Sueli  employments 
have  exjjosed  them  to  the  unmitigated  heat  of  summer,  and  thus  rendered  them  liable  to  abdom- 
inal disease  upon  the  first  irregularity  or  imprudence  in  diet  Accordingly,  we  find  that,  of 
the  loO  cases  reported,  70  occurred  in  the  months  of  July,  August,  and  September.  There  are, 
besides,  reasons  why  the  men  of  this  command  should  be  predisposed  to  disease  of  almost  every 
kind,  but  more  especially  to  those  of  which  we  are  speaking.  The  (piarters,  in  consequence  of 
a  scarcity  of  timber,  are  built  of  sod,  and  were  thrown  up  hastily  (though  not  until  one  snow 
had  whitened  the  uncovered  walls),  in  order,  as  was  supposed,  to  obtain  shelter  from  the  storms 
of  one  winter.  They  are  badly  ventilated,  nor  can  they  be  improved  without  endangering  the 
stability  of  the  structure.  With  a  few  exceptions,  all  the  members  of  the  company,  wlio  are 
not  in  the  hospital,  sleep  in  one  apartment,  and  that  is  a  small  ohe  for  the  purpose.  The  bunks 
are  constructed  in  three  rows,  the  one  above  another,  with  about  two  feet  intervening  between 
the  rows.  They  are  built  against  the  wall,  and  consequently  there  is  merely  the  opening  in 
front  through  which  the  air  may  obtain  ingress  and  egress.  Can  it  surprise  one,  that  men  so 
situated  should  be  liable  to  disease? 

There  remains  but  one  other  disease  which  requires  mention  ;  and  I  refer  to  it,  not  for  the 
purpose  of  aflbrding  materials  from  which  a  new  theory  may  be  formed,  but  in  order  to  call 
attention  to  a  fact,  which  has  been  long  known,  and  which  should  never  be  lost  sight  of. 
The  post  was  thrown  up  in  the  autumn  of  1850.  During  the  first  and  second  quarters  of  1851, 
there  were  18  cases  of  scorbutus  entered  uiion  the  hospital  register.  This,  however,  did  not 
comprise  the  whole  number  of  cases  which  occurred  at  the  post.  In  his  quarterly  report  for  the 
first  quarter  of  1851,  Assistant  Surgeon  Langworthy  wrote  as  follows  :  "I  have  reported  hut 
12  eases  of  this  disease  in  my  quarterly  report,  on  this  account — to  wit:  that  only  that  number 
were  actually  incapacitated  and  unfit  for  duty  iji  foto,  and  received  on  the  sick  report.  A  much 
larger  number  received  medicine."  A  supply  of  potatoes  was  procured,  and  soon  after  their 
reception  the  disease  began  to  give  way.  In  order  to  guard  against  its  recurrence,  attempts 
were  made  to  cultivate  a  garden.  This  proved  unsuccessful^  on  account  of  a  deficiency  of  moist- 
ure. As  it  was  apprehended  that  the  disease  would  prevail  with  as  great  or  greater  severity 
in  the  following  winter  and  spring  than  it  had  done  in  the  past,  potatoes  were  procured  from 
the  States  during  the  autumn  of  1851,  by  private  contributions  of  members  of  the  command, 
and  served  out  to  them  twice  per  week.  In  consequence  of  this  step,  as  I  believe,  the  disease 
has  not  since  made  its  appearance.  Another  supply  of  the  same  vegetable  has  been  obtained, 
and  I  indulge  the  hope  that  we  shall  see  as  little  of  scorbutus,  during  the  winter  of  1852-'53, 
as  we  did  in  the  one  that  preceded  it. 

The  remainder  of  the  diseases  reported  cannot  be  said  to  prevail  at  tlie  post,  but  are  such  as 
are  incidental  to  every  climate,  and  to  men  imder  all  circumstances  of  life.  If  there  be  any 
peculiarity  which  marks  them,  it  is  the  mildness  of  their  form.  The  only  maladies  wliich  have 
proved  at  all  obstinate  since  my  sojourn  at  the  post  (i.  e.  since  Sej^tember,  1851),  have  been 
those  of  the  alimentary  canal.  As  a  proof  of  the  want  of  severity  in  the  cases  imder  treatment, 
it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that,  for  the  last  fifteen  months,  not  a  death  has  occurred  in  the 
command. 

In  consequence  of  their  roving  life,  I  have  had  hut  slight  opportunities  of  making  myself 
acquainted  with  the  diseases  of  the  Indian  tribes.  I  have  seen  many  Indians,  but  none  of  them 
during  many  consecutive  days.  My  attention  has  been  called  to  many  maladies,  but  I  have 
had  opportunities  of  observing  the  progress  and  termination  of  but  few.  Those  which  I  have 
noticed  most  frequently  are  venereal  diseases  in  their  various  forms,  ophthalmia,  bronchitis. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION.  167 

rheumatism,  and  ulcers  of  the  leg.  I  have  also  seen  cases  of  ascites,  diseases  of  the  urinary 
organs^  and  diarrhoea.  Wounds  and  injuries,  resulting  from  their  hunting  the  buffalo,  and 
from  their  wafjing  war  upon  one  another,  are  very  common.  Cephalalgia,  dependent  upon  a 
deranged  condition  of  the  digestive  organs,  is  very  frequent  among  them,  and  is,  in  mo.st  in- 
stances, speedily  removed  by  a  dose  of  calomel  and  rhubarb,  or  calomel  and  jalap.  I  have  been 
often  ajjplied  to  for  remedies  for  impotency,  probably  induced  by  a  plurality  of  wives,  and  by 
j)remature  and  excessive  venery. 

I  have  found  their  diseases  similar  in  character  to  those  of  the  same  name  in  the  white  man, 
and  amenable  to  the  same  rules  of  treatment. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  RILET. 

By  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  K.  Barnes  :  185.3. 

Fort  Eiley  is  situated  upon  the  west  bank  of  the  Pawnee  river,  in  longitude  96°  30'  W., 
latitude  39^,  immediately  opposite  its  junction  with  the  "  Smoky  Hill"  fork  to  form  the  Kan- 
sas river.  Upon  recent  maps  the  name  has  been  changed  to  "  Republican,"  although  it  is 
only  known  as  the  "Pawnee"  by  the  Indians,  who  also  call  the  principal  branch  "Kansas"  as 
high  up  as  the  mouth  of  "Great  Saline"  fork.  These  two  streams — one  flowing  S.E.,  the  other 
N.E. — form  two  valleys,  varying  in  width  from  one  to  three  miles,  and  bounded  on  either  side 
by  lofty  ranges  of  limestone  bluffs.  The  valley  of  the  "Kansas"  is  the  continuation  of  these 
to  the  southeast,  and  varies  from  a  few  hundred  yards  to  several  miles  in  width. 

The  site  selected  for  the  post  is  a  bench  or  plateau  of  prairie,  midway  from  the  river  and 
bluff,  with  an  elevation  of  fifty  or  sixty  feet  above  the  heavily  timbered  bottom  to  the  east,  and 
protected  on  the  northwest  by  a  limestone  ridge  150  to  200  feet  in  height.  Tlie  distance  from 
the  base  of  the  bluffs  to  the  river  is  2, .500  yards,  and  the  entire  width  of  the  gorge  from  ea.st  to 
west  nearly  three  miles.  The  direction  of  the  valleys  gives  a  corresponding  direction  to  tlie 
lower  currents  of  air ;  those  passing  from  the  southward  must  come  through  the  openings  to 
the  S.E.  or  S.W.,  while  those  from  the  northward  pass  up  the  gorge  to  the  N.E.;  and,  in  con- 
sec^uence,  a  perfectly  calm  day  is  very  rare,  a  breeze  from  one  of  these  points  being  of  almost 
constant  occurrence.  The  soil,  on  the  hill-sides,  intermediate  plain,  and  river-bottom,  is  a 
pale  yellow  loam,  with  a  large  proportion  of  silicious  sand.  The  river  banks  (with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  inches  in  depth  of  alluvion),  its  bed  and  bars,  are  mostly  quicksand.  Although 
subject  to  great  and  sudden  increase  of  volume  during  the  rainy  season,  the  Pawnee  rarely  or 
never  overflows  its  banks,  and,  upon  its  subsidence,  leaves  no  marshes,  alluvial  bottoms,  or  stag- 
nant pools.  The  numerous  creeks  emptying  into  it  at  short  intervals,  are  rapid  currents  rising 
from  copious  springs  in  the  bluffs,  whose  outlets  are  worn  by  the  heavy  rains  of  spring  and 
summer  into  deep  canons. 

The  bottom-lauds  near  the  river  bank  are  generally  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  oak, 
sycamore,  Cottonwood,  coffee-bean,  hackberry,  and  walnut,  which  in  some  places  extend  as  far 
back  as  the  second  plateau,  and  follow  the  creeks  and  caiions  to  their  heads;  although,  in  others, 
the  prairie  continues,  by  a  gradual  descent  from  the  base  of  the  bluffs  to  the  river,  free  from 
trees  or  undergrowth.  During  the  summer  the  troops  have  been  supplied  with  water  from  a 
large  and  unfailing  spring,  the  low  temperature  of  which  renders  it  preferable  to  that  of  the 
river,  which  is  in  every  respect  equal  to  that  of  the  Missouri. 

The  buildings  in  course  of  erection  are  judiciously  situated  with  regard  to  natural  drainage; 
are  commodious  and  well  ventilated,  with  walls  of  porous  limestone,  which  will  be  equal  in  ■ 
dryness  to  those  of  the  best  quality  of  brick. 

Since  the  20th  of  May,  large  quantities  of  timber  have  been  cut  in  the  bottoms,  leaving  the 
ground  cumbered  with  decaying  tree-tops,  branches,  and  foliage,  without  any  perceptible  efiect 
upon  the  health  of  the  troops ;  the  parties  at  work  near  the  river  being  quite  as  free  from  dis- 
ease as  those  at  the  quarries ;  not  a  single  ornjinal  case  of  malarial  fever  having  appeared 


168 


REPORT   ON   TUE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


among  them.  The  dryness  and  equable  (although  high)  degree  of  heat  during  August  and 
September,  doubtless,  tended  materially  to  this  exemption ;  but,  after  a  careful  examination  of 
the  surrounding  country,  and  in  the  absence  of  all  the  usually  considered  "local  causes,"  or 
the  proximity  of  rich  prairie  land,  I  should  anticipate  that  this  post  will  remain  comparatively 
free  from  malarial  disease. 

In  the  winter  months,  from  its  elevation — being  at  least  1,000  feet  above  the  Missouri  level 
at  Kansas — its  position  in  the  centre  of  a  funnel-shajied  gorge  open  to  the  northeast,  and  the 
almost  constant  ])revaleuce  of  high  winds,  it  will  proljably  prove  exceedingly  cold  and  wet,  and 
productive  of  many  cases  of  disease  of  the  "respiratory  organs"  and  "fibrous  structures." 


DISEASES. 

TABLE  EXHIUITING  THE  EATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quaners. 

Meaii  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO  PER  1,000  OF  MEAN  STRENGTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

5,647 
5,690 
4,572 
5,367 

4,573 
5,253 
5,676 
5,427 

39 
75 
37 
16 

809 

921 

1,241 

1,011 

7 

13 

Tliird  iiuartcr. ... 

8 

Fourth  (iiuirtcr- 

3 

Annual  ratio 

5,319 

20,929 

167 

3,934 

31 

Exclusive  of  cholera. ...... 

20,804 

107 

3,911 

20 

The  annual  proportion  of  sickness,  in  this  class  of  posts,  to  the  number  of  men,  is  3.93  to  1 ; 
the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  1  in  32,  or  3.1  per  cent.;  and  the  jiroportion  of  deaths  to 
cases  treated  1  in  129,  or  0.8  per  cent.  Excluding  the  sickness  and  mortality  from  cholera, 
the  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  mean  strength  is  1  in  49,  or  2  per  cent. 


FEVERS. 

2 

o 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

roDRTn. 

YEAR. 

■S 

u 

o  i 

1° 
1 

g 

fe  1 

5,647 

5,690 

4,572 

5,367 

5, 

319 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

Cases. 

Dcatlis. 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

o  a 

Fcbrls  congestiva , 

1 

0 

1 

0 

7 

3 

0 

0 

9 

3 

liu         3 

1.6 

Febris  continiia  comnmnis — 

4 

0 

12 

1 

7 

0 

13 

1 

36 

2 

1  in      18 

C.7 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 

241 

0 

481 

0 

1123 

0 

1001 

0 

2846 

0 

0  in  2846 

535 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana  . 

401 

0 

817 

0 

666 

1 

675 

0 

2559 

1 

1  in  2559 

481 

Febris  intermittens  quartana. 

4 

0 

8 

0 

18 

0 

10 

0 

40 

0 

Oin      40 

7.5 

Febris  rcmittens  .... 

23 
2 

0 
0 

42 
2 

1 
1 

152 
0 

3 
0 

67 
5 

1 

0 

284 
9 

5 

1 

lin      57 
lin        9 

53 

Kcbris  tvnliiis            --    - 

1.6 

Total 

676 

0 

1363 

3 

1973 

7 

1771 

2 

5783 

12 

lia    482 

1087 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


169 


Eruptive  Fevers. — In  this  class,  we  have  merely  to  note  the  prevalence  of  rubeola  at  Fort 
Leavenworth,  in  the  second  quarters  of  1846  and  1848.  At  each  of  those  periods  the  command 
was  partly  volunteers,  and  no  separate  reports  for  the  regular  troops  were  rendered.  This  is 
the  only  instance  in  which  the  statistics  of  otlier  than  regular  troops  are  given  in  this  report ; 
separate  and  distinct  reports  being  required  for  volunteers.  In  this  instance,  these  reports 
would  have  been  excluded,  but  for  the  fact  that  a  comparatively  large  number  of  regular  troops 
were  then  at  that  post. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarte 


Streiis'th  . 


Diseases. 


Cliolora  iVsiatica 

Dianlioja 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this 
system 


Total  . 


Exclusive  of  cholera. 


o,6i1 


5,G90 


Cases.    Deaths.;  Cases.    Deaths 


6 

306 
87 
5 
i 
8 
3 

lie 

174 


709 


619 

134 

2 

6 

14 

2 

164 

226 


1255 


44 
1 
3 
0 
2 
0 
0 
0 


50 


4,572 


5,  367 


Cases.    Deaths.   Cases.    Deaths 


31 

676 

272 

6 

2 

7 

3 

179 

261 


1437 


14 
0 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 


18 


0 

559 

130 

8 

3 

6 

4 

114 

152 


976 


5,319 


Cases.  Deaths. 


125 
2160 

623 
21 
15 
35 
12 

573 

813 


4377 


4252 


60 
3 

10 
0 

4 
0 
0 
0 


1  in   2.  1 
1  in  720 


1  in 

0  in 

1  in 
0  in 
0  in 


62 
21 
4 
35 
12 


0  m  573 

1  in  813 


78 


1  in  56 


18 


1  in  237 


406 
117 

4 

2.8 

6.5 

2 
107 

152 


823 


799 


The  only  station  in  the  class  now  under  consideration,  which  has  been  visited  to  any  extent 
by  cholera  during  the  period  embraced  in  this  report,  is  Fort  Leavenworth,  where  the  first  case 
is  reported  in  January,  1849.  Surgeon  McDougall,  in  transmitting  his  report  of  sick  for  the 
third  quarter  1848,  remarks  that  "  the  whole  command  has  been  more  or  less  aifected  with 
diarrhoea,  which  has  prevailed  extensively  throughout  the  country ;  perhaps  more  owing  to  an 
epidemic  constitution  of  the  atmosphere  than  to  the  usual  causes."  In  the  next  quarterly 
report,  December,  1848,  the  same  surgeon  comments  upon  tlie  marked  exemption  of  the  troops 
from  miasmatic  diseases,  which  lie  attributes  to  the  limited  inundations  of  the  Missouri  river, 
and  upon  the  prevalence  of  diarrhoea.  He  also  notes  the  fact  that  all  diseases  are  of  a  marked 
asthenic  character;  which  is  again  stated  to  be  the  case  in  the  next  report,  (that  for  the  first 
three  months  of  1849,)  when  cholera  made  its  appearance,  and  continued,  some  cases  being 
reported  each  month,  till  some  time  in  August.  In  the  spring  of  the  next  year  (1850)  Surgeon 
McDougall  again  comments  upon  the  evident  disposition  to  diarrhcea,  or  typhoid  prostration, 
although  no  epidemic  prevailed.  In  July  of  that  year  cholera  cases  are  again  reported ;  and 
once  more  this  disease  reappears  in  May,  June,  and  July,  1851.  Two  cases  are  reported  in 
May,  1852,  and  seven  in  June,  1854.  The  original  reports  contain  no  notes  respecting  the 
character  or  treatment  of  this  disease.  In  explanation  of  the  frequent  recurrence  of  cholera 
at  this  post,  it  may  be  remarked  that  it  is  used  as  a  general  depot  of  supplies,  and  as  a  starting- 
point  or  rendezvous  for  troops  on  the  march  to  New  Mexico  and  to  the  stations  on  the  Great 
S.  96 22 


170 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY — MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


Plains.     The  reports  show  that  the  disease  was  brought  with  troops  from  St.  Louis;  most  of 
the  commands  having  sufiered  from  this  disease  in  ascending  the  Missouri. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  KESPIEATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

TEAR. 

S 

•S 
a 

11 

1 

£ 

"t 

Strength 

5,647 

5, 

590 

i, 

572 

5, 

367 

5, 

319 

!i 

■o  S 

r 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 
Catarrhus 

86 

656 

5 

63 

29 

11 

1 
0 
10 
0 
3 

70 

208 

9 

76 

27 

19 

1 
1 
1 

1 
2 

0 

14 

268 

8 

35 

22 

6 

0 
0 

2 
0 
0 

0 

98 

451 

6 

59 

25 

4 

0 
0 
0 
0 
2 

0 

268 

1583 

28 

233 

103 

40 

2 

1 

13 

1 
7 

0 

1  in    134 
1  in  1583 
1  in        2 
1  in    233 
1  in      14.7 

0  in      40 

50 
297 

Phthisis  pulmonalis ...... 

5.2 

Pleuritis  ..      ..        .        ... 

43 

19 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 
tem  

7 

Total 

850 

14 

409 

6 

353 

2 

643 

2 

2255 

24 

lin      94 

423 

Rheumatismus 

272 

0 

209 

0 

148 

0 

213 

0 

842 

0 

0  in    842 

158 

Catarrhus  Epidemicus — Is  noted  as  commencing  suddenly  early  in  July,  1843,  at  Leaven- 
worth, and  terminating  abruptly  on  the  last  day  of  August.-  This  disease  also  prevailed  at 
Fort  Scott  during  the  months  of  August  and  September.  Forts  Atkinson  and  Riley  were  not 
then  established. 


ABSTEACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCURKING  AMONG   THE    TROOPS 


MIDDLE   DIVISION. 


172 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


FIRST  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1810. 

1841.            1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

14. 

121. 

158.                   416. 

776.                 664. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.'  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 
1 
7 

1 

1      

1 
3 

2 

9 

i     ... 

1 

3 

1 
1 

1 

Fevers ■ 

1      

4     

3 

1 

^ 

1 

i 

. 

• 

1 

6 

13 

14 
16 
4 

11 
16 

1 

Diseases   of  the   organs 

connected  with  the  di- 

gestive system. 

1 
9 
12 

3 
3 

6 

16 

3 
14 
2 

68 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 

1 

2 

6 

40 

72 

107 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

2 

1 

■2 

1 

2 
2 

1 
3 
4 
2 

5 
2 
4 

1 
1 
1 
3 
6 

Diseases  of  tlie  brain  and 

1 

nervous  system. 

3 
15 

1 

. 

6 
1 
4 

3 

S 

Diseases  of  the  urinary- 

4 

1 
1 

1 

5 

I 
11 

and  genital  organs. 

4 

5 

1 
1 

and  exhalent  vessels.     ( 

1 
1 

2 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

3 

14 

3 

12 

19 

23 

2 

3 

4 
3 

13 
5 

1 

19 
3 
1 

I 

1       .. 

2 

10 

16 

7 

1 
1 

7 
8 

25 

j 

2 
5 
6 

1 

1 
15 
8 



Wounds  and  injuries...,  ■ 

1 

• 

5 
5 
5 
3 

1 



1 

2 

3 

! 

r 

i 

3 

2 

3      

4 

4 

1 
1 
4 

1 

1 

1 



5 
2 
3 
3 

Miscellaneous ■ 

1 



1 

1 

4 

3 

5 

6 

8 

Total 

16 

78 

2 

86 



187 

S71 

1 

304 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TKOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  ATLANTIC  REGION. 


173 


* 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATB 
STRENOTU. 

1 
i 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

618. 

466. 

172. 

53.                 361. 

310.                   371. 

404. 

396. 

391.                   5,693. 

Casea.l  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     Tola! 
cases,    died. 

1     

1 
1 
8 

! 

1 
1 

1 
3 
19 

1 

2 

1 

5 

32 

181 

9 

19 

3 
8 
3 

8 

9 

4     

■ 

13 

3      

12 



9 
5 

29     

20 

55 

1 

j 

1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 

3 

1 


1 

8 
2 
3 

1 

! 

:::.:::.::: 

i 

• 

4            1 

1 

4 
2 

4 

1 

14 
2 

8 
2 

12      

18 
2 

10 

1 

7 
5 

131 

58 

6 

1 

1 

91 

157 

15 

669 

1 

^ 

29 

21 

13 

16 

22 

9 

13 

113 

1 

45 

13 

44 

1 

5 

6 

3 

166 

3 

100 

47 

10 

13 

3£ 

7 

11 

67 

54 

13 

7      

; 

1 

3 
1 


I 

2 
22 

3 
62 

2 
5 

1 

27 

1 

3 

5 
2-2 

1 

1 

12 
10 

1 
37 

7 
2 
2 
19 

1 

16      

9      

"      

29      

9 

18 

1 

4G 

16 

12 

1 

42 

8 



1 

1 

36 

1 

77 

2 

1 

2 
2 

1 
2 

4 

1 

5 
6 
2 
5 

7 
1 

1 

I 

3 

1 

2      

*      

I 

2 

1        9 

1 
2 
1 

1 

1 
2 

4 

4 

1 

1      



1 
5 

1 

1 



4 

2 

3 

5 
1 

1     1 

3    1 

2 

12 

1 

» 

1 
9 

3 
4 

2 

4 

19 

14 

3 

7 



1 
3 
3 

I 

7    ' 

2 

St 
3 
2 



5 
2 
3 

3      

1 

2 

1 
3 

1 

I 
1 

3      

6 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
2 
2 

14 



............ ^...... 

1 
10 

10 

3 
1 

8 
1 

3 

1 

.... 

22 

5 

14 
2 

10 
7 

10 

11 
3 

1 

S 
1 



1 



10 
3 

1 

8 
4 

a 

3 
6 
3 

.... 

1 
3 

8 
30 
2 
3 
8 
6 



3 

8 

4 
13 

1 

1        

25      

30 
1 

1 

11      

7 

1 



16 
2 
2 

1 

13 

36 

1 
I 

1 

2      

1      

5      

1 

5 

6     

] 

4 

3      

2    ; 

2      

4      

4 
5 

2 

2 

2 

1 

. 

.^.  ":::"■ 

5 

4 
3 



3     

11           1 

1 

a 

11 

....       -  - 

7 

3  .:: 

1      

.1                             7 

10 

1 
1 

3 

1 

1 

14 

13 

1 

1 
1 
3 

3 

3 

4 

I      

1 

1 

14 

40 

4 

3 



5      

3 
3 
27 

1 



5 

3 

7 



4      

2 

13      

8 



an 

1 

34 

11 



150 

1 

259 

2 

116           ] 

145 

2 

12    i**'^-!    ^ 

133 

2 

263 

3 

243 

1 

245 

1 

341 

3 

2,804 

19 

174 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  I'RINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


* 
Vears 

SECOND  QUARTER.                                                  | 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

1839. 

1840. 

18-tl. 

1842. 

1843.      1      1844. 

1 

Mean  STRENGTH 

41. 

139. 

138. 

357. 

759.         1         684. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Oaseii 

Died. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  iCase* 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

1 

1  Died. 

Fcbris  continua  communis 

1 

6 
3 

9 
12 
4 

1 
6 

3 

!      10 

9 

22 

2 

1 



13     

Febris  intermittens  quartniia 

2 

4 

.... 

1 

Febris  typhus  

! 

t 

f 

• 

Eruptive  (bvurs 

Rubeola.. 

1 

Varioloid 

5 

4 
8 

10 
1 

3 

16 

15 
13 
4 
1 

29 

34 

Discuses    of  the   organs 
connecicd  with  the  di- 

!    a 

, 

1 
1 

11 
16 

Hepatitis  chronica 

1 

1 

■■ 

1 

gCBtivc  system. 

3 
2 

1 

1 



i      ' 

IB 



9    1 

22    1---   - 

■ 

2 

40 

1 

Catarrhus 

2 

6 

1    16 

1 

1 

39 

47 

1      1 

1    : 1 

4 
2 

1      

3    1 

Diseases  of  the  rcRpira- 

1 

tor>'  system. 

' 

D 

2 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases  oithc  hraiii  and 

1 

1 
9 

nervous  leystom. 

All  other  diseases  of  Uiis  system 

Gonorrhoea 

2 

4 

; ft 

1 

2 



1 
10 

Strictura  urethrre  .. 

DiseaKCs  of  the  urinary 

1 

6 



2 



10 
1 
4 



1     1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

4 

2 
6 

S 

1 

Diseases   of  the   serous  r 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

Pernio 



Portapra 

muscular  structures. 

3 

2 

'2 

19 



15 

Fistula 

Phlegmon  et  absccssus 

1 

s 

20 

14 

1 

9 
10 
3 



Ulcus 

1 

1 

Amputatio 

:::::::;;::. 

1 

6 
1 

13 

2 

1 

17 

21 

Fraclura .... 

Wounds  and  injurlop 

, 

1 
9 
8 

Sub-luxatio 

1 
7 

8 

4 
1 
3 

::;::;;::;. 

Vulnu.s  puiictuni , 

2 

1 

o 

Debilitas 

:::"';::::::i 

2 
3 
6 
2 

Ebrietas 

a 

R 

3 
3 

1 

1 

1 

Hernia 

MisccHoncoua 

Morbi  cutis «. 

1 

9      i 

Morbi  oeuli 

1 

3 

1 

3 

1  ::::::i 

1 

Suicidium , 

I 

3 

3 

1 

12     

4 

Total 

13 

77 

55 

2       1<«! 

3 

301 

3 

376 

1 

AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  ATLANTIC  REGION. 


115 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1845.           1846. 

1847. 

1848, 

1849. 

1850. 

185L 

1852.     i      1853. 

1 

1854. 

STRENOTB. 

674. 

329. 

44. 

280. 

281. 

435. 

440. 

398.                 373. 

479. 

5,841. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  ( 

;ase». 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

1           '           1 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.!  Died. 

1 
Cases.j  Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Total    Total 
cases.  '  died.    . 

1 

' 

1 

1     

2    1      4 

1 
1       3      17      

12 

IS 
1 
1 

1 

1      1 

19 
14 

1      1      3    1 

U 
33 

i 1 

6     

15     , 

t 

24    j 

1      

a    

IS 

1 
3 

27      ; 

16 
1 
3 

1 

!    60 

i 

289      

20   ; 

!    - 

s 

7 

38    1 



1     1 

.... 

1 

2 
2 

2    1 

1 

; 

1       1 

• 

4     ! 

1 

3 

4     

!  I 

1           i 

3.1 

2 
346 
192 

36 

3 

-  ! 

60 

31 

3 

34     1 

32 

45 

27 
3 

4 

11 

4 

6      4 

1            1 

.... 

":;■::  ...:.i 

15 

<^              1 

2 

1 

6 
5 

17 

: 1 1 

10      

•* 

- 

:;:::: 

1 

25 
35 
3 

28 

1 

8    1 

18    1 
21 

4 
27 

1 

4 

1 

2 

7 
11 

1 
14 

12 

1 

39 

7 

24    I 

21    I      1 

1      

15      

15 
9 

16 

1     14 

1 

3 

21 

1       2 

'    36 

..... 

195      

203              1 

18    i          1 

11 

27 

»2      



17 
2 

364 
3 

5 

■■■a'--::! 

6    1 

1      

2 

1 
4 

1 

23 

15 

1 

5      

,  i  _   _  _ 

::::::!:::::::::;:: 

1    1 

1    j  

1 
1 
7 
1 

1 

2    ' 

9 
32 
1-! 

4     ; 

8 
23 

iia 

1 

.58 

9 
47 

2 

3 

2 

1 

10 

1 

3 

3    '■ 

2 

2 

3 
1 

1 

12 
15 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 
1 

3 

1 

13 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1 
a 

13 

1 
6 

2 

7 



7      

6 

4 

6 

.... 

10 
2 
3 

1 

3 
1 

1 



6      

3 

1 

1      5 

2 
8 

.  ...         1 



6 

3 

1 

1 

1 

3 

2 
1 

I 

1      1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
'      8 

10 
4 

" 

1 
170 

1 
109 
74 

5 

1 

!      266 

'          9 

U 

70 

38 

11 

8 

4 

12 

34 

6 

6 



15 

18       

14 

14 

1 

17 

6 

15 









7 

6 

1 

1 
4 



4 
6 

8 
3 

""     1 

1     15 

j      4 

16 
4 

4 

3 

12 

1 

;  ' 

1 
39 

1 

37 
1 
1 

11 

1 
2 

a 

8 
2 

4 

t 

14 
2 

1 

22    1 

16 

23 

;    3 

ft 

24 

1 

1     ' 

C      

1 
10 

3 

[ 
'1 

1 

4 
3 

3    1 

1      

4 

J 

3 

1 

? 

]      1 

t 

G      .■> 

2 

1 

' 

2      

' 

.        1      

1 

1 

] 



1 

1   , !     , 

^ 

2 
G 

i 

i 

1      2    ■ . 



3 
9 
I 

1      2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

■A 

i 

1 

1 

i 

13 

9 
13 

1 

5 

1  ■■" 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

! (   1   



I  . 

1 

C 

1 

3 

■>  , i   " 

1 , 

.          I. 

4 

2 

5 

47 
3 

a 

I      I 
i 

!   1 

17 

1 

; 1 

.       3 



.       3 

.      14      

.      10      1     18 

.      16      -20 

.      34 

39 

1 

1 

1 

323 

3 

133 

1 

94 

3 

251     • 

.    258          1 

203 

.240           I     1  978 

.275 

310 

I 

3,366            1' 

1 

i 

■ 

! 

176 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND'  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


YBARa                         

THIRD  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

E^\SES. 

49. 

168. 

ssst. 

806. 

736. 

723. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

3 
2 
17 

1 

12 
25 
42 

2 
30 
27 

2 

28 

4 
10 

i    7 

20 
21 

Fcbris  inlerniitlens  tertiana 

27 

2 

4 

10 

10 

4 

1 

! 

1 

1 

l^rupuve  ievcR 

Erysipelas 

1 

Diarrturu  

10 
3 

6 
17 

40 

44 

3 

1 
1 

104 

88 

41 
37 
2 

34 

14 

Diseases   of  the   organs 
connected  with  the  tU-, 
gesiivc  system. 

1    1 1     14 

4 
22 

22 

83 

5 

36 

10 

48 

2 

282 

4      

I 

v\Il  other  diseases  of  this  system 

3 

3 

30 
1 
16 

1 

■T!...;;. 

9 
1 

11 
1 

Disease:}  of  the  respira- 

1 

5 

6 

3 

1 
1 
2 
2 

tory  system. 

1 

1 

2 

1 

10 
1 
2 

6       



J)iscrisea  of  the  bniin  and 
nervous  system. 

1 
1 

3 

1 

1 

1 
13 

■"■■■|..:: 

■ 

Gonorrhcra 1 

7 

10    1 

9 

15 

Disease:;  of  the  nriiiar>- 
and  genital  organs. 

6 

3 

13 

5 

1 
8 

8 
3 
6 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and , 
exhatent  vessels.            \ 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &.  f 

1 

1 
1 

9 

1 

' 

1 


1 

i i _ 



j.^j^^^^                

muscular  structures.      j 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

2 

11 

8 

29 

20 

13 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

3 

1 
4 

26 
6 
4 

24 
9 
1 

24 
3 

2 



1 

1 
21 

10 

» 

19 
3 
2 



13      

Luxatio 

2 

Wounds  and  injuries 

1 

1 
7 
3 

Siib-Iutatio., 

2 

5 
4 

4 
12 

1     

4 
6 

3 
4 
1 

' 

2 

i 

3 

1 
5 
4 

1 

1 
6 

1 
3 

1 

a 

1 

3 

1 
1 
5 

4 
1 

5 

Miscellaneous 

2 

4 

7 
1 
6 

1 

6 

11 



12       !       4     1 

Tola] 

43     '       I 

135 

240 

2   1  fiia 



618 

2      311 

1 

i 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 

A^IONG  THE  TUOOrS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  ATLANTIC  ItEGION. 


177 


THIRD  aUARTER. 


1845. 


1S4I!. 


1S47 


1848. 


1849. 


1850. 


1851. 


1852. 


1853. 


1854. 


AOOREOATE 
STRE.NOTH. 


560. 


736. 


4]S. 


433. 


376. 


4(e. 


Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.;  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Ca.«os  Died.  Cases   Died. 'Cases.  Died. 


Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 


Total     Total 
cases,     died. 


1 

1 

1 

1      1       1 
1 1 

5  1 

1 

3  ' !  2  ;. 

32 

u  a 

2  : 9  18  L 

23         ."a   49  '. 

9 

180  ; 
417 

14 

18   1  18   !  27  ' 

10   1   9  1 '   1 

i 

30 

3  1 i 

3  1 1   2  ' 

5 
2 

28 

963 

17   

1   

132 

1 

43 

5 

8  ': 

]  90   . 

3 

36 

■  I 
1 

3   . 

1 

1 

44      36 
4   

a   .... 

•2   

i""'l 

1 

1 

1 

s! 

1 

1 

.1 

SJ6   

19 

24 
35 

373 

50 

3 

1   1 

38 
3 
1 
1 
1 
SO 
14 

33 
6 

i 

34   74   . 

8          3   . 

63    983      15 

1     7 

1    -"* 

6       1   ^u.") 

2 

1 

..  ..  ■:::::! 

2 

2 

I 

1 

2 

le  I 

2 

7 

:::::: 

23 
12  : 

4 

7 

9 
U 



1  1 

S 

5 

S3  1 
!»  1 

1 

24 
11 

10 
18 

12  j. 
29  1. 

1  '. 
11   . 

1 

23   351       1 

1   16   

1 

5 

8 
1 

1 
1 

1 

14 

13 

29 

18   

19         '    ABR       

1 

1 

5 

2 

3 

2 

1 



1 

1 

1  ■ 
4   . 

23 
6 

1 

3 

3 

10   

£><!   

2  , 
5 

1 
1 
3 
9 

...... 

a 

3 

1 

1 

^ 

4    

3   

3 

1 

1 

1 
5 
8 

l' 

o      :  ■■;■ 

1 

2           91       2 

1 

3 

•  1 

2 

14   

1 



5 

1 

23 
26 

2   

9 

2 
6 

3 

10 

2   

1 

7 

S 



1   

7 
1 

6 

7 

17 

5 



4 

4 
1 

4 

2 

3 
2 
3 

.  ...    5 

, 

94 
11 

49 
2 

1 

2 



a 

3 

^ 

1 

5 

1 



1 

9 

3 

3 

13 

1 

10 

6 

1 

19 

1 



12 
1 

5 

3   



14 

163 

3 

223 

103 

11 

1 

8 

228 

11 

9 

4 

51 

54 

SO 

6 

3 

41 

1 

11. 
4 
1 

U 
3 

10 



18 
2 



18 
1 

1 

15 
2 

14   

17   

12 
22 

: 1. 

' 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 
16 
2 
1 



1  ' 

11   

3 
9 

I 

18 



5 

12 
5 

27   

18 

19 

2   

1 

2 

1 

6 

1 

1 

I 

1 

i".V! 

4 

1 
3 

S 
3 

7 
5 
3 

4  

2   

i     1 

1 
2 
1 

'...... 

2 

I 

12 

1 

2 

I 

1 

1 

..J 

1 

1 

2 
2 

1 
3 

1   4   

8  ' 

1 

7 

1 

4 
2 
3 

6 

6 

1   

1   

3 

1 

I 

2 

1 

1 

17 

2 
4 

1 

1 
3 

1 

i   1 
1 

i'T ::::::  1 

1 

10 
54 

'   3 

1 

4 

5 

1   4 

!  1 
1 

5 

1 

1 

6 

1 

12 

8 

4   

30 

18 

26  i  t  19 

187       1 

260 

j   1   255  j   1   119 

1  .  848    56  :  263     1  |  257   227 

1      1     '      1     1     1      1 

1  276   341     1   273 

1     1          i     .     . 

5,078      67 

S.  9ti- 


178 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— AESTKACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  ^EATHS  OCCUllRING 


Years 

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1839.      i       1840.            1811. 

IS 

12. 
a. 

1843.            1844. 

£AS££J. 

116.                  162. 

400. 

82 

(an.       1       7nn 

_-          ,          ._,.          1          ....          1 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

1 

1 

9 

2     2 

11     12 

1 
7 

1 
43 

1     19 

Fehris  inlerniillens  tertinna 

Fehris  intermittens  quartans 

'    11 

16 

1 

90 

9 

13 

1       4 

■■■;■  L. " 

1)      2 

;:::::■■■;■•  :;;;;i 

I....: ;':;::...;. :::;:.! 

1 

i ' i 1 

Eru|itivc  fevers ■ 

Erysipelas   ,, 

1 

1      1 

! 

Scarlatina 

1 

:::::■':;::::'::::::;;::::  ;:::::'::::::i 

Cliolera  Asiatica 1 1 1 

Diarrhoea 

5    i 

1 
12 

13     SR 

1      8 

27 

i     IS 

Dicicascs   of  tlie    orsariM 
connecied  will)  the  di- 

Dysenleria  acuta 

Oysentcria  chronica 

Enteritis 

1 
1 

11 
2 

40 

3 

7 

2 
1 
1 
5 
14 

36 

1 
2 
2 
1 
2 
3 

1 

1 

13 
24 

1  Obstipatio 

2 
3 

2 
21 

1 1 

'    21      

'  All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1  Bronchitis  acuta  ct  chronica 

3 

16 
1 

68 
1 
4 

1 

8 

17 

78 

1 

I 

52 

1 

Di.sc<iFCs  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

Pleuritis 

1 
2 

■■■;■■..: 

2 

1 

All  otlier  diseases  of  tins  system. 

« 

4 

4      

Diseases  of  the  hraijiand 

2 

1 

3      1 

5 
S 
in 

1 

3 

8 

1 
1 

1 

10 

3     

5      

Gonoi  rhcea 

' 

S 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases    of  the    serous* 

Syphilis  priniitiva 



s 

3 

14 

8     

-      

5      

9 

1 
1 
1 



3 

1 

1 

3 

Ascites 

and  exhalent  vessels.     ) 

Diseases  of  ilie  fibrous  & 
muscular  siruetures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers...,  ■; 

Pernio 

2 

1 
10 

1  Rhcuniatisniusj  acutus  et  chronicus.,.. 
i  Fistula 

1 

4 

19 



18 

16 



3 

2 
3 

' 

1 
1 

...... 

5 
10 
2 

13 
8 

24 

5 

11 

4 

1 

Ulcus 

j  Concussio  cerebri 

.... 

1 
21 

3 

G 

36 

30 

18 
1 
1 
6 
5 
4 

1 

Fractura 

1 

' 

Wounds  and  injuries....  ■ 

Sub  luxatio 

2 
4 
8 
2 

8 
8 

13 
6 
4 

1 
1 

1 
6 

Vulnus  incisum 

4 

1   Vulnus  hK-eratnni 

5 

I 

2 

Debilitas 



1 

1 
1 

3 
5 

1 
1 
9 

5 

2 

1 

1 


Miscellaneous 

3 
3 

2 
14 

2 
3 

Morbi  ocnii 

:::::. :::::'":': 

6      

Scorbutus  

1 

10 

10     

7 

1 

j           Total 

61        ftH 

.      ..    '  .'MK 

1     1  387 

1 

334    '      3 

232 

3 

1 

1 

AMONG    THE   TROOrS   IN    THE    MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TKOOP?  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  ATLANTIC  REGION. 


179 


FOURTH  aUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

448. 

175. 

ao3. 

659. 

468. 

4.M. 

412. 

394. 

289. 

371. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 


6,723. 


Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Coses. 


1  ;• 

5  . 

8  . 

1  . 

6  . 


iJ  m, 


1 
II 


Died.  Cascs.|  Died.  ,Cciscs.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.i  Died.  Cases.  Died.  ICases.  Died, 


Cases.]  Died.      Toul   .Total 
cases.  I  died. 


1 
]8 


7 
30 


26 
3 


1 

5 

41 

1 
3 


1 
23 

I 


12 
85 
333 
21 
51 
3 


4 
10 


10 
1 
1 


«     I. 


143 


19 


31 
3 


2 
5 

10 

1 

26 


6 

11 
5 
19 


1 
18 

1 
17 

1 


I       

8    i 

14      

6      

40      

1  I      1 


16 


..  12 

1 

7      1  6 

6     , I  5 

...  1 


10 
3 


20 


25 
I 

1 
I 
5 


61  1     I     75 


10 
202 


....      11 

2     1  200 


IS 


27 
3 


4     I. 


218 
123 


9 



3    i 

5 

80 

166 

17 

484 

7 

s 

18 

11 

10 

a 

IS 

aa   '       1 

11   !  

11   , 

13 

1 

111 

3 

92 

10 

33 

1 

2 



o 

1 

160 

2 

129 

72 

11 

15 

257 

7 

4 

60 

62 

1 

24 

11 

3 

7 

44 

16 

5 

la 

39 

a 

179 

231     !. 


1       136 


170     1 3,114 


180 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FIRST  aUARTER. 

1839.            1840. 

1841.            1842.            1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  nis- 

E.ASES. 

Mean  streh otr 

40                     17-1 

0.>T 

173.                   ll.->.                   106. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.!  Died.  Cases. 

!                  1                  1 

Died.  Cases.!  Died. 

Fcbris  continua  communis 

1     1     s    1 

1 

4 
3 

1 
o 

...1 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana .  - 

!» 

." 1 

Fcbris  intcrniitlens  quartana 

■1     1 

1 

1 

.... 

3 
5 

2 

Febris  typhus  

4 

I 

I 

Erysipelas 

Rubeola 

1 
2 

I 

Varioloid •. 



5 

13 
3 

5 

4 

1 

Discnses    of  the    organs 

connecled  with  the  di- 

1 Enteritis 

1 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  acuta    

■ 

Obstipatio 

1 

11 

1 

10 
12 

8 

7 





1 
1 

9 
6 

7 
7 

; 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sj'stem  

4 

2 

7 
S 
1 
2 



2 

Catarrlius 



6 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

Phthisis pulmonalis 

1 
,3 

tory  system. 

4 

2 

3 

1 

4 

AH  other  diseases  of  tliis  system 

r 

2 

1 

1 
2 

1  !    1 

Diseases  of  the  hrniti  and 

1 

1 

nervous  system. 

1 

1 
1 
3 

.  ... 

1 

I 

1 

3 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

and  genital  organs. 

1 



1 

1 

1 

1 

I. 

Diseases    of  tlie    serous  { 
and  cxhalent  vessels.     ( 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fihrous  &. 

2 

muscular  strueUires. 

f 

Abscesses  and  nicers....  -J 

Rhcumutismus,  acutus  ot  chronieus 

Fistula 

1 

B 
1 
5 
7 

2 

4 

2 

4 

Chlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus           

1 

2 

7 

2 
3 

1 

2 



I 

34 
2 

1 
2 

U 

1 

9 

4 

2 

1 

::::: i 

Wounds  and  injuries..,,  ■ 



3 
9 

3 
1 

...... 

3 

4 

2 

11 

4      

1 

1 

■•••■•  ■■■"t:::::  ;::::: :;:;:: 

1 

5 

3                 '       1     1 o 

3 

11             1             4 

i       9      ,       1     1 

Total 

I 

21 

134           1        129           5         80 

1 

1     1     48      21       

1 

AMONG    THE   TROOPS    IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR.— EAST. 


181 


FIRST  QUARTKR. 

AOOREOATE 

STKEnOTH. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848.           1849. 

1850.            1851. 

1 

1852. 

1853.     :      1854. 

148. 

100. 

53. 

161.                 208.                 238.                 282. 

154. 

207. 

27. 

2,408. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  ICases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

3 

i.._ 1 i 

1      

10      

1 

1 
8 

6 
35 

6 
18 

9 

■ 



7 



9 

9 

5 

I 

.... 





2 

1 

Q 



3 

1 

2 

:::::.  "T'"::: 

1 



o 

7 
1 
4 
3 
5 

1 

1 

1 

2 
1 
1 

1 

4 

■ 

1     ' 



8     j 

U 
4 



8 
2 

16 

19 

7 

90      

1            ' 

9      

j 

1 
29 

6 
10 

2 

1 

2 
2 

6 



10      

"     1 

7 
17 

2 

7 

57      

12 
1 

i    13 

6 

... 

1      

166 

30 

182 

2 

5 

3 

13 

[    29 

26      

15 

12 

21 

3 

1 

5 

1 

1 

3 

4 

2J    ' 

1 



1 

1 

I 

2 

13              3 





1 
1 

2 
3 

1 

1 

3 

4 

1 

3 

• 

15 
8 

1 

9 

2 

1 

1 

3 

11      

i 

1 

5      

_  _  _  _ 

•3 
20 
5 
9 
3 

1 

' 

3     .1 

1      

5 

:i 

....     \   .       , 

3 

1 
1 
1 

.... 

1    1 

2 

2 

,       ' 

...... 

1     



1 

1 

1      

1 



J 

2    1 

1 

3    ! 

2 

1 

4   : 

1    1 

1 

3 

8 

7 

4 

8 

3 

7         

2 

66 

1 

71 

33 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 

15 
4 

6 
3 

19 
1 

9 
a 

6 

1     ' 

1 
1 

1 

12 

:      4 



1 



7 

27 

35      

1      . 

20 
2 

10 

5 

1 

3 

171 

1      

' 

7 

1 
6 

1      ■•> 

18 



3     

1    1 

i      1 

SI 

60 

3 

12 

1 

11 

1 

3 

S3 

1 
1 

2 

7 

8 

1 

15 

;    5  j 

9 



1 

1           I 
1    , 

1 

1 



1 

o 

1 

1 

1      1 

1 

1 

1 

3 



2 

4 

S 

1 

2      

2 

.1     ' _i       P      1.1 

U      

..........     . 

3 

87               J 

99 

11 

83           1         33      27      

no       a     150        1      155 

75      bS      

!l 

1,359 

182 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Yr  A  RS 

SECOND  aUAUTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASE.s. 

40. 

187.         ,       197. 

^1. 

113. 

10.5. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Coses. 

Died. 

Onses. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

1 

^ascs. 

Died. 

r 

a 

5 

5 
9 

7 

2 

1 

Fevers 

4 

13 
...   . 

8 
2 

2 

8 
4 

1 

4 

3 

Eniplive  fevers 

1 

I 

f 

1 

6 

10 
24 
2 

13 

21 

1 

4 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

connected  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 

3 

10 

6 

4 

1 
10 

5 
4 

1 
2 

2 
4 

, 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 3    ! 

5 

1      

9 

1 

4 

1 

4 

Diseases  of  the  rospira- 
torj'  system. 

1     

1 

1 

4 

a 

6 

1 

5 

'   All  other  diseases  of  this  systiini 

2 
3 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

■ 
nervous  system. 

1 

' 

1 

1^ 

; 

f 

1 

4 

3 

1 

1 
1 



2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

2 

1 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  / 

exhalent  vessels.            ( 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  St. 
niu^^cular  slructures. 

llheumatisniiis,  aculus  ct  chronicus 

Fistula 

2 

10 

1 
1 
8 

8 

3 

4 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  . 

3 

1 

> 
6 

2 

i 

Ulcus 

1 

1 
23 

1 
4 

20 

6 

4 

Fractura 

1 

Luxaiio 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries 

1 

R 

3 
4 

2 

4 

5 

3 

Vulnus  laccralutn 

1 

i 

! 

Vulnus  sclopeticum 

» 



f 

3 

1 

Cbrictas 

Hicniorrhois , .' 

2 

1 

1     

1 

•! 

1 

Morbi  cutis 

1 



1 

2 
18 

1     1 

11      5 

6 

7 

Total 

23 

169 

!,., 

2 

89    1 

32 

46 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTEEIOK.— EAST. 


183 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1815. 

1846. 

18-17. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STUENGTU. 

144. 

39. 

62. 

199. 

132. 

199. 

1 
249.         i         191.                  182. 

29. 

3,309. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  iCases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

;         1 

Cases ;  Died. 

Toial 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

1 

7 

2 

1 

II 

2 

8 

1 

20 
Ci-i 
3 
43 
16 
3 
7 

6 

3 

12 

1    11 

' 

3 

1 

3 

2 
9 
1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

[             1 

1 
3 

' 

1 

1 

1 

i 1 

...   .|^       . 

. 

1 

! 

1 



1 

1 

7 

4 

6 

45 
5 

22 

13 
2 

25 

1 

25 

10      

1    1 

213 
32 
2 



1 



1 
10 

1 

87 

93 

3 

133 

3 

9 

34 

5 

40 

3 

4 

7 

1 

30 

4 

3 

3 

8 

3 
6 



2 

1 

13 
14 

■ 





13 
9 

7 
4 

14     :     8 

1      

4 

11     1 

6 

4 
1 

4 

6 

2 

1 

9 

16 

25 

13 



12 

17 

2 

3 

9 

1 

1 

2 
2 



1 

1 

t  

1 



1 

2 

• 

1 

1 



15 

3 

3 

4 
1 

3 
1 

1 

3 





1 

1 

1 

1 

5 

1 

1          ! 

1 
1 
1 

3 

2      

6      

R 

1 

1 
1 

1            1 



1 
1 

1 



;  1::::: 





2 

1 

< 

1 

1 

1 

58 

3 

65 

24 

1 

1 

• 

1 
3 

5 



1 

5 

1 



7 

1 

1 

4      

3 

3 

1 
18 

1 

1 

3 

1 

7 

5    1 

13     - 

11 

1 

4 

2 





1 

1 

3 
181 

2 

1 
19 
35 
75 

8 

12 

1 

2 

16 

19 
1 

4 

33     

22 

11 

4 



1 
1 





1 
3 

1 

3 

I 

8 

3 

4 

42 

3 

i 

4 

1 

2 

10     1     s 

8 

1 1 

1 

1 

4 

6 

10      

'     ' i       ' 

2     1 

2 

1 

2 
4 

3 

16      

5    i 

'     1 

'^    1 

83      

1 

.•••.. 

1 

1 

1 

1 
6 

1 

1 
3 

1                 1      1 



4 

8 



5 

6    1 

3 

3 

85 

22 

30 

221 

1 

125 

1 

98 

160    ' 

134 

1    '  100 

1 

13 ; 

1,468    ]          6 

184 


RKPORT    OX    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 
No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG  THE 


THIRD  aUAllTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1 

1839.           1840.            1841.            1842.            184.S.            1844. 

EASES. 

175.                  258.                   186.                  239.                   109.                   104. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

1                         1 
Cases.  Died.  Coses.  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died,  leases.  Died.  Cases   Died. 

r 
1 

4 

;    3 

S 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

20     1      6 

17 

:::::t«"' 

3     8     

1 

1 

. 

1 

1            ,            1 

1 

1 

Erirptive  fevers ■ 

1 

f 

;           ' 

; i ; 1 

DiarrhiTa 

2.5      25      9     , 

20      .')&      14           1 

4G 



s 

3    1 

i i 

Diseases  of  the    organs 
counseled  witli  the  di-' 

1 

1 

gesiivc  sysleiii. 

1    12 

2 
7 
1 
6 

4 

1 

....                 O       1 1         Q      \ 1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

9 

3 

4 

4 

Catarrhus 

7 

7 

8 

27 

5 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1      1 

.1 

3 

1 



1 

1 

1 

■  ; 

1 

1    1 

1 

r 

5 

............  ..................| 

2 

a 

1     i           1 

Diseases  ol  tin-  brain  and  | 
ner\'oiis  system. 

1 



2     

1 
1 

4 

1      . 

4 



a 

Diseases  of  tlie  urinary 

4 

1 

' 

1       

1 

2 

and  genital  orgaiii*. 

3      

1 

Diseases  of  the    serous  r 

Ascites                             

1 

i_. 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  St 

muscular  structures. 

Rheunmtismus,  aculus  et  chronicus 

4 

1 

8 

1 

2 

1 

1 

5 

6 

1      '        7 

Ulcus            .     .             

1 

3 

3    1 

3 

1 
6 

3 

13 

1 

7      

3 

2 

1 



1 

Wounds  and  injuries....  ■( 

4 

2 

S 

5 

'     1 

9 

1 

1 

1 
1 



3 

1    11 

Dehilitas ' 

1 

3 

1 

2     

1 

1 

j      3 

'      1 

3 

S 

1 

2      



1 

2 

1 

1 

3     

1 ,            1 

10 

1 

'    IB 

1 

5      i       1 

5      

i   .  _. 

i            Total 

124 

203           1     1  101           2 

123 

55 

.52 

1 

AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR— EAST. 


185 


THIRU  aUARTER. 

1845.      1      1846.            1847.      ]      1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRESGTH. 

147.          ,           35.                      70.                   268. 

211. 

232. 

342. 

95. 

151. 

150. 

2,773. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died,  leases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     Total 
cases.  1  died. 

1                       1 

1 
3 
10 

7      

3 

1 

.1 



5 

13 
3 

29 
52 

13 

8 

3 

1 

.        i 

..  „.  ..,...j 

2 

3 

4 

6 

I 
1 

2 

99 
3 

I 

I 

1 

1                                   ' 

::::::  ::"":i 

1 

2 

J 

! 

3 

1 

1 1 

■_____. 

1 

1 

;:. 

1 i 

11 
34 

3 

11 

476 

135 

2 

4 

3 

6 
1 

1 

4 

1 

_       i 

6 

1 

1 

19 

23 

1 

161 
4 

15 
2 

1 

33 

1 

72 

1 

1 

3 

: 1 

1 

, 

2 
5 

6 
38 

9 
33 

9 

30 

20 
19 

7 
8 

4 
5 



9 
20 

2 

88 

183 

1 

98 
1 
9 

14 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 
1 

11 

7 

3 

7 

1 

1 

5 

1 

1 

.:":::::::: 

4 

'            1 

1 

6 

1 



I 

1 
1 

1 

4 

1 

6      

11 
2 

4 

1      1 

...  1 

4 

36 

13 
6 
9 
3 

51 
3 

32 
1 

10 

2 

1 
1 

1 

1 



I 

2 
1 

1 
S 

1 

1 



8 
3 
5 

5 

8 

10 

S 

1 

2 

1 

4 

3 

8 

3 

1 

.     1 

2 

1 

2 

1 



1 

. 

1 

1 

2 

2 



i 



1 

1 

8 

4 

1 

5 

3 

2 

6 

45 

1 

107 

46 

1 

201 

7 

3 

42 

33 

47 
3 

14 
7 
7 

16 
3 

26 

1 

128 

15 
5 

2 

8 
7 

38 
SO 

9 

11 
2 

6 

1 

2 

7 

2 

42 
2 
2 

19 

7 

53 
2 

13 
1 

18 

6 



1 
1 
8 

9 
3 
3 

16 

3 

6 

2 
9 

4 
2 

4 

1 

3 

12 

3 

S 

3 

1 

1 

1 
3 

2 
9 

1 

3 

1 
3 

1 

1 

5 

3 

1 

2 

5 

1 
11 

1 

: 1 1 

1 

8 

20 

14 

10 

23 

2 

51 

13 

1    30 

1 

1 

240 

1 

190 

3 

149 

430 

2 

86 

86 

185 

3 

2,118 

14 

S.  96- 


-24 


186 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


YCARS   

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1839. 

1840.      '      1841. 

1842. 

1S4.-S.      ,      1844. 

EASES. 

109. 

1S9. 

138. 

172. 

105. 

136. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.               Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

1 
"Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

14 

! 

1 

2 

1 

•A 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana 

5 

1 

1 

2 



5 

::::::.:.. 

5 
9 

4 
6 

2 
1 

• 
8 

1 

Eruptive  fevers 

:::::: 

::::::  ::;:::i 

r 



2 

8 

::::::  "v 

19 
4 

8 

2 



1 

4 

Diseases   of  tlic    organs 

connected  with  thedi-' 

gestive  system. 

3 

5 

8 
7 
5 

a 





3 

1 
4 
4 

3 
6 

:::::: 

1 
2 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

6 
2 
3 

4 

5 



1 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

1 

1 
1 

i 

2 

1 

2 

toiy  system. 

3 
2 

1 

3 
I 

1 

1 

1 
1 

nervous  system. 

2 

1 

2 

1 
3 

3 

2 

1 

3 

3 

Strictura  uretlira? , 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

1 

4 

6 

1 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

Diseases   of  the    serous  r 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

muscular  structures.      ' 
L 

Rheumaiismus,  acutus  et  clironicus 

6 

3 

4 

4 

1 
1 



2 

"" 

6 
2 

a 

2 
2 

"V  i 1 

Ulcu^                .... 

} 

2 

1 

2 

3 

6 

1 

3 

1 

6 



1 

i 

i 

Wounds  and  injuries,,..  ■ 

1 
1 

4 
4 

I 
5 

3 

5 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

10 

' 

1 

....         1 

3 

2 

Miscellaneous - 

1 

1 
3 
10 

3 

8 

2 

4 

... . 

3 

I 
1 

1 

1 

Total 

94 

97 

67 

69 

24 

55 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSl'S  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR.— EAST. 


187 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1845.      i     .1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENOTH. 

99.                   43. 

163. 

221. 

166. 

245. 

324. 

138. 

31. 

195. 

3,334. 

Cases.l  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

r 

Cases.  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

3 

1 

2 

1 

10 
7 

1 

.... 

34 
29 
62 
1 
37 

.... 

18 
13 



15 

1 

1 

7 

5 

1 



1 

i      2 

13 

2 

1 



3 

; 



1 

17      



; 

1 

1      

1 

1 
1 

1 



..  .. 

2 

27 
1 

20 

1 

19 

9 

20 

1 

33 
2 

4 

1 

13 
3 

179 
34 

1 

1      



16 
6 
2 

29 

.... 

3 

11 

1 
8 

7 
8 

13 
13 

3 

9 
3 

1 

12 

68 

83 

14 

167 

4 

I 

3 

1 


1 

3 

3 

1 

47 

18 

8 

15 

12 

1 



1 

2 

1 

1 



1 

4 
2 

17 

7 

; 

2 

3 

7 

1 

1 

3 

1 
1 

1 

1 
3 
1 

3 

4 

1 

! 

23 
10 
14 
11 

' 



1     

'  "'{ 

1 

1 

7 
1 

1 

1 

2 



3 



7 

13 
2 
9 

6 

5 

1 



1 

47 
3 

37 
2 
9 

3 

1 

5 

3 

3 

3 



2 



i 

1 

3 

1 



3 

1 



1 



1 



!  

3 

2      

...       I....     ■ 

3 

3 

6 

3 

7 
1 
9 

4 

3 

4 


52    1 

3      

2 
1 

34 
1 



9 

1 

11 
2 

6 



1 



9 

1 

1 

86 
18 
3 
1 
115 
6 
2 

38 
39 
4 
13 
4 
4 
10 
3 
3 
18 
91 

' 

1 

1 
8 
3 
2 

7 

1 

1 

4 

4 

4 

25 

1 

13 

1 



14 

S 

1 

3 



16 


_ 

5 

I 

1 
2 

4 

3 

1 

1 
4 

3 

1 
1 



8 
3 

6 

11 

3 

' 



1 

1 

1 

2 
2 

1 

1 
3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

.__.._!______ 

1 

1 
1 

e 

2 

■■-■rv\ 

1 
9 

1 

2 

13 

8 

10 



4 

1 

1 

i             ' 

25 

15 

146 

•1 

207 

1 

lao 



136 

1 

165 

56 

1 

8 

136 

1,430 

8 

188 


REPORT   ON    TUE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Fears ^..... 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DISi 

1848. 

1849. 

1850.           1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

Mean  strenotq 

290. 

199.                230.        j        157. 

252. 

162. 

-    SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Caseti 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

1 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

r 

1 
18 

Jl 
5 

B 

1    33 

10 

39 

Kehris  intermittens  tertiana 

2 
7 

10 

10 
5 

2 

1 

1 

3 

6 
3 

2 

9 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

1 

12 

Eriipiivc  lovers 

2 

1 

3 

4 

1 

2 

2 

2 

1 
1 

f 

3 
3 

1 
2 

7 

2 

17 

13 

13 

11 
1 

1     '       3 

1 

Diseases    ol'  the   organs 

; 

connected  with  thedi--^ 

Enteritis 

1 

gcstive  systuin. 

3 
3 

1 

7 
7 



,     12 

1      6 

3 

1 
2 
14 
34 

1 
3 
5 
12 
1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

9 

L'atarrhus 

20 

13 

9 

6 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

9 
23 
1 
2 
3 
1 

1 

4 
19 

o 
19 

1 

1 
2 

1 
5 

1 

AI!  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Cephalalgia 

1 

1 
1 
2 

1 

1 

Diseases  ol  t)if  Ur.iui  and 

1 
1 

3 

nervous  .sy^-teiu. 

1 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 

7 
1 
o 

1 
2 

4 

Diseases  of  iht-  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Slrictura  urethne 

1 

3 

3 

4 

9 

o 

• 

Diseases    of  the    serous , 

aiid  exhalent  vessels.     ( 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 
muscular  structures. 

3 

1 
2 

4 

1 
4 

1 

1 

5 

5 

- 

Fi-^tula  . 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

o 

1 

3 

3 

9 
2 

1 

7 

4 

Luxatio 

1 

1 
3 

Wounds  and  injuries..,. 

1 

7 

3 



1 

2 
1 

1 

3 

1 
2 

1 
1 
2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

Miscellaneous 

3 
2 

5 
5 

1 
5 
2 

6 
4 
11 

3 

3 
1 

.1 

Total 

194 

6 

114 

6 

153           1     1 

68 

2 

J  68 

1        108 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  NEWPORT  BM5RACKS,  KENTUCKY. 


189 


FIRST  aU.\R  1  ER. 

SECOND  aUARTER. 

1854. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.           1853. 

1854. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 

132. 

1,422. 

187. 

354. 

131. 

184. 

104. 

128. 

144. 

163. 

1,395. 

Cases 

Died. 

Tulal 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

.Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.j  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total    Tol.ll 
caiies.     died. 

1 
1J4 
51 

1 

4 

7 

9 
2 

61 

9 

14 

21 

18 

6 
29 

13 
4 

151 
35 

13 
30 

1 

12 
9 

1 

5 
3 

1 

10 
3 

2 

4 

2 

34 

18 

1 

2 

3    1      1 

4 

16 
13 

5 

8 

1 

2 

1 

1 

8 
22 

2 

21 

4 

4 

■ 

10 
5 

4 

1 

- 

1 

3 

::::::i;::::: 

3 

66 

11 
1 

4 

2 
15 

7 
1 
2 

1 

8 
14 

19 

7 

95    1         4 

3 

67 
9 
1 
2 

2 

1 

7 

23 

7 

1 

16 

49 

1 

141 
16 
1 
3 
2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

10 

23 

1 

3 

30 

47 

19 

96 

1 

17 

68 
00 

1      

...... 

1 
12 
4 

2 

1 

1 

4 
2 

4     j 

4      

1 
1 
5 
8 
1 

^ 

5 

.11 

1 

7 
1 

1        .'iO     (         a 

1 

1 
2 

I 
11     1 

2 

1 

^ 



8 

21      

1 

4 

1 

2 
6 
19 

1 
2 

3 
12 
23 

3 

2 

5 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 

2 

3 
5 
4 
3 
4 

16 
2 
8 

15 

1 
6 
1 
1 

1      

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

9              1 

2 

4      

1 

o 

...         ... 

1 
1 

! 

1      

2 

2 

2 

1      .___. 

1 

1      ___. 

10      

1 

2 

1 
4 

1 

1 

1            4       

1 



1 

3      

3 

1           ; 

■■■;■■:.:;:: 

8      

i 





I 

1         ■   1 

4 

1 
4 

22 
3 

24 

7 
1 
14 

1 

9 

2 

5 

2 

1 



2 
1 

3 

25     

1      

2 

3 
6 

1 
7 

3 

3 

a 

5 

12 

1 
1 
4 



15 

8 

1 

46      

23      

1 

1 

1 

, 

:::::....:.!;::::: 

1       

2    1 

( 

' 

1 

2 

7      

1 



15      

1 

■         • 

1      

1 
6 
13 
5 
1 
3 
2 
7 
2 

::::::::"■■ 

1   

7 

1 

1 

^ 

2 

13 
7 
S 

1 

1 

2 
2 

1 
2 

1      

1 

1 

3     ' 

1 
3 



2 
16 
2 
3 
23 
28 
19 

1      

6 

3 

1 

1 

2 



1 



3 

:::::::::::: 

::::■•::::::;:;;:;  ::;.;i 

18 
20 
24 

1 

17 
4 

4 

2 

1 
1 

1      

5     

1      .     .           1     1            ,       1 

1      

7      

3     

4   ;   4 

3      1  _  2 

5 
9 

41          3 

84R 

19 

73 

4 

261          10 

129 

6 

93    1      3 

86    1 

91          2    i  100 

134 

957 

2S 

190 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

TIIIKD  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

EASES. 

Mean  strength 

338. 

105. 

lao. 

150. 

349. 

185. 

120. 

SPEL'IFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

L'ases.! 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 

Febris  int.  quotidi<ina 

Febris  interiniitens  tertiana. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

83 
13 

1     25 

10 

16 

19 

2 
13 

Fevers 

4 

7 
13 

10 

4 

12 

1 

1 

4 

34 

1 

1 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

19 
10 
4 

1 

12 
21 
13 

2 

73 
62 
13 

7 

25 
3 

^     1 

27 
8 

2 

24 
6 
1 

38 



Diseases    of  the    organs 

::::::...:.. 

connected  with  the  di- 

1 

3 

1 

1 

6 
9 

gestive  system. 

1 

17 
4 
3 

:::;::  2 

9 
3 

1 

3 

4 

6 
3 



8 
31 

AH  other  diseases 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica 

2 

6 

2 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

1 

8 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

All  other  diseases 

1 
2 
2 

3 

1 

1 

a 

2 

2 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  hrain  and 

1 

neivous  system. 

1 

1 

1 

1 



1 

10 

2 

2 

1 

2 
1 
2 

Diseases  uf  the  urinary 

1 

1 

and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  consccutiva 

1 

9 

5 

Diseases   of  tlie    serous  t 
and  exbalcnt  vessels.    ( 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

muscular  structures. 

4 

2 

2 

2 

1 

4 

Abscesses  ami  ulcers....  - 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

3 
6 

1       3 

3 

4 

4 

1 

4 

B 

12 

1 

1 

6 

4 

1 

1 

1 
1 

Wounds  and  injuries....  • 

4 
2 

2 

1 
1 

2 

8 

3 

1 

4 

2 

1 

1 
2 
1 

3 
2 

1 

2 

1 

3 

2 

2 

3 

1 

Miscellaneous s 

3 

1 

2 
3 
1 
6 

2 

9 

7 

8 

All  other  diseases 

7 

2 

, 

241 

1     1  lOS 

5 

94 

3 

91 

2 

247 

7 

134 

100 

I 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  NEWPORT  BARRACKS,  KENTUCKY. 


191 


THIRD  QUARTER. 

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1854. 

AGGREaATE 
STRENGTn. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

AGGREGATE 
8TKB.SOT11. 

169. 

1,455. 

304. 

153. 

200. 

151. 

205. 

314. 

96. 

223. 

1,546. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total   'Tolal 
cast's,     died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Casea. 

i             ' 
Died.  Cases.'  Died. 

1 

1 
Cascs.l  Died. 

1 
Cases.l  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

!                   1 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Total  I  Total 
cases.'  died. 

.. 

23 
4 

180 
30 
11 
23 

17 
4 

67 

10 

15 

"ai" :::::: 

34 

33 
6 

187 

6 

3 

12 

23 

1 

7 

37 

1 
17 
147 
21 

.        .1 

3 

1 

8 

Z 

8 

I 

1 

2 

7 

3 

3 

1 

4      

5 

1 

1      

35 

1 

34 
1 

1 

3 

1 

4 

1 
12 
42 

1 

1 

. 

15 
60 
4 

2 

119 

267 

49 

1 

6 

10 
5 

5 
16 
2 

2 

1 

1 

2 

as 

1 

10 
3 

1 

15 
6 

19 
4 

2     , 

21 
4 

I 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 
26 
31 
10 

74 

1 
18 

1 

13 
11 

1 
2 

48 

80 
6 

14 
1 

13 
1 
4 
2 
8 
7 
5 
5 

14 
2 
5 
8 
4 
1 

5 

1 

3 

4 

3 

4 

4 

1 
2 
9 

1 

3 

1 
1 
1 



6 
3 

1 

7 
10 

1 

12 

8 

2 

5 

27 



4 

12 

1 

4 
6 

1 
5 

1 

5 



14 
29 

3 

5 

6 

5 

3 

3 
22 

1 

S 

2. 

2 

1 



3 

3 

2 

5 
2 

; 

1 

1 

1 

1 
3 



3 

1 

1 
2 
1 

3 
2 

1 

1 

1 

1 
13 

1 

1 

3     

2 

3 

1 
1 

1 
2 

1 

2 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 



1 

1 

3 

2 



1    ■ 

1      

S 

6 

17 
1 

25 

' ] 

1 
1 
5 

16 

1 
1 

45 

25 

2 

6 

7 

2    1 1      1    i '      4 



.... 

8 



3 



5 

1 

5 

1      "" 
1 

1 
1 

1 

12 
2 

2 

13 
3 
2 

12 

8 

1 

2 

1 

2 

,, 

1 



1 

3 

1 

2 
3 

1 

2 

5    ' 

10    ' 

15 

5 

1 

1 

1 

Ill 
1 
2 
2 
6 

19 
2 
5 

11 

11 

5 
3 

1 



i 

2    ; 

2    

1 

1 

5 
14 
1 
7 
9 
17 
2 
42 

4 
6 

1 
3 
1 
1 
2 

1 

3 

1 

6 

1     1 

2    ! 

■ 



1 
1 

1 
3 
2 
1 
19 

1    ! 

1 

I 
5 

a 

1 

4 

;    2 

1 

2 

3    1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

I 

a  1 

■■■;t::::: 

13 

20 

195 

3 

1,208 

20 

232 

3 

77 

1 

89 

1 

76    \ 

I 

132 

6 

117 

26    1 

1 

141 

890 

11 

192 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRlNCffAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCHEIlINa 


Ykarb 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  niS- 

73. 

80. 

68. 

340. 

603. 

835. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases   Died. 

i 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

2 
2 

15 
2 

10 



21 
63 

72 
104 



Febris  intermittens^  tertiana 

3 

6 

11 

1 

2 

1 

1 

5 

1 

Febris  typhus            .... 

Eruptive  fevers 

2 

14 

3 
3 

12 
2 

2 

14 
54 
48 

32 

4 

4 

1 

13 
11 
3 

Diseases   of  the    orpuns 

gcsiive  system. 

1 

2 

1 
1 

11 
6 

8 
16 
3 

72 

1 

10 

25 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
15 

1 
42 

8 
3 

3 
1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

10 

4 
5 

94 
1 
4 



I 
3 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

neuritis 

2 
3 

1 

tory  system. 

t 

1 

1 

1 
4 

6 
1 
1 

1 

8 
2 

Epilepsia 

1 

1 

1 

nervous  system. 

1 

1 
13 

4 
1 

.  .. 

1 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

8 
3 
3 

....  . 

1 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  J 
exhaleiit  vessels.            ' 

1 

1 

1 

Pernio 

3 

Diseases  of  tlic  fibrous  Sc 

1 
36 
1 
4 
6 
2 

muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

4 

3 

5 

12 

39 
1 
2 

25 
1 



Abscesses  and  ulcers....  * 

3 

1 
2 

Ulcus 

5 



1 

Ampulatio 

1 

4 

3 

1 

17 
2 

20 
3 
6 

7 

Fractura 

Wounds  and  injuriiN....  ] 



6 

6 

1 

5 

2 

1 

Vulnus  punrium 

i 

1 
3 

5 

Ebrietas 

5 

i 

10 

Hiemorrhois 

1 

2 
2 

1 

Morbi  cutis.  

Morbi  ocuH 

Scorbutus  

2 

2 

12 

5 

15 

« 

8 

10 

5 

38 

11 

1 

8 

Total 

46 

63 

44 

429 

1 

490 

7 

364 

5 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  JEFFERSON  BARUACKS  AND  ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL. 


193 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

1S4.5.            1846.      ■      1847.      '      1848. 

1849.             1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853.           1854. 

HTRE.SGTH. 

171.                   386. 

1 

143. 

238. 

1,015.        ;          176. 

481.                  341.                  260.                  315. 

5,525. 

Cases.' Died. 'Cases.  Died. 'Cases. 

Died. 

Caaes.i  Died. 

Cases.  Died   Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.:  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.   Died.    J^     J^^ 

5         5 

2         2 

7              7 

2      

318      

435      

6     

33               1 
10               1 

9      

25      



18 
16 

1 
6 

::::::■•;;•■:::.::  4 

35      19 

" 
16 

61 

54 
12 
3 
3 

24 
8 

11 
•20 

31 

20 

;   42 

!   12 

8      

30      



1 
1 

1 

1 

I      

1 

1 

7 
2 

3 

1    1    

1 

10 

' 



11            1 

81         39 

254          4 

10    

2    1 

1      12 

1 

81 
471 
136 

58 
1 
1 

•    39 

8 
G 



.!....    u    10 

13      3 

1 

30 
3 

2 
1 

16 

2 

1 

1 

■a 

15 

10 

3 

31            1 

7      

7 
1 

1 
1 
19 
14 
5 

1 

5 

4 
5 

8 
69 

5      

3        

9    

2    

7 
3 

S 
6 

2 

80 

164 

19 

690 

7 

S3 

42 

6 

33 

29 

7 

3 

8 

SS 

1 

43 

10 

18 



1 

a 

23 

4 

2 
1 

:    56 

21 

68 

176        

3          1 
12          1 
2    i      2 

15 

42      

36      

16 



39 
1 

5 

1 

3 

1 

3 
3 

1 

3      

3 

1 

4 

2 

8 

^ 

1       !          1 

1 

3 

7 
13 
2 
1 
4 
19 

1 
4 

a 

1     ! 

1 
1 

! 



a 



2      

5 

■ 

1 

1 
5 

2 
2 

1 

4 

3 



1 


6     

' 



1 

■2;" ::::: 

1 

5 

2 
2 

1      

1      

4    1 

5 
2 

2 

3 

1 

1 

1 

a 

a    

...    . 

4 

9 

1 

139 

3 

103 

60 

17 

1 

207 

9 

7 

31 

1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

^ 

1     I 

5 



3 

1  " 

g 

26      

a 

4 

3 

5 

! 

a 

1 

9  ; 

1 

5     

5      

43      

1 

6 

a 
1 

8 

13 

^    i 

6 

3     1 

2 

1      

1 
1 

''    

6 

1     14 

61 

a 

4 

7      23      10 

14      

1        

1 
4 

1 

4        6      '       1 

S 
18 
4 

a 
a 

19 
8 

2 
3 

2 

1 

2     

1      o      I 

i 

7      1 

3      48 

3      1 

1 

10 
3 
S 

i 

1 

, 

!..._ 

1 1 1 1 

2     

2      4 

3      1 



4 

1 

1      3    ■ !       2     '• 

3      46 

3 

7 
4 

' 

48 
14 

1 

1 



1      3 

X 

1        i 

1     a 

1 
2 



1 

9 

16 

58 

2 

192 

1 

1      1 

1  : 

1 

1 

3 

4 

5     1      3     

'     1      '     



2 

7 
1 

58 

1     1 

3      

5 

i 

4 



'■  a 

5 

7 

8 

1           5      IS      

2 

UJ      

203           2    i     99           1 

330 

I 

10 

!l022 

1 

54 

77 

179 

4 

214 

1  ;  150 

a    {  186    1      3    !  3,908 

90 

S.  96- 


-25 


194 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


SECOND  QUAUTER. 

1830.            ISJO.            1811.            1842.            1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

61. 

46.                  69. 

83.                1,045. 

183. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

1 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  Csises..Died. 

!        1 

Cases. 

Died. 

j            I 

1 

1           1 

' 

1 

5 

29 

4 

1 

1  Fcbris  intermittens  qnotidiana  

8 

i 

30 
on 

Tld 

4    ' 

15 

1  JR 

Fevers 

Z 

1    1 

2 

!     OQ 

1 

i 

1 

.     ■ 

1 

1 

j 

« 

Eruptive  tevers ■ 

1 

1            '                                           *             'l 

I 

1           1           i        - 

' 

a 

17     

19         2      114    '      1 

26 

K) 

1 

49      99    : 

1      ....          Rl            1 

3     

1 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

connected  with  the  di-- 

1 

gestive  system. 

1 1 

1                1 



3 

9 

25      

23 
19 

L 

Ail  otlinr  diseases  of  this  system 

6 

1 

1 

4 

1 

2 

'  Catarrhus 

:     10     1 t    42 

;  i:io 

1 

23 

1 
4 
1 
2 
3 

1 

1 
1 
10 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
17 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory systeni. 

2 

4 

i 

1 



1 



11     ! 

1     

4 

4 

4 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

nervous  system. 

2 
3 

1 

1 

25 

3 

5 

1 

r 



Diseases  of  the   urinary 

I 

! 

1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

1 

1 

3 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  i 
exhalent  vessels.            < 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  St 

'  Podanra                                                             ■ 

! 

muscular  structures. 

nheuniatismtis,  acutus  et  chronicus 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

1 

3 

2 

1 
4 

9 

:::.::  ■■;;'i:;:;:: 

6 

1 
1 
1 
4 



1 

^9  .::::: 

Abscesses  and  ulcers, . . .  S 

1 
1 

29 

5 

6 

1 

1 

6      1     28 

i 

1 

3 

14 
15 

Wounds  aud  injuries .... 

2 

1 

5 
2 



9 

2 

3 

1 

1 

j 

1                  ' 

I 

1 

6 

38 

27 

3 

1 

2     

4 

1 

1 

, 

1 

1 
1 
1 

Miscellaneous ' 

2      

4 

39 

1 

21 

14 

1      2 

ToUl 

65 

231 

3 

1163 

11 

146 

3 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS    IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TKOOPS  AT  JEFFERSON  BARRACKS  AND  ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL. 


195 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1 

1845. 

1846.            1847.      '      1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENOTn. 

170. 

213.          !          137,                   362. 

415. 

283. 

219.                   408. 

281, 

238.            4,ae. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

1 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

1 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases  Died. 

Total   'Total 
cases,     died. 

(       1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

7 

527 

423 

9 

39 

13 

3 

5 

22 

1 

6 
14 
7 
4 
2 

21 
36 

9 

37 

1 

2 

148 

34 

4 

1 

11 
46 

20 
2 

39 
35 

27 
24 

7 
18 

2 

■■■■|   

1 

3 

2 

.. 

1 
1 
3 
12 

2 

1 

2     ' '      8 

1 

... , ,       .... 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1     1            '       ' 

j 

2 

2 

20 

109 

5 

2 

[ 

2 

2 

80 

"999 

241 

89 

4 

2 

164 

111 

11 

410 

4 

41 

17 

5 

41 

23 

3 

6 

9 

56 

4 

32 

2 

14 

4 

1 

2 

9 

8 

30 

1 

3 

2 

23    :     16 

26      

30      

12 

77 
9 

7 

17     ]     15 

161     , 

3    ; 

49 

7 
15 
4 

5 
5 

41 

4 

343 
6 

4 
2 

21 
2 

7 
2 
1 

1 

2 

1 

1 
3 
3 

1 
6 

8 

1 
9 

.... 

1 

14 

7 

40 
15 
5 

88 

17 

14 

4 

25 

1 


5 
3 



10 

1 

6 
2 

1 
4 

11 
9 

1 
2 

10 

11 

18 

1 

6 
1 

8      

8 





26 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 
1 

2 

1 

1     1       1 

2 

2 

3 

5 

1 

1 



2 
2 

2 

1 

7 

[ 

1 
1 

2 

1 

4 

13 

3 
5 

3 

1 

1 

1 

3 

4 

5 

i 

, 

i. 

2 

1 
2 

i 

1 

1 

3 

1 

11 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

....      --- 

2 

5      

7      

2 

1 

3 

2 

3 

1 

3      

2      

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

' 

4 

1 

I 







1 

1 

4 
2 
4 
1 
4 
1 

1 
2 
1 

3 

4 



32 
5 

14 

29 
16 
3 

2 
1 
3 
2 
13 

5 
3 

4 

7     ' 

12      

3 

7 

2 

12 

158 
87 
67 

7 
192 

6 

4  ■ 
42 
57 

7 

5 

8 
140 
70 
33 

7 
IS 
81 

1 
132 



" 

7 

6 

18 

33 

4 
3 

...... 

33 

8      

20 
1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

2 

1 
2 

'      3 

1 

3 
2 

1 

!    1 

7 

., 

5 

2 
4 

4      

3 

3 

1 

4 
2 
9 
12 
2 

1 

3 

1 
1 
3 

I 
5 
3 

2 

109 

3 

1 

3 

■■■;■.::::: 

3 

1 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1      

3 

9 

.... 

1 

::::::  ;;:::a.;;;:i 

3 

1 

::::::  "o:" 

2 

2 

1 

a  1 

1      

2 

2 



!  1' 

11 

2 

1 

a 

2 

2        ... 

2 

9 

14 

31 

3 

9 

22 

5 

5 

112           1 

110 

2     :   177 

3       916 

9       430 

15 

173 

3 

168 

18 

295 

7 

125 

3 

3^ 

17 

4,545 

94 

196 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  4.— ABSTKACT  UF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRINU 


THIRD  aUAKTEH. 

1839. 

;               1 
1840.           1841.           1842.     i      1843. 

1 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

5». 

677. 

127. 

164. 

987.                S6. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.                Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

,1.1,., 
Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

.                      1 

10 

2 

17 

52 

i 

1 

Fcbris  intermittens  quolidiaua 1-1 

11 

1 

39     

14      

117 
95 

.'>      

47      

Fevers 

4 



43 

1         16 

2 

4 

7 

2         22    1 

I 

2 

:;:;::':.::::i 

1 

1 

17 



181 
201 

2 

45 
14 
4 

3 

27 
2 

1 

258 
39 
12 

1 

0 
3 

3 

Diseases  of  the    organs 

connected  with  the  di- 



2 

gestive  Mysiem. 

2 
14 
11 

:::::] 



ij 
11 



9 
4 

21 
25 

1 

4 

Al!  other  diseases  of  this  system 

5 

1 

56 

17 



2 

1 

284 
1 
5 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

1 

4 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 

1 

1 



' 

38 

1 

2 



..   .1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

3 

nervous  system. 

1 

3 
20 

3 

3 



3 



:::::: 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 

3 

1 

5 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

2 

Diseases  of  the    serous  ( 

' 

1 

1 

I 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  J 

\ 

muscular  structures.       1 

'  RhiMiMiatismus,  acntus  ct  chronicus 

Fi";tul:i  .               ... 

1 

9 

2 

6 

I 
5 
3 

1 
6 

32 

1 

IMilepmon  et  alt?c('?sus 

Ulcus 

2 

21 
4 
2 

11 

1 

18 
2 
2 

32 
1 

1 
1 

11 
9 
10 

10 

2 

1 

1 

10 

1 

1 1 

i 1 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

t 

5 
6 

12 

4 

1 

6      

5 

6 

1 

I 

3 

Dfbililas 

1 i 

ID 

3 

4 

50 
11 

I 

Ebricias 

1      I 

1 

2     

2    ' 

2 

,      1 
1      4 

1 

6 

MisctUancous 

I 

23 

,     17    1 

1           1 
23      

1 

32 

1 

34 

4 

17 

1 

Total 

69    1            •  "J^ii 

3     1  QPR     1        R 

j  154 

1 

1    ii.iflQ  .     4      inft 

1 

1 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONU  TOE  TROOPS  AT  JEFFERSON  BARRACKS  AND  ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL. 


197 


TlirRD  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847.           1848. 

1849. 

1850.            1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRRNOTH. 

191. 

354. 

214. 

1,837. 

353. 

310. 

288. 

194. 

182. 

253. 

6,245. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.!  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1            1 
Cases.,  Died.  Cases. 

1             1 
Died. 'Cases.  Died. 

'            1 
Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Total     Toul 
cases,     died. 

6 

6 

6              G 

1 

12      

30 
62 



90 

74 

47 
111 

14 
33 
2 
14 

8 

46 
10 

46 
119 



100 
54 

63 

35 

1 

21 

1     

18      

662              3 

810    ! 

2    ' 

10 

1 

2 

1 
3 

15 

9 
1 

1 

14 
2 

2 

5 

3          9    1 

174            10 

I 

13               4 

1       

1 

3      

12 

5           > 

13               5 

1 

6 

139 

7 
4 

1      

5 

1 
1 

1 

180 
24 
13 
12 

21 
3 
1 

2 
33 
U 

1 


3 
40 
4 

4 

1 

19 
2 

1 

4 

57 

2 

3 

196             34 

8 
6 



71 
41 



112 
16 

222 

20 

28 
5 

1,262            37 

384              9 

32              1 

1 







1 



4      

........................ 

o 

10 
5 

23 

7 

1 

20 

,2 
26 

22 
10 
2 
43 

14 
15 

19 
11 

17 
3 

9 
7 

11 

1 

6      

i      3    1 

....   i ( 

196      

148     ! 

4      

15 

11 

1 
8 

1 

9 

1 

1 

19 

1 
4 

2 
1 

4 

3      

485 
9 

1 

5 
2 

10 

17               1 

1      

3      

1 

1 

1 

6      

71      

6 

1 

2 

1 

7 



2      --   - 

7 
3 

1 
1 
1 
4 

5 

4 

1 

1 

I 

1... 

15               1 



5      

1 

... 

3    I 

1 



4 

.1 

8    I         4 

3 

4 



1 

3      

2 

' 



2 

1 

49      

1      

1 

*      

1        

1 



1 

Q 

3 
2 

1 

29      

1 

1 

6      

1 

1 

6 

2 

! 

1 

1 

1 ! 

M      

(        1 

2               1 

1 

o 

1 

2 

3 

1 

15 

7      

16 

3 

2 

3      

2 

10-t      

o 

S 

15 
2 
1 

23 

14 
5 

9 
5 

20 
5 

1 
6 

' 

22 
4 

1 
15 

5 

3 

14  !..:::: 

4 



156      

2 

1 

1        ' 

19      

12 

6 

7 

8 



6 
3 

26 

1 

183    j 

I 

o 

, 

1 

6      



10      

4 
2 

9 
1 
2 



2 
2 

4 

10 
2 

8 
10 
5 

2 

'            ' 

53      

2 

1 

3 

, 

49      



2     .                ^ 

16      

1 

o 

3 
3 

' 

4 

j 

5    i 

5 



7 

9 
12 
1 

6 

21 

8 

1 

2 

" 



75      

4 

1 

1 

93              1 

1 
2 

1 

3 

1 

1 

S3      

1 

3 

1 
1 
1 

\ 1      3 

1 
3 

20      

i 

1 

4 
9_ 

I 

9      

1     11 

1 1       9 

L___..l    .q 

I 

3 

1 

9>i    1  

2 
3 

i 

3    1          1 

2 

8 



1 



12     1 '     10 

1 

5 

4      '       7     ' 5 

136     '          1 

179 

2       416 

j  428 

5       476         .53       378    i     10    I  599 

28     i  270 

1     1  203    1      5       126     I      4       171 

' 

5,761           129 

198 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  4.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


FOURTH  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASED. 

67. 

68. 

149.                 648. 

9( 

7. 

45. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

1 

1 

3 

IRQ 

1 
34 
49 

1 
11 

12 
4 

10 
51 

Febris  intermittens  terliana 

8 

17 

196 

5 

4 

6 

1        .'>7 

5 

1 

2 
2 

1 

c 

3 

Eruptive  fevers J 

! 

f 

9 

3 

2 

36 

17 
2 

.1       114 

8 

4 

3 

21 

1 

1 

3 

5 

Diseases   of  ilie    ortj^ns 
connected  with  the  di-' 
gestive  svs-teni. 

1 



3 

2 

7 
1 

3 
38 

.All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1      3 

13 

1 

1 

1 

12 

50 

64 

78 

3 



Diseases  of  the  respira- 

Phthisis puhnonalis 

tory  system. 

I 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

a 

1 

3 

94 

4 

g 

10 
2 

g 

1 
1 

7 
2 
6 
2 

4 

2 
1 

1 

33 

2 
10 

1  Cephalalgia 

1 
2 

1 

1 

2 
3 

1 

!E,M:,.„sia 

1 

3 

1 

7 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

2 

1 

1 



Diseases    of  the    serous  i 
and  exhalcnt  vessels.     ) 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers. . . .  -{ 

[ 

....    1 

1 

Uhcumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus.... 

2 

1 

5 

25 

29 
1 

14 
2 
3 
9 

1 

!  Phlegmon  et  absccssus 

j  Uicu-^    

1 

1 

2 
30 



6 

1 

2 

31 

1 

10 

8 

1 

5 



1 

Wounds  and  injuries ■ 

i , 

2 
a 

7 
7 
3 
3 

7 

2      

*l 

1 

I ■ 

1..... 

I 

1 
8 

f 

...s.. 

i: 

4 
6 
1 
8 
5 

1 

6 
3 

1 

::::::::::::! 

Miscellaneous ^ 

{{(■niia                 

1 

1 
11 

2 

8 

8 

1 

7      

a    :              9.T 

Total 

57      

53 

2    ;  242 

1 

2       884 

17 

417 

7 

32 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  JEFFERSON  BARRACKS  AND  ST.  LOUIS  AKSENAI-. 


199 


1                                                                                                             FOURTH  aUARTER. 

1845.            1846.            1847. 

1848.     i      1849.           1850. 

1851.           1852.     1      1853.           1854. 

STRENGTH. 

378. 

1                       1                       i 
477.         1         307.         1         900.                  133.                  364. 

1                         ; 

761. 

189. 

241.         1        646. 

6,320. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.;  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Toi.ll     Toml 
cases,     died. 

7 

5 

1 
1 

51 
6 

1 

8    i         6 

t 

6    1 

72 

m 

52 
130 

I 

28    j 

133      

23      

15      

10     

22     

71 
44 

48 

19 

12 

16 

33 

76 

625     

868    ( 

1     

1 

1 
1 

2 

2 

4 

2 

96             7 

1 

1 

15 

19     



2 

5 

4 

1 

11 

1,042 

183 

IS 

1 

1 

i 

i 

' 

1 

4 



1 

1 

1 

3 
27 

16 

2 

2 

1 
90 
14 

1 

7 
186 

S 

8 

47 
39 

152 
39 

1 

138      

24    ,      5 

160 
2 

8 

4 

1 

13 

1 
1 

24 

2 

19 



11 
1 

1 

1 

1 

•     2 
11 
9 

1      

'2 

i   '   '* 

8 

o 

44    j 

22    1 

1 

20      

42     i 

4 
13 
33 
91 

2      

5      

1      

9      

2  1 

2 

8 

I 

82 

2 

2 

1      5 

3 
3 

i    65 

1    17 

I 

1 

1    i 

4      

183              2 
35              1 

r- 

136      

1     ,       1 

79      

1 

3     ]       1 

1 

21 

12 

90 

765      

3    i          4 

3 
2 

1 

3 

1 

51     1          3 

4 
1 

7 

1 
1 



2 

1 

1 

7 

2 

57              11 

1 

t 

1 

6                1 

1 

4      

q 

« 

1    -,      1 
1 

1 

10 
2 
1 
3 

14 
3 

12 

1 

2 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

23               6 

2      

9      

1 

1 

1. 

9      

1 


1 

2 

1 

1 
12 

3 

11 

14               2 

13 

1 

1 

2 

1 

7 

82     , 

S    1 

; 

5 

1 
1 



3 
2 

3 

'    1 

28      

■   "'t 

1        '      ... 

2 

7 
12 

2 

1 

1 

1          

3 

.... 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1      

2 

1 

1 



1 

1 

6      

1 

4 

1 
17 
1 
3 
17 

4 

2      

24 

2 



7 

10 

1      2 

2 

1    12 

13a    

2      

27 
6 

3 

7 

26 

23 

6 

22 

3 

1 

3 





7 

6 
4 
10 

22 

11 

10 

:::;:t3;" 

180      

83      

23 
2 

1 

3 

103 

1 

34    i. 

23 

1 



10      

1 

1 



7 

5 

979      

9                1 

1 

2 
8 

2      

8 
3 

7 



16 

1 
2 

2    i 

1      

4 
21 

1 

s 

10     1 

60      

8 

13 
2 

1 

3 

1 

80    I   

1 



16      

... 

1 

i  "•••■I 

1 

16 
»    1 

1 
4 
10 
3 

1 

1 

1 

. 

3 

1 



42 

/..... 

4 

.. 

4      

11 

o      

12S      

1 

11 

" 1 1 

1    a    1    

44      

4 

2 



1 

1 1 

2!      



1     



1 

1     

5 
3 
R 

IB      

1 
11 
4 

3 

S 

8 

1 
1 

7 

....               10 

S 

5 

13 

44 

2 
5 

1      1 

j      => 

1 

1 

1 

3 

69      . 

i      ^     

16 

148               3 

398 

2    '  730 

8    '  529          8    1  646 

13 

85 

!  1®          7 

448 

3    j  176 

S 

113 

750 

9        5,741             80 

200 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

No.  5.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


YeARS    

FIRST  aUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843      1     ism 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

399.                 173. 

319. 

439.                 453. 

486. 

1 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.               \ 

Cases. 

Died,  'cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  'Cases.l  Died.  Cases.'  Died. 

1           '                      '           '           1           ' 

Cases. 

Died. 

- 

Febris  congestiva 

1 

2 
30 
41 

2 

1      

19 

10      4 

13                      16 

31      

28     

nfl      1 

....    '■■■■■■! 

1 

10      

1 

1 

I 

r 



3 

1 

i 

1 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

1 

1 

'  Cholera  Asiatica 

55 

9 



43      

16     

27 
13 

8 
4 

12 

1 

Diseases    of   tlir    organs 

1 

1...    . 

connected  wiili  ihe  di- 
gestive system. 

1 

1 

Hfjialitis  acuta    

!  ^  ■ 1  ^ 

1 

16 
44 

.    .      .    12 

2      13 

1 

S     

9     

, 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system  ....... 

3 

4 
73 

17      

1    

09 



29      86 

80      

1 

44 

7 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 
2 

1      7 

1      1 

1      5 

8 

9 

1 

2 

1 

10 
2 

1 

f 

13 

I      

10 
9 
2 

5 

4 

1      

Diseases  uf  the  brain  and 

nervous  system. 

3 

1 

{ 



1     :     1 

1 
3 

in 
1 
a 

5      

8      

3      

5 

1 

Diseases  of  the  urinarj- 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases    of  the    serous  ^ 
and  cxhalent  vessels,     i 

S 

1 
6 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

11 

1       4 

1 
1 

9     

1    



1 

2 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  ] 

9     

9 

12 

44 

8 



10 

1 
23 

1 
25 

5 

3 

muscular  structures. 

f 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  ^ 
[ 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

19 
1 

16 
7 

29 

25      

rhleginon  Pl  abscessus 

Ulcus 

2 
3 
2 
37 
1 

9 
1 

27 
9 
2 

15 



11      

10      

1      

44      

8 



44    ' 

2 

1 
1 

10 
8 
3 
2 

;;;;;.' 

6 



Wounds  and  injuries 

_ 

14      

10      

1 

7 
12 

7 

5 



10 

7 

5 
5 

3 

4 



1 

1 

'  Dehiliias 

3 
12 
•     1 
1 
4 
12 



1 
13 

1 
1 

Elmetas 

17    1 3 

5    1 '      1 

1 

3 
2 

1 
10 
6 

Miscellaneous .| 

3 

7 

■     .            *• 

:Morlii  oculi 

1 

13 

1 
14 



2      

1 

"  1 :  '-    

22 

23 

14      

1            Toul 

,474      '   M-l           I 

386     '        1         -TfiB             9        ■■'47              1 

330    1      2 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR— WE.ST. 


201 


FIRST  aUAKTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

BTKESGTH. 

472.                  341.         i          116. 

198. 

430. 

2S9. 

450. 

277. 

447. 

358. 

5,647. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

I           1           ■ 
Died.  Cases.'  Died.  Cases,,  Died. 

'        !        i        1 

Case3.  Died. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

1 

4 

241 

401 

4 

23 

2 

8 

3 

1 

3 

6 

306 

87 

5 

4 

8 

1 
60 
64 

1 

44 
2 

14 
15 

4 
13 



U 
2 

2 

7 

4 
19 
1 

1     - 

25 



14      

47     

4 

31 

o 

3 

1 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 



2 



1 
2 



1 

": 

i 

1 

I 

6 
43 

2 

; 

2 

'    i 

1 
2 

7 

24 

34 

1 
2 

12 
6 
2 

15 
5 



11 
9 
2 

1 

n 

18 

2 

2 

: 

1 

1 

1 

■ 

2 

2     1 

1 
1 

] 

1 

:::::■  ■:::"j:'-"" 

1 
19 
6 

1 
15 

7 
68 

8 



3    i 

U 
23 

1 

20 

1 

1     10 

1     11 

! 

1 
8 
2 
12 

1 
1 
2 

1 

1 

1 
11 

1 
4 



2 

9 

10 

23 

5 
1 

3 

4 

116    I 

i  ' 

3     

1     

83     



174               1 
86    :          1 

••••••!  !  "i • 

5 

1 

75 

1 

2 

22 

1 
1 

1 

21 

1 

656 

5 

63 

29 

10 

"  i 

'  i 

6      

3 

1     I-- 

2 

2 

1 



1 

1      .-! 

3 

1 

1 

3 

5 

;  5 

2 

1 

U    1 

6 

1 

6      

2 

7 

5 

1 
1 
1 
1 
6 

5 
2 

2 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 
1 

1 

4 
10 

80 
37 
5 
15 
14 

1 
2 

I 

1 

1 

3 

1 

3 

1 
3 

1 

3 

2 

1 

6 

2 

51      

1 

5      

1 

1     1                  1 

1 

1           1 

6      



1 
3 

1 

1 
1 

_ 

1 

6    i 

2 

3 

2 



3    i 

1 
1 
1 
8 

46 

3 

7 

84 

3 

273 
3 

250 
87 
18 

418 
14 
17 

128 

105 
31 
22 
15 
14 

114 
23 
8 
87 
59 
14 

327 

"■■■■i:::::: 

::::;■;:::::  ::::::r::: 

2 

o 

40 

1 

S 
1 
16 



9 

24 

1 

14 

23 

2 

5 



23 

11 

11 

14 

15 
4 
3 

56 

■••*■• 

6 
3 

2 

4 
3 

17 
11 

1 
40 

3 

33 

1 
1 

23 
1 
3 

13 
7 

39 

8 

10 
2 
4 

14 

29 
5 

1 
36 

1 

S 
IS 

1 
24 

1 

..■>■• 

23 
1 

6 

2 

1 

1     17 

4 

2 
2 
13 

1 

4 
3 
3 
3 

11 

1 
1 

e 

9 

4 
1 
2 
6 
6 
3 
1 

1    14 

1      2 



1 
1 

11 
10 
3 

21 

7 
7 
3 

1 

1    ■ 

9 
1 
2 

1 
5 

1 

5 

1 

2 

18 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

7 

1 
8 

1 

10 
3 

1 

4 

1 
1 

14 
3 
1 
3 

1 

1 
1 

1 
2 

1 

2  • 
1 
13 

1 

5 

1 

3 

1 

12 
42 

1 

1 

4 

1 

24 

4 

8 

20 

24 

8 

3 

13 

1 

7 

4 

324 

1 

295    [      2 

66 

96 

5 

3M 

6 

206 

1 

284 

8 

204 

7 

341 

1 

316 

1 

4,573 

39 

96 26 


202 


REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

No.  5.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


SECOND  QUAKTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

338. 

141. 

300. 

297. 

420. 

466. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.               Cases. 

1 
Died.  Cases.l 

1         1        !         1        i 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Casts  1  Died.  Cases. 

1           1           1 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

1 

3 

63 

12     1 

S 
17 

7 
70 

1 
2 

48 
50 

58 
86 

11 
1 
5 

Fcbris  interniitlcns  quartana 

;....    1 

11 

2 

1 

3 

7 

2 

1 

::::::...... 1 

1 

40 

8 
21 

29 
19 

1 

29 
14 

17 
6 
1 
1 

1 

16     

Dyscntoria  acuta 

4 

Diseases  of  the   organs 

connected  with  the  di- 

2 

2 

1 
1 

11 

29 

2 

6 

1 

gestive  system. 

3 

17 

9 
12 

12 
11 

3 

11 
4 

39 
1 

10 
3 
3 
9 
1 
2 

1 

1 



13 
30 

24 

1 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

9 

2 

22 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

Pk'uritis  

3 



3 



4 
3 
4 

11 
8 
3 

10 

8  ! 

tory  system. 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

6 
10 

1 
6 

1 

15 
1 



14 
2 
3 
3 

7 

1 

1 

nervous  system. 

1 

1 
12 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

3 

1 

1 
1 

2 
11 

1 

1 
4 

.... 


3 

1 

Diseases  of  the  nrinary^ 

'  Syphilis  consecutiva 

6 

2 
1 

and  genital  organs. 

2 

1 i 

7 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  S 

exhalent  vessels. 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  J 

muscular  structures.      1 

Rhciimatismus,  acutus  ct  chronicus 

20 

4 

6 

14 

16 

26 

34 

7 

15 
11 

1 

34 

3 

1 

1 

5 

18 
9 

15 

3 

2 

■ . . . . 

Abscesses  and  ulcers.... 

Ulcus 

2 

28 
2 

1 

IS 

31 

34 

24 
2 

41 

1 

Luxatio 

Wounds  and  injuries 

1  Sub-luxatio 

5 
6 

4 
5 

19 
8 

3 

7 
5 
1 
3 

3 

13 

2 

1 
2 
4 

7 

1 



1 

1 

2 
4 
S 
2 

3 

5 

11 

1 

5 
2 

1 
2 

1 
1 
4 

t 

Hisccllnneous 

6 
14 

2 
23 

Morbi  nculi 

6 

6 

15     

1      

10    ; 

1 

10 
2 

18 

28 

8 

5 

ToLiI 

319 

178 

311 

1 

287 

368 

3 

428 

2 

1 

AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TEOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  I'HE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR.— WEST. 


203 


1 
SECOND  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

353. 

466. 

179.                 444. 

272.                  283.         i         357. 

1 

296. 

579.                   499. 

5,690. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

1 

1 
Died.  1 

1 
3ase«..  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.jCases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  ,Caacs.|  Died.  Cases.!  Died.  Cases.  Died.     ^|fj     Total 

1                          1                                                  !                          1                                                   III 

1 

8 

82 

106 

2 

1 

1 

12 

481 

817 

8 

42 

2 

15 

66 

7 

88 

619 

134 

3 

6 

14 

3 

164 

^6 

70 

1 

:""::::::i;:::::'::::"i 

1 

1 
29 
82 

1 

36 
49 
2 
2 

28 
16    , 

10 

61 

....       -----I 

1 
i 

15    , 

8 

' 

19 

26    ' 
3 

1 

33      

30      

1 

9 
lis 

28 
83 

2 

1 

12 

2    i 3    1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

SO 

16 

3 

3 

7 
43 
73 

5 

1 

21 

:::::;:::::i 

36 

77 

4 

19 

1 

2 
20 
12 

2 

1 

7 

125 

6 

a 

44 

12 

8 

38 

25 

6      

2      

SI 

1 

1 

1 

27 
3 

1 

51 

4 

I 
3 

3 

1 

^     I 

1 

1 

2     1 
4 

::"a:::::i 

3 

1                      1 

1 ' 

1 
1 

57 

1 

1 

19 
10 

9 

16 
4 

18 

3 

40 

U 

1 

1 
8 
2 
5 

17 
6 
3 

32 
3 

16 
15 

8 
2 
92 

6 

11 

1 

"io"!::::::' 

9 

7 
4 

1 

23 

1 

4    1 

i        208 

1 

1       1 

1     I 

4 

1 

1 

3 

9 

2 

9   ! 

76 

27 

19 

112 

"    41 

IS 

11 

8 

ra 

13 
12 
49 
2 

1 

5 

,        K 

2 

B 
11 

1 
13 

2 

1 

7    : 

2     

"v:::':\ 

2 

1 
1 
6 
3 

3 

1 

1 

4 

1 
4 
2 

1 

1 

1 

3 

■'T':::::: 

7 
4 

2 

3 

1 
1 

2 

3 

1 



4 
1 
1 

3 

6 

1 

2 

7 

3 

2 
1 
11 

1 

1 

1 



2 
5 

1 
1 
5 

1 
2 

5 
2 

1      

2 
2 

2 

2 
1 

2 

2 

3 





1 
4 



4 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
4 



1 

6 

1 

1 

6 

3 

I 

2 

1 

3 

3 

3 
3 

309 

1 

230 

98 

14 

3 

401 

20 

13 

3 

103 

74 

60 

19 

1 
17 

1 



1 
7 



IS 

6 

8 

6 

8 

18 



22 





16 
1 

17 
13 

5 

15 
3 
1 

31 
2 
2 
3 
5 
3 
1 
2 

6 

1 
1 
20 
1 
8 

5 
2 

7 
4 
3 

11 
8 

17 
5 

22 
6 
2 

10 

4 

8 
3 

1 



8 

9 
2 

1 

1 

1       ■■■ 

22 
6 

27 

24 
2 

15 

34 
1 

38 

1 

1 



1 

1 

7 
8 
3 

...... 

9 

1 
1 
1 
1 

9 
2 
11 
2 
1 
3 
3 
1 
1 
2 
11 
6 
33 





2 

8 
7 
17 
2 

25 
2 

15 
3 

1 

4 
4 
1 

1 



1 

1       1      

:  i 

1 

i 

i 

3 

1 

1 

'       2 

9 

1 
2 

1 

9      

2 
15 
3 

1 

1 

2 
11 

1 

33    , 

9 

1 

2 

i 

1       ■■>      

6 
S 

.... 

2 
1 

81 
19 
4 
16 
112 
27 

1       1     ' 

1 
5 

4      

1 

1 
S 

3 

2      

1     1 

7 
5 

i 

1 

1 

7 
1 
7 

285 

4 

7 
24 

5 
2 
11 

8 



17 

25 

18 

.       5      

4 

17 

353              1 

320 

4 

458 

2 

131 

1     '  348          6 

22 

252 

' 

445    '     21     1  355           6 

1 

367          2 

503          4 

'   5.053    !        75 

204 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  5.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


THinD  aUARTEIt. 

1839.           1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Mean  strength 

318. 

260. 

282. 

430. 

445. 

363. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

2 

a 

4 

1 

139 

84 

6 

1 

1 

1 
97 
45 

Fcbris  intermittens  quotidiana 

Fcbris  intermittens  tertiana 

115 

22 

22 

3 

9 



10 
21 
2 
24 

50 
13 

15 

3 

2 

I. 

Ervsipcliis 

6 

1 

1 

1 

f 

Diarrhcca 

83 

50 

76 

1 

73 

50 

37 

19 

29 
7 

21 
21 

Diseases   of  the  organs 

connected  with  the  di-. 

Enteritis 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  acuta 

2 

1 

2 
2 

60 

1      1 

6 
24 

16 

45 

1 

8 

j    18 

i     )5 

9 

17 

21 
21 

All  other  disrascs  of  this  system 

6 

1 
1 

1 

15 

6 

'  187 

13 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 
2 
1 

Plcuritis 

4 
4 
2 
14 
6 

4 

5 

10 

Pneumonia 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Cephalalgia 

21 

2 
10 

3 

12 
4 
2 

13 
2 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and. 

Epilepsia 

1 

1 
2 
1 
1 

nervous  system. 

1 

1 
11 

All  other  diseases  of  tliis  system 

2 

1 

1 

5 
3 
2 
2 
4 

7 

3 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

Syphilis  primitiva 

3 

and  genital  organs. 

1 
1 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class. . . 

S 

5 

Diseases    of  the    serous  ( 
and  e.xhalent  \'cssels.     ^ 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  J 

2 

1 

1 

1 

Podagra 

muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  ehronicus 

Fistula  

12 

16 

1 
74 
19 

1 

12 

15 

9 

24 

Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . .  ■ 

26 
2 

43 

11 

43 

17 
13 

9 

1 
1 

Ulcus  

4 

1 

Ambustio 

1 
16 

1 
32 

2 
2 
8 
4 
1 
2 
7 

12 
4 

1 

Contusio 

17 

24 

.w 



22 
3 

Fractura 

3 

Sub-luxatio 

11 
6 

17 
13 

1 

10 
10 

1 
4 
2 
5 

Vulnus  incisum 

14 

Vulims  laceratuni 

9 

Vulnus  punctum 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Debilitas 

7 



2 
9 

12 
2 
1 
1 
4 

4 
6 

T  :::::. 

Hernia 

Morbi  cutis 

2 



2 
2 
13 

1 

Miscellaneous ^ 

1 

3 

4     (. 

10 
6 

Morbi  oeuli 

22      19 

.....i::::"i 

( 

All  other  diseases 

47 

8 

1 

17 1    Qn 

1 

23     

14 

Total 

I 

426 

2 

486 

1 

466 

3     1  dttR 

3 

636           ^ 

421 

1 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TEOOPS  AT  POST'S  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR— WEST. 


205 


THIBO  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853.           1854. 

STRENGTH. 

S78. 

128. 

171. 

174. 

275. 

156. 

298. 

347. 

309.                  338. 

4,572. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.!  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.!  Died. 

i 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

1 

1 

252 

99 

1 
18 

7 

7 

1,123 

666 

18 

152 

3 

1 
81 
51 

3 

74 
113 

62 

42 

1 

35 

8 
13 

1 

7 
16 

33 

10 
4 
18 



87 
47 

75 

58 

11 
33 



i 

4 

2    I-- 

9 



8 

8 

3 

.... 

... 

1 

i 

8 

46 

31 

676 

272 

6 

3 

7 

3 

179 

261 

14 

268 

8 

35 

22 

6 

109 

31 

8 

6 

19 

42 

14 

5 

30 

S 

7 

1 

43 

1 

15 
84 
2 

1 

5 
1 

11 

39 

1 

6 

1 

5 

48 
6 
4 

3 
2 

14 

20 
11 

21 
12 

26 

14 



26 
2 

38 

8 



37 
35 

44 
8 

4 

2 

1 

1 

1 
11 

20 

8 

1 
5 

4 
10 

7 

21 

1 



18     

6      

1     ' 

26 
3 

5 
3 

1 

5 

8 
2 
3 

5 
2 
5 

1 
1 

8     

2    ' 

1     ' 

............ 

2 
1 
1 

11      

5 

1 

1 

3 
3 

2 

1 

2 
13 

1 
2 
1 
3 



1     ' 

1 
1 
5 

1 

5 
1 

3 

8 

7    1 

4    i 

5 

4 

1 

. 

5 
2 

1 
1 

2     

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 
2 

3     

2 

1 

3          1 
5     

1 
1 

1 
1 

3 

4 

3 

_ 

1 
1 

...| 

1 

5 

1 

2 
2 



I 

2 

1      

3 ; 

2 

1 

1      

3 

4 

1 

1 

1 





1 

10 

4 

1 

7      

5 

6 

4 

9 

7 

1 

16 

4 

'■ 

7 
1 

19 
4 

1 

148 

3 

296 

90 

12 

1 

2 

265 

12 

3 
78 
78 
60 
18 

7 
28 
97 
34 

7 
38 
97 

2 
■  1 
205 

5 
11 

4 

1      

2  ' 

9 

n 

4 

• 

10 
2 

10 

10 
6 

1 

2 

1      

1 



::::::!:::::;::;::::::: 

6 

6 

U 

8 

10 



10 
2 

7 



12 
2 

18 

3 

14 



:::::j 

1 
1 
2 
2 

9 
4 
4 
1 

2 

3 
2 
5 

1 
1 

6 
2 
3 

1 





1 

2 

1 
6 

3 
2 
13 
3 

4 

3 

10 

1 

7 
5 

1 

2 

j 

4 

1 

2 

1 

( 

... 

2 
6 
2 

2     

4     

1 
2 
1 

5 

4 



1 
2 

1 

1 

2 

2 

6 

1 

4 

5 

2 

1 

3 

4 

1 
3 

1 
1 

1 



1 
2 

1 

, 

2 
3 



3 

6 

1  ! 

3     

4 
7 



1 

7 

1 

1 
9 

1 



1 

11 

8    ! 

14 

8 

7     

3      

5      

7 

'      4 

1 

3 

528 

215    1 

296 

130 

1 

236 

8 

203 

8 

354    1       6 

318     1 

3^13      '  2>0 

2 

5,676    1        37 

206 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  5.— ABSTRACT  01'  THK  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839.            1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843.           1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

279. 

321. 

389. 

433.                  510. 

485. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  Coses. 

1 

Died. 

Coses. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

2 

15 

8 
11 
79 

1 
103 
30 

1 

146 
55 

1 

1 

106 

Fevers ' 

Febris  intermittens  tcrliana , 

Febris  intermittens  quartana 

58 

14 

1 
10 



51 

33    1      1 

2 

Ervsipc'l'i'j 

2     

1 

1 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

^ 

68 
1 

53 
33 

27 
18 

37 
4 

1 

24 
6 

18 
6 

Diseases    of  the    organs 

1 

1 
1 

connected  with  tlic  di- ' 

;   Hepatitis  acuta 



1 

gcsiive  system. 

2 
17 
32 

1 

1 

1 
4 

2    ! 

n    

9 
20 

16 

18 

AM  other  diseases  of  this  system 

21 

20      

"ey" .;:.:: 

63 

53 

48 
1 
1 
2 
1 

11 
3 

37 

2 
10 
9 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

Pkiiritis 

4 
1 

a 

5 

1 
1 

5 
2 

1 

6 

I  All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

9 

4 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and. 
nervous  system. 

1 

1 
1 
2 
2 

1 
1 

2 

1 
7 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 
4 

I 

1 
4 

1 

6 

1 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

1 

and  genital  organs. 

2 
4 

1 
5 

Diseases    of  the    serous  r 
and  exhalent  vessela.    t 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

muscular  structures. 

I 

6 

2 

2 

3 
2 



1 

1 

1 
17 

6 

Uheimialismus,  ncutus  et  chronicus 

14 

12 

15 

16 

14 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

rhIcKinoii  ct  abscespus 

Ulcus 

10 
6 



44 
11 

4 
32 

2 

..*.. 

27 
13 
2 

19 

18 

13 

1 

32 

13 

27 

14 
5 
1 

50 

1 
1 

11 

30 
2 
2 

5 
14 
18 

Wouads  and  injuries.... 

7 
4 



13 
5 

5 
4 

10 
9 

13 
6 
3 
2 

23 

1 

3 

10 
2 
2 
1 
1 

15 
3 
1 
9 

1 
2 

Debilitas 

!:::::: 

2 

1 
2 

1 
10 
1 
1 
2 
16 

4 

i 

4 

1 
6 
2 

1 

Miscellaneous 

11 

12 

R 

11 

1 

;       1 

33      

19 

1 

7 

17 

i    - 

Total 

I320J      X 

465 

2 

385 

..... 

395 

3 

528 

1 

427 

1 

AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    THE   MIDDLE   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  MIDDLE  INTERIOR— WEST. 


207 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849.             1850. 

,  1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

353. 

121. 

225. 

sou. 

218. 

456. 

273. 

406. 

390. 

308. 

5,367. 

Cases. 

Died.  ( 

images. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Dasea. 

Died. 

Cases. 

1 
Died.  Cases. 

I 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  < 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     Total 
cases.  I  died. 

1 

• 

1 

21 

79 

2 

1 

1 
48 
19 

1 

13               1 

276 
87 
3 
2 

62 
40 

22 

30 

3 

1 

5 

20 
12 

37 

1    15 

103 
61 

26 
45 

1,001     

675    ' 

1 

10      

3 

1 

1 
2 
1 

!      4 

1 
7      

5 

67               1 

5      

1 

t 

1 

8      

j 

1            1 

■ 

1 

1      

1 

U 
1 

3 

1 

22 
3 

18 
4 

17 

1 

::::: 

63 
12 
5 
1 

37 

51 

24 

3 

37 
16 

1 

73 

559               1 
130               1 

8      

3      

2 

1 

1 

6      

1 
1 
3 

4      

2 

7 

2 
2 

7 
6 
11 
15 

8 
5 
9 
2 

2 

17 

2 

60 

1 

13 

4 

1 

6 

4 

2 

13 

1 
48 
1 
1 
8 
2 

1 

13 
3 

28 
5 
1 
1 



114      

1 

1 

152 

98 

451 

6 

59 

25 

4 

57 

18 

8 

9 

16 

45 

4 

5 

9 

33 

4 

4 

35 

1 

213 

28 

1 

9 

30 

12 

3 

2 

1 

2 

3 
2 

1 

2 

4 

2 
1 

1 

3 

4 
4 
2 
1 
2 
1 

3 

1 

2 
1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

2 
1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

1 
2 
1 
2 

1 

1 

2 

1 
3 

...... 

2 
3 

3 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 
2 

1 
2 

1 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

1 
1 
2 

1 

1 



13 

1 
1 

1 

3 

8 

9 

1 

5 

4 

24 

2 

16 

27 

22 

15 

13 
4 
1 

21 

1 

4 

5 
6 

7 

4 

1 

21 

22 
5 
2 

22 
1 

23 
7 
1 

13 
2 

12 
6 

18 
2 
1 

23 

12 
18 
3 
15 

14 
6 

255 

133 

18 

348 

9 

6 

5 

137 

93 

82 

16 

10 

20 

71 

27 

9 

32 

81 

a 

K4 

1 
5 

16 

3 

35 

' 

1 

1 

1 

12 

4 
4 

1 

4 

4 

1 

10 

1 

6 
5 
4 
2 
1 
2 

a 

3 

6 
11 
2 

...... 

28 
3 

21 
S 

19 
5 

14 
1 
3 
2 



1 

2 

4 

3 

21 
2 

1 

1 

1 
8 
2 

1 
1 

1 
1 

3 
1 
3 

2 
I 
3 
i 
3 
5 

2 

2 

S 

4 

1 
1 
4 

1 

1 

7 

2 

2 

1 

5 

4 

4 

1 
5 

33 

10 

1 

10 

7 

16 

5 

1 

9 

19 

3 

548 

129 

160 

2 

144 

174      

299 

a 

329 

388 

390 

2 

346 

a 

5,427             16 

j 

SOUTHERN  DIVISION. 


SOUTH  ATLANTIC  KEGION. 


This  region  represents  that  portion  of  the  Atlantic  coast  lying  between  the  30th  and  35th 
degrees  of  latitude.  It  includes  four  military  stations — Forts  Macon,  Johnston,  and  Moultrie, 
and  Oglethorpe  Barracks. 

FORT  MACON. 

Fort  Macon,  the  most  northern  of  this  class,  is  situated  on  the  point  of  Bogue  island,  near 
Beaufort,  North  Carolina,  in  latitude  34°  41',  longitude  76°  40';  having  an  altitude  of  40  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  ocean,  to  which  it  is  directly  exposed.  Since  1839  it  has  been  only  occa- 
sionally occupied  by  troops,  and  since  1849  has  been  abandoned. 

FORT  JOHNSTON. 

Fort  Johnston  is  situated  in  the  town  of  Smithville,  North  Carolina,  immediately  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  three  miles  from  the  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  river,  latitude  34°,  longitude  78°  5'. 
There  are  some  marshy  lands  within  the  distance  of  half  a  mile.  Since  1839  this  post  has  been 
garrisoned  at  irregular  intervals. 

OGLETHORPE  BARRACKS. 

This  military  post  is  in  the  suburbs  of  Savannah,  which  is  distant  about  12  miles,  in  a  direct 
line,  from  the  ocean.  Situated  upon  a  sandy  plain,  elevated  about  40  feet  above  low-water 
mark,  this  city  stands  upon  the  southern  side  of  the  river  of  the  same  name.  This  ridge  extends 
upwards  of  a  mile  along  the  river,  terminating  abruptly.  At  the  depth  of  twenty  or  thirty 
feet,  fine  water  is  obtained.  The  city  is  bounded  on  the  east  and  west  by  alluvial  soil,  called^ 
in  the  language  of  the  country,  tide  swamp;  being  subject  to  inundations  by  the  ordinary  spring 
tides.  It  is  consequently  well  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  rice.  The  city,  divided  by  numerous 
and  wide  streets  intersecting  each  other  at  right  angles,  is  open  and  spacious  ;  and,  being  planted 
with  the  pride  of  India  (vielia  azedarach),  the  long-continued  heats  of  summer,  moderated  by 
the  sea-breeze,  prove  less  oppressive  than  in  some  more  northern  towns. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  MOULTRIE.  <» 
By  Surgeon  John  B.  Porter  :  1854. 

In  the  report  of  sick  for  Fort  Moultrie  for  the  quarter  ending  December  31st,  1852,  no  re- 
marks were  made  in  relation  to  the  severe  epidemic,  (yellow  fever,)  for  the  reason  that  it  was 
intended  to  give  a  full  account  of  the  disease,  both  at  Fort  Moultrie  and  on  Sullivan's  island; 
and  I  now  proceed  to  the  undertaking. 

•*  Upon  an  examination  of  the  material  relating  to  the  diseases  of  the  army,  which  had  accumulated  in  the  Surgeon  Gen. 
eral's  office  during  the  period  included  in  this  report,  it  was  found  necessary  to  exclude  certain  portions,  in  order  to  confine 
this  work  within  reasonable  limits.  It  was  therefore  determined  to  discard  the  numerous  special  reports  of  medical  and 
surgical  cases  of  "unusual  interest,"  and  to  omit  the  details  of  cases,  tabular  reports  of  sick,  and  registers  of  meteorologi- 
cal observations,  when  forming  part  of  the  reports  on  the  topography  and  diseases  of  the  several  stations. 

This  report,  however,  constitutes  an  exception  to  that  rule  ;  and  necessarily  so,  for  the  reason,  that  the  cases  form 
6.  96 27 


210  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

In  large  cities,  it  is  often  difBcult  to  trace  the  origin  of  disease;  Lut  in  small  places,  where 
the  movements  of  every  person  can  be  easily  known,  the  facts  are  often  so  evident  that  little 
doubt  exists  in  relaf  ion  to  its  causes.  This  is  especially  the  fact  in  relation  to  the  yellow  fever 
of  1852,  on  Sullivan's  Island  and  at  Fort  Moultrie  ;  the  movements  of  every  person  attached  to 
the  garrison,  in  any  sort  of  capacity,  being  easily  traced  at  the  commencement  of  the  epidemic. 

Sullivan's  Island  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  small  bay  which  forms  Charleston  harbor, 
making  a  part  of  it,  the  west  end  or  cove  being  between  four  and  five  miles  from  the  city  of 
Charleston,  extending  to  the  east  about  three  miles,  and  being  from  one  quarter  of  a  mile  to 
one  and  a  half  or  two  miles  in  breadth.  It  is  a  sandy  island,  and  is  but  slightly  elevated  above 
the  level  of  the  sea ;  severe  storms  having  been  known  to  carry  the  waves  over  it  so  as  almost 
to  submerge  it.  Boats  have  been  rowed  from  Fort  Moultrie  down  Middle  street,  and  the  resi- 
dents of  the  island  were  obliged  to  shelter  themselves  in  the  fort.  The  superficial  geology 
and  medical  topography,  sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes  to  the  physician,  is  soon  given: 
sand  on  the  surlace,  and  black  sand  or  mud  below  this.  In  dry  seasons,  water  is  found  from  a 
few  inches  to  two  or  three  feet  beneath  the  surface ;  and  in  wet  seasons,  the  whole  island,  ex- 
cept the  hills  of  sand-drift,  seems  to  be  nearly  imder  water.  From  the  main  land  on  the  north, 
the  island  is  separated  by  a  channel  about  one-half  or  three-fourths  of  a  mile  wide,  which  is 
nearly  fordable  at  low  water. 

Fort  Moultrie  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  island,  on  the  main  channel  or  entrance  into  Charles- 
ton harbor,  being  nearly  one  mile  from  the  cove,  and  between  five  and  six  miles  from  the  city 
of  Charleston.  Charleston  (St.  Michael's  church)  is  in  latitude  32°  46'  33"  N.;  longitude  79° 
57'  27"  W.  The  fort,  according  to  the  army  report  of  1840,  is  in  latitude  32°  42'  N.;  longi- 
tude 7'J°  56'  W.  By  the  observations  of  the  Coast  Survey,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  Fort  Moultrie 
is  situated  in  latitude  32°  46'  N. ;  longitude  79°  46'  W.  The  fort  is  surrounded  on  three  sides 
by  the  village  of  Moultrieville — a  resort  in  the  summer. 

"  To  prove  that  yellow  fever  can  be  imported  into  a  place,  I  should  take  an  island  in  the 
middle  of  the  ocean;  I  would  surround  it  with  other  islands  possessing  the  same  characters  of 
climate  and  soil,  and  peopled  by  the  same  race.  I  would  have  this  island  healthy  for  at  least 
fifty  years.  Then  I  would  have  arrive  at  it  a  ship  scourged  with  yellow  fever;  this  ship  should 
implore  succor,  and  it  should  be  granted ;  yet,  as  a  wise  precaution,  some  kind  of  quarantine 
should  be  established.  Of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  island,  some  few  only  should  be  brought 
into  the  immediate  presence  of  the  sick.  Within  the  period  fixed  by  experience  as  the  stage  of 
incubation  of  this  disease,  one  or  two  of  these  few,  and  these  only,  should  begin  to  suffer  from 
the  same  disease ;  then  from  these  suiferers  the  disease  should  gradually  spread  as  from  a  cen- 
tre, until  the  whole  island  was  infected.  While,  however,  this  one  island  was  thus  ravaged, 
the  adjoining  islands,  which  the  infected  vessel  had  not  visited,  should  remain  perfectly  free,  in 
order  to  prove  that  there  was  no  (so  styled)  epidemic  constitution.  Then,  if  all  these  condi- 
tions were  fulfilled,  I  would  confess  that  yellow  fever  may  be  contagious,  and  can  be  imported." 
(Brit,  d-  For.  Med.  Chir.  Rev.,  Oct.  1852,  p.  215.) 

The  same  review  vouches  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  supposed  circumstances  at  Boa  Vista, 
even  to  the  health  "^tor  at  least  fifty  years;"  for  "no  epidemic  has  ever  been  recorded  until 
this."  If  Boa  Vista,  situated  within  the  tropics,  in  latitude  16°  5'  north,  has  been  without  an 
epidemic  fever  fifty  years  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  "Eclair,"  Sullivan's  Island,  more  than 
32°  north  of  the  equator,  and  more  than  9°  north  of  the  tropic  of  Cancer,  must  be  still  more 
salubrious;  for  "no  epidemic  has  ever  been  recorded;"  and  there  has  been  so  much  said  about 

an  essential  part  of  the  history  of  the  epidemic  which  Surgeon  Porter  descrihes.  Tlie  original  report  cites,  in  more  or  less 
of  detail,  111  cases,  and  gives  abstracts  of  the  meteorological  observations  at  Fort  Moultrie  for  the  years  1849,  1850,  1851, 
1852,  and  1853.  To  publish  the  whole  entire,  would  occupy  more  space  than  can  be  commanded  for  that  purpose.  To  de- 
cide what  cases  should  be  withheld  from  publication,  was  embarrassing.  The  endeavor  has  been  to  retain  those  most  inti- 
mately connected  with  the  origin  and  early  progress  of  the  epidemic,  or  which  peculiarly  serve  to  illustrate  the  treatment. 
The  cases  are  numbered  as  in  the  original  report. — C. 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION.  211 

its  salubrity;  its  health  is  annually  announced  with  such  a  flourish  of  trumpets  by  the  Charles- 
ton newspapers  and  their  correspondents ;  and  the  Army  Medical  Statistics  have  been  so  often 
invoked  in  its  favor,  that,  for  all  epidemics,  in  all  time,  some  arrival  from  Castle  Pinckney,  or 
Charleston;  some  "Bann,"  or  "Eclair,"  will  surely  be  found  to  convey  tlie  "germ  of  conta- 
gion" to  this  favored  spot,  which,  left  to  itself,  would  have  never  known  disease  or  death.  A 
brief  medical  history,  therefore,  of  Sullivan's  Island,  previous  to  the  epidemic  yellow  fever  of 
1852,  may  be  acceptable. 

There  appears  to  be  three  classes  of  advocates  for  the  salubrity  of  Sullivan's  Island: 

1.  Those  wlio  assert  that  no  disease  can  originate  on  the  island. 

2.  Those  who  assert  that  no  fever  can  originate  on  the  island. 

3.  Those  who  assert  that  yellow  fever  cannot  originate  on  the  island. 

It  is  proposed  to  show  that  several  diseases  may  originate,  and  have  originated,  on  Sullivan's 
Island — as  cholera  infantum,  dysentery,  intermittent  fever,  remittent  i'ever,  and  yellow  fever. 

Dr.  Strobel,  of  Cliarleston,  a  strong  advocate  of  the  transmissibility  of  yellow  fever — in  other 
words,  a  strong  contagionist — gives  the  following  account  in  his  Essay: 

"Sullivan's  Island  is  a  mere  sand-bank,  free  from  ponds,  marshes,  and  vegetation,  constantly 
expjsed  to  the  refreshing  breezes  of  the  sea,  and  resorted  to  by  strangers  and  persons  of  leisure 
as  a  delightful  retreat  from  the  noise  and  bustle  of  the  city.  Now,  according  to  the  reasoning 
of  our  adversaries,  it  is  impossible  that  yellow  fever  can  be  generated  tlicre  from  local  causes. 
Yet  instances  are  on  record  of  its  having  prevailed  there  epidemically  in  1817;  and,  if  we  mis- 
take not,  a  number  of  cases  occurred  in  1838-'39.  [Dr.  Strobel's  note:  'We  are  permitted  to 
cite  one  case,  that  of  a  young  lady,  who  came  from  the  country,  and  proceeded  to  Sullivan's 
Island  before  the  fever  prevailed  in  Charleston.  She  took  the  fever  and  was  very  ill.']  Be  this 
as  it  may,  we  cannot  be  mistaken  as  to  the  occurrences  of  1817,  for  we  distinctly  recollect  that 
an  attempt  was  then  made  to  attribute  the  fever  to  some  local  cause,  such  as  a  gutter,  or  a 
small  pond.  The  yellow  fever  had  not  prevailed  in  Charleston  from  the  year  1807  up  to  this 
time,  a  period  often  years.  Upon  the  revival  of  commerce,  however,  at  the  close  of  the  war  of 
1812^  a  sudden  irruption  of  yellow  fever  took  place,  at  a  time  when  the  city  was  filled  with 
strangers.  Sullivan's  Island  was  then  considered  as  a  safe  retreat  from  the  fever,  and  a  very 
large  number  of  persons  went  there  in  hopes  to  avoid  it ;  many  of  them  were  in  indigent  circum- 
stances, and,  of  course,  crowded  together  in  narrow,  confined  apartments.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, the  fever  was  transmitted  from  Charleston  to  that  place,  and  many  persons  died  of  it. 
*  *  *  Many  persons,  arriving  in  our  harbor,  and  learning  the  condition  of  the  city,  proceeded 
from  the  vessels  immediately  to  the  island,  where  they  sickened  and  died.'" — Pages  200,  201. 

In  1824  yellow  fever  again  prevailed  on  Sullivan's  Island.  "On  referring  back  to  182'1,  it 
is  found  that,  whilst  this  disease  prevailed  with  great  malignity  in  the  city,  not  more  than 
twelve  cases,  none  of  which  proved  fatal,  appeared  on  the  island,  in  a  strength  of  seventy." — 
{Army  Med.  Statistics,  p.  201.) 

From  the  foregoing  extract,  it  appears  that  the  yellow  fever  of  1824  was  much  milder  among 
the  troops  at  Fort  Moultrie  than  among  the  residents  of  the  island  without  the  fort.  In  cer- 
tain localities  the  fever  was  very  malignant,  and  many  deaths  occurred,  particularly  in  a  house 
now  owned  by  Mr.  0.  B.  Hilliard.  Since  that  fatal  epidemic,  this  lot  has  been  raised,  by 
several  hundred  cart-loads  of  sand,  and  the  residence  has  been  much  more  healthy  than  pre- 
viously, but  has  not  entirely  outlived  the  reputation  acquired  in  that  sickly  summer.  Indeed, 
the  whole  square,  or  block,  including  Mr.  Hilliard's  lot,  from  Accommodation  street  on  the 
east,  to  Fort  street  on  the  west,  and  from  Middle  street  on  the  south,  to  the  back  beach  on 
the  north,  was  greatly  afflicted  with  malignant  fever  during  the  epidemic  summer  of  1824,  and 
the  whole  island  was  more  or  less  sickly. 

"In  the  3d  quarter  of  1834,  there  are  five  cases  of  febris  icterodes  reported,  two  of  which 
proved  fatal.  Of  these  cases,  two  originated  in  Charleston,  and  the  other  three  at  Castle  Pinck- 
ney."—(^rm?/  Med.  Stat.,  p.  201.) 


212  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

We  will  transcribe  the  interesting  communication  of  Dr.  Eobert  Lebbj',  now  of  Charleston, 
to  Dr.  Strobel — interesting  in  relation  to  the  fevers  of  Sullivan's  Island,  and  other  points,  and 
in  connexion  with  tlie  subject  of  contagion: 

"Fort  Moultrie,  January  IG,  1840. 

"In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  requesting  any  information  in  my  possession 
relative  to  the  fever  which  has  prevailed  in  the  city  of  Charleston  and  its  vicinity  for  several 
seasons  past,  I  have  to  inform  you  that  the  first  cases  of  yellow  fever  came  under  my  notice  in 
August,  1827,  at  Fort  Johnson.  Three  men  belonging  to  a  company  of  United  States  artillery, 
stationed  at  that  post,  remained  a  night  in  the  city  during  the  existence  of  yellow  or  stranger's 
fever.  On  the  ninth  day  after,  they  were  attacked  with  the  disease,  within  a  few  hours  of  each 
other.  There  was  no  doubt  of  the  nature  of  the  disease,  it  being  a  fever  of  but  one  paroxysm, 
and  yielded  on  the  sixth  day,  favorably.  These  individuals  were  strangers  to  the  climate,  and 
had  never  been  here  before.  They  were  natives  of  Germany,  Ireland,  and  Massachusetts. 
They  were  not  removed  froTU  their  quarters  (the  hospital  at  the  time  being  out  of  repair);  and, 
during  the  period  of  their  sickness,  ten  or  twelve  men  slept  in  the.same  room  with  them,  who 
were  alike  strangers  to  the  climate,  yet  there  were  no  other  cases  of  disease  in  the  garrison. 
The  next  occurrence  of  the  disease  was  in  IBol,  at  Castle  Pinckney.  One  of  the  Irish  laborers 
died  in  the  city  of  supposed  yellow  fever.  This  was  an  intemperate  man.  Several  other  cases 
of  fever  occurred  afterwards  among  the  laborers,  who  were  brought  to  Fort  Johnson ;  but,  ac- 
cording to  my  humble  opinion,  they  proved  to  be  bilious  remittent  fever — were  treated  as  such, 
and  recovered. 

"In  1832,  the  disease  appeared  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  and,  from  two  or  three  of  the  first 
cases  being  traced  to  the  Irish  laborers  at  the  Castle,  it  was  supposed  to  have  originated  there ; 
and,  if  I  recollect  aright,  I  think  a  deputation  of  the  medical  members  of  the  board  of  health 
were  sent  over  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  the  cause  or  causes  of  its  origin.  It  was  ascribed  by 
those  gentlemen  to  a  quantity  of  shells  taken  from  the  adjacent  oyster-banks  for  the  purpose  of 
filling  up  the  parade-ground.  From  this  opinion,  however,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  so  highly 
respectable  a  source,  and  from  gentlemen  of  known  scientific  attainments,  I  diff"ered  at  the  time, 
with  due  deference  to  their  experience.  And  in  obedience  to  an  order,  I  examined  the  premises, 
and  was  of  opinion  that  the  causes  of  the  fever  were  the  opening  of  two  privies  in  the  north 
wall,  which  had  been  bricked  up  for  a  number  of  years ;  their  contents,  in  a  decomposed  state, 
taken  out  in  the  month  of  August,  and  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  sun  on  the  bank  near  by  ; 
together  with  the  exposure  of  the  lower  story  of  the  quarters  to  the  action  of  the  atmosphere, 
it  being  necessary  to  rip  up  the  floors,  which  had  sunk  down  to  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and 
had  remained  in  that  state  for  some  years.  It  will  also  be  recollected  that  this  fort  had  been 
used  for  some  time  previous  as  a  lazaretto.  The  exposure  of  a  surface  which  had  been  so  long 
protected  from  the  action  of  the  sun's  rays, — is  it  not  more  than  probable  that,  when  thus  ex- 
posed, the  exhalations  therefrom  would  engender  disease  of  some  kind?  In  this  instance,  like- 
wise, every  one  of  the  cases  brought  to  Fort  Johnson  was  bilious  remittent  fever.  Among  those 
attacked  were  Lieutenant  (now  Captain)  Brewerton,  the  master  carpenter,  two  masons,  and 
several  black  laborers.  Yellow  fever  prevailed  in  Charleston  that  season,  I  think,  to  some  ex- 
tent. The  venerable  Dr.  Philip  G.  Prisleau  attended  Captain  Brewerton  with  me  as  consulting 
physician,  who  may,  perhaps,  recollect  the  case. 

"The  next  occurrence  of  fever  under  my  notice,  and  which  was  confirmed  yellow  fever,  was 
in  September,  1838 — the  mate  of  one  of  the  lighters,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  about  eighteen 
years  of  age,  who  had  been  in  the  harbor  about  seven  or  eight  months.  He  slept  one  night  in 
the  city,  in  September;  on  the  fourth  day  he  sickened,  and,  although  he  was  among  children 
at  Sullivan's  Island,  and  others  who  were  liable  to  contract  the  disease,  no  other  instance  of  it 
occurred  in  the  family.     He  recovered. 

"The  next  occurrence  of  the  fever  was  on  the  16tli  June,  1839.     Capt.  K.,  of  United  States 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  213 

lighter  Valiant,  lying  in  the  cove  of  Sullivan's  Island,  was  taken  on  this  date.  He  reported 
at  the  hospital  of  Fort  Johnson.  This  man  had  not  been  in  the  city,  from  all  the  information 
I  could  obtain,  for  twelve  days,  at  least,  previous  to  his  attack.  From  the  history  he  gave  of 
himself,  and  the  symptoms  exhibited,  I  was  of  opinion  that  he  was  laboring  under  intermittent 
fever,  resembling  that  form  known  as  country  fever.  In  the  evening  there  was  a  distinct  inter- 
mission, the  fever  going  ofFwith  copious  i^erspiration.  Between  this  period  and  the  evening  of 
the  21st  there  were  two  distinct  paroxysms.  On  the  morning  of  the  22d  it  assumed  the  con- 
tinued form  ;  on  the  23d  he  commenced  ejecting  black  vomit,  bleeding  from  his  blisters,  mouth, 
and  rectum ;  and  on  the  24th  he  died. 

"The  next  case  admitted  was  on  the  20th  June,  from  the  lighter  Sea  Flower,  lying  at  the 
wharf  at  Fort  Johnson.  This  vessel  had  been  engaged  for  some  time  in  transporting  materials 
from  this  post  to  Fort  Moultrie.  The  captain  had  not  been  to  the  city  for  many  weeks.  His 
symptoms  were  exactly  like  the  first  at  its  commencement;  the  paroxysms  distinct,  assuming 
the  double  tertian  form,  and  going  off  in  profuse  perspiration,  occasioning  great  prostration;  it 
yielded  to  a  very  energetic  treatment,  although  there  was  great  gastric  inflammation,  and  some 
hemorrhage  from  the  bowels.  He  was  a  very  temperate,  regular  man  in  his  habits,  while  the 
former  was  the  reverse. 

"The  third  case  was  admitted  on  the  22d  June.  This  individual  was  sent  on  board  the 
Valiant  as  soon  as  her  captain  was  taken  sick,  to  relieve  him.  He  was  a  northerner  by  birth, 
in  high  health,  and  a  perfectly  temperate  man.  This  case  was  well  marked  yellow  fever  from 
its  commencement;  it  yielded  on  the  night  of  the  fifth  day,  and  he  recovered.  This  man  had 
been  frequently  to  and  from  the  city,  transporting  stone  to  the  breakwater.  On  the  next  day 
a  third  case  from  the  Valiant  was  brought  to  the  hospital;  this  was  a  black  man,  with  bilious 
congestive  fever ;  and  on  that  evening  another  black,  with  the  same  fever,  from  the  lighter 
Fame,  from  Charleston.  Immediately  after  the  admission  of  the  third  case  from  the  Valiant, 
I  addressed  a  note  to  the  commanding  officer,  expressing  my  suspicion  that  there  were  local 
causes  about  the  Valiant  calculated  to  generate  disease,  and  suggesting  to  him  the  propriety  of 
removing  her  crew  (who  were  northern  men)  immediately,  and  to  have  the  vessel  ventilated 
and  well  cleansed.  Captain  Harvey,  of  Charleston,  was  placed  in  command  of  her,  who  stated 
to  me  that  he  found  a  large  quantity  of  decomposed  cabbages  and  potatoes,  and  other  vegetable 
matter,  in  a  putrid  state,  in  her  lockers,  and  a  quantity  of  dirt  and  filth  between  her  ceiling. 
Several  of  the  negroes  engaged  in  cleaning  her  were  taken  sick  with  intermittent  and  conges- 
tive fever.  She  was  scuttled,  and  allowed  to  remain  full  of  water  for  some  days.  After  this 
she  was  pumped  out,  and  continued  perfectly  healthy  the  rest  of  the  season. 

"The  next  case  occurred  at  Fort  Moultrie — an  Irishman,  who  had  not  been  in  the  city  from 
May ;  this  occurred  the  latter  part  of  August.  On  the  18th  September,  the  assistant  of  Captain 
Bowman  was  taken  with  yellow  fever.  He  had  been  in  the  city  on  the  10th  and  Ifth;  he 
recovered.  On  the  20th,  Capt.  Bowman  was  taken  with  bilious  inflammatory  fever.  He  had 
not  been  from  Sullivan's  Island  during  the  season.  Several  other  cases  occurred  amons  the 
families  residing  back  of  the  fort.  While  they  assumed  a  continued  form  of  f?ver,  and  in  many 
of  their  symptoms  were  nearly  allied  to  yellow  fever,  it  was  very  doubtful  whether  they  could 
be  properly  placed  under  the  head  of  genuine  typhus  icterodes.  Many  cases  of  inflammatory  or 
broken-bone  fever  (so  called)  occurred  in  October  among  the  workmen. 

"In  reply  to  the  latter  part  of  your  letter,  'whether  they  (the  lighters)  did  not  communicate 
with  vessels  from  Havana  or  Matanzas  lying  at  the  quarantine  ground?'  I  have  taken  consider- 
able trouble  to  ascertain  this  fact,  from  every  source  that  a  correct  knowledge  of  facts  could  be 
derived ;  and  I  have  no  hesitation  in  asserting,  that,  with  one'exception,  there  never  was  any 
communication  with  the  quarantine  vessels  and  the  government  lighters,  or  with  any  one  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States.  The  exception  alluded  to  was  the  captain  of  the  steamer 
Sumpter;  on  one  occasion  he  sent  his  boat  on  board  the  John  C.  Calhoun,  some  days  after  she 
had  been  boarded  bv  Dr.  Simons.     No  ill  effects  resulted  from  it,  for  neither  of  the  negroes  tliat 


214 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


were  in  the  boat  was  sick  afterwards.  The  steamboat  continued  to  perform  her  repfular  duties 
between  the  city  and  fort  throughout  the  season,  and,  thoTigh  her  engineer  and  mate  were  entire 
strangers,  there  were  no  cases  of  fever  on  board. 

"I  liave  thus  endeavored  to  place  at  your  disposal  a  plain  statement  of  facts,  as  they  occurred, 
under  my  own  observation,  almost  from  the  commencement  of  my  professional  career.  I  have 
most  carefully  excluded  any  opinion  of  my  own  upon  the  contagiousness  of  yellow  fever,  or  that 
fever  which  has  prevailed  in  Charleston  for  the  last  two  seasons;  but,  in  conclusion,  pardon  me 
for  entertaining  the  idea,  at  the  same  time  expressing  it,  that  there  wore  siifficient  causes,  both 
local  and  general,  to  have  produced  an  epidemic  of  some  kind.  It  was  to  be  expected  from  the 
peculiarity  of  the  season  of  1838,  as  well  as  the  extreme  hot  sun  by  day,  in  the  latter  part  of 
May  and  beginning  of  June,  and  the  cold  northerly  winds  that  blew  by  night,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  summer  of  1839." — {Strobel  on  the  Traiismissibility  of  Yelloio  Fever,  pp.  190-196.) 

These  are  the  only  records  I  have  been  able  to  find  in  relation  to  the  epidemics  of  Sullivan's 
Island  during  the  pi-esent  century,  or,  indeed,  since  the  first  settlement;  and,  from  them,  two 
prominent  points  are  established:  that  yellow  and  other  fevers  did  originate,  from  1817  to  1839, 
at  Charleston,  Castle  Pincknej',  Sullivan's  Island,  and  on  board  lighters  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston ;  and  that  none  of  these  fevers  were  contagious. 
That  malignant  fever  originated  on  Sullivan's  Island,  in  some  of  these  years,  there  is  no  sort  of 
doubt. 

From  1839  to  1849  yellow  fever  did  not  appear  in  Charleston ;  but  in  the  autumn  of  the  last- 
named  year  the  disease  prevailed,  and  there  were  a  number  of  fatal  cases. 

Abstract  of  the  quarterly  reports  of  sick  at  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C.,for  the  year  1849. 


Jan 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Total. 

Deaths. 

Aggregate 

Mean  strengtu 

111 

103 

100 

99 

101 

98 

81 

58 

52 

59 

59 

58 

979 

DISEASES. 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 

3 

1 

1 

4 
8 

28 

10 

142 

1 

2 

4 

1 
5 

1 

6 

3 

19 

1 

1 

12 

.... 

1 

4 

7 

4 

2 

19 

1 
4 

2 
3 
5 

2 

12 

28 

11 

16 

8 

3 

Total 

35 

15 

13 

29 

15 

24 

27 

5 

10 

10 

10 

4 

197 

Average  mean  strength  for  the  year  :  Officers,  6.83  ;  enlisted  men,  74.75  ;  total,  81.  58. 

This  table  shows  the  health  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Moultrie  for  the  year,  diseases  strictly  cli- 
matic being  given,  and  "all  others."  But  there  was  much  more  disease  among  women  and 
children  than  appears  on  the  reports.  On  the  report  for  the  quarter  ending  September  30th, 
are  the  following  remarks:  "During  September  there  was  considerable  sickness ;  much  more 
than  appears  on  the  face  of  the  report,  as  a  large  number  of  women  and  children,  belonging  to 
the  post,  and  left  behind  by  troops  in  the  field,  were  present.  Their  diseases  were  principally 
intermittents  and  dysentery ;  the  last  severe  in  many  instances,  but  none  of  the  cases  were 
fatal."  In  the  report  for  the  quarter  ending  December  31st,  are  the  following  remarks:  "In 
October,  while  yellow  fever  prevailed  in  Charleston,  there  was  considerable  sickness  which  does 
not  appear  on  the  face  of  the  report,  being  among  females  and  cliildren — jirincipally  bowel  affec- 
tions.    November  was  more  healthy  thau  October,  and  December  still  more  healthy ;  though 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN  THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


215 


in  all  the  quarter  there  has  heen  more  sickness  than  appears  on  the  report."  It  is  to  be  re- 
gretted tliat  the  diseases  of  women  and  children  were  not  registered.  The  next  year  was  sickly, 
as  will  fully  aj)pear  hereafter. 

.  Abstract  of  quarterly  reports  of  sick  at  Fort  3Ioultrie,  S.  C,  for  1850. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April. 

May.  June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Total. 

Deaths. 

Aggregate 

1 

i 

strength. 

Mean  stkexgth 

59 

59 

55 

52 

48 

46 

44  \  44 

44 

44 

96    192 

1 

783 

i 

DISEASES. 

Febris  continua 

1 
1 

1 

Febris  quotidiana  intermittens 

! 

1 
1 

1 

2 

Febris  tertiana  intermittens i 

1 

1        1 

3 
39 
11 

4 
7n 

Febris  remittens 

11 

25 

2 

Diarrhoea 

1 

— 

1 

1 
1 
9 

2  1     6 

1 L... 

7  [  10 

Dys enteria  acuta 

1 
5 

1 

8 
8 

1 
1 

8 

i 

4 

9        5 

Total                    

9       i 

SI.'! 

10        17 

31 

3 

12      1' 

T?0               0    1 

Average  mean  strength  for  the  year  :  Officers,  6.41  ;  enlisted  men,  58.83  :  total,  65.24. 

Deaths,  2 — one  in  July,  from  convulsions  caused  by  obscure  disease  of  the  brain ;  one  in 
September,  from  apoplexy. 

Four  companies  of  the  2d  artillery  arrived  from  Florida  in  the  quarter  ending  31st  Decem- 
ber, (on  November  27,)  one  of  which  went  to  Castle  Pinckney;  and  from  this  date  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Moultrie  consisted  of  four  companies.  The  foregoing  tables  include  the  sick  properly 
belonging  to  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie,  the  rest  being  carefully  excluded ;  but,  as  these 
general  reports  and  tables  give  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  fevers  in  August  and  September,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  notice  the  epidemic  more  particularly. 

From  the  meteorological  tables  it  will  be  perceived  that  the  summer  of  1849  was  compara- 
tively cool  and  wet,  and  that  the  summer  of  1850  was  hot  and  dry ;  but  no  one  can  form  an 
idea  of  the  continued  and  intense  heat  during  the  summer  of  the  latter,  unless  he  had  been  a 
resident,  or  has  an  opportunity  to  study  the  daily  meteorological  observations  of  that  period. 
From  the  26th  day  of  June  to  the  8th  of  September  there  were  only  six  days  in  which  the  daily 
mean  of  the  thermometer  did  not  range  from  80°  to  90° ;  there  was  only  one  day  in  July  when 
the  daily  mean  of  the  thermometer  was  not  80°,  and  above;  there  were  only  five  days  in  Au- 
gu.st  in  which  the  daily  mean  was  not  80°,  and  above;  and  there  were  twelve  days  in  Septem- 
ber in  which  the  daily  mean  was  80°  and  above. 

In  July  the  thermometer  ranged  as  follows:  Sunrise,  from  74°  to  86°;  9,  a.m.,  from  80  to 
89;  3,  p.  m.,  from  81  to  95;  9,  p.  m.,  from  77  to  86. 

In  August:  Sunrise,  from  73  to  84;  9,  a.m.,  79  to  90;  3,  p.m.^  78  to  94;  9,  p.m.,  77  to  86. 

September:  Sunrise,  from  60  to  80;  9,  a.m.,  65  to  88;  3,  p.m.,  76  to  91 ;  9,  p.m.,  67  to  85. 

Health  of  Charleston  previous  to  the  epidemic. — Yellow  fever  in  the  autumn  of  1849 ;  scarla- 
tina and  other  eruptive  diseases  during  the  following  winter  and  in  the  si)ring  of  1850. 

Health  of  Sullivan  s  Island. — In  the  summer  of  1849,  bowel  aflections  and  intermittents. 
No  yellow  fever  in  the  fall  of  1849,  as  in  Charleston.  In  the  following  winter  there  were  catar- 
rhal aflections  and  diarrhoea,  especially  among  children.  Pertussis,  common.  In  April,  1850, 
scarlatina  was  introduced  from  Charleston,  and  a  nuuiber  of  severe  cases,  of  the  anginose  and 


216  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

maliguaiit  varieties,  occurred  in  tlie  montlis  of  April,  May,  and  June,  several  of  which  proved 
fatal.  The  clilorate  of  potassa  and  the  chlorine  mixture,  as  recommended  by  Watson,  were  tried, 
hut  witliout  the  least  benefit.  In  some  of  the  last  cases  inunction  was  tried,  as  1  thought,  with 
good  effect.  Olive-oil  was  used.  Oily  or  greasy  applications  to  the  surface  appear  to  act  by 
softening  and  preserving  the  cuticle;  the  action  of  the  skin  is  not  checked  as  when  the  cuticle 
dries,  cracks,  and  peels  off;  and,  in  consequence,  dro])sical  effusions,  the  most  dangerous  of  the 
sequels,  are  not  so  common,  extensive,  or  fatal.  In  June  and  July,  bowel  affections,  including 
cholera  infantum,  were  common  among  children.  Prickly  heat  (lichen  tropicus)  was  universal, 
from  infancy  to  threescore  and  ten  ;  boils  were  almost  universal ;  and  phlegmonous  and  car- 
buncular  abscesses  were  extremely  common. 

The  epidemic  fever  began  in  Charleston  in  July,  but  its  appearance  was  later  on  Sullivan's 
Island,  and  it  spread  rapidly  and  universally — scarcely  a  single  person  in  a  family  esca])ing. 
The  fever  did  not,  for  some  reason  or  other,  attack  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie,  this  year, 
until  it  had  spread  to  almost  every  part  of  the  island,  and  for  a  time  there  seemed  to  be  a  pro- 
tecting line  drawn  around  the  public  grounds  ;  but  when  the  fever  did  come,  it  came  like  an 
avalanche,  and  swept  all  before  it.  The  first  case  of  fever  in  garrison  occurred  on  the  20th  of 
August,  and  the  epidemic  was  nearly  over  by  the  end  of  September — there  being  only  two 
cases  in  the  month  of  October. 

Symptoms. — A  few  of  the  prominent  ones  will  be  given :  Cephalalgia  was  general  in  the  early 
stage,  often  severe  in  the  orbital  and  frontal  regions  ;  occasionally  the  eyes  were  suffused  and 
a  little  injected,  all  going  off  as  the  disease  progressed  or  was  under  treatment;  pains  in 
the  back  and  limbs  were  universal;  gastric  irritability,  frequent;  pain  or  tenderness  of  the 
epigastrium,  almost  universal.  The  skin  was  sometimes  hot  and  dry;  oftener  there  was  not 
much  heat,  but  a  tendency  to  clammy  sweat,  or  cold  and  profuse  perspiration.  The  patients 
with  hot  and  dry  skin  were  regarded  in  much  the  most  favorable  light,  agreeably  to  my  expe- 
rience in  the  Florida  fevers  of  1839,  1840,  and  1841,  having  much  less  of  the  congestive  charac- 
ter. Tongue  of  all  appearances — clean,  yellow,  white,  moist,  or  dry.  In  some  of  the  most 
serious  cases  the  tongue  had  red  edges,  becoming  dark-brown  and  dry  in  the  progress  of  the 
disease.  Hemorrhage  was  common;  generally  uterine  in  the  female,  often  causing  abortion  in 
pregnancy ;  in  the  male,  epistaxis.  As  the  tendency  of  the  epidemic  was  to  recovery^  these 
varieties  of  hemorrhage  mostly  came  on  early  in  the  disease,  were  often  critical,  or  were  the 
precursors  of  convalescence. 

Treatment. — Regarding  the  disease  as  a  fever  with  tendency  to  congestion,  the  method  of 
treatment  was  similar  to  that  adopted  in  the  Florida  fevers  in  1839,  '40,  and  '41.  The  follow- 
ing is  from  my  report  for  September,  1850,  to  the  Surgeon  General: 

"  The  cases  of  fever  which  came  under  my  own  observation,  both  in  garrison  and  beyond  it, 
very  much  resembled  those  at  Fort  King,  Florida,  in  1841.  This  fever  exhibited  considerable 
tendency  to  congestion,  like  the  Florida  fevers.  One  of  the  worst  cases  of  congestive  fever  I 
have  ever  seen,  originated  on  this  island,  in  the  person  of  a  married  female,  of  good  habits  and 
character,  who  had  not  been  from  the  island  for  more  than  six  weeks  previous  to  the  attack. 

"Sulphate  of  quinine  was  the  main  remedy.  It  was  given  with  calomel  as  a  cathartic  early 
in  the  disease,  generally  followed  by  ol:  ricini.  In  a  few  cases,  when  there  was  vigor  of  the 
circulation,  without  gastric  irritation,  quinine  was  given  with  tart:  antim:  et  potassaj,  until 
the  pulse  was  reduced.  A  combination  of  sulph:  quin:  and  infus:  capsicum  was  an  invaluable 
remedy.  These  two  articles  were  often  given  at  the  very  commencement,  and  almost  always  in 
the  progress  of  all  cases.  There  was  a  tendency  to  congestion,  often  from  the  first,  almost 
always  in  the  progress;  hence,  the  value  of  this  combination.  In  a  case  (a  company  laundress) 
of  relapse,  attended  with  rapid  and  feeble  pulse,  great  thirst,  pungent  heat  of  skin,  &c., 
quinine  and  capsicum  were  freely  used,  and,  in  the  course  of  eighteen  hours,  the  patient  was 
considered  out  of  danger.     Unfortunately,  in  about  twenty-four  hours  from  the  second  attack  of 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE    SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


217 


fever,  abortion  of  a  three  months'  foetus  (with  considerable  hemorrhage)  occurred,  reducing  the 
patient  to  an  extreme  condition.  Tlie  combination  of  quinine  and  capsicum  was  steadily  con- 
tinued, in  addition  to  cether.  sulph:,  brandy,  &c.,  until  the  urgent  symptoms  passed  off;  and 
tlie  patient  recovered." 

The  case  of  congestive  fever  alluded  to  terminated  fatally,  with  all  the  symptoms  of  apoplexy, 
stertorous  breathing,  &c.  A  few  additional  remarks,  principally  in  relation  to  the  severe  cases, 
will  close  the  treatment.  Venesection  was  scarcely  thought  of.  Free  cupping,  often  dry,  to 
the  cervical  spine,  lumbar  region,  and  epigastrium,  was  general.  Sinapisms  were  in  universal 
use;  and  blisters  were  often  employed  in  the  severe  cases,  oftenest  to  the  epigastrium,  and  fre- 
(^ueutly  over  the  cervical  spine.  In  all  cases,  from  the  beginning,  quinine  was  the  sheet-anchor, 
nearly  always  combined  with  the  infusion  of  capsicum.  In  a  few  grave  cases,  with  brown  and 
dry  tongue,  &c.,  calomel  in  broken  doses  was  combined  with  quinine,  with  excellent  effect. 
Ptyalism  was  avoided,  occurring  only  once,  slightly,  in  a  severe  case  with  dry  tongue,  sordes, 
&c.  So  soon  as  slight  tenderness  of  the  teeth  and  gums  came  on,  improvement  was  rapid.  The 
various  preparations  of  opium  were  in  general  use  at  night — morph:  sulph:  most  frequently. 
Wine,  brandy,  and  malt  liquors,  according  to  the  taste  of  the  patient,  were  pretty  freely  used. 

Epidemic  of  1850 — Medical  Statistics  of  Fort  Moultrie. 


Number  present 

Number  of  fever 
cases. 

Deaths. 

Number  exempt 
from  fever. 

38 
43 

10 

Women,  children,  and  servants 49 

6 

Total - i             97 

81 

IG 

We  have  38  fever  patients  among  48  ofiicers  and  men,  or  79.16  per  cent.  =791  per  1,000. 
Women,  children,  and  servants,  49  present,  and  43  cases  of  fever,  or  87.75  i)er  cent.  =  877  sick 
per  1,000.  In  a  total  of  97  persons,  there  were  81  sick  with  fever,  or  83.50  per  cent.  =  835  per 
1,000;  and  the  number  of  jjersons  who  escaped  fever  Avas  only  16,  or  16.50  per  cent,  of  the 
■whole  =  165  per  1,000.  All  this  in  less  than  two  months;  the  first  being  taken  sick  August 
20th,  the  second  August  23d,  and  the  last  October  14th.  Indeed,  deducting  two  cases  on  the 
5th  and  14th  of  October,  we  find  that  the  whole  of  this  sweeping  epidemic  took  place  from  the 
20th  of  August  to  the  30th  September,  or  in  the  course  of  forty-two  days. 

Case  1.  Mrs.  S ,  residing  in   Middle  street,  near  the  steamboat-landing  or  ferry-wharf, 

was  taken  with  congestive  fever,  but  I  did  not  see  her  until  a  day  or  two  had  elapsed,  or  on  the 
12th  of  August.  Died  on  the  14th.  This  is  the  case  alluded  to  in  my  report  to  the  Surgeon 
General.  She  had  not  been  in  town  for  six  weeks,  as  she  told  me  on  my  first  visit,  and  never 
staid  in  Charleston  over  night. 

Case  2.  The  infant  of  Mrs.  S ,  above  mentioned,  seven  months  old,  was  taken  with  ma- 
lignant cholera  infantum  on  the  18th  of  August,  and  died  on  the  27th.  Had  not  been  in  the 
city  of  Charleston,  or  from  the  island,  during  the  summer.  The  late  Doctor  Eamsay  saw  both 
of  these  cases  with  me,  and  we  had  several  conversations  in  relation  to  their  origin ;  both  of  us 
being  satisfied  that  they  originated  on  Sullivan's  Island. 

Cose  3.  A  child  of  Corporal  Dounan,  company  I,  2d  artillery,  eight  months  old,  was  taken  with 
cholera  infantum  in  the  month  of  June,  and  on  the  10th  of  July  was  considered  moribund. 
Tlie  condition  of  the  child  at  this  date  was  as  follows:  Emaciation  extreme;  pulse  small  and 
very  frequent ;  stomach  had  become  quiet,  and  the  bowels  much  more  so  than  previously ;  skin 
clammy ;  apparently  no  use  of  the  limbs ;  thumbs  drawn  down  into  the  palms  of  the  hands ; 
slejit  with  one  eye  partly  open,  like  a  very  sick  child,  but  the  other  eye  was  wide  open  during 

S.  96 28 


218  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

sleep;  ulceration  of  both  cornea — in  iact,  tlie  patient  was  given  up.  Eegardingthe  state  of  the 
patient  as  hydrencephaloitl,  and  that  the  smallest  depletion  must  i)rove  fatal,  the  general 
treatment  was  continued:  small  and  frequently  repeated  doses  of  aqua  ammonia,  sulph:  quin:, 
brandy,  wine-whey,  &c.,  and  minute  doses  of  tinct:  opii,  tinct:  ferri,  were  used  after  small  doses 
of  acet:  plunibi  were  withdrawn.  Tiie  child  lingered  until  cold  weather  came,  and  finally  re- 
covered.    Had  not  left  the  island  during  the  summer. 

Case  4.  Elizabeth  Dounan,  mother  of  the  above,  was  taken  with  the  prevailing  epidemic  in 
September.  This  case,  of  relapse  and  abortion,  has  been  already  sufficiently  alluded  to  in  my 
report  to  the  Surgeon  General.  There  was  no  arthritic  disease  in  this  case,  neither  was  there 
any  eruption,  except  prickly  heat.     Had  not  been  in  Charleston  for  weeks. 

Case  5.  A  child  of  Private  Bronsman,  company  I,  2d  artillery,  thirteen  months  old,  was  taken 
with  cholera  infantum  in  the  month  of  July,  and  in  August  was  given  up  as  lost.  As  cold 
weather  came  on,  the  child  gradually  recovered,  but  was  troubled  with  diarrhoea  during  the 
whole  of  the  subsequent  winter.  Did  not  leave  the  island  during  the  summer.  This  child 
and  Corporal  Dounan's  would  have  been  sent  to  Aiken,  or  to  Buncombe,  or  to  the  White 
Mountains,  had  not  the  means  been  wanting. 

Cases  6,  Y,  8.  In  a  small  house  near  the  ferry-wliarf,  three  persons  resided — a  man,  his  wife, 
and  another  woman.  The  wife  was  taken  with  the  epidemic  fever  on  the  23d  of  August,  the 
other  female  on  the  24th,  and  the  man  on  the  2oth.  All  had  the  fever  severely ;  all  complained 
of  intense  pains  in  the  frontal  and  orbitar  regions,  and  all  had  hemorrhage.  The  two  females 
had  profuse  uterine  hemorrhage,  and  the  man  had  epistaxis.  No  boils,  or  eruptions,  except 
prickly  heat.     No  arthritic  disease.     All  had  severe  pains  in  the  lumbar  region  and  limbs. 

Case  9.  Judy,  a  female  black  servant  of  my  own,  about  55  years  of  age,  had  the  fever  severely 
in  the  very  last  part  of  August.  Had  intense  pains  in  the  frontal  region  and  orbits,  severe 
pains  in  the  lumbar  region,  and  epistaxis.  Had  this  woman  been  only  25  or  30  years  of  age, 
there  would  probably  have  been  menorrhagia ;  but  the  critical  time  of  life  having  passed,  epistaxis 
occurred.  She  did  not  leave  the  island  during  the  summer,  and  never  left  the  house  (between 
the  fort  and  hotel)  and  yard  except  on  Sunday  afternoon.     Kecovered. 

Case  10.  My  other  servant,  a  dark-colored  boy,  IT  or  18  years  of  age,  had  the  lever  still 
more  severely  in  the  early  part  of  September.  He  had  intense  pain  in  the  frontal  and  orbitar 
regions,  suffusion  of  the  eyes,  and  i)rofuse  hemorrhage  from  the  nostrils.  He  was  severely  sick 
for  several  days.     Had  not  been  in  town  for  weeks.     Recovered. 

Case  11.  Mr.  G ,  residing  in  Middle  street,  about  half-way  between  the  fort  and  ferry- 
wharf,  was  taken  with  this  fever  on  the  4th  of  September.  Had  visited  Charleston  daily,  but 
never  staid  over  night.  Had  intense  pain  in  the  frontal  region  and  orbits,  and  back  and  limbs ; 
and  the  disease  speedily  assumed  the  congestive  character.  At  one  time  he  was  considered  in  a 
very  dangerous  condition.     Recovered. 

Case  12.  David  Dounan,  corporal  of  company  I,  2d  artillery,  was  admitted  into  hospital 
with  the  prevailing  fever  on  the  6th  of  September  :  when  first  taken,  had  severe  pain  in  the 
frontal  region,  back  and  limbs,  and  tenderness  of  the  epigastrium;  in  the  progress  of  the  case, 
the  tongue  had  red  edges,  and  the  surface  became  black  and  dry ;  sordes,  heat  of  skin,  pungent 
to  the  touch.  As  the  disease  advanced,  restlessness  at  night,  and  muttering  delirium;  no 
delirium  during  the  day.  Calomel  and  quinine  were  regularly  given  to  this  patient ;  sinapisms, 
cups,  and  afterwards  blisters,  to  the  mastoids,  cervix,  and  epigastrium;  camph:  and  s:  raorph: 
at  night.  So  soon  as  the  teeth  became  slightly  tender,  improvement  was  rapiil.  Recovered. 
This  was  a  very  sick  man,  and  for  a  few  days  the  result  was  doubtful.  Three  or  four  similar 
cases  occurred  among  the  men  in  hospital. 

Case  13.  Ann  C ,  of  Charleston,  residing  temporarily  on  Sullivan's  Island,  Irish,  about 

25  years  of  age,  married,  dissipated,  was  taken  with  the  fever  in  August:  had  severe  pain  of 
the  forehead  and  eyes,  back  and  limbs;  uterine  hemorrhage  came  on,  and  she  finally  had  a 
miscarriage.     Recovered. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    SOUTHERN   DITISION.  219 

Case  14. — Ann  Boyle,  Irish,  wife  of  a  soldier,  about  35  or  40  years  of  age,  had  the  fever  in 
August:  had  intense  pain  in  the  frontal  region,  back  and  lini])s,  and  menorrhagia.     Recovered. 

Case  15. — Mary  Boyle,  daughter  of  the  above,  10  or  11  years  of  age,  had  the  fever  in  August: 
severe  pain  in  the  frontal  region,  and  epistaxis.     Recovered. 

Cases  16,  17,  18. — Isabella,  colored,  was  taken  with  the  epidemic  fever  on  the  20th  of  August: 
severe  pain  of  the  frontal  region  and  orbits,  eyes  tender  to  a  slight  touch,  and  suffused.  She 
was  very  ill  for  three  or  four  days.  Her  son,  about  three  years  of  age,  had  the  fever  in  the  first 
part  of  September,  (taken  September  4):  eyes  suffused;  epistaxis.  She  lost  a  child  with  cholera 
infantum  in  the  last  part  of  July,  which  cliild  had  not  been  from  the  island  for  weeks. 

Cases  19,  20,  21,  22. — Margaret  Masterson,  Irish,  widow,  about  40  years  of  age,  had  the  fever 
severely  in  the  last  part  of  August:  intense  pain  in  the  supra-orbitar  region,  suffusion  of  the 
eyes,  menorrhagia.  Had,  during  convalescence,  an  enormous  abscess  on  one  arm.  Her  three 
children  had  the  fever  at  the  same  time ;  and  altogether  it  was  a  helpless  family.  One  of  these 
children  had  epistaxis,  and  another  was  troubled  with  boils,  both  before  and  after  the  fever. 

These  brief  notices  of  cases,  made  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  nature  and  origin  of  the 
fever,  are  sufficient.  Whole  families  were  sick  with  the  epidemic  disease  at  the  same  time,  and 
it  was  not  uncommon  to  have  difficulty  in  finding  well  persons  enough  to  assist  the  sick !  In- 
deed, so  universal  was  this  fever  among  the  women  and  children  attached  to  the  garrison,  that 
they  received  their  nourishment — tea,  arrow-root,  chicken-broth,  beef-tea,  &c. — for  a  time,  en- 
tirely from  the  hospital.  Happily,  the  fever  was  not  of  long  duration,  nor  was  it  fatal,  but 
the  suffering  was  great. 

What  was  this  fever?  Dr.  Dickson,  and  many  of  the  Charleston  physicians,  think  it  was  the 
true  dengue,  as  also  several  of  the  Augusta,  Savannah,  and  other  southern  physicians.  Then, 
what  is  dengue?  My  limits  forbid  more  than  a  reference  to  the  descriptions  and  opinions  of 
Surgeon  General  Lawson,  at  Pensacola,  in  1828  ;  of  Dr.  Dickson,  about  the  same  period  of 
time  ;  the  compilation  of  Dr.  Forry,  &c.,  in  my  report  to  Dr.  Fenner,  (Southern  Medical  Re- 
ports for  1850,  pp.  375 — 379.)  From  all  tlio  authorities,  we  are  warranted  in  saying  that 
dengue,  throwing  adventitious  symptoms  aside,  is  a  febrile  arthritic  disease,  combined  with 
exanthema. 

1.  The  arthritic  affection. — This  was  not  noticed.  During  the  whole  simimer,  not  a  single 
case  occurred  to  me  with  this  arthritic  affection.  Dr.  Lawson  says  that  "the  fever  usually  ran 
very  high,  and  continued,  without  a  remission,  from  twenty  to  thirty-six  hours  ;  after  which  it 
subsided,  leaving  the  patient  in  a  state  of  extreme  debility,  and  laboring  under  an  acute  rheu- 
matic affection  of  the  muscular  system  generally."  Dr.  Dickson  says:  "Of  all  the  symptoms 
of  dengue,  the  affection  of  the  joints  was  the  most  tenacious  and  troublesome,  adhering  for 
weeks  to  some  patients,  and  constituting  a  sort  of  permanent  lameness,  or  loss  of  mobility." 
Dr.  Dumaresq,  of  New  Orleans,  observes:  "This  was  a  singular  termination  of  the  disease, 
leaving  suflTerers  from  the  fever  hardly  able  to  move  about ;  and,  indeed,  the  appearance  of  per- 
sons in  the  street  must  have  been  truly  pitiable  to  a  healthy  stranger  ;  here,  one  seen  dragging 
his  legs  after  him,  supported  on  crutches — and  there,  another,  witli  limping  gait  and  various 
contortions  of  countenance,  bespeaking  that  his  tardy  progress  was  made  at  the  expense  of  his 
bodily  feeling."  Dr.  Dunglison  says  that  "it  seems,  in  all,  to  have  been  a  singular  variety  of 
rlieumatic  fever."  Not  a  single  instance  of  the  disease  termed  dengue,  as  above  described, 
came  under  my  notice  during  the  season. 

2.  The  entption. — It  has  been  already  mentioned  that  cutaneous  complaints  were  universal 
in  the  months  of  June  and  July,  long  before  the  epidemic  fever  commenced — as  lichen,  in  its 
different  varieties,  boils,  and  phlegmonous  and  carbuncular  abscesses.  One  person,  covered 
with  prickly  heat,  had  more  than  twenty  small  boils  from  one  elbow  to  the  wrist,  answering  the 
description  of  the  phlegmonoid  eruption  of  the  denguists ;  but  the  person  in  question  did  not 
have  a  single  symptom  of  the  epidemic  fever,  although  he  had  a  large  and  troublesome  abscess 
on  one  of  the  nates,  in  the  month  of  September;  but  from  fever  he  was  entirely  free.     Cases 


220 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


occurred  in  children,  long  before  the  epidemic  broke  oiit^  in  whom  boils  were  almost  universal, 
on  the  chest,  neck,  and  scalp  ;  there  being  at  the  same  time  nearly  a  perfect  sheet  of  ])rickly 
heat  over  the  body.  These  eruptions,  boils,  abscesses,  &c.,  were  extremely  common  before  the 
epidemic,  and  were  regarded  as  the  effect  of  intense  summer  heat — as  estival.  The  entire  ab- 
sence of  arthritic  disease,  and  of  an  eruption  coinciding  with  the  fever,  led  me  to  conclude,  both 
during  the  epidemic  and  afterwards,  that  the  disease  was  not  dengue. 

The  epidemic  disease  was  mostly  southern  bilious  remittent  fever ;  sometimes  continued  fever, 
with  tendency  to  congestion.  But  after  reflecting  upon  the  prominent  symptoms,  when  first 
called  to  patients  at  the  commencement  of  the  fever,  and  especially  after  comparing  them  with 
the  epidemic  of  1852,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  the  disease  made  a  near  approach  to  yellow 
fever.  The  symptoms,  omitting  those  common  to  all  southern  fevers,  were  those  of  yellow 
fever,  as  given  by  me  in  Fenner's  Southern  Medical  Reports,  pp.  r>80  and  381^  viz:  "  Cciiha- 
lalgia  was  general  in  the  early  stage,  often  severe  in  the  frontal  and  orbital  regions;  occasion- 
ally the  eyes  were  suffused  and  a  little  injected — all  going  off  as  the  disease  advanced,  or  was 
under  treatment.  Hemorrhage  was  common — uterine  in  the  female,  often  causing  abortion  in 
jjregnancy;  in  the  male,  epistaxis.  As  the  tendency  of  the  epidemic  was  to  recovery,  both  of 
these  varieties  of  hemorrhage  were  often  critical  or  the  precursors  of  convalescence."  Dr. 
Fenner  speaks  of  the  hemorrhagic  tendcnci/  in  the  fevers  of  New  Orleans  this  year.  Everything 
considered,  it  is  my  opinion  that  only  "one  turn  more  of  the  screw"  was  wanting  to  develop 
well-marked  yellow  fever. 

1851. — This  year  was  comparatively  healthy.  The  number  of  companies  in  Charleston  harbor 
was  seven — four  at  Fort  Moultrie,  two  at  Fort  Sumpter,  and  one  at  Castle  Pinckney — all  under 
my  medical  charge.  The  hospital  of  Fort  Moultrie  was  the  general  hospital  for  the  sick  in  the 
whole  harbor  ;  but  I  have  carefully  separated  the  cases  strictly  belonging  to  the  garrison  of 
Fort  Moultrie  from  all  others,  an  abstract  of  which  is  given  below. 

Abstract  of  the  quarterly  reports  of  side  at  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C,  for  the  year  1851. 


Jao. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Total. 

Deatlis. 

Aggregate 

1 

198 

196 

187 

183 

177 

201    210 

198 

186    210    22.^5 

210 

2,379 

DISEASES. 

1 

1 

3 
18 
15 

3 
33 
25 

1 
250 

Febris  interiuittens  quotidiana 

1 
1 

1 
A 

1 
2 
5 

4 

1 

6 

1 

2 

4 
1 
2 
3 

3 

1 

2 

U 

6 

1 

2 
2 

1 
1 

7 

1 

2 
2 

6 

7 

2 
1 



-.-.-.i      

1 

1 

1 
18 

All  others     __------ ..... 

19 

14 

7 

8 

18 

46 

46 

24 

16  1  17 

17 

4 

Total              -. 

22 

21 

27 

15 

18 

28 

65 

56 

31 

29 

20 

17 

349 

4 

Average  mean  strength  for  the  year :  Officers,  12.58,  enlisted  men,  185.66:  total,  198.25. 

Deaths  4;  one  in  March,  from  fracture  of  the  cranium  and  meningitis;  one  in  May,  of 
enteritis,  chronic  dysentery  supervening;  one  in  November,  of  phthisis  pulmonalis;  and  one  in 
December,  a  deserter,  who  had  country  fever  in  his  absence,  was  admitted  for  general  debility, 
and  at  last  died  of  chronic  dysentery.  Number  of  cases  during  the  year,  349.  Mortality  per 
cent.,  1.14. 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 


221 


We  come  now  to  the  eiiidemic  fever  of  1852. 

Abstract  of  the  quarterly  reports  of  sick  at  Fort  Moultrie. — Talcen  sick  during  the  year  1852. 


Months 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April. 

May.  June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sent. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Total. 

Deaths. 

Aggregate 

1 

1 

strength. 

203 

167 

100 

92 

85 

78 

74 

71 

71 

113 

107 

98 

1   259 

DISEASES. 

Febris  continxia 

2 

2 
33 

2 
28 

5 

5 
101 

1 

29 

3 



4 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

1 

1 

Febris  remittens 

24 

3 

1 

1 

2 

12 

in 

Diarrha-a 

1 
1 
6 

.... 

I 

2 

Dysonteria  acuta 

1 
5 

1 
5 

All  others 

23 

11 

7 

4 

6 

7 

5 

Total                   -       .   . 

23 

11 

6 

8 

7 

5 

9 

10 

30 

38 

19 

10 

176 

4 

Average  mean  strength  for  the  year  :  Officers,  8.58  ;  enlisted  men,  96.33  ;  total  104  92. 
CASES   OF   FEVER   DURING   THE   EPIDEMIC. 

Case  1.  Private  Joseph  Dunn,  company  K,  2d  artillery,  was  admitted  on  the  22d  of  August, 
with  hilious  continued  fever.  This  was  not  a  severe  case,  and  the  patient  soon  recovered.  He 
liad  not  heen  in  town,  or  from  Sullivan's  Island,  for  several  months;  and  there  is  no  hesitation 
in  saying  that  his  disease  originated  on  the  island.     Hard  drinker. 

Case  2.   Colonel  M was  taken  with  severe  congestive  tertian  intermittent  on  the  29th 

of  August,  having  heen  unwell  three  or  four  days  previous.  This  case  originated  in  fishing 
excursions  to  the  west  end  of  Long  Island,  which  is  near  the  east  end  of  Sullivan's  Island;  the 
Colonel  being  exjjosed  to  the  damp  evening  air  and  malaria  on  his  return,  during  the  passage 
of  his  hoat  from  the  former  island,  through  the  creek  or  passage  between  the  main  land  and  the 

back  beach  of  Sullivan's  Island,  to  the  fort-wharf.     Colonel  M stated  to  me  that  he  had 

not  been  subject  to  any  form  of  intermittent  fever  for  many  years.  This  was  a  severe  and  obsti- 
nate case;  during  every  paroxysm  there  was  congestion  of  the  brain,  which  was  so  great  in  the 
last  one  that  his  situation  was  considered  dangerous.     Recovered. 

Case  3.  Private  George  Hepp,  company  E,  2d  artillery,  was  taken  with  bilious  continued 
fever  on  the  31st  of  August.  This  was  a  mild  case.  Hepj)  was  an  old  soldier,  and  had  just 
re-enlisted  (on  the  20th  of  August),  previous  to  which  he  states  that  he  resided  on  a  farm  four 
or  five  miles  from  Charleston,  where  the  fever  was  doubtless  contracted.  Attacked  with  remit- 
tent fever  on  the  17th  of  September.     Sober. 

Case  4.  Private  John  Eoberts,  company  K,  2d  artillery,  drunkard,  was  taken  sick  with  mild 
remittent  on  the  6th  of  September.     Origin  unknown. 

Hitherto  the  fever  was  mild,  scarcely  worthy  of  attention ;  nor  would  it  have  been  noticed  but 
for  what  followed.  The  epidemic  really  broke  out  in  a  decided  form  on  the  7th  and  8th  days 
of  September.  From  7,  A.  M.,  of  the  7th,  to  2,  p.  m.,  of  the  8th,  four  inches  of  rain  fell.  From 
7,  P.  M.,  of  the  4th,  to  2,  p,  m.,  of  the  8th,  no  less  than  9.40  inches  of  rain  fell,  or  1.88  inch 
per  day;  and  this  quantity  added  to  8.86  inches  in  June,  5.43  inches  in  July,  and  4.15  inches 
in  August,  makes  the  enormous  quantity  of  27.84  inches  in  three  months  and  eight  days. 
More  than  an  average  quantity  (4.17  inches)  fell  in  the  May  previous. 

We  will  first  notice  the  cases  in  the  soldiers'  families  residing  on  the  parade,  which  extends 
from  Middle  street  (this  street  runs  between  the  fort  and  parade)  to  the  back  beach ;  next,  the 
cases  which  occurred  in  the  fort;  and  lastly,  cases  entirely  detached  from  the  fort  and  parade. 


222  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Case  5.  Dominick  Duffy,  1st  sergeant  of  company  K,  2(1  artillery,  quarters  on  tlie  east  side 
of  the  parade,  was  taken  sick  with  fever ;  registered  remittent  on  the  evening  of  the  7tli  of 
September.  Sober;  conduct  unexceptionable.  01:  ricini:,  oz.  j.  Sth.  Removed  to  liospital 
early  this  morning;  severe  headache;  skin  hot  and  dry;  pulse  full ;  tongue  coated  with  yellow 
fur;  oil  had  operated;  cup  the  cervical  spine.  Sul:  quin:  grs.  x,  cal:  grs.  v;  m:  at  9,  A.  m. 
s:  quin:  grs.  v,  at  1  and  6,  p.  m.  It  is  not  necessary  to  pursue  the  treatment  further.  Returned 
to  duty  on  the  20th  September.  Sergeant  Duffy,  his  wife,  and  Margaret  Cooney,  who  lived 
with  them,  went  to  Charleston  last  on  the  24th  day  of  August,  in  the  2  o'clock,  v.  m.,  boat, 
and  returned  in  the  5  o'clock  boat ;  thus  being  in  town  but  little  more  than  two  hours.  Having 
heard  that  yellow  fever  was  in  town,  they  passed  directly  through  Market  street  to  King  streei; 
and  when  their  purchases  were  made  all  three  returned  through  Market  street  to  the  steamboat. 
King  and  Market  streets  were  the  only  streets  entered.  Never  remained  in  Charleston  over 
night.  None  of  them  went  to  town  after  the  24th  of  August;  Ann  Duffy,  the  wife,  was  taken 
with  yellow  fever  on  the  16th  of  October;  Margaret  Cooney  remained  in  perfect  health. 

Case  6.  Mary  Stolpcr,  wife  of  Sergeant  Stolper,  company  E,  2d  artillery,  quarters  on  the  east 
side  of  the  parade,  was  ill  on  the  evening  of  the  Tth  of  September,  and  early  on  the  morning  of 
the  Sth  I  saw  her.  The  disease  was  registered  remittent  fever,  but  there  was  intense  pain  in 
the  frontal  and  orbitar  regions,  and  of  the  back  and  limbs;  tenderness  of  the  eyes  on  sliglit 
pressure  of  the  globes,  and  suffusion.  This  fever  was  easily  broken  up  by  cal:  and  ol:  ricini, 
and  the  free  use  of  quinine ;  but  the  intense  supra-orbital  pain  and  suffusion  of  the  eyes  induced 
me  to  think,  and  to  express  the  oi^inion,  that  yellow  fever  might  occur.  The  case  served  a 
good  purpose — it  put  us  on  our  guard.  This  patient  had  not  been  in  Charleston  since  the  17th 
of  August,  21  days  at  least  before  the  attack,  when  she  visited  her  brother,  who  was  sick  with 
"some  kind  of  fever,"  as  she  expressed  it.     Never  slept  in  town. 

We  now  come  to  tlie  Brassard  family,  quarters  on  the  west  side  of  the  parade.  Charles 
Brassard,  one  year  old,  was  attacked  late  on  tlie  Sth  of  September,  with  ence})lialitis,  and  died 
on  the  6th,  eighteen  liours  after  the  first  visit.     Had  not  been  in  Charleston. 

Case  Y.  Eleanor  Brassard,  7  years  of  age,  was  taken  with  severe  fever,  registered  remittent, 
in  the  livery  of  yellow  fever,  on  the  7th  of  Seiitember.  Had  not  been  from  Sullivan's  Island  in 
twelve  months.  Had  severe  pain  in  the  frontal  region  and  orbits,  eyes  suffused,  tenderness  of 
the  globes,  and  also  intense  pain  in  tlie  lumbar  region  and  limbs.  Had  epistaxis  on  the  Sth. 
Took  calomel  and  quinine  on  the  first  day,  with  ol:  ricini,  and  the  quinine  was  continued,  more 
or  less,  until  convalescence  was  established.  This  case  also  served  to  point  out  that  yellow  fever 
was  approaching.  The  patient  was  scarcely  able  to  sit  up,  when  her  mother,  Mary  Ann  Bras- 
sard, was  taken  sick,  on  the  15tli  of  September,  with  yellow  fever. 

Case  S.  Mary  Ann  Brassard,  mother  of  the  above,  was  attacked  with  severe  yellow  fever  on 
the  15th  of  September.  She  had  intense  pain  in  the  frontal  region  and  orbits,  tenderness  of 
the  eyeballs  on  slight  pressure,  suffusion  of  the  eyes,  and  the  vessels  of  the  conjunctiva3  were 
injected.  She  had  also  severe  pain  in  the  back  and  limbs,  and  pain  in  the  epigastric  region. 
The  youngest  child  (Charles  Brassard)  was  weaned  in  June,  on  account  of  the  milk  disagreeing, 
and  the  catamenia  had  ajipeared  three  times  since,  with  great  regularity  "to  the  very  day." 
Had  profuse  epistaxis  on  the  night  of  the  16th.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  two  weeks  after 
the  regular  catamenial  ])eriod,  profuse  uterine  hemorrhage  came  on,  continuing  to  the  23d, 
which  was  much  worse  at  tlie  commencement,  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th,  than  at  any  other 
time.  Yellow  skin  on  the  ISth.  This  case  was  treated  by  calomel,  quinine,  and  ol:  ricini,  with 
sinapisms  and  cups  to  the  mastoids,  cervical  spine,  and  epigastrium,  on  the  first  day,  and  after- 
wards blisters  to  the  cervix  and  epigastrium.  Afterwards,  the  calomel  in  smaller  doses  was  con- 
tinued with  tlie  quinine,  and  morphia  at  night.  Gums  touched  on  the  IStli.  Was  finally  put 
on  ammonia  and  camphor  mixture,  wine,  chicken-tea,  beef-tea,  &c.  Recovered.  This  patient 
had  not  been  from  Sullivan's  Island  since  the  loth  of  August,  exactly  one  month  before  the 
attack  of  fever.    Never  had  staid  in  town  over  niglit;  and  she  stated  to  me,  in  her  sickness,  that 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    SOUTHEEN   DIVISION.  223 

she  had  not  seen  a  person  sick  with  fever  during  the  whole  summer,  except  in  her  own  family — 
the  daughter  above  mentioned,  Eleanor  Brassard. 

Case  'J.  Private  Francis  Brassard,  company  E,  2d  artillery,  hard  drinker,  husband  and  father 
of  the  above,  was  taken  with  severe  fever,  registered  remittent,  of  a  yellow  fever  character,  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  24th  of  (September.  He  had  intense  supra-orbital  pain,  suffusion  of  the 
eyes,  and  slightly  injected  conjunctivte.  Pain  of  back  and  limbs  severe.  Calomel  grs.  x,  and  in 
tiiree  hours  ol:  ricini,  oz.  j ;  quinine  grs.  x  at  tattoo,  and  same  in  the  night.  This  case  was 
trusted  almost  entirely  to  quinine.  Duty  on  the  17th  October.  He  was  in  Charleston  last,  for 
only  a  .short  time  (an  hour  or  two  only)  on  the  6th  of  September,  the  day  of  the  infant's  deatli, 
or  18  days  before  tlie  attack  of  fever.  Never  slept  in  town.  No  member  of  this  family  saw  a 
case  of  fever  except  their  own  sick. 

Case  10.  Private  John  Hazeltiiie,  company  K,  2d  artillery,  was  hospital  attendant  during 
the  whole  summer,  the  hospital  being  on  the  west  side  of  the  parade.  Moderate  drinker.  Was 
attacked  with  remittent  fever  on  the  9th  of  September;  duty  on  the  18tli.  He  had  not  been  in 
Cluirleston  since  the  montli  of  June. 

Case  11.  Sergeant  AVilliam  McNair,  company  K,  2d  artillery,  quarters  on  the  west  side  of 
the  parade,  was  taken  on  the  sick  report  and  admitted  into  hospital  on  the  morning  of  the  11th 
of  September,  stating  to  me  that  he  had  been  unwell  since  the  9th.  There  was  no  doubt  of  the 
nature  of  this  case  from  the  commencement.  Was  a  hard  drinker,  and  he  stated  that  he  had 
drank  more  than  usual  for  a  few  days  on  account  of  the  bad  weather.  On  the  12th  he  was  very 
ill ;  and  in  the  afternoon  of  tliat  day,  his  condition  was  considered  hazardous.  Very  yellow ; 
stomach  very  irritable,  which  was  relieved  by  sinapisms  and  blisters  to  the  epigastrium,  and  a 
mixture  of  creosote.  Quinine  continued  during  the  day  and  night,  as  well  as  yesterday.  Cal: 
10  grs.,  morph:  \  gr.,  at  night.  As  he  became  convalescent,  symptoms  of  nervous  irritation 
began  to  show  themselves  in  a  decided  manner  (on  the  ICth),  which  ended  in  mania-a-potu. 
He  finally  recovered;  duty  on  the  20th  of  October.  That  tliis  was  a  case  of  yellow  fever,  is 
certain ;  for  the  intense  pain  of  the  frontal  region  and  orbits,  tenderness  of  the  eyeballs,  suffu- 
sion, and  injected  conjunctivae  on  the  first  day  (llth),  added  to  the  yellowness  and  increased 
injection  of  the  vessels  of  the  conjunctivie  on  the  12th,  leave  no  room  for  doubt.  Indeed,  he 
had  every  sign  of  yellow  fever  except  black  vomit,  and  there  was  so  much  retching  and  vomit- 
ing on  the  12th,  that  tliis  was  momentarily  expected.  This  was  the  first  case  of  undoubted 
yellow  fever  on  Sullivan's  island,  the  case  of  Mary  Ann  Brassard  being  the  second.  The  patient 
was  last  in  Charleston  on  the  first  of  July,  more  than  two  months  previous  to  the  attack,  and 
he  had  not  left  Sullivan's  Island  since  that  date ;  there  is,  therefore,  no  doubt  of  his  fever  origin- 
ating on  the  island. 

Case  12.  Margaret  McNair,  wife  of  the  sergeant  above  named,  was  taken  witli  yellow  fever 
on  the  30th  of  September,  Severe  pains  of  the  frontal  and  orbitar  regions,  eyeballs  very  sore 
and  tender  to  the  touch,  suffusion,  vessels  of  tlie  conjunctiva?  injected,  severe  jiain  of  the  back 
and  limbs,  stomacli  quiet,  tliough  there  is  some  uneasiness  in  the  ejjigastric  region.  Has  had 
tiiree  children,  and  is  now  six  months  enciente.  Sinapisms  to  the  cervix  and  epigastrium ;  cujis 
to  the  mastoids  and  cervical  spine;  cal:  quin:  aa.  10  grs.;  ol:  ricini,  oz.  j,  in  two  hours;  and  10 
grs.  quin:  in  4  hours  from  the  first  dose.  IMorpli.  ^  gr.  at  night,  and  the  quinine  was  continued 
ill  smaller  doses.  No  more  calomel  was  given  than  the  first  dose,  as  fears  were  entertained  that 
a  tendency  to  miscarriage  might  be  jiroduced  by  it ;  but  the  quinine  was  given  pretty  liberally 
until  the  morning  of  tlie  3d  of  October,  or  nearly  three  full  days  from  the  attack.  Oct.  3.  Last 
night,  at  9  and  3  o'clock,  took  10  grs.  quinine  and  \-  gr.  morphine.  7  A.  m.  Patient  free  of  fever; 
pulse  soft  and  nearly  natural ;  tongue  moist;  no  pain  of  the  head ;  eyes  of  nearly  natural  ai)pcar- 
ance;  very  yellow.  Directed  mild  treatment,  an  enema,  small  doses  of  quinine,  iced  mucilage, 
a  little  beef-tea,  &c.  But  about  9  o'clock  a.  m.,  unmistakeable  labor  pains  began,  slight  but 
frequent  convulsions  came  on,  the  patient  became  insensible,  the  head  and  forehead  became  hot, 
and  the  skin  dry;  the  ensemble  rendering  an  unfavorable  termination  of  the  case  highly  probable. 


224  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

In  this  state  but  little  was  attempted;  iced  mucilage,  which  slie  was  able  to  swallow,  was  given; 
sinapisms  were  applied  behind  the  ears  and  over  the  spine,  and  afterwards  blisters ;  and  cloths 
wetted  in  iced  water  were  constantly  applied  to  the  forehead  and  whole  head.  At  2  i".  m., 
the  OS  uteri  was  fully  dilated  and  the  membranes  ruptured,  when  the  presentation  was  found 
to  be  of  the  arm  and  shoulder;  but  it  was  determined  to  attempt  nothing  at  this  stage,  on 
account  of  the  exhausted  condition  of  the  patient,  and  also  because  she  had  had  children ;  the 
l)ains  were  frecpient  and  strong,  the  jielvis  ample,  tlie  soit  parts  dilated  and  easily  dilatable, 
and  the  child  was  not  of  full  size.  For  these  reasons  the  case  was^  for  the  present,  committed 
to  nature.  The  lelt  shoulder  presented,  the  right  cephalo-iliac  position  of  M.  Chailly,  head  to 
the  right,  back  in  front.  In  a  short  time  the  body  of  the  child  was  forced  down  by  the  strong 
pains,  so  that  the  hand  nearly  protruded  from  the  vulva,  wlien  it  was  determined  to  render 
manual  assistance;  and,  in  the  event  of  this  iiroving  unsuccessful,  to  resort  to  instruments 
without  delay,  by  reason  of  the  exhaustion  of  the  patient.  In  the  absence  of  a  pain,  the  head 
was  carried  up  to  the  right  of  the  pelvis,  as  far  as  possible,  bringing  down  the  lower  extremi- 
ties; then,  assisting  a  strong  pain  with  the  fore  and  middle  fingers,  the  body,  as  far  as  the 
shoulders,  and  the  lower  extremities,  were  delivered;  and  by  the  next  pain,  a  very  strong  one, 
the  head  and  placenta  were  both  delivered  together.  Fortunately,  there  was  no  hemorrhage. 
As  the  OS  uteri  became  fully  dilated,  the  convulsions  ceased,  the  patient  gradually  recovered 
from  the  insensibility,  and,  by  the  time  that  delivery  was  effected  (about  4  p.  m.),  she  was  quite 
sensible,  but  greatly  exhausted,  the  pulse  being  very  feeble.  Two  or  three  pretty  large  doses 
of  brandy  and  water  were  given  ;  but  this  beginning  to  disagree  with  the  stomach,  port  wine 
with  water  was  substituted,  and  a  few  drops  of  ether  sulph:  were  frequently  given.  10  i\  m. 
More  comfortable  than  could  have  been  anticipated  ;  pulse  has  risen;  stomach  quiet.  Continue 
the  wine  and  water  through  the  night,  in  such  quantity  and  strength  as  to  suit  the  patient ; 
iced  mucilage;  a  little  chicken-tea;  ^  gr.  morph.  October  4.  Passed  a  comfortable  night;  jmlse 
firm;  all  the  blisters  drawn  and  dressed;  omit  wine;  take  small  doses  of  quinine;  beef-tea. 
October  5.  Eeaction;  pulse  firm  and  frequent;  hot  skin;  pain  in  frontal  region  and  eyes  re- 
turned; irritability  of  the  stomach,  which  was  not  excessive.  Oath:  eneina ;  blister  to  epigas- 
trium; 10  grs.  quinine,  at  8  and  12;  and  5  grs.  quin:  at  4  i>.  m.;  iced  mucilage;  chicken-tea,  in 
small  quantities,  every  two  hours.  Night.  Better;  pain  of  the  frontal  region  and  eyes  abated, 
nearly  gone,  and  in  its  place  buzzing  in  the  ears  (quininiznfion)  substituted ;  pulse  soft ;  stomach 
quiet;  skin  soft  and  cool;  and,  in  every  respect,  the  patient  was  better.  From  this  time  the 
patient  was  put  on  small  doses  of  quinine,  mist:  ammon:  and  camph:;  beef  and  chicken  tea; 
diet  gradually  improved.  Recovered.  This  patient  had  not  been  from  Sullivan's  Island  for 
more  than  two  months. 

We  have  now  concluded  the  month  of  September,  and  have  noticed  almost  every  case  of  fever 
to  the  end  of  that  month.  We  have  come  to  a  natural  resting-place,  and,  at  this  point,  let  us 
look  back  on  the  road  which  has  been  travelled,  as  our  future  course  will  lead  us  into  a  different 
region.  Let  it  be  recollected  that  the  night  of  September  iJOth  is  completed ;  that  our  garrison 
consisted  of  companies  E  and  K,  2d  artillery;  that  few  changes  had  taken  place  during  the 
quarter  which  is  now  ended;  that  no  communication,  or  almost  none,  had  taken  place  between 
the  two  posts  of  Fort  Moultrie  and  Castle  Pinckney — certainly  no  communication  whatever  be- 
tween the  sick  and  well  of  the  two  posts  could  take  place ;  that  none  of  our  really  sick  patients 
had  been  exposed  at  Castle  Pinckney,  or  in  Charleston ;  and  that  the  movements  of  all  persons 
who  were  severely  sick  could  be  traced  for  days  and  weeks  previous  to  the  attack  of  fever.  We 
will  throw  out  every  doubtful  case,  and  we  have  remaining  twenty-seven  cases  of  fever — twenty- 
four  of  continued  and  remittent,  and  three  of  yellow  fever — which  originated  on  Sullivan's 
Island.  A  strict  contagionist  may  contend  that  Margaret  McNair  contracted  yellow  fever  of 
her  husband,  though  it  seems  singular  that  her  little  daughter,  five  years  of  age,  did  not  take 
the  disease,  for  she  was  exposed  during  her  mother's  illness  ;  but  neither  did  this  nor  any  other 
case  of  yellow  fever,  during  the  whole  epidemic,  exhibit  the  slightest  property  of  contagion. 


AMONG  THE  TROOPS  IN  THE  SOUTHERN  *DWISION.  225 

We  will  throw  this  case  out,  however,  and  we  then  have  two  undoubted  cases  of  yellow  fever, 
and  twenty-four  cases  of  other  fever — twenty-six  cases  in  all — without  the  suspicion  of  importa- 
tion or  contagion.  To  render  the  matter  still  more  certain,  we  will  reduce  the  list  to  those 
cases  wiiich  are  absolutely  certain  ;  and  we  have  two  cases  of  yellow  fever — Sergeant  McNair  and 
Mary  Ann  Brassard  ;  and  nineteen  cases  of  other  fever — Captain  Elzey,  Orderly  Sergeant 
Williams,  Sergeant  Duffy,  Hazeltine,  Eendiger,  Emerson,  Pilgrim  Doherty,  Brassard,  Murri- 
can,  Connor,  Eleanor  Brassard,  Many  Stolper,  Deborah  Doherty,  Sarah  McClure,  and  four  in 
Captain  Elzey's  family — twenty-one  cases  in  all,  during  the  month  of  September,  -which  origin- 
ated on  Sullivan's  Island,  under  such  circumstances  as  to  leave  no  manner  of  doubt  in  relation 
to  the  origin.  Not  one  of  them  had  been  exposed  to  any  cause  of  fever,  except  on  Sullivan's 
Island. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  garrison  of  Castle  Pinckney  introduced  the  contagion  of  yellow  fever 
into  Fort  Moultrie.  We  will  examine  the  facts.  The  garrison  of  Castle  Pinckney  was  not 
withdrawn  to  Fort  Moultrie  until  the  first  day  of  October,  and,  up  to  this  date,  there  was  little 
communication  between  the  two  posts ;  for  a  man  on  pass  had  no  inducement  whatever  to  visit 
the  dull  and  dreary  post  of  Castle  Pinckney.  In  truth,  there  had  been  little  sickness  at  Castle 
Pinckney  wh3n  that  post  was  abandoned  ;  for  Major  R.'s  death  did  not  take  place  until  the  28th 
of  September,  after  an  illness  of  three  or  four  days  only,  of  yellow  fever  contracted  in  Charles- 
ton ;  and  Captain  A.  was  taken  sick  after  the  funeral  of  Major  R.  (which  was  on  the  29th),  and 
left  behind  when  the  garrison  withdrew  to  Fort  Moultrie.  The  cases  of  these  two  officers  were 
the  only  two  cases  of  yellow  fever  up  to  the  1st  of  October  ;  whereas  at  Fort  Moultrie  there  were 
two  cases  of  yellow  fever,  and  abundance  of  southern  bilious  fever,  before  Major  Pi.  was  attacked, 
and  before  there  was  a  single  case  at  Castle  Pinckney  ;  and  before  the  garrison  of  that  post 
came  over,  there  had  been  at  Fort  Moultrie  three  undoubted  cases  of  yellow  fever,  and  thirty-nine 
cases  of  southern  bilious  fever — forty-two  cases,  in  all,  in  the  month  of  September — tenfold  more 
sickness  than  at  Castle  Pinckney.  Not  a  single  sick  person,  man,  woman,  or  child,  came  from 
Castle  Pinckney  on  the  1st  of  October,  and  only  one  sick  person  (Captain  Allen)  was  left  be- 
hind. Indeed,  we  have  no  evidence  that  a  single  case  of  yellow  fever  had  originated  at  Castle 
Pinckney  ;  for,  to  that  date,  it  was  decidedly  more  healthy  than  Fort  Moultrie  ;  and  the  yellow 
fever  at  the  latter  post  was  no  more  conveyed  from  Castle  Pinckney  than  from  the  black  hole 
of  Calcutta. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  yellow  fever  was  brought  from  Charleston.  Nothing  can  be  further 
from  the  truth.  Only  a  certain  class  of  men  apply  freiiuently  for  a  pass  to  town  ;  the  married, 
sober,  and  steady  men  rarely  ask  for  passes  ;  nor  do  the  drunkards  get  them,  or  apply  for  them, 
as  often  as  would  be  expected.  Further,  all  classes  were  aware  of  the  great  sickness  in  town, 
and  night  passes  were  refused.  So  early  as  July  24th,  the  following  communication  was  made 
to  the  officer  in  command. 

"The  heat  of  the  weather,  the  filthy  condition  of  the  streets  of  Charleston,  and  the  reports  in 
relation  to  present  disease  there,  render  it  advisable,  in  my  opinion,  for  us  all  to  be  on  the  safe 
side  of  the  question  ;  and  I  would,  therefore,  request  the  colonel  commanding  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  refusing  permission  to  all  persons  composing  the  garrison  of  this  post  to  pass  a 
single  night  in  Charleston." 

Not  one  of  the  Fort  Moultrie  cases  in  September  had  been  to  Charleston  (see  cases  8,  11,  12,) 
for  weeks,  and  not  one  of  them  saw  a  case  of  yellow  fever,  except  in  their  own  flimilies.  In  all 
September  there  had  been  four  cases  of  yellow  fever  on  Sullivan's  Island,  wholly  unconnected 
with  the  fort:  Mr.  Kennedy,  who  died  at  the  Moultrie  House  on  the  23d  of  September,  after  an 
illness  of  five  days ;  the  book-keeper  of  the  Moultrie  House,  who  was  at  the  crisis  of  the  disease 
on  the  day  of  Kennedy's  death;  Mr.  Ferguson,  who  died  at  the  steamboat  landing,  near  the 
date  of  Kennedy's  death ;  and  Mrs.  C.  (case  47.)  For  the  particulars  of  the  patients  at  the 
Moultrie  House,  I  am  indebted  to  Captain  Payne,  the  proprietor.  These  four  patients  could  not 
S.  96 29 


226  REP9RT    ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

possibly  have  introduced  the  yellow  iever  into  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie,  for  tlie  best  of  all 
reasons — we  had  it  he/ore;  for  two  of  the  cases  (8,  11)  were  the  first  cases  on  the  island,  and  the 
third  case  (No  12)  could  not  possibly  have  seen  any  person  sick  with  this  disease,  except  at  Fort 
Moultrie.  The  conclusion  is  irresistible,  that  yellow  fever  was  not  introduced  from  Castle 
Pinckney,  neither  from  Charleston,  but  that  it  originated  on  Sullivan's  Island. 

October  1st.  The  garrison  of  Castle  Pinckney,  company  M,  2d  artillery,  was  removed  to 
Fort  Moultrie  on  account  of  the  alleged  insalubrity  of  the  former  post;  and  from  this  date  our 
garrison  consisted  of  companies  E,  K,  M,  all  of  the  2d  artillery.  It  is  a  curious  fact  in  the 
history  of  the  soldier,  that  no  movement  of  troops  can  be  made  without  a  "big  drtmk,"  in  spite 
of  the  officers;  and  never  was  there  a  custom  more  honored  in  "the  observance"  than  by  com- 
pany M ;  for  during  the  first  four  or  five  days  after  the  removal,  there  was  scarcely  a  sober  man 
in  the  company;  and  the  disease  was  exceedingly  contagious — as  much  so  as  Sir  William  Pym 
represents  yellow  fever  to  be;  for  almost  every  man  in  companies  E  and  K  had  an  attack,  con- 
tracted of  company  M.  This  was  the  only  contagious  disease  introduced  from  Castle  Pinckney 
during  the  year. 

October  2.  One  case  of  remittent  fever  from  company  E.  October  4.  Two  cases  of  yellow 
fever  from  company  M.  October  5.  One  case  of  remittent  fever  from  company  E;  one  case  of 
yellow  fever  from  company  M.  October  7.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company  K.  Octo- 
ber 8.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company  K.  October  9.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from 
company  K,  and  one  from  company  M.  October  10.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company 
M.  October  11.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company  E,  two  from  company  K,  and  one  from 
company  M.  October  12.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  and  one  of  remittent  from  company  M. 
October  13.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company  M.  October  14.  One  case  of  yellow  fever 
from  company  K,  two  from  company  M.  October  16.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company 
M.  October  17.  One  case  from  company  E,  one  from  company  M— both  yellow  fever.  October 
19.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company  K,  two  from  company  M.  October  20.  One  case 
yellow  fever  from  company  M.  October  23.  One  case  yellow  fever  from  company  M.  October 
25.  One  case  yellow  fever  from  company  K.  October  26.  One  case  yellow  fever  from  company 
K.  October  28.  One  case  yellow  fever  from  company  K.  October  31.  One  case  from  ordnance 
corps — a  prisoner  under  sentence  of  general  court-martial — yellow  fever.  November  4.  Two 
cases  of  yellow  fever  from  company  M.  November  10.  One  case  of  yellow  fever  from  company 
K.  November  16.  One  case  in  the  field  and  staff,  remittent — the  end  of  the  epidemic  ;  there 
having  been  severe  frost  on  the  morning  of  the  15th. 

Some  of  the  most  interesting  cases  after  the  loth  of  October  will  now  be  given. 

Case  58.  Charles  Piatt,  1st  sergeant  of  company  M — sober  as  regards  spirituous  liquor,  but 
an  opium  taker — was  admitted  into  the  hospital  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  October,  at  8 
o'clock,  A.  M.;  had  not  reported  before,  though  he  had  been  ill.  He  was  in  the  second  stage 
of  yellow  fever — very  yellow;  eyes  yellow  and  injected;  skin  clammy;  pulse  slow  and  feeble, 
&c.  Black  vomit  came  on  at  12,  m.,  on  the  6th,  and  he  died  early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th. 
After  announcing  his  death,  of  yellow  fever,  to  the  commanding  officer,  the  communication 
goes  on  as  follows  : 

"Sergeant  Piatt,  it  is  said,  had  been  ill  two  or  three  days  before  reporting  to  the  surgeon  of 
the  post,  but  there  is  certainly  no  doubt  of  his  having  been  hard  sick  more  than  24  hours  before 
reporting.  In  yellow  fever^  more  than  in  any  other  disease,  three,  four,  five,  or  six  hours,  at 
the  outset,  are  of  immense  consequence;  and  no  man  with  yellow  fever  can  expect  to  recover 
after  24  hours'  delay.  The  undersigned,  therefore,  respectfully  requests  all  company  officers 
to  endeavor,  by  every  means  in  their  power,  to  impress  this  important  fact  on  the  mind  of  every 
person  connected  with  the  command.  Let  every  person  pertaining  to  garrison — man,  woman, 
and  child — be  reported  without  delay  to  the  surgeon  as  soon  as  taken  ill." 

This  communication  was  published  to  the  command  at  evening  paraile  with  excellent  effect. 

Case  59.  Private  Frederick  Schmidt,  company  M,  was  taken  sick  with  yellow  fever  on  the 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  227 

1 0th  of  October.  He  was  a  drunkard,  and  admitted  a  prisoner  from  the  gnard-hoiise  at  6,  p.  M, 
This  case  was  managed  in  the  usual  manner,  hy  sinapisms,  cups,  calomel,  quinine,  &c., 
and  the  mouth  became  sore  on  the  14th;  and  from  tliis  date  convalescence  seemed  to  be  estab- 
lished, until  the  20th;  tlie  i)atieut  taking  little  medicine  except  a  bitter  infusion,  the  diet  being 
nourishing,  as  the  appetite  was  rather  strong.  Indeed,  the  man  was  considered  out  of  all 
danger.  On  the  morning  of  the  2Gth  there  were  strong  yellow  fever  signs;  black  vomit  finally 
commenced  on  the  25th;  and  he  lingered,  in  an  oiiensive  condition,  and  more  dead  than  alive, 
until  the  2d  of  November,  when  he  died.  There  was  mystery  in  this  relapse,  which  at  first 
could  not  be  understood  :  but  the  facts  came  out  at  last.  It  is  the  custom  among  soldiers  to 
"cheat  the  doctor,"  if  possible;  and  the  patient  had  managed,  by  means  of  his  confreres,  to 
smuggle  in  some  liquor  and  a  free  diet;  thus  "cheating  the  doctor,"  and  launching  himself  into 
eternity. 

Case  60.  Private  Thomas  Patterson,  company  K,  drunkard,  was  taken  with  yellow  fever  on 
the  11th  of  October.  8,  a.  m.,  calomel,  10  grs.,  opium  \  gr.;  15  grs.  quinine  at  8,  12,  and  4; 
ol:  ricini  A  oz.  at  12.  Quinine  in  smaller  doses  at  night,  and  on  the  l'2th,  13th,  and  14th. 
Appeared  to  be  better  on  the  12th  ;  decidedly  better  on  the  13th  :  and  was  considered  con- 
valescent on  the  14th,  and  decidedly  so  on  the  15th.  Took  no  medicine  on  the  15th  and  16th, 
except  some  bitter  infusion,  and  his  diet  consisted  of  beef-tea  in  the  day  and  arrow-root  at 
niglit.     Took  no  medicine  on  the  17th  and  18th,  and  the  diet  was  improved. 

IStli — night.  On  making  an  evening  visit  to  the  liospital,  found  the  patient  had  relapsed,  or 
secondary  fever  had  come  on  ;  there  was  intense  pain  in  the  frontal  and  orbitar  regions  ;  eyes 
suffused,  painful,  tender,  and  the  vessels  injected,  &c.  Sinapisms  and  mustard  pediluvium ; 
quinine  10  grs.,  cal:  3  grs.,  at  9,  1,  and  5  to-morrow  morning.  19th.  Quinine  5  grs.,  cal: 
1  gr.,  at  9,  12,  3,  6  ;  ol:  ricini  oz.  j.  Night.  Quinine  5  grs.,  cal:  1  gr.,  at  9,  1,  5,  and  \  gr. 
morphia  at  9.  20tli  Symptoms  continue  much  as  at  first ;  very  yellow.  Qiiin:  10  grs.,  cal: 
1  gr.,  at  9,  1,  6.  Night.  Quin:  5  grs.,  at  9,  1,  5  ;  cal:  3  grs.,  morphia  \  gr.,  at  9.  21st.  ol: 
ricini  |  oz.,  quin:  5  grs.,  at  9,  12,  3,  6.  Night.  Quinine  10  grs.,  cal:  2  grs.,  at  9,  1,  5.  22d. 
Quinine  10  grs.,  cal:  1  gr.,  at  9,  1,  5.  Night.  Quin:  et  cal:  da  5  grs.,  at  9  ;  10  grs.  quin:  at 
1,  5.  23d.  Quinine  5  grs.,  at  9,  12,  3,  6,  and  5  grs.  cal:  at  6.  Night.  Quinine  5  grs.,  cal:  2 
grs.,  at  9,  12,  3,  6  ;  wine  and  water,  or  ale.  24th.  Quinine  5  grs.,  cal:  2  grs.,  at  9,  12,  3,  6  ; 
brandy  or  wine,  beef-tea.  Night.  Quinine  3  grs.,  at  9,  1,  5,  and  wine  or  brandy,  as  he  prefers. 
25th.  Hitherto  no  eflect  of  the  mercurial  on  the  gums  could  be  perceived,  but  this  morning 
they  were  tender,  and  there  was  fetor  of  the  breath.  The  quinine  as  yesterday,  wine,  chicken- 
tea.  Night.  Quinine  5  grs.,  at  9,  1,  5  ;  2  grs.  cal:  at  9,  to  insure  the  efiect :  brandy  or  wine. 
2Gth.  Tlie  patient  was  so  ill  that  it  was  determined  to  continue  the  mercurial  to  the  full  extent 
of  ptyalism.  Quinine  5  grs.,  cal:  1  gr.,  at  9,  12,  3,  6  ;  j  gr.  opium  at  9 ;  brandy  or  wine,  and 
a  little  beef-tea.  Night.  Wine;  quin:  5  grs.,  cal:  1  gr.,  at  9,  1,  5,  and  ^  gr.  opium  at  9. 
27th.  Mouth  quite  sore,  and  mercurials  were  suspended  from  this  date.  Gargle,  wine  and 
brandy,  beef-tea,  and  3  grs.  quinine  every  third  hour.  Wi^^h  an  occasional  variation,  this 
jdan  was  continued  until  the  jiatient  became  thoroughly  convalescent.  Duty  on  the  27th  of 
November. 

Cases  64,  65.  Private  Charles  Thappler,  company  K,  sober  ami  well-behaved  in  every 
respect,  was  taken  with  yellow  fever  on  the  14th  of  October,  and  was  treated  principally  with 
quinine,  with  a  small  quantity  of  calomel  at  the  commencement.  He  had  the  usiial  symptoms 
at  the  beginning  of  the  disease,  and,  in  the  progress  of  the  case,  his  face  became  quite  yellow. 
He  went  to  quarters  on  the  1st  day  of  November  ;  on  the  7th,  8th,  and  9th,  he  told  me  that  he 
was  able  to  do  duty;  and  lie  had  every  appearance  of  being  so,  for  he  looked  healthy,  com- 
plexion ruddy,  and  natural  in  apjiearance,  ttc;  and  on  the  last  day  he  was  marked — (luty  to- 
morrcnr.  On  the  morning  of  the  10th,  he  was  brought  to  the  hospital,  and  a])peared  to  be  very 
sick,  having  undoubted  yellow  fever  symptoms — intense  pain  in  the  frontal  and  orbitar  regions ; 
eyes  tender,  suff"uscd,  and  the  conjunctival  vessels  injected;  face  of  a  dusky  red,  itc.     Cal: 


228  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

5  grs.;  qiiin:  10  p;rs.  at  0 ;  i  oz.  ol:  ricini  at  11  ;  10  grs.  ((uin:  at  1,  5.  Niglit.  Cal:  1  gr.; 
quin:  10  grs.;  opium,  ^  gr.  at  9,  1,  5.  11th.  Quite  yellow;  cal:  1  gr.;  quiu:  10  gr.s.;  o])ium 
^  gr.  at  9,  1,  5.  Titli.  Mouth  sore.  The  patient  was  put  on  small  doses  of  quin:,  bramly ; 
sometimes  mist:  ammo:  et  camph:,  beef-tea,  &c.     Duty,  December  17th. 

It  may  be  thought  singular  by  those  who  contend  that  yellow  fever  attacks  a  person  but  once 
in  a  life-time,  and  by  those  who  consider  an  attack  of  the  disease  as  a  preservative  against 
future  attacks,  provided  the  person  does  not  spend  a  winter  at  the  north,  to  find  that  this 
patient  is  registered  as  having  had  two  attacks  in  about  one  month.  Others  may  consider  the 
second  attack  a  relapse;  but  this  is  not  my  oj)inion,  for  the  patient  was  well.  A  more  singular 
instance  tluin  tliis  occurred  at  Pascagoula  in  1848.  One  of  the  hospital  matrons,  dissijiated,  but 
not  generally  so,  (by  dissipated,  I  mean  that  she  would  sometimes  get  drunk,)  had  severe  yellow 
fever,  and,  in  its  progress,  every  symptom  occurred  which  may  be  looked  for  in  the  disease, 
(including  yellow  skin,  hemorrhage  from  the  mouth  and  fauces,  and  uterine  liemorriiage,) 
except  black  vomit.  She  recovered,  went  on  duty,  and  did  her  usual  work  for  more  than  two 
weeks;  went  out  of  camj)  in  all  directions,  got  drunk,  and,  at  the  expiration  of  all  this,  she 
was  again  attacked  with  yellow  fever,  had  black  vomit,  and  died.  I  did  not  think  the  last  case 
a  whit  more  severe  than  the  first,  until  black  vomit  made  its  appearance. 

Case  71.  Private  Tliouias  Boyd,  company  K,  a  great  drunkard,  was  brought  from  the  guard- 
house (where  he  had  been  confined  for  his  bad  conduct,  by  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial, 
since  the  19th  day  of  August)  to  the  hospital,  in  charge  of  a  sentinel,  on  the  26th  of  October, 
about  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  with  severe  yellow  fever.  He  had  intense  pains  in  the  frontal  and 
orbitar  regions;  the  eyes  were  tender,  suffused,  and  the  vessels  were  highly  injected;  the  face 
was  of  a  dusky  brown  (he  was  of  dark  complexion) ;  and  altogether  the  case  was  a  most 
unpromising  one,  insomuch  that  I  remarked  to  the  hospital  steward,  "Here  is  another  of  those 
beautifid  cases,  which  will  have  to  be  carried  out;"  as  Fitzpatrick  was  already  dead,  Schmidt 
moribund,  and  Johnson  in  a  desperate  condition — all  drunkards.  Mustard  bath  and  sinapisms  ; 
cal:  et  quin:  (7(7  10  grs.,  and  rei)eat  at  2,  i>.  M.;  quin:  10  grs.,  cal:  1  gr,,  at  6.  Night.  Medicine 
had  operated;  quin:  10  grs.,  cal:  2  grs.,  opium  ^  gr.,  at  9,  1,  5.  2Yth.  Cal:  5  grs.,  quin: 
10  grs.,  at  9,  12,  3.  Sinapisms,  cups,  and  a  large  blister  to  the  epigastrium.  Night,  (^uin: 
5  grs.,  cal:  2  grs.,  opium  ^  gr.,  at  6,  9,  12,  and  3,  G,  to-morrow  morning.  28th.  Very  sick;  skin 
of  an  intensely  dark  yellow.  8  o'clock,  a.  m.  Cal:  10  grs.,  oi)ium  \  gr.;  and  quin:  10  grs.,  cal: 
2  grs.,  opium  ^  gr.,  at  10,  2,  4.  The  medicine  at  8  and  10  o'clock  was  doubtless  retained;  but 
the  other  two  doses  were  probably  thrown  off,  for  the  patient  had  vomited  several  times  in  the 
afternoon.  Before  4  o'clock,  p.  m.,  while  I  was  standing  by  him,  he  threw  up  a  quantity  of 
fluid,  which  appeared  to  be,  in  every  respect,  commencing  black  vomit;  and  the  result  of  the 
case  was  considered  as  settled.  He  threw  up  two  or  three  times  after  this;  the  contents  of  the 
stomach  each  time  being  of  a  darker  hue,  and  more  resembling  real  black  vomit.  I  had  no 
reason  in  the  world  to  doubt  that  the  real  vomito  prieto  had  begun.  He  was  directed  to  have 
light  drinks,  and  nothing  more,  and  towards  sunset  the  stomach  became  quiet.  9,  P.  m.  Has 
not  vomited  since  sundown.  Although  the  case  was  regarded  as  necessarily  fatal,  it  was  deter- 
mined to  try  one  more  dose  of  medicine,  and  10  grs.  of  cal:  and  \  gr.  opium  were  administered. 
Directions  were  given  for  him  to  take  nothing  whatever  for  three  hours  after,  and  then  to  take 
a  little  wine  and  water,  brandy  and  water,  or  such  other  drink  as  he  might  prefer;  and  1 
remarked  to  the  steward  at  the  time:  "If  he  does  keep  the  medicine  down,  it  will  be  of  no 
more  use  than  so  much  saw-dust."  29th.  On  going  to  the  hospital  this  morning,  my  first 
inquiry  was  about  Boyd.  The  steward  said  he  was  better,  and  I  replied  that  I  did  not  believe 
it.  The  steward  said  that  he  must  certainly  be  better,  for  his  stomach  had  been  quiet  all  night, 
and  he  had  a  sore  moutli.  I  said  "I  don't  believe  it,  but  let's  go  and  see;"  and  we  found  him 
with  a  sore  mouth — no  uncertain  one,  but  a  severe  ptyalism  had  begun;  face  swollen  ;  tongue 
enlarged;  teeth  and  gums  very  sore,  and  a  decidedly  mercurial  fetor  of  the  breath.  From  this 
date  small  doses  of  quinine,  brandy,  eiK'mata,  gargles^  chicken-broth,  beef-tea,  &c.,  were  used; 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  229 

but  it  was  several  days  before  we  could  be  persuaded  that  the  patient  would  be  saved,  as  I  had 
never  seen  one  recover  with  even  commencing  black  vomit.     Duty  Kovember  27th. 

Case  75.  Miss  A.  F ,  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  her  age,  was  taken  with  yellow  fever  in 

Charleston  on  the  18th  day  of  October,  and  came  to  Sullivan's  Island  on  the  19th;  but  I  was 
not  called  to  see  her  until  past  3  o'clock  p.  m.,  after  she  had  been  sick  about  thirty  hours.  She 
had  been  in  Charleston  about  five  weeks,  from  Canada  East;  her  friends  thinking  it  best  for 
her  to  come  south  on  account  of  a  troublesome  cough.  Catamenia  had  never  appeared.  Having 
been  ill  so  long,  the  case  presented  a  most  unpromising  appearance ;  and  so  the  friends  were 
informed.  The  patient  took  calomel,  quinia,  and  ol:  ricini  on  the  first  day,  and  afterwards 
some  calomel  with  the  quinia,  and  the  latter  was  given  as  fast  as  was  considered  judicious  ;  but 
the  case  progressed  in  the  most  malignant  manner  to  the  21st,  when  there  was  great  irrita- 
bility of  the  stomach  ;  and  it  is  uncertain  how  much  medicine  was  retained  afterwards.  Sina- 
pisms, cups,  and  a  large  blister  to  the  e})igastrium  had  been  used.  22d.  Every  appearance  of 
the  first  stage  of  black  vomit,  which  continued  to  increase,  until  I  had  no  hesitation  in  pro- 
nouncing that  the  fatal  precursor  had  taken  place.  To  take  such  drinks  during  the  night  as 
are  most  agreeable,  iced  or  without,  and  a  little  brandy  in  some  shape,  if  possible.  23d — 
early.  It  was  reported  to  me  that  the  patient  had  thrown  up  several  times  during  the  night, 
and  that  about  three  o'clock  the  vomit  appeared  in  the  most  decided  manner.  Since  that  time 
the  stomach  had  remained  quiet.  I  could  easily  credit  these  reports,  both  from  what  I  had  seen 
the  day  and  night  before,  and  from  the  present  appearance  of  the  patient,  for  she  appeared  to 
be  in  extremis;  pulse  frequent  and  leeble ;  skin  with  the  peculiar  yellow  fever  sensation  to  the 
touch,  and  clammy;  extremities  cold;  and  the  eyes,  face,  and  neck  intensely  yellow.  External 
applications;  ices,  and  iced  mucilages;  brandy  in  small  quantities  in  some  shape;  and  mist: 
ammon:  carb:  1  drm.  every  two  hours.  In  truth,  she  was  considered  moribund.  Hemorrhage 
from  the  nose  and  mouth  came  on  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  continuing  at  intervals  during 
the  24th  and  2oth ;  after  the  25th  there^vas  but  little  hemorrhage.  On  the  24th,  the  stomach 
remaining  quiet,  and  the  mist:  ammon:  appearing  to  agree  better  with  that  organ  than  any- 
thing else,  the  patient  was  directed  to  take  a  drachm  of  it  every  hour,  day  and  night,  unless 
asleep ;  and  as  tliere  was  troublesome  cough  and  restlessness,  \  gr.  morphia  was  given  every 
night  from  this  date.  Brandy,  in  some  form,  was  recommended,  if  she  could  be  prevailed  on  to 
take  it;  and  a  little  chicken-tea  was  ventured  upon.  Mist:  camph:  was  afterwards  combined 
■with  the  ammonia  mixture.  The  young  lady  finally  recovered,  most  unexpectedly  to  myself; 
and  the  severity  of  the  fever  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  she  lost  her  hair  subsequently. 

This  case  and  Boyd  (case  71)  are  the  only  ones  I  have  ever  known  to  recover  after  black 
vomit  had  come  on,  ever  so  slightly,  in  all  my  experience.  The  Charleston  physicians  report 
a  number  of  recoveries  after  the  occurrence  of  this  usually  fatal  symptom;  more,  I  believe,  than 
in  former  epidemics.  We  have  all  read  of  these  recoveries,  and  no  one  had  reason  to  doubt  the 
fact  of  their  sometimes  occurring,  but  I  never  expected  to  see  an  instance.  These  two  patients 
were  very  ditferent;  Boyd  was  a  very  great  drunkard,  and  the  original  organization  was  worn 
out,  and  could  not  be  trusted ;  this  young  girl  had  led  an  innocent  life,  and,  though  there  was 
tendency  to  pulmonary  disease,  much  might  be  trusted  to  nature.  In  both  of  these  cases,  how- 
ever, there  was  only  incipient  black  vomit,  the  inner  coat  of  the  stomach  remaining  intact ;  for 
we  can  scarcely  conceive  of  recovery  taking  place  after  confirmed  black  vomit,  when  the  mucous 
coat  is  in  a  state  of  disorganization. 

Treatment  of  Yellotv  Fever. — The  general  plan  may  be  seen  from  the  cases ;  adjuvants  being 
almost  wholly  omitted  from  the  reported  treatment.  Calomel  and  quinia  were  given  in  all 
cases  from  the  beginning,  and  the  former  was  never  omitted  from  each  dose  of  the  latter  in  the 
last  part  of  October,  when  the  disease  assumed  a  more  malignant  character  than  belbre ;  and  it 
may  be  remarked  in  this  place,  that  if  a  great  mistake  was  made  in  treatment  during  the  whole 
epidemic,  it  was  in  the  cases  of  Fitzpatrick  and  Johnson  (cases  62  and  67),  in  which  calomel 
ought  to  have  been  pushed  with  every  dose  of  quinine  to  downright  ptyalism.     It  is  my  opinion 


230  EEPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

that  each  of  these  men  iniirlit  jiossibly  have  hecn  saved — tliniigh  notoriously  great  drunkards, 
and  had  subjects — by  this  course  of  treatment,  for  no  otlier  method  could  have  done  it;  hut, 
perhaps,  I  have  more  reason  to  rejoice  that  tlie  mortality  was  no  greater.  Fitzjiatrick  was 
strongly  suspected,  also,  of  having  "played  old  soldier."  Compare  these  two  cases  with  some 
others,  particularly  cases  G8  and  71.  Bilious  i'ever  was  treated  on  the  same  ])rinciples;  the 
lighter  the  case,  the  more  care  was  taken  to  avoid  ptyalism. 

It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  testimony  in  favor  of  this  plan  of  treatment  during  this 
epidemic,  which  is  the  same  as  that  pursued  by  myself  at  Vera  Cruz  in  the  summer  of  1847; 
and  it  is  the  more  cheerfully  done,  because  it  is  not  at  present  the  i'ashionable  treatment,  like 
oil  and  lemon-juice,  snake-root  and  salts,  verbena,  &c.,  &c.  From  the  tliousand  inliilllhle  spe- 
cifics advertised  iu  the  medical  journals  and  newspapers  for  the  cure  of  yellow  fever,  it  m.ay  be 
inferred  that  every  plan  of  treatment  is  somewhat  uncertain,  and  that  we  have  to  contend  with 
/  a  malignaat  disease.  Tiie  more  certain  cures  we  see  advertised  for  any  disease,  the  more  un- 
J^  certain  the  treatment;  and  we  see,  notwithstanding  infallible  treatmentT— that  yellow  fever 
patients  do  die,  as  at  New  Orleans,  Havana,  Bermuda,  &c.  It  may  be  said  that  my  patients 
escaped  in  spite  of  the  doctor  ;  and  this  could  be  said  if  I  had  lost  1.5  or  20  of  them  in  48  cases 
of  severe  and  malignant  yellow  fever,  instead  of  4  in  48  ;  and,  in  reality,  the  physician  ought 
not  to  be  held  responsible  for  more  than  2  cases  out  of  the  4  fatal  ones.  (See  cases  58  and  5'J.) 
There  was,  however,  a  mortality  of  4  in  more  than  100  cases  of  fever  at  Fort  Moultrie.  If  mer- 
curials are  so  injurious  in  yellow  fever,  as  is  contended  by  many,  whether  by  dissolving  the  blood, 
by  creating  great  nervous  irritation,  by  exciting  inflammation  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  stomach 
and  duodenum,  or  for  any  other  reason,  most  of  my  patients  ought  to  have  died.  But  did  they 
die?     We  will  see  when  we  come  to  the  statistics  of  the  epidemic. 

Venesection  was  not  practised  in  a  single  instance  ;  cups  were  freely  employed,  but  leeches 
were  not  used  in  any  case,  cups  answering  every  purpose.  Anodynes  were  in  universal  use, 
particularly  at  night.  Ice  was  freely  used  in  a  few  special  cases,  but  it  was  not  generally  re- 
(juired.  Sinapisms  and  epispastics  were  freely  applied.  Brandy,  in  some  shape  agreeable  to 
the  patient,  was  universally  used — more  so,  perhaps,  than  in  any  epidemic  I  have  ever  wit- 
nessed, and  pretty  early  in  the  disease,  with  the  best  effect,  in  the  cases  of  temperate  females  as 
well  as  with  old  topers.  Mist:  ammon:  carb:  was  employed  in  the  advanced  stages  of  some  of 
the  most  malignant  cases,  with  excellent  effect.  Ale  and  wine  were  sometimes  given,  when  the 
brandy  did  not  agree  with  the  stomach.  So  soon  as  the  first  stage  of  the  disease  had  somewhat 
jmssed,  chicken  and  beef  tea  were  given  in  small  quantities.  It  is  not  necessary  to  go  more  into 
detail. 

Symptoms  have  not  been  detailed.  It  is  easy  to  jjerceive,  I'rom  almost  every  case,  what  are 
considered  diagnostic  symptoms,  and  the  rest  have  been  almost  wholly  omitted.  Pain  of  the 
back  and  limbs  has  not  been  much  noticed,  for  it  is  by  no  means  pathognomonic,  occurring  in 
every  southern  fever.  It  is  mentioned  in  this  place  for  the  purpose  of  alluding  to  the  dis{)osi- 
tion,  generally  prevalent  at  the  commencement  of  the  yellow  fever,  to  call  all  fevers  dengue, 
after  its  predecessor  of  1850,  when  these  pains  were  so  common  ;  but  they  were  just  as  common 
and  severe  in  this  fever.  They  are  common  in  all  southern  fevers.  The  jjulse  was  slow,  fre- 
quent, full,  weak,  &c.,  in  all  stages  of  the  different  cases.  The  tongue  is  no  criterion.  It  was 
nearly  natural  in  appearance,  flabby,  white,  yellow  and  loaded,  brown  and  moist,  brown  and 
dry,  black,  had  red  edges,  &c.,  in  different  cases.  The  organ  presented  almost  every  variety  of 
appearance. 

Little  will  be  said  concerning  the  nature  of  yellow  fever.  When  the  disease  first  occurred  to 
me,  it  was  regarded  as  sui  generis — as  different  from  all  otlier  southern  fevers  ;  but  it  must  be 
confessed  that  this  opinion  has  been  considerably  modified ;  and,  at  the  present  time,  it  is  be- 
lieved that  intermittent,  remittent,  continued,  congestive,  and  yellow  fevers  are  nearly  related, 
if  not  modifications  of  the  same  fever — all  being  southern  bilious  fevers;  the  nervous  system  in 
some,  and  the  blood  in  others,  being  pre-eminently  aflected.     Whether  the  difference  in  these 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


231 


varieties  of  southern  fever,  in  different  seasons  and  in  the  same  season,  depends  on  a  simple  dif- 
ference of  intensity  in  the  predispo.sing  and  exciting  causes  with  the  same  materies  mo'rbi; 
whether  different  causes  exist  at  the  .same  time,  developing  the  different  forms  of  fever;  or, 
whether  there  is  a  blending  and  conversion  of  types,  as  is  maintained  by  Dr.  Dickson — all  re- 
mains to  be  determined.  It  is  easy  to  diagnosticate  a  mild  and  open  remittent  from  a  malig- 
nant yellow  fever ;  but  the  different  rounds  between  the  extremities  of  the  ladder  are  so  numer- 
ous as  to  render  the  central  one,  the  dividing  line,  difficult  to  distinguish.  This  was  particu- 
larly so  in  the  fevers  of  1852  ;  and  some  cases  were  registered  as  remittent  fever  in  the  month 
of  September,  which  might  have  been,  with  equal  propriety,  named  and  reported  as  yellow 
fever.  As  the  fevers  became  more  malignant,  in  the  month  of  October,  there  was  no  sort  of 
difficulty  in  determining  their  true  cliaracter. 

STATISTICS    OF   THE    EPIDEMIC. 

I.  Table  shoioing  the  classes  of  persons  attached  to  the  gan-ison  of  Fort  Moultrie,  with  their  febrile 

diseases  and  mortality. 


t 
I 

09 

t 

o  i 

11 

o 

is 

No.  cases  of  other 
fevers. 

Total  number  of  all 
fevers. 

KG.  SICKj 

PER  1,000,  WITB  1 

DBATHS  PROM 

MORTALITY  PER 
CENT.  FROM— 

—' 

DESIGNATION. 

1 
s 

o 
■© 

s 

S 

6 
o 

i 

1 

< 

> 

o 
"3 
>< 

s  i 

s  % 

< 

>• 

2 

1 

1 

1 

a 

Officers 

9 

112 

9 

29 

25 

2 

7 

7 

33 

8 

4 
27 

3 

1     15 
11 

4 
60 

3 
23 
11 

295 


276 

444 
241 
333 
517 
440 

444 
535 
333 
793 
440 

1 

Enlifited  men  -      __    -_ --- 

4 

12.  12 

6.66 

85 

White  male  adults,  not  military- - 

1 

White  children _. 

[ 

,       2 

1       2 

2     1 

2     1 

285 
285 

285 
285 

Total         -- 

200 

41 

64 

1   105 

1 

205 

320 

525 

4 

9.75 

1 

3.80 

20 

II.  Table  showing  the  exposure,  fevers,  &c. ,  of  different  classes  of  persons  during  the  epidemic. 


Designation. 

1 
Strength.     Cases  of  yel-     Other  fe-   Total  number 
1    low  fever.    !      vers.       cases  of  fever. 

] 

1                                      1 
Drill       Guard      '  Faligne  duty  or  previous    Provision  for  respira- 
duty.       duly.      |              exposure.                               tion. 

1 

1 
Officers                     . 9      i           4 

4 

1  Lierht--    Litrht Verv  crood. 

Enlisted  men 1       112             33         !         27 

OffiffTR'  ladip<?                                        7      i               1            '              4 

60 

Severe. . 

Severe Good. 

None Very  good. 

Severe    .     _ '  Good. 

^^fllfllPTft'    WIVPR                                '               1ft        1                   7                                  Q        !               ^C\ 

White  female  servants  .  . 

4     1           ...            2 

2 

3 

11 

light 1  Good. 

Moderate  or  light. .    Good. 

None  - Good. 

Light :  Moderately  good. 

Moderate Moderately  good. 

None  - Moderately  good. 

9     '                               3 

Wliitp  rhildrPTi 

25                                  11 

2      

Colored  females 

Colored  children 

Total - 

7      2 

2 

9 

7      2 

'       200     !         41         !         64 

105 

i 

232 


REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


III.  Table  showing  the  habit  of  intemperance  in  different  classes  of  persons  belonging  to  the  garri- 
son, with  their  febrile  diseases,  (be.,  dtc.  , 


f 
m 

i 

•c 

Q 

i 

u 

s 
•c 
-a 

1 

1 

c 

n 

SODliR  I'ERSONS,     IIRINKCRS.    HARD    DRINKERS. 

PRnNKARIlS 

DEATHS. 

Designation. 

II 

1 

o 

1 

£    ■ 
>< 

> 
u 

O 

> 
o 

> 

1 

•a 
e3 

X 
C 

s 

1 

Enlisted  men  of  company  E 

"         "               "        K 

21 

45 

43 

3 

18 
4 
9 

25 
2 
7 
7 

12 
20 

18 
1 

18 
4 
5 

25 

2 
6 
3 

3 

2 

8 
1 

4 
17 
14 

1 

1 
5 

7 
1 

7 

4 
6 

— 

2 

2 

2 
2 

1 
1 

1 

1 

5 
9 

4 
6 
1 

"         "               "   '     M. 

4 

4 

93 

"         "of  other  corps 

Soldiers'  wives          ------ 

9 

2 

2 

11 

White  female  servants      -_._._ 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

7 
7 

2 
2 

1 

Total 

184 

117 

12 

16 

39 

21 

38 

4 

4 

3 

15 

11 

4 

4 

22 

IV.  2'a6Ze  of  comparison  between  companies  K  and  31,  from  October  1st  to  the  end  of  the  epidemic. 


B 

g 

1 

Drinkers  and  drunk- 
ards. 

1 

SOBER  MEN. 

DRINKERS  AND 
DRDNKARDS. 

&  d 

C    o 

-  s 

o  S' 

O    a) 
c 

o 

g 
c 

a 

Q 

Enlisted  men. 

> 

I 

o 

> 

1 

2 

> 

o 

Remarks. 

Company  K 

Company  M 

20 
18 

25 
25 

45 
43 

5 

7 

— 

6 
11 

1 

1 

244 
419 

22 
23 

In  every  table,  and  in  all  cases,  it 
is  to  be  recollected  that  company  M 
was  not  present  in  September. 

4 

93 

V.  Table  of  different  classes  of  persons,  not  military,  pertaining  to  the  garrison,  toith  their  febrile 

diseases. 


Designation. 

No.  of  per- 
sons. 

No.  cases  of  No.  sick  per  1000 
yellow  fever,    witli  yel.  fever. 

No.  cases  of 
remit,  fever. 

No.  sick  per  1000 
witli  remit,  fever. 

No.  cases  in  all 
Total  fevers. 

No.  sick  per  1000 
witli  all  fevers. 

Deaths. 

Officers'  ladies  --- 

7 
18 
4 
9 
25 
2 
7 
7 

1          >            143 

7                     389 

4 
9 
2 
3 
11 

571 
500 
500 
333 
440 

5 

16 

2 

3 

11 

714 
889 
500 
333 
440 

Soldiers'  "wives 

Wliite  female  servants 

AVliite  males--      ------- 

White  children-      ---    - 

Colored  adult  females 

2 
2 

286 
286 

2 
2 

286 
286 

Total..-   - 

79 

8                      101          1          S."? 

418 

41 

519 

AMONG   THE   TROOrS    IN    THE  SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
VI.   Table  of  mortality  in  yelloio  fever,  in  all  the  cases  treated. 


233 


Designation. 


No.  of  cases.    Deaths.   Mortality  per  ct. 


Enlisted  men 33 

Women  of  garrison 8 

Not  of  garrison — citizens 7 

Total '  48 


12.  12 


8.33 


Tlie  first  table  requires  no  explanation.  The  second,  third,  and  fifth  tables  give  the  differ- 
ent clas.se8  of  person.s  attaclied  to  garrison  more  distinctly  than  the  first,  the  previous  exposure, 
provision  for  respiration,  and  their  character  for  sobriety,  with  their  febrile  diseases  and  mor- 
tality. Under  the  head  of  "officers'  ladies,"  are  included  visitors  who  remained  through  the  epi- 
demic in  precisely  the  same  condition  as  the  class  in  which  they  are  included.  Among  soldiers' 
wives  are  included  several  women  who  assisted  as  laundresses,  who  married  soldiers  then  or 
shortly  after,  and  whose  situation,  in  every  respect,  duty,  fatigue,  sobriety,  &c.,  was  the  same 
as  the  class  into  which  they  are  incorporated.  This  class  of  persons  was  temperate.  They 
were  exposed  to  great  fatigue  during  the  heavy  rains,  and  the  cases  of  fever  were  no  less  than 
889  per  1,000;  but  there  was  not  a  single  death.  The  mortality  among  enlisted  men  was  35 
per  1,000  ;  and  in  company  M,  the  only  company  which  lost  men,  the  mortality  was  93  per 
1,000.  The  provision  for  respiration  was  good  for  both  classes;  the  fatigue  and  exposure  were 
great  in  both  classes;  the  drunkenness  was  great  among  the  men,  and  there  was  none  of  it 
among  the  women  ;  and,  although  the  sickness  per  1,000  among  the  enlisted  men  was  535, 
and  among  the  camp  women  889,  the  mortality  was  nothing  in  one  class,  and  in  the  other 
35  per  1,000,  or  6.66  per  cent,  of  all  fevers.  The  fevers  of  this  year,  both  remittent  and  yellow, 
were  universally  more  easy  to  manage  among  females  than  in  men.  The  third  table  shows  the 
fevers  among  drunkards,  with  whom  is  classed  one  habitual  opium-taker.  From  this  table  it 
appears  that  company  E  had  rather  more  cases  of  all  sorts  of  fever  than  company  K,  or  619  per 
1,000,  while  K  had  578  per  1,000  ;  but  the  number  of  yellow  fever  cases  was  much  less  in  E, 
amounting  to  only  95  per  1,000,  while  the  number  sick  with  yellow  fever  in  K  was  267  per 
1,000,  and  in  company  M  the  yellow  fever  cases  were  419  per  1,000.  The  number  of  soldiers' 
wives  sick  per  1,000  with  yellow  fever  was  389;  other  fevers,  500;  all  fevers,  889;  as  seen  in 
the  fifth  table,  but  there  was  not  a  single  death.  To  what  can  this  difference  be  ascribed?  To 
what  is  the  exemption  of  company  E  from  yellow  fever,  as  compared  with  company  K,  to  be 
attributed,  unless  to  the  comparative  freedom  from' hard  drinkers  and  old  drunkards?  The  two 
companies  had  been  side  by  side  during  the  whole  year,  and  their  barrack-rooms,  duties,  and 
exposures  had  been  alike  in  every  respect.  The  following  table  exhibits  the  prevalence  of  fever 
among  sober  men  and  drunkards  in  the  respective  companies. 


t 

£ 

SOBER  MEN. 

HARD  DRINKERS  AND  DRUNKARDS. 

Company. 

B 

1 

i 
o 

>• 

.e 
0 

E 

g 

< 

SICK  PER  1,000  WITH — 

i 
1 

s 

.a 

s 

3 

1 

0 

■3 
> 

E 

1 

1 
0 

i 

> 

< 

SICK  PER  1,000  WITS— 

yellow     Other 
fever,     fevers. 

All 
fevers. 

Yellow 
fever. 

Other 
fevers. 

All 
fevers. 

E 

21 
45 
43 

20 
18 

1 

5 

7 

4 
6 

5 
11 

7 

1 
83  ^     333 
250  1     300 
388    

416 
550 
388 

— 

7 
19 
22 

1 

7 

11 

5        6 

143 
368 
500 

714 

316 

45 

857 
684 
545 

K 

6 

1 

13 
12 

M 

4 

' 

S.  9& 

' 

to 

234  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

Company  M  was  not  present  in  September,  and  there  was  little  fever,  other  than  yellow,  in 
the  month  of  October.  Tlie  September  cases  are  included  in  companies  E  and  K,  and  are 
almost  entirely  remittent. 

There  were  three  men  of  other  corps  present  during  the  whole  epidemic,  in  whom  yellow 
fever  is  apparently  in  an  inverse  ratio  to  the  above  statement;  but  this  is  not  in  reality  the  fact, 
for  the  sober  man  who  had  yellow  fever  was  undergoing  punishment  (hard  labor,  confinement, 
&c.),  by  sentence  of  general  court-martial,  for  mutinous  conduct;  the  hard  drinker,  who  had 
mild  remittent  fever,  was  on  light  duty,  and  was  but  little  exposed ;  and  the  one  who  escaped 
all  fever — a  thief,  a  liar,  and  a  drunkard,  also  undergoing  punishment  for  desertion  by  sentence 
of  general  court-martial — was  an  exception  to  all  rules,  being  completely  hardened,  both 
morally  and  physically. 

We  have  high  authority  for  asserting  that  intemperance  is  a  strong  predisposing  cause  of 
fever  in  hot  climates.  Dr.  Carpenter  says :  "Its  efficacy  has  been  generally  attributed  to  the  gene- 
ral disorder  of  the  nutrient  process,  and  to  the  weakening  of  the  vital  powers,  which  it  tends  to 
induce;  but,  to  us,  it  appears  that  it  possesses  a  more  direct  and  special  action.  One  of  the 
best  established  among  the  consequences  of  the  introduction  of  alcohol  into  the  blood,  is  its 
rapid  oxidation,  whereby  it  is  itself  eliminated  from  the  circulating  current;  but,  in  thus 
greedily  appropriating  to  itself  the  oxygen  which  the  respiratory  process  supplies,  it  prevents 
the  oxidation  of  other  substances,  of  which  it  is  one  of  the  special  objects  of  that  process  to  get 
rid;  thus  tending  to  induce  the  same  condition  of  the  blood  as  that  which  is  consequent  upon 
obstructed  respiration.  And  the  peculiar  potency  of  this  cause  in  hot  climates,  where  the  oxi- 
dating process,  as  measured  by  the  production  of  carbonic  acid,  does  not  take  place  at  above  half 
the  rate  at  which  it  is  carried  on  in  a  colder  atmosphere,  is  a  strong  confirmation  gf  this  view." 

The  sixth  table  gives  the  number  and  mortality  of  the  yellow  fever  cases ;  and,  at  the  risk  of 
repetition,  is  intended  to  show  the  result  of  the  practice  pi;rsued.  A  comjiarison  of  the  cases 
with  this  table  shows  that  the  main  remedy,  one  in  universal  use — the  combination  of  calomel 
and  quinine — was  not  so  inefficacious,  nor  so  prejudicial,  as  has  been  represented  by  many  phy- 
sicians. If  the  combination  had  been  inefficacious,  there  must  have  been  a  large  mortality  ;  but 
it  is  scarcely  probable  that  two  such  powerful  articles  of  the  materia  medica,  which  show  their 
effects  on  the  system  so  obviously,  should  prove  inert;  and  their  influence  in  this  epidemic, 
either  for  good  or  evil,  is  undoubted.  If  i^rejudicial  in  their  action,  the  mortality  must  have 
been  frightful;  for  both  articles  were  administered  so  freely,  that  scarcely  a  chance  was  left  for 
recovery.  But  there  was  no  such  mortality,  and  the  treatment  was  as  successful  as  any  mode 
of  practice  could  be  expected  to  prove  in  any  circumstances.  Much  has  been  said  against  this 
mode  of  treating  the  disease  ;  but  what  plan  of  treatment  has  ever  jiroved  infallible?  A  clerical 
gentleman  very  kindly  remarked  to  me  one  day,  that  he  did  not  know  of  a  more  disgusting 
sight  than  to  go  into  the  wards  of  a  hospital  filled  with  sick,  undergoing  ptyalism.  I  replied 
that  it  was  disagreeable;  but,  to  me,  it  was  not  half  so  disagreeable  a  sight  as  to  enter  the 
wards  of  a  hospital  filled  with  patients  having  black  vomit.  The  occurrence  of  ptyalism  in  this 
yellow  fever  was  never  an  unpleasant  sight  to  me ;  on  the  contrary,  it  was  always  hailed  as  the 
harbinger  of  recovery.  If  a  simple  mode  of  treating  yellow  fever  can  be  devised,  by  wliich  it 
may  always  be  cured,  cito,  iuto,  jucunde,  no  one  will  more  cheerfully  follow  it  than  myself,  to 
the  exclusion  of  calomel,  quinine,  cupping,  blistering,  and  all  other  unpleasant  remedies. 

Our  limits  will  permit  of  but  a  single  remark  on  the  modus  operandi  of  quinine.  It  is 
regarded  by  a  very  great  majority  of  the  profession  as  a  sedative;  but,  since  the  free  use  of  it 
in  the  severe  and  malignant  fevers  of  Florida,  in  1839,  '40,  and  '41, 1  have  regarded  it  as  having 
a  peculiar  stimulant  action  on  the  nervous  system ;  nor  have  I  since  seen  reason  to  change  the 
opinion.  The  salts  of  quinine  seem  to  have  a  peculiar  affinity,  if  we  may  so  speak,  for  nervous 
matter ;  and  hence  their  beneficial  action  in  many  diseases.  Dr.  Stevens  believed  that  the 
sulphate  has  an  effect  on  the  blood  in  malignant  fevers,  though  not  to  the  extent  of  some  of  the 
other  alkaline  salts. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS    IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION 


235 


It  may  be  said  that  this  epidemic  was  of  a  mild  cliaiacter.  It  wa.s  not  so  mali;j;nant  as  that  at 
(St.  Augustine,  Florida,  in  1841  ;  nor  was  it  so  severe  as  the  yellow  fever  at  Pascagoula,  Mis- 
sissippi, in  1848,  though  more  prevalent ;  but  it  appeared  to  be  as  grave  a  fever  as  that  of  Vera 
Cruz  in  1847,  though  the  mortality,  from  circumstances,  was  immensely  greater  in  that  town 
than  on  Sullivan's  Island  and  at  Fort  Moultrie.  A  glance  at  tlie  cases  will  show  that  the 
epidemic  was  not  of  a  mild  character.  On  a  certain  night  visit  in  October,  ten  patients  were 
considered  in  a  very  hazardous  situation  ;  but  fortunately  only  two  of  them  were  lost,  the  others 
recovering  under  the  i'ree  use  of  calomel  and  quinine  ;  which  ought  not  to  have  been  the  case,  if 
the  remedies  were  pernicious.  The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  all  cases  during  the 
epidemic  months,  with  the  exception  of  three  fever  cases  in  August: 


Months. 

Be^ignation. 

i 

s 

■a 

1 

> 

Cholera  infantum. 
Cholera  morbus. 

a 

s 

= 

£ 
1. 

a 

All  other  diseases. 

Total  number  of 
cases. 

•g 
5 

e 

en 

Septera'r 

October  _ 

(1 

Officers  and  enlisted  men 

Women,  children,  servants,  &c.- 

Officers  and  enlisted»men.  - 

W^omen,  children,  servants,  &c. . 

Officers  and  enlisted  men 

Women,  children,  servants,  &c.  - 

71     '     24 

61     ;     15 
121           3 

79          12 
107     ,       1 

U           6 

1  ' 

1 

2  L 

29      

5            2 

1 
2 

1 

■    2 
1 
3 
2 
2 

3 

4 
4 
2 

29 
25 
38 
24 

1 
3 

Eiicephalitis. 
Yellow  fever. 

3 
1 

13         19 
2     :     12 

! 

1 

Yellow  fever. 

ii 



1 

61 

41             3     i        4 

10 

28 

147 

5 

Every  case  of  cholera  infantum,  cholera  morbus,  and  dysentery,  in  the  preceding  table, 
occurred  in  persons  who  had  not  been  from  the  island  for  weeks,  and  some  of  them  had  never 
been  from  the  island  in  their  lives.  Every  case  originated  on  Sullivan's  Island.  Of  the  remit- 
tent fever,  almost  every  case  originated  here ;  for,  after  the  public  notice  of  July  24,  and  the 
subsequent  post  regulation,  not  a  man  was  permitted  to  stay  in  Charleston  over  night,  and  few 
wished  to  go  there;  nor  did  the  women  and  children,  who  had  these  diseases,  go  to  town  at  all. 
It  has  been  already  shown  that  the  yellow  fever  originated  on  Sullivan's  Island.  About  the 
origin  of  the  disease,  there  can  be  no  question. 

The  foregoing  tables  do  not  perfectly  agree  with  the  quarterly  reports  of  sick  in  a  few  par- 
ticulars, the  mean  strength  not  being  the  same  as  the  full  number  of  persons. 

Etiology. — The  generation  of  yellow  fever  appears  not  to  depend  on  the  presence  of  one  par- 
ticular thing  or  cause,  but  on  the  presence  or  combination  of  several ;  and  the  following  seem 
to  have  been  the  principal  ones  in  1852,  as  in  previous  years,  viz: 

1.  Intemperance,  or  the  excessive  use  of  alcoholic  liquors. — We  have  sufficiently  alluded  to 
the  pernicious  effects  of  the  free  use  of  spirituous  liquors  on  the  system  in  hot  climates.  On 
Sullivan's  Island,  the  chief  source  of  revenue  is  from  the  sale  of  liquor  licenses;  and  there  were 
not  less  than  thirteen  licensed  grog-shops  in  1852,  in  a  population  of  perhaps  2,000  in  summer, 
and  as  many  hundreds  in  winter;  besides  illicit  venders,  all  of  whom  dispensed  the  vilest  com- 
pounds to  their  unfortunate  customers.  The  effect  of  such  villanous  liquor  on  the  system  is 
obvious. 

2.  Fatigue  and  exposure. — Dr.  Carpenter  says:  "The  fotigue  resulting  from  excessive  mus- 
cular exertion,  is  commonly  accounted  one  of  the  predisposing  causes  of  zymotic  disease;  and 
this,  too,  is  usually  supposed  to  operate  merely  in  occasioning  a  general  depression  of  the  vital 
powers.     All  muscular  exertion,  it  is  now  universally  admitted,  involves,  as  its  condition,  a 


236  REPORT   ON    TUE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

disintegration  of  muscular  tissue,  the  components  of  wliicli  normally  undergo  oxidation,  so  as  to 
be  partly  eliminated  by  the  resjiiratory  ])roccss  under  the  form  of  carbonic  acid  and  water,  and 
partly  liy  tiie  kidneys  under  tliat  of  urea,  &c.  Now,  if  the  disintegration  of  mnsele  by  exercise 
take  place  faster  than  the  matter  thus  set  free  to  decompose  can  be  oxidated  and  eliminated,  it 
must  remain  in  the  blood  for  a  time  in  that  very  state  of  readiness  to  change,  which  renders  it 
peculiarly  iermentable;  and  thus  its  i)resence  in  the  circulating  current  will  give  to  the  blood 
the  same  susceptibility  to  the  action  of  zymotic  poisons,  which  it  will  derive  from  any  of  the 
causes." 

On  iSullivan's  Island  the  condition,  habits,  latigue,  exposure,  &c.,  of  the  same  class  of  people, 
are  similar.  During  the  summer  of  1852,  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie  was  small,  and  for  a 
time  the  men  had  to  go  on  guard  every  alternate  day,  the  other  day  being  devoted  to  severe 
fiitigue  duty,  as  getting  wood  and  water,  draining  the  fort  and  parade,  which  had  been  deluged 
by  the  heavy  rains,  &c. ;  so  that  their  fatigue  and  exposure  were  very  great.  The  company 
women  (laundresses)  also  suffered  from  fatigue  and  exi^osure.  These  two  classes  of  persons^ 
the  enlisted  men  and  companj'  women,  chiefly  suffered  from  yellow  fever. 

3.  Impvrftct  ventilation. — On  this  cause  of  disease,  Dr.  Carpenter  is  so  interesting  as  to  merit 
a  long  notice :  ' '  An  accumulation  of  disintegrating  matter  in  the  system  may  be  due,  not  merely 
to  its  excessive  production,  but  to  any  obstacle  which  interferes  with  its  due  elimination;  and 
this  will  especially  be  the  case,  when  the  respiratory  i)rocess  is  imperfectly  performed.  All 
physiological  and  pathological  evidence  tends  to  indicate  the  paramount  importance  of  this  pro- 
cess ;  not  merely  as  regards  the  direct  elimination,  through  the  lungs,  of  a  large  amount  of 
matter  which  is  undergoing  change,  but  also  as  furnishing  the  conditions  by  which  the  matters, 
properly  to  be  excreted  by  the  kidneys,  are  brought  into  the  normal  condition  for  being  thus 
eliminated.  For  any  prolonged  deficiency  of  respiration  necessarily  lowers  the  general  oxidating 
])rocess  throughout  the  body  ;  and  thus  it  happens  that  an  undue  amount  of  carbonaceous  matter 
is  thrown  upon  the  kidneys  for  excretion,  and  that  the  highly-azotized  compounds  are  not  so 
completely  brought^  as  they  should  be,  into  the  condition  of  urea.  Now,  that  over-crowding, 
and,  consequently,  deficient  aeration  of  the  blood,  is  one  of  the  most  frequent  causes  of  the 
severity  of  epidemics,  is  a  fact  so  universally  recognized  by  all  who  have  attended  to  the  subject, 
that  we  need  scarcely  do  more  than  advert  to  it. ' ' 

On  Sullivan's  Island  this  cause  of  disease  is  not  so  powerful  as  in  Charleston.  The  dwellings 
are  farther  apart  on  the  island  than  in  the  city,  and  there  is  a  better  circulation  of  air ;  but 
still  there  is  imperfect  ventilation  in  the  crowded  old  houses  and  kitchens,  whose  floors  are  on 
the  ground,  and  whose  timbers  are  decayed.  These  decaying  houses  are  the  most  liable  to  be 
crowded ;  and  one  can  be  pointed  out,  which,  in  1852,  contained  three  Irish  families,  a  free  negro 
or  two,  and  in  the  house  and  yard  there  were  cats,  dogs,  jsigs,  cows,  chickens,  &c.  The  whole 
house  was  not  comfortable  or  decent  for  one  small  family.  In  the  fort,  the  ventilation  is,  in 
general,  good — best  in  the  officers'  quarters,  next  in  the  men's  barrack-rogms,  and  worst  in 
the  servants'  rooms,  which  are  on  the  ground-floor.  The  barrack-rooms  are  on  the  same  floor 
with  the  officers'  quarters,  in  the  second  story,  and  are  much  more  airy,  though  more  crowded, 
than  the  servants'  rooms.  Every  man  had  a  bunk  for  himself.  The  companies  being  small, 
the  rooms  were  not  so  much  crowded  as  might  be  supposed  ;  but,  when  compared  with  the  offi- 
cers', there  was  imperfect  ventilation.  The  men,  for  tliis  reason,  have  a  practice  of  sleeping  on 
the  piazza  in  warm  climates — a  practice  which  is  unhealthy,  and,  in  the  fever  season,  dan- 
gerous. 

4.  High  solar  heat. — This  acts  in  two  ways:  on  the  human  system,  and  by  rapidly  promoting 
animal  and  vegetable  decomixisition.  It  is  always  necessary  for  the  production  of  yellow  fever, 
and  always  prevails  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston.  But  it  is  well  known  that  high  heat  alone, 
though  indispensable,  does  not  produce  yellow  fever.  It  is  a  powerful  predisijonent,  and  devel- 
ops other  active  agents. 

The  summer  temi)erature  of  Sullivan's  Island  is  high,  and  when  the  sea-breeze  dies  away,  as 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS    IN    THE    SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 


237 


is  often  the  case  at  ebb-tide,  or  the  wind  is  west,  the  heat  is  oppressive.  There  is  not  a  hotter 
street  in  the  United  States  tlian  Middle  street.  Tlie  sui'face  of  the  island  is  composed  of  sand; 
but  little  grass  grows  to  absorb  or  soften  the  sun's  rays;  there  are  few  trees,  and  none  for 
shade;  the  houses  are  retired  from  the  street,  so  as  to  afford  no  protection  from  the  sun;  and  the 
direct  and  reflected  heat  is  often  intolerable.  Persons  whose  pursuits  allow  them  to  remain  in 
doors  during  the  day,  are  tolerably  well  off;  but  the  active  man  of  business  will  find  that 
Charleston  is  more  comfortable  than  Sullivan's  Island  from  sunrise  till  11  o'clock,  a.  m.,  and 
from  3,  p.  M.,  till  sunset ;  the  shade  of  the  houses  affording  great  protection  from  the  sun.  The 
only  advantage  of  an  island  residence  is  in  the  nights,  wliich  are  not  so  uncomfortable  as  in  the 
city. 

5.  With  high  altitude  of  the  thermometer  in  the  low  country  of  the  south,  humidity  and  a 
high  dew-point  are  always  associated.  This  is  tlie  case  in  Charleston  harbor.  The  Meteoro- 
logical Kegister  of  Fort  Moultrie,  for  three  years,  shows  this. 

Mean  of  the  deiu-point. 


May 

June 

July ■ 

August  ... 
September 


1849. 


70.19 
75.36 
76.27 
77.69 
71.70 


1852. 


70.51 

72.94 
78.  70 
75.77 
71.74 


1853. 


66.50 
71.40 
77.33 
75.32 
71.85 


Humidity  and  a  high  dew-point  play  an  important  part  in  the  causation  of  febrile  diseases. 
It  is  not  the  sole  cause,  but  there  is  no  question  that  a  high  dew-point  is  a  powerful  agent;  and 
we  may  conclude,  in  the  language  of  another,  "that  a  high  dew-point  has  a  tendency  to  "pro- 
duce injurious  effects  on  the  system ;  that  it  is  often  found  to  exist  in  unhealthy  localities,  or 
during  pestilential  times ;  and  that  it  must  assist  much  in  the  development  of  autumnal  and 
jjeriodic  fevers,  are  facts  which  no  one  will  question."  We  may  go  further,  and  affirm  thai 
yellow  fever  never  prevails  in  a  jilace,  endemically  or  epidemically,  unless  there  is  a  high  dew- 
point.  Indeed,  heat,  humidity,  and  a  high  dew-point  are  always  present  in  summer,  as  is  evi- 
dent to  the  most  common  observer,  in  the  rapidity  with  which  butcher's  meat  takes  on  the 
putrefactive  process ;  and  the  humidity  of  the  climate  is  shown  by  the  rapid  oxidation  of  all 
articles  of  clothing,  the  rusting  of  keys  in  one's  pocket,  the  mildew  on  linen  clothing,  the 
injury  done  to  cloth  garments,  the  mould  on  leather,  &c. 

It  is  the  great  humidity  which  renders  the  lower  story,  or  ground-floor,  of  Fort  Moultrie 
unwholesome  and  unhealthy  for  quarters,  though  not  in  casemates.  Salubrious  residences  can- 
not be  constructed  directly  on  or  near  the  ground  in  the  southern  country,  but  tliey  must  be  ele- 
vated a  few  feet ;  and  in  no  part  of  the  United  States  are  casemates  proper  for  quarters,  being 
always  damp  and  unwliolesome ;  nor  can  they,  with  the  utmost  care,  be  constructed  so  as  to 
avoid  tlie  difficulty ;  and  tliey  ought  to  be  occupied  by  human  beings  only  in  a  state  of  siege. 
The  mass  of  masonry  in  a  casemate  so  rapidly  and  powerfully  condenses  the  vapor  of  tlie  atmo- 
sphere, as  to  render  a  casemate,  in  a  short  time,  uninhabitable.  The  officers'  quarters  and  men's 
barrack-rooms  are  as  comfortable  and  as  free  from  dampness  as  any  rooms  on  Sullivan's  Island, 
not  being  in  casemates,  and  in  the  second  story ;  the  lower  story,  or  ground-floor,  however,  is 
very  damp,  and  unfit  for  residences ;  and  the  brick  pavement*  in  front  is  always  damp,  and  cov- 
ered with  fungi.  This  story  was  but  little  occupied  in  1S52,  principally  by  a  few  servants  and 
the  guard — the  guard-room  being  on  a  level  willi  the  ground-floor  of  the  barracks. 


I'.iifk  is  uulit  for  lloors,  unkss  previously  dipped  iu  boiliiiy  piteL  or  itsphaltum. 


.238  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

C.  Drainage. — There  is  no  drainage  on  Sullivans  Island,  except  the  most  trifling  surface 
drainage.  The  wliole  island  is  composed  of  sand,  which  is  very  porous,  and  water  is  found  just 
below  the  surface  in  tiio  drycst  season;  this  surface  water  being  always  a  mixture  of  fresh  and 
salt  waters,  which  is  insalubrious.  The  tides  wash  up  sand,  mud,  and  slime,  particularly  on 
the  back  beach,  which  is  exposed  to  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun  at  the  ebb,  and  permanently 
as  the  spring  tides  gradually  subside  to  neap  tide. 

The  water  in  the  wells,  even  in  the  dryest  summer,  is  always  near  the  surface.  There  is  a 
"potter's  field"'  on  the  cast  end  of  the  island,  in  a  ])art  termed  the  "Myrtles,"  and  here  the 
graves  have  to  be  bailed  out,  in  the  dryest  season,  just  before  interment;  and  in  a  wet  season 
the  water  runs  in  faster  than  it  can  be  bailed  out,  so  tliat  a  weight  has  to  be  attached  to  the 
cofBu. 

Can  Sullivan  s  island  be  drained?  The  solution  of  this  t[uestion  is  important.  If  tlie  island 
cannot  be  drained,  severe  epidemics  must  occasionally  occur,  as  they  have  always  occurred,  at 
intervals.  Certain  lots  may  be  filled  with  sand,  or  superficially  drained;  but  more  than  this 
is  required,  especially  on  the  back  beach.  A  thorough  system  of  deep  or  sub-soil  drainage 
over  every  part  of  the  island  is  necessary,  at  least  from  the  hotel  (Moultrie  House)  on  the  east 
to  the  steam-ferry  on  the  west;  and  as  the  settlement  extends,  the  drains  should  also  be  ex- 
tended. The  faster  the  island  fills  up  with  inhabitants,  the  more  essential  are  drainage  and 
every  part  of  sanitary  police;  for  the  more  the  island  village  assimilates  to  a  city,  the  more 
necessary  will  sanitary  measure  become^  and  still  more  will  the  diseases  resemble  those  of 
Charleston  than  hitherto.  That  the  island  can  be  drained,  there  is  no  doubt.  General  Totten 
assured  me,  in  a  conversatiou  last  spring,  (1853,)  that  the  measure  is  practicable.  The  General 
was  on  the  island  when  the  conversation  took  place.  The  sooner  the  island  is  drained,  the  bet- 
ter. In  my  bumble  opinion,  nothing  will  more  conduce  to  salubrity,  or  more  surely  prevent 
periodical  visitations  of  epidemic  disease,  than  a  well-regulated  system  of  drainage. 

7.  Bad  sanitary  police. — On  Sullivan's  Island  there  is  really  no  sanitary  police.  From  the 
first^of  May  to  the  first  of  November,  a  small  allowance  is  made  by  the  village  authorities  for 
the  purpose  of  removing  the  putrefying  carcasses  of  animals,  which  float  down  the  river  past 
Charleston,  and  are  carried  by  the  current  and  tide  on  to  the  south  side  of  the  island,  and  these 
are  usually  got  oft'  in  a  putrid  state ;  but  from  the  first  of  November  to  the  first  of  May,  people 
are  supposed  to  have  no  nostrils,  lungs,  nor  stomach,  and  the  bodies  of  dead  animals  are  not 
removed.  There  are  numerous  small  and  crowded  houses,  in  addition  to  the  negro  kitchens, 
which  are  occupied  by  Irish  and  other  families,  who  are  more  filthy  in  their  habits  than  the 
negroes ;  and  for  years  the  filth  of  all  sorts — kitchen  slops,  and  everything  which  can  be  men- 
tioned— has  been  cast  abroad,  or  allowed  to  accumulate.  The  privies  are  another  nuisance. 
They  are  literally  above  ground ;  and  in  certain  localities,  in  the  heat  of  summer,  the  effluvia  are 
very  ofiensive.  During  the  heavy  rains  in  1852,  the  water  in  the  vaults — where  there  were 
vaults — was  on  a  level  with  the  surface  of  the  earth ;  and  north  of  Middle  street,  towards  the 
back  beach,  the  higb  tides  floated  out  the  contents  of  several,  spreading  them  over  the  adjacent 
soil.  The  contents  of  the  privies,  with  other  filth,  in  such  a  porous  soil  as  this,  must  undoubt- 
edly affect  the  water  to  some  extent,  and  in  every  respect  contribute  to  insalubrity.  No  privy 
ought  to  be  constructed  in  such  a  porous  soil  as  this,  without  a  vault  of  brick  or  stone  work, 
rendered  water-tight  by  cement. 

8.  Bad  icater. — Tlie  well-water  of  Sullivan's  Island  is  brackish  and  unwholesome,  and 
cisterns  to  the  dwellings  are  as  scaixe  and  as  valuable  as  diamonds  from  Golconda.  Few  of  the 
bouses  have  them,  insomuch  that  a  cistern  is  an  exception  to  the  general  rule.  The  wells, 
water,  &c.,  have  been  sufliciently  spoken  of  under  the  head  of  drainage.  The  wealthy  fixmi- 
lies,  who  reside  on  the  island  only  in  the  summer  season,  are  able  to  procure  pure  water  in  the 
neighborhood;  but  those  who  need  it  most — the  poor,  the  miserable,  and  the  degraded,  who 
remain  during  the  whole  yeai' — cannot  get  it.  The  water  at  Fort  Moultrie — for  drinking,  cu- 
linary purposes,  and  washing — is  cistern   water,  of  which  there  is  an  abundance  during  the 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


239 


rainy  season  ;  tut  in  a  time  of  drought  tlie  garrison  has  to  he  put  on  short  allowance,  the  hrack- 
ish  water  of  the  wells  having  to  he  resorted  to  for  general  purposes. 

9.  Heavy  rains. — These  were  a  cause — predisposing  and'  exciting — of  the  malignant  fever  of 
1852,  hoth  in  Charleston  and  on  Sullivan's  Island,  producing,  in  combination  with  other  causes, 
yellow  and  severe  bilious  fevers.  The  summer  of  this  year  was  very  wet,  the  quantity  of  rain 
in  each  month  being  as  follows : 


Months. 


Sullivan's  Island.       Charleston. 


Slay 

June . 

July 

August 

September 

Total  quantity 


4.17 
8.86 
5.43 
4.15 
11.70 


4.22 
5.18 
6.93 
4.21 

12.27 


34.31 


32.81 


Whole  quantity  for  the  year  :  Sullivan's  Island,  51.26  inches  ;  Charleston,  49  72  inches.  * 

The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  in  Charleston  is  taken  from  the  tables  of  Dr.  Dawson,  City 
Kegister.  From  the  records,  we  see  that,  both  in  the  city  and  on  the  island,  about  two-thirds 
of  the  whole  quantity  of  rain  for  the  year  fell  in  the  five  hot  months — every  one  of  which  had 
more  than  an  average  quantity ;  and  that  by  the  first  of  September  the  earth  was  fully  satu- 
rated, when  11  or  12  inches  more  were  added,  most  of  it  in  the  first  days  of  the  month.  The 
Register  of  Fort  Moultrie  shows  that,  during  the  first  twelve  days  of  September,  9.40  inches 
fell;  and  from  tlie  7th  to  the  12th,  inclusive,  (six  days,)  there  was  no  less  than  7.80  inches, 
1.30  inch  per  day — the  earth  being  previously  saturated  ;  and  it  must  be  recollected  that  the 
epidemic  broke  out  in  a  decided  form  on  the  7th  and  8th  of  the  month,  and  that  the  first  case 
of  yellow  fever  occurred  on  the  11th;  showing  evidently  that  these  heavy  rains  were  the  ex- 
citing cause,  acting  on  systems  predisposed  to  disease  by  heat,  great  humidity,  and  a  high  dew- 
point,  by  which  malaria  is  rapidly  evolved,  and  all  acting  in  conjunction  with  other  evident 
causes  of  disease.  Perhaps  the  matter  was  rendered  still  worse  by  the  dry  weather  and  rapid 
evaporation  which  followed ;  for  there  was  not  a  drop  of  rain  from  the  25th  of  September  to 
the  9th  of  October,  nor  from  the  14th  of  October  to  the  end  of  the  month — the  whole  of  Octo- 
ber being  very  fair,  with  only  1.20  inch  of  rain.  From  the  15th  to  the  25th  of  October,  in- 
clusive, at  every  meteorological  observation,  four  times  a  day,  the  clearness  of  the  sky  was  10, 
which  denotes  clear  sky  without  a  cloud ;  prevailing  wind,  northerly.  During  the  pouring 
rains  of  September,  the  whole  country  was  nearly  submerged,  in  consequence  of  which  various 
types  of  fever  prevailed ;  and  on  Sullivan's  Island  bilious  and  yellow  fever  were  universal ;  the 
former  being  very  common — -indeed,  so  much  so,  as  to  merit  the  term  universal — the  only  healthy 
spot  in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston  being  the  barren  and  circumscribed  post  of  Fort  Sumpter. 
Cases  of  "country  fever"  occurred  at  the  village  of  Mount  Pleasant.  Under  the  head  of  drain- 
age, the  condition  of  Sullivan's  Island  was  sufiiciently  shown,  and  more  is  not  required. 

We  have  considered  the  principal  apparent  causes  of  yellow  fever  in  1852,  which  appear  to 
have  been  the  same  as  those  of  previous  epidemics;  and  they  are:  1.  Intemperance  ;  2.  Fatigue 
and  exjwsure;  3.  Imperfect  ventilation;  4.  High  solar  heat;  5.  Humidity  and  a  high  dew- 
point;  6.  Defective  drainage;  7.  Bad  sanitary  police,  which  includes  animal  and  vegetable  de- 
composition ;  8.  Bad  water;  9.  Heavy  rains. 

These  different  causes  are  of  more  or  less  importance  in  the  production  of  disease ;  for  yellow 
fever  may  occur  (as  in  1852)  in  persons  who  are  not  intemperate,  and  have  suftered  no  expo- 
sure or  fatigue,  and  therefore  these  cannot  be  considered  essential  causes  ;  but  there  are  others 


240  REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

which  are  essential,  without  which  the  disease  cannot  exist,  Avhich  are  unavoidahle  and  always 
present — as  liigh  solar  heat,  humidity,  and  a  high  dew-point ;  and  there  are  important  causes 
which  are  not  unavoidahle,  and  are  removahle,  hut,  acting  with  the  unavoidahle  causes,  gene- 
rate malaria,  or  tlic  materie-s  morhi,  with  wonderful  rapidity — as  had  ventilation,  defective 
drainage,  and  a  had  sanitary  police  generally;  and  which  should  be  obviated  without  delay,  in 
order  to  neutralize  the  unavoidahle  causes.  Good  drainage  will  remove  another  cause  of 
disease — heavy  rains — by  running  the  water  rapidly  from  the  surface  into  the  liarhor;  and  thus 
it  will  he  prevented  from  becoming  stagnant  and  putrid. 

A  consideration  of  the  causes  of  yellow  fever  brings  us  directly  to  the  subject  of  contagion. 

Entering  the  profession  a  believer  in  the  contagion  of  yellow  fever,  my  first  experience  with 
the  disease  changed  that  opinion ;  the  two  jjrincipal  reasons  for  the  change  being,  that  the 
febrile  contagion  could  not  possibly  have  been  imported,  and  that  the  physicians,  attendants, 
&c.,  of  the  hospital,  were  remarkably  exempt  from  the  prevailing  epidemic.  Every  subse- 
quent epidemic  has  strengthened  this  opinion — none  more  than  that  of  Fort  Moultrie  in  1852; 
so  that,  at  the  present  time,  I  would  as  soon  think  of  becoming  an  abolitionist  as  a  conta- 
gionist. 

Let  us  see  what  contagion  there  was  in  the  Fort  Moultrie  hospital  in  1852.  It  must  be  ad- 
mitted that  the  physicians,  stewards,  and  nurses  of  a  yellow  fever  hospital  are  peculiarly  liable 
to  contract  the  disease,  if  it  is  contagious.  During  the  epidemic,  the  surgeon,  steward,  and 
four  attendants,  all  continually  exposed  for  weeks  together,  had  no  kind  of  fever;  three  attend- 
ants and  one  cook  had  remittent  fever  in  September,  but  nothing  like  yellow  fever  afterwards  ; 
and  three  attendants  and  one  cook  had  yellow  fever.  Thus,  we  have  14  persons  on  duty  in  the 
hospital,  of  whom  6  liad  no  kind  of  fever,  4  had  remittent  fever  in  the  month  of  September,  and 
only  4  had  yellow  fever.  Throwing  out  the  cooks,  who  were  not  so  much  exposed  among  the 
sick  as  the  others,  and  we  have  6  who  had  no  fever,  3  who  had  remittent,  and  3  who  had  yel- 
low fever;  and  those  12  persons  were  exposed  witli  the  sick  in  an  especial  manner.  We  have, 
then,  only  3  persons  sick  in  12,  who  had  been  exposed  to  yellow  fever — a  circumstance  which 
seems  incredible  in  a  malignant  disease  of  a  contagious  character.  The  whole  of  these  persons 
were  on  hard  duty,  and  had  no  regular  rest  at  night — a  circumstance  which  would  predispose 
to  disease — yet  three-fourths  of  them  escaped.  This  would  not  seem  possible,  nor  is  it  so,  with 
contagious  diseases — the  smallpox,  for  instance. 

Having  had  much  to  say  in  relation  to  the  drunkenness  and  worthlessness  of  a  portion  of  the 
command  during  the  autumn  of  1852,  it  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the  good 
conduct  of  the  remainder,  and  especially  of  those  on  duty  in  the  hospital.  These  were  con- 
stantly on  hard  service  with  the  sick  during  the  day,  and  at  night  by  detail ;  in  all  cases  doing 
their  duty  with  cheerl'ulness  and  alacrity.  I  have  repeatedly  seen  the  attendants  carry  the  sick 
in  their  arms,  in  all  stages  of  the  disease,  without  flinching.  If  soldiers  have  some  bad  traits 
of  character,  they  have  also  some  good  ones,  as  I  have  had  reason  to  know  in  many  epidemics; 
the  class  of  reliable  men,  however,  must  be  carefully  separated  from  the  unreliable,  in  all  cases, 
for  service  in  a  military  hospital.  But  the  j^rinciple  of  importation  and  contagion  would  para- 
lyze any  military  hospital,  and  will  create  a  panic  among  the  best  troops  in  the  world  ;  and 
conscientiously  believing  that  yellow  fever  is  not  contagious,  I  took  special  pains  to  eradicate 
the  pernicious  doctrine,  declaring,  emphatically,  on  all  occasions,  that  the  disease  is  never 
"catching"  or  contagious.  On  no  account  can  such  doctrines,  discouraging  to  both  sick  and 
well,  be  tolerated  in  military  hospitals,  especially  when  one  considers  them  false  doctrines. 

We  know  it  is  common  to  say  "  there  are  exceptions,"  that  "every  one  is  not  susceptible  to 
smallpox,"  that  "persons  escape  it  just  as  in  yellow  fever,"  &c.;  but  what  proportion  of  tliose 
who  have  not  liad  it  can  be  expected  to  escape,  and  do  actually  escai^e?  It  is  not  so  with  yellow 
fever,  scores  and  hundreds  escaping  in  our  cities  in  eiiidemic  seasons,  and  those  who  have  often 
been  exposed  in  all  ways.  No  one  could  expect  that  three-fourths  of  the  attendants  in  a  small- 
pox hospital  would  escape,  as  was  the  case  in  the  yellow  fever  hospital  at  Fort  Moultrie. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SODTHERN   DIVISION.  241 

Again:  children,  and  those  born  and  raised  in  a  place  where  yellow  fever  is  endemic,  rarely  have 
the  disease.  But  it  is  not  so  with  smallpox;  all  are  liable  to  it,  in  all  circumstances,  in  all  cli- 
mates, and  at  all  ages,  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave. 

There  is  great  difference  in  the  recurrence.  Those  who  have  had  yellow  fever  are  not  con- 
sidered so  liable  to  it  as  before  ;  but  a  recurrence  is  common,  and  an  absence  of  two  or  three 
years  in  a  cold  climate  renders  a  return  to  a  fever  region  hazardous.  But  not  so  with  smallpox ; 
for  a  person  who  has  once  had  it  may  consider  himself  safe  from  all  future  attacks  for  the  rest 
of  his  life,  in  all  situations,  as  well  at  the  equator  as  in  the  frigid  zones.  Dr.  Gregory  says 
that  writers  have  made  diflerent  calculations  of  the  liability  to  recurrence,  as  1  in  8,000,  1  in 
10,000,  and  1  in  50,000. 

Yellow  fever  ceases,  is  annihilated,  by  the  occurrence  of  frost,  like  all  malarious  fevers.  No 
contagious  disease  is  affected  in  this  way  by  the  occurrence  of  cold  weather,  as  smallpox, 
measles,  the  typhus  of  Ireland,  and  the  typhoid  fever  of  New  England — allowing  the  last  two 
to  be  contagious  fevers.  None  of  these  are  checked  or  rendered  milder  by  cold  weather,  and 
the  most  of  them,  if  not  all,  are  aggravated  by  winter. 

Yellow  fever  does  not  spread  by  contagion  when  carried  from  a  city  to  the  country.  Instances 
without  number  might  be  cited.  It  is  a  well-known  and  established  fact,  one  which  has  been 
acknowledged  for  years. 

In  yellow  fever  hospitals,  physicians,  nurses,  and  all  persons  on  duty,  are  remarkably  exempt 
from  the  disease. 

Dr.  Eush  says  that  "it  does  not  spread  in  yellow  fever  hospitals,  when  they  are  situated 
beyond  the  influence  of  the  impure  air  in  which  it  was  generated." 

But  how  is  it  with  ship  fever,  the  real  typhus?  Do  the  physicians,  nurses,  and  attendants 
of  all  sorts,  escape  in  these  fever  hospitals,  particularly  those  about  the  city  of  New  York,  so 
universally  as  in  the  yellow  fever  hospitals?  On  the  contrary,  all  these  persons  are  so  commonly 
attacked,  and  so  many  have  died,  including  eminent  physicians,  that  it  is  difficult  to  resist  the 
conclusion  of  its  being  a  contagious  disease.  As  I  have  often  remarked,  I  would  as  soon  become 
an  abolitionist  as  a  yellow  fever  contagionist. 

I  have  thus  given  an  account  of  the  epidemic  of  1852 — roughly  drawn  out,  to  be  sure,  and  at 
odd  times,  but  it  is  correct. 

I  also  respectfully  submit  the  following  additional  information — much  more  than  I  expected 
to  obtain — in  relation  to  the  fever  epidemics  of  Sullivan's  Island;  also  some  remarks  in  relation 
to  the  diseases  during  the  year  1853 : 

1795. — An  aged  gentleman,  one  of  the  most  reliable  men  in  Charleston  district,  informs  me 
that  he  perfectly  recollects  when  yellow  fever  occurred  in  a  certain  locality  on  Sullivan's  Island, 
in  Middle  street,  between  where  the  "  Alhambra"  now  is  and  the  fort  parade,  and  there  were 
several  deaths.  The  cause  was  this:  A  large  lot  was  low  and  quite  wet,  being,  at  that  day, 
little  better  than  a  marsh ;  and,  in  the  spring  of  this  year,  the  lot  was  raised  by  tilling  in  with 
sedge  and  marsh-mud,  instead  of  dry  sand;  and  the  consequences  were  dreadful.  Yellow  fever 
broke  out  in  the  house  situated  on  this  lot,  and  it  was  desolated. 

1800. — "We  have  not  yet  made  a  sufficient  number  of  observations  to  determine  accurately 
how  far  it  is  possible  for  strangers  to  avoid  our  yellow  fever,  by  residing,  while  it  is  prevalent, 
entirely  on  Sullivan's  Island,  or  in  the  outskirts,  or  open,  airy  environs  of  Charleston.  In  one 
case,  the  disease  proved  fatal  to  a  gentleman  on  Sullivan's  Island,  who  had  not  been  off  the 
island  I'or  six  weeks  before ;  in  another,  to  the  head  master  in  the  college  grammar-school,  who 
had  confined  himself  to  the  yard  and  vicinity  thereof  from  and  after  the  first  of  July.  In  all 
other  cases  that  have  come  to  my  knowledge,  the  jjersons  making  the  experiment,  and  who 
have  taken  the  disease,  had  occasionally  visited  or  passed  through  the  thickly-settled  parts  of 
Charleston." — Dr.  Bamsay,  Medical  Repositorij,  vol.  4:,  p.  219. 

The  case  of  the  master  of  the  grammar-school  shows  that  complete  isolation  is  no  protection 
from  yellow  fever  in  an  epidemic  season.     See  also  the  cases  in  the  New  York  penitentiary,  in 

S.  96 31 


242  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

1805;  the  Kichmond  penitentiary,  in  18Wi;  tlie  instance  in  St.  Mary's  street,  in  1838;  and  Nor- 
ris,  in  Augusta  jail,  18:59. 

1802. — "Charleston,  in  tlie  year  1802,  was  afflicted  with  four  epidemics — the  smallpo.K,  the 
measles,  the  influenza,  and  the  yellow  fever."  Tliis  shows  that  there  was  an  "epidemic  con- 
stitution of  the  atmosphere,"  so  much  ridiculed  by  some;  at  any  rate,  four  distinct  diseases 
were  c]iidemic.  We  would  like  to  know  what  vessels  imported  the  smallpox,  the  measles,  the 
influenza,  and  the  yellow  fever;  and  from  what  part  of  the  world  these  diseases  were  imjtori.ed. 
"To  others  (strangers)  arriving  in  the  same  season,  Sullivan's  Island  afforded  a  safe  retreat 
till  the  danger  was  over.  Exceptions  to  this  have  heretofore  been  very  rare,  and  generally 
could  be  accounted  for  from  some  irregularity ;  but,  in  the  year  1802,  five  cases  of  ytdlow  fever 
(and  twi)  of  them  fatal)  occurred  in  one  house  on  that  island,  while  the  other  inhabitants  were 
generally  liealthy." 

"No  instance  can  be  recollected,  in  which  tliere  was  any  ground  to  suppose  that  the  yellow 
fever  was  either  imported  or  had  been  contagious.  No  physician,  nurse,  nor  other  person  ex- 
posed to  contagion,  from  their  intercourse  with  persons  laboring  under  yellow  fever,  caught  the 
disease.  It  was  exclusively  conlined  to  strangers ;  and  among  them  there  was  no  evidence  of 
its  being  communicated  from  one  to  another." — Dr.  Ramsay,  Med.  Re2MS.,  vol.  (>,  p.  311. 

1807. — "The  disease  in  no  instance  proved  contagious.  Some  who  had  taken  it  retired  to  the 
adjacent  country,  but  oftener  to  enjoy  the  salubrious  air  of  Sullivan's  Island.  In  both  cases, 
whether  they  lived  or  died,  the  disease  terminated  with  them.  I  mention  this  circumstance 
with  pleasure,  as  it  will  assist  in  confirming  your  learned  and  judicious  observations  on  the 
absurdity  of  quarantine  laws." — Dr.  Bamsay  to  Dr.  Mitchell,  Med.  Repos.,  vol.  11,  j).  234. 

1817. — The  next  account  of  yellow  fever  on  the  island  is  in  this  year.  Dr.  Strobel's  state- 
ments in  relation  to  it  have  been  sufliciently  alluded  to  ;  and  we  will  simply  remark,  in  this  place, 
that  the  large  number  of  ])ersons  who  went  to  Sullivan's  Island  to  avoid  the  fever — "many  of 
them  in  indigent  circumstances,"  and,  of  course,  "  crowded  together  in  narrow,  confined  apart- 
ments"— may  have  engendered  fever  as  well  as  in  Lynch's  lane,  in  Charleston;  and  the  wjiole 
of  Dr.  Strobel's  statement  is  as  much  in  favor  of  the  generation  of  the  disease  on  the  island,  as  of 
its  importation  from  the  city  of  Charleston.     How  came  the  fever  in  Lynch's  lane? 

1824. — Tliis  year  the  epidemic  yellow  fever  raged  on  Sullivan's  Island,  as  well  as  in  Charles- 
ton.    We  will  refer  to  Dr.  Simons  for  the  facts,  already  briefly  noticed. 

"  Independent  of  the  distresses  which  occurred  in  the  city,  the  disease  broke  out  with  dread- 
ful malignancy  among  those  who  had  sought  refuge  from  its  ravages  on  Sullivan's  Island,  a 
complete  sand-bank,  about  six  miles  from  the  city,  which  has  hitherto  been  considered  a  secure 
retreat.  The  cause  of  its  occurrence  there  may  be  from  the  dense  population,  the  uncomfort- 
ableness  of  the  houses,  the  accumulation  of  filth  and  formation  of  made  land,  and  the  imprudence 
of  ijersons  residing  there  under  the  full  confidence  of  their  exemjjtion.  Each  and  all  of  these 
may  have  operated.  Other  causes  may  be  offered,  and  have  been  mentioned,  such  as  miasma 
from  the  contiguous  main  land,  (hut  the  inhabitants  in  the  village,  on  that  land,  were  exempt 
from  tlie  disease,)  and  to  a  canal  near  the  fort,  where  the  offal  was  thrown  ;  but,  if  this  was  the 
sole  exciting  cause,  it  a])pcars  singular  that  tlie  soldiers  should  have  been  the  last  affected,  and 
tiiey  but  partially.  1  am  firmly  persuaded  very  many  received  the  disease  in  town,  and  that 
it  remained  latent  until  some  exciting  cause  brought  it  into  action;  yet  there  were  many  chil- 
dren who  took  the  disease  months  after  they  left  the  city,  and  these  must  be  attributed  to  the 
first  cause." — Carolina  Jour.  Med.  for  January,  1825. 

The  Army  Med.  Statistics,  p.  201,  have  the  following  statement:  "  On  referring  back  to 
1824,  it  is  found  that,  whilst  this  disease  (yellow  fever)  prevailed  with  great  malignity  in  the 
city,  not  more  than  twelve  cases,  none  of  which  proved  fatal,  appeared  on  the  island  in  a 
strength  of  seventy." 

This  corroborates  the  statement  of  Dr.  Simons,  that  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie  was  lightly 
and  "  but  partially  affected"  by  the  epidemic  of  this  year.  The  fever  was  much  less  severe  in 
the  fort  than  in  the  adjoining  village  of  Moultrieville  ;  for,  on  the  island,  apart  from  the  garri- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    SOUTHERN    DIVISION.  243 

son,  there  was  great  sickness  and  mortality.  From  what  is  now  called  Accommodation  street, 
by  the  "  Alhambra,"  to  Fort  street,  by  Mr.  Blacklock's  house,  there  was  great  mortality;  and, 
if  I  am  not  mistaken,  it  was  during  this  summer  that  Mr.  Goodman's  family,  residing  on 
Middle  street,  between  Accommodation  and  East  streets,  suffered  so  severely.  It  was  a  distress- 
ing season. 

Some  reference  to  the  ditch  or  canal  of  the  fort,  mentioned  by  Dr.  Simons,  will  be  made 
when  we  come  to  the  epidemic  of  1852. 

1827. — Yellow  fever  again  prevailed  on  the  island  among  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie. 
Dr.  Charles  F.  Luce,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  died  of  this  disease  September  27th,  and 
there  were  several  other  deatlis  among  the  officers  and  men.  Dr.  Lebby  informs  me  that 
Dr.  Ball,  who  was  then  practising  on  the  island,  was  employed  to  take  charge  of  the  hospital 
after  Dr.  Luce's  death  ;  and  he  thinks  the  troojjs  moved  out  of  the  fort  and  encamped  on 
the  "curlew  ground,"  on  account  of  the  fever.  Major  Lowd,  U.  S.  A.,  informs  me  that 
it  was  very  sickly  at  Fort  Moultrie  during  the  summer  of  tliis  year,  and  that  there  were 
many  deatlis.  One  cause  of  the  fever  in  the  fort  was  supposed  to  be,  that  repairs  were  going  on 
during  the  hot  weather,  and  that  the  lower  floors  were  torn  up,  by  which  a  large  surface  of  wet  or 
moist  earth,  and  some  accumulation  of  rubbish,  were  exposed.  There  were  also  much  sickness 
and  several  deaths  on  the  parade,  and  also  among  the  citizens  on  the  back  beach;  and, 
altogether,  it  was  a  year  of  much  distress. 

Yellow  fever  prevailed  to  such  an  extent  in  Charleston,  that  it  may  almost  be  considered 
epidemic.     According  to  Dr.  Simons,  there  were  67  deaths. 

In  August  of  this  year  the  disease  was  imported  from  Charleston  to  Fort  Johnson,  as  stated 
in  Dr.  Lebby's  letter.  The  facts  are  briefly  these :  Three  United  States  soldiers  stationed  at  that 
post  remained  a  night  in  the  city  during  the  existence  of  yellow  fever ;  they  returned  to  the 
post,  and  the  ninth  day  after  they  were  attacked  with  the  disease;  they  were  sick  in  company 
quarters,  there  being  no  hos]iital  for  them;  "ten  or  twelve  men  slept  in  the  same  room  with 
them,  who  were  alike  strangers  to  the  climate,"  and  "yet  there  were  no  other  cases  of  di.sease 
in  the  garrison."      [See  Dr.  Lebby's  letter.] 

Here  is  an  instance  of  genuine  importation,  and,  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  the 
disease  did  not  spread.     What  becomes  of  the  contagion  of  yellow  fever? 

How  came  the  yellow  fever  in  Charleston?  Xo  one  has  attempted  to  prove  importation  from 
the  West  Indies;  nor  can  I  find  any  account  of  the  diseases  of  this  year  in  Dr.  Strobel's  book, 
nor  in  Dr.  Hume's  paper  of  December  20,  1853. 

1831. — This  is  not  jiut  down  as  a  year  in  which  yellow  fever  occurred  in  Charleston;  but  Dr. 
Lebby  gives  some  account  of  the  fever  at  Castle  Pinckney:  "One  of  the  Irish  laborers  died  in 
the  city  of  supjjosed  yellow  fever.  Several  other  cases  of  fever  occurred  afterwards  among  the 
laborers,"  which  Dr.  Lebby  thinks  were  cases  of  bilious  remittent  fever. 

1832. — The  information  for  this  year  is  derived  from  Dr.  Lebby's  letter  to  Dr.  Strobel. 
"The  disease  appeared  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  and  from  two  or  three  of  the  first  cases  being 
traced  to  the  Irish  laborers  at  the  castle,  it  was  supposed  to  have  originated  there."  A  depu- 
tation of  medical  gentlemen  visited  the  post,  who  thought  the  disease  was  caused  by  a  "quan- 
tity of  shells,"  wliich  had  been  used  "for  the  purpose  of  filling  up  the  parade-ground;"  and 
others  thought  the  disease  originated  from  the  "opening  of  two  privies  in  the  north  wall,  which 
had  been  bricked  up  for  a  number  of  years — their  contents,  in  a  decomposed  state,  taken  out  in 
the  month  of  August,  and  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  sun,  on  the  bank  near  by,  together  with 
the  exposure  of  the  lower  story  of  the  quarters  to  the  action  of  the  atmosphere — it  being  neces- 
sary to  rip  up  the  floors,  whieli  had  sunk  down  to  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  had  remained 
in  that  state  for  some  years." 

Whether  the  disease  arose  from  tlie  shells  on  the  parade,  or  the  ])rivies  and  tlie  ripping  up 
of  the  old  floors,  or  both,  it  is  evident  that  the  disease  was  of  local  origin. 

Dr.  Lebby  goes  on :  "Among  those  attacked,  were  Captain  Brewerton,  the  master  carpenter, 
two  masons,  and  several  black  laborers.     Yellow  fever  prevailed  in  Charleston  that  season,  I 


244  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

think,  to  some  extent.  The  venerable  Dr.  Philip  G.  Prioleaii  attended  Captain  Brewerton  with 
me  as  a  consulting  physician." 

Dr.  Lebby  considers  the  cases  brought  to  Fort  Johnson  as  bilious  remittent  fever.  That  it 
was  severe,  appears  from  the  fact  that  Dr.  Priolcau  assisted  in  the  treatment  of  Captain  Brewer- 
ton,  and  that  "several  black  laborers"  had  the  fever. 

1834. — There  were  46  deaths  from  yellow  fever  in  Charleston  this  year.  In  the  third  quar- 
ter there  are  five  cases  reported  at  Fort  Moultrie,  two  of  wliich  proved  fatal.  Of  these  cases, 
two  originated  in  Charleston,  and  the  other  three  at  Castle  Pinckney. 

Severe  yellow  fever  prevailed  at  Castle  Pinckney,  and  there  were  several  deaths;  among 
others.  Captain  H.  W.  Griswold,  1st  artillery,  who  died  October  23d. 

Here  we  have  46  deaths  from  yellow  fever  in  Charleston,  and  several  at  Castle  Pinckney, 
showing  that  there  was  an  epidemic  tendency,  if  there  was  no  real  epidemic.  How  came  there 
so  much  yellow  fever  in  Charleston  and  at  Castle  Pinckney  during  this  year?  for  we  have  no 
account  of  importation. 

Castle  Pinckney  was  used  as  a  lazaretto  previous  to  1832.  It  was  again  recommended  to  the 
city  council,  December  20,  1853,  by  their  committee,  for  this  purpose ;  and  it  was  on  the  point  of 
being  turned  over  by  the  government,  when  somebody  had  the  good  sense  to  put  a  stop  to  the 
project.  A  worse  place  for  sick  cannot  well  be  chosen.  The  castle  is  surrounded  by  marshes ; 
in  winter,  it  is  bleak  and  disagreeable;  in  summer,  it  is  damp,  unwholesome,  and  unhealthy. 

1838. — Yellow  fever  attacked  the  mate  of  one  of  the  lighters  in  the  service  of  the  govern- 
ment, as  related  by  Dr.  Lebby:  "He  slept  one  night  in  the  city,  in  September;  on  the  fourth 
day  he  sickened,  and,  although  he  was  among  children  at  Sullivan's  Island,  and  others  who  tvere 
liable  to  contract  the  disease,  no  other  instance  of  it  occurred  in  the  family."  And  it  is  con- 
tended that  this  is  a  contagious  disease! 

1839. — Captain  R ,  of  the  Valiant,  taken  with  yellow  fever  June  16th.     This  case,  by 

Dr.  Lebby,  has  been  related  already.     We  will  make  a  short  extract: 

"The  next  case  (next  to  those  on  the  Valiant  and  Sea  Flower)  occurred  at  Fort  Moultrie — an 
Irishman,  who  had  not  been  in  the  city  from  May;  this  occurred  in  the  latter  part  of  August. 
On  the  18th  September,  the  assistant  of  Captain  Bowman  was  taken  with  yellow  fever.  He 
had  been  in  the  city  on  the  10th  and  17th.  He  recovered.  On  the  20tli  Captain  Bowman  was 
taken  with  bilious  inflammatory  fever.  He  had  not  been  from  Sullivan's  Island  during  the 
season.  Several  other  cases  occurred  among  the  families  residing  back  of  the  fort;  while  they 
assumed  a  continued  form  of  fever,  and  in  many  of  their  symptoms  were  nearly  allied  to  yellow 
fever,  it  was  very  doubtful  if  they  could  be  properly  placed  under  the  head  of  genuine  typhus 
icterodes.  Many  cases  of  inflammatory  or  broken-bone  fever  (so  called)  occurred  in  October 
among  the  workmen.  ' 

The  first  case  noticed  in  the  above  extract,  "the  Irishman,  who  had  not  been  in  the  city  from 
May,"  did  not  come  in  contact  with  the  previous  cases,  and  originated  on  the  island;  so  that 
we  have  several  points  of  origin  in  and  around  Charleston,  as  Fort  Moultrie,  Fort  Johnson, 
the  Valiant,  and  the  Chatham,  Elizabeth  Bruce,  and  Leonore,  not  one  of  which  had  the  least 
communication  with  the  Burmah  (the  vessel  which  the  contagionists  say  brought  the  fever  from 
Havana),  and  could  not  have  contracted  the  fever  from  her. 

Dr.  Lebby  states  to  me  as  follows;  "  In  1839,  the  square  bounded  by  Hall  and  Blacklock's 
houses  on  the  west,  the  back  beach  on  the  north,  and  Mr.  Hilliard's  house  (near  Accommoda- 
tion street,  by  the  "Alhiimbra")  on  the  east,  including  the  fort  and  ibrt  inclosure,  sufl'ered  with 
genuine  yellow  fever.  Colonel  Blanding  died  that  year  on  the  island.  He  occupied  either  Dr. 
Hall's  or  Mr.  Deas's  house — I  think  it  was  Mr.  Deas's.  It  was  supposed  that  he  contracted  the 
disease  in  the  city ;  but  I  am  of  the  opinion,  and  was  at  the  time,  that  it  was  not  the  case.  He 
came  up  to  the  city  in  the  8  o'clock,  A.  m,  boat,  rode  to  the  bank  in  a  carriage,  and  returned  to  the 
island  at  1  o'clock,  ?.  m. — always  riding  in  a  carriage  to  the  boat.  In  his  case  there  were,  as 
I  was  then  informed  by  his  physician,  two  distinct  paroxysms ;  so  that  quinine  was  administered 
during  the  intermission.     In  tlic  third  paroxysm,  black  vomit  came  on  and  destroyed  him." 


AMONG  THE  TROOPS   IN   THE  SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  245 

"  Mr.  Graham,  the  inspector  of  the  engineer  department,  a  short  time  after,  came  up  to  the 
city  in  the  fort  barge,  leaving  the  island  al)out  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  returning  to  dinner.  He 
was  taken  with  well-marked  yellow  fever  on  the  seventh  day  after,  and  black  vomit  came  up  on 
the  third  night.  He  recovered.  Mr.  Gr.  lived  in  the  fort,  occupying  the  lower  eastern  rooms 
of  officers'  quarters.     Native  of  Pennsylvania  ;  resided  at  the  fort  about  a  year." 

"Captain  Bowman  was  extremely  ill  at  the  time  with  a  hf^h  grade  of  fever,  which,  to  my 
mind,  would  have  been  yellow  fever,  had  he  not  sufiered  with  the  disease  in  New  Orleans  pre- 
viously ;  the  peculiar  characteristics  of  this  fever,  except  the  inflamed  eye  and  black  vomit, 
being  jiresent." 

"Every  stranger  connected  with  the  fort,  who  resided  in  the  district  above  described,  (from 
Waring's  on  Accommodation  street,  to  Blacklock's  house  near  Fort  street,)  suffered  with  yellow 
fever,  or  severe  bilious  remittent.  Of  the  latter,  were  those  who  had  resided  in  Charleston,  or 
some  other  southern  climate,  previously." 

"  Col.  Blanding's  case  was  similar  to  that  of  R.  (Valiant),  stated  by  me  in  a  letter  to  Doctor 
Strobel,  to  which  I  refer  you.  R.  was  in  command  of  the  vessel,  anchored  for  several  weeks  off 
the  point  of  Sullivan's  Island^  and  he  had  not  been  to  the  city  for  some  time.  The  second  offi- 
cer of  this  vessel  was  brought  into  hospital  before  R.  died,  with  well-marked  yellow  fever. 
Neither  had  been  in  the  city  for  some  time ;  they  were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and  were  afraid 
of  the  summer  months — so  much  so,  that  R.'s  brother  had  obtained  leave  of  absence  to  go  north 
by  the  first  of  June.  Not  a  single  stranger  who  composed  the  crew  of  that  vessel  escaped ;  for- 
tunately R.  was  the  only  death." 

"  These  circumstances  will  account  for  Mr.  Graham's  attack.  He  would  have  been  sick  if  he 
had  not  visited  the  city.  He  was  exposed  to  the  same  atmosphere  at  the  fort  that  the  others 
were  who  had  the  disease,  and  who  had  not  been  off  the  island  for  weeks.  Captain  Bowman 
had  not  been  as  far  as  the  episcopal  church  for  several  weeks  before  his  attack.  Davis's  family 
occupied  a  small  house  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  fort  square  (parade  on  the  back  beach) ; 
all  suffered  with  the  same  form  of  the  disease  that  Colonel  Blanding  did.     Recovered." 

Dr.  Lebby  says  :  "I  have  seen,  during  my  professional  career,  a  large  amount  of  fever;  and  I 
must  confess  I  have  seen,  as  yet,  not  a  solitary  instance  of  yellow  fever  which  has  induced  me 
to  regard  it  as  contagious.  On  the  contrary,  from  personal  observation  and  experience,  I  am  a 
decided  believer  in  the  non-contagiousness  of  yellow  fever." 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Graham,  mentioned  above,  resided  on  the  lower  floors  of  the  fort  bar- 
racks, which  floors  are  always  insalubrious  and  wholly  unfit  for  quarters.  Deceruber  13,  1853, 
I  officially  reported  these  quarters  on  the  lower  floor  as  unfit  for  use,  on  account  of  their  insa- 
lubrity, and  they  ought  never  to  be  occupied.  It  is  more  reasonable  to  suppose  that  Mr.  Gra- 
ham contracted  the  fever  in  his  quarters  tlian  during  a  short  visit  to  the  city;  at  any  rate,  the 
quarters  occupied  by  him,  with  all  others  on  the  ground-floor,  are  decidedly  iinhealthy.  Davis's 
family  suffered  from  severe  fever,  the  locality  being  evidently  iinhcalthy.  This  very  district 
suffered  from  yellow  fever  in  1824  and  1827,  and  we  may  add  1795,  1802,  and  1852. 

1850  was  an  epidemic  year,  though  yellow  fever  did  not  prevail.  This  has  been  sufficiently 
treated  of. 

1852. — The  yellow  fever  of  this  year  needs  no  further  remark,  except  in  so  far  as  relates  to 
the  ditch  which  Dr.  Simons  speaks  of  in  treating  of  the  yellow  fever  of  1824.  This  fever  of 
1824  was  much  less  in  the  garrison  than  in  other  parts  of  Sullivan's  Island;  affected  the  troops 
but  partially,  and  the  cases  among  them  were  not  malignant,  as  has  been  already  shown.  It 
may  be  that  offal  was  thrown  into  this  ditch — and  it  was  certainly  a  very  strange  proceeding,  if 
this  was  allowed — but  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining,  unless  one  is  j^ermitted  to  judge  of 
the  cause  by  the  effect.  This  ditch  has  been  accused  of  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors,  accord- 
ing to  men's  fancies,  and  often  unjustly.  In  1850,  it  could  not  have  been  the  culprit ;  for  tlie 
epidemic  held  oft'  from  the  garrison  in  a  remarkable  manner,  from  fort  and  parade,  for  many 
days  after  the  disease  had  become  general  over  the  island,  as  has  been  previously  mentioned. 
Some  persons  attempted  to  get  up  the  same  ideas  in  1852;  but  the  ditch  was  never  cleaner  than 


246 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


during  this  summer,  owing  to  the  heavy  rains,  whicli  swept  out  everj'thing  from  the  ditch  to 
the  back  beach,  like  tlie  rush  of  waters  in  the  Mississippi.  There  are  living  witnesses  to  this 
fact.  Again:  tlie  side  of  the  parade  on  this  ditch  was  not  the  most  sickly,  but  the  side  oppo- 
site was  by  far  the  most  unhealtliy ;  nor  can  the  ditch  be  considered  the  cause  of  yellow  fever 
at  the  steamboat-landing  on  the  west,  and  near  the  Moultrie  House  on  the  east,  nor  of  the 
universal  bilious  fever  whicli  ]ir(?railed.     These  accusations  are  "for  Buncombe." 

But  we  will  admit  everything  that  is  wished  and  asked;  that  the  ditch  was  filthy,  and  that 
the  malaria  generated  from  it  was  the  cause  of  the  pestilence.  What  does  this  prove?  Simply, 
that  the  post  and  island  are  not  beyond  the  "northern  limits"'  of  yellow  fever. 

The  year  1852  was  a  sickly  one.  Cholera  prevailed  to  sucli  an  extent  in  the  city  and  vicinity, 
after  the  yellow  fever  had  ceased,  that  at  one  time  it  might  be  considered  epidemic. 

"December  5.  Colds  and  coughs  prevail  a  good  deal  on  Sullivan's  Island,  and  there  is  soTue 
dysentery. ' ' 

"December  12.  Colds  and  coughs  arc  prevalent;  and,  taking  tlic  whole  country  together, 
there  is  an  epidemic  influenza." 

"December  26.  Since  the  21st  it  has  been  rainy  and  foggy,  cold  and  warm.  Tlie  last  three 
days  have  been  warm,  the  weather  unpleasant,  and  the  dampness  excessive.  There  is  some 
cholera  in  town  ;  in  consequence  of  which,  I  officially  recommended  (December  24)  that  none 
of  the  men  should  be  permitted  to  spend  the  night  there." 

The  cholera  extended  into  the  next  year  (1853);  for,  January  1 :  "The  weather  has  generally 
been  warm  and  damp,  with  frequent  fogs.  There  has  been  a  good  deal  of  cholera  in  town;  so 
much,  that  some  alarm  is  exhibited." 

"January  9.  Tlie  weather  lias  been  colder  during  the  past  week  than  before,  the  thermome- 
ter having  been  as  low  as  36°.  This  seems  to  have  had  a  favorable  effect  upon  the  cholera  in 
Charleston.  In  the  week  before  last,  there  were  22  deaths  reported  from  cholera;  last  week,  23 
deaths — 10  white,  and  13  blacks.  There  lias  been  a  good  deal  of  alarm;  country  people  have 
left,  and  some  of  the  medical  students  at  the  college  'ingloriously  fled.'  " 

"January  15.  Occurred  the  only  case  of  real  cholera  on  Sullivan's  Island — an  old  negro. 
The  stage  of  collapse  is  fully  formed,  and  his  condition  is  considered  hazardous."     llecovered. 

"During  this  time  diarrhoea  has  been  prevalent,  especially  among  the  blacks  of  Sullivan's 
Island ;  showing  that  there  was  a  disposition  to  the  same  type  of  disease  as  prevailed  in  Charles- 
ton." 

A  brief  account  of  the  diseases  in  1853  will  be  given. 

Abstract  of  the  quarterly  rejjoi-ts  of  sick  for  the  year  1853. — Officers  and  men. 


Jan 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Total. 

Deaths. 

Aggregate 
strength. 

89 

91 

92 

74 

83 

53 

42 

44 

47 

49 

54 

718 

DISEASES. 

1 

1 

2 
4 
G 
2 
2 
59 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1     .... 

6        5 

1 
5 

6 

6 

5 

3 

5 

8 

6 

.... 

1 

Total                   

6 

7. 

7 

11  1   e 

6 

5 

5 

6 

10 

6 

.... 

75 

1 

Average  mean  etrengtli  for  the  year  ;  Ofticers,  (i.54  ;  enlisted  men,  58.72  :  total,  G5.  27. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


247 


One  died  in  August  of  clironic  bronchitis,  one  discharged  in  October,  and  seventy-tbree  re- 
turned to  duty. 

The  old  garrison  loft  the  ])0st  on  the  18th  of  November ;  hence,  the  month  of  December  is  not 
included,  in  order  to  show  the  effect  of  residence  in  producing  climatic  disease. 

Women,  children,  servants,  &c. 


Months 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Total. 

Deaths. 

Aggregate 
strenglli. 

Mean  stkengtii 

73 

72 

71 

77 

75 

63 

63 

62 

60 

55 

55 

37 

763 

DISEASES. 

Kebris  continue. - . --- 

1 

2 

1 

i 

1 

2 

17 

20 

3 

90 

Fchris  Intermittens  quotidiana 

1 
1 

1 
5 

Fcbris  rcmittcns 

9 
3 

3 
3 
1 

R 

Diarrhoea 

1 

2 

2 

1 

3 

3 

2 

---- 

Dyeentciia  acuta 

2 
6 

All  others    . - 

15 

IG 

8 
10 

12 

7 

1 

4 

12 

6 

7 

6 

1 

1 

Total - 

8 

18 

20« 

5 

6 

13 

15 

11 

9        fi 

137 

1 

Average  mean  strength  for  the  year,  63.58. 

All  women,  children,  &c.,  who  came  from  Florida  with  the  1st  artillery,  in  December,  are 
excluded ;  only  the  more  permanent  residents  of  the  garrison  being  included,  in  order  to  show 
the  effect  of  residence  in  producing  climatic  disease. 

From  the  foregoing  tables,  we  find  that  the  troops  suffered  from  all  diseases  in  nearly  the  pro- 
portion of  1,14  cases  to  1  person,  or  every  officer  and  man  was  sick,  on  an  average,  once  in  the 
year,  and  10  of  them  were  sick  twice ;  and  if  we  take,  instead  of  the  average  mean  strength,  the 
greatest  absolute  number  present  in  any  one  month^  there  will  be  only  1  sick  in  about  1.25; 
whereas  every  woman,  cliild,  servant,  &c.,  was  sick  nearly  2.17  times  in  the  year,  taking  the 
average  mean  strength;  and,  taking  the  greatest  number  of  persons,  1.75  times  during  the 
year.  There  is  still  greater  difference  when  we  consider  climatic  diseases,  for  we  find  only  16 
cases,  or  about  1  case  in  4  persons,  among  the  troops  during  the  year  ;  while  among  the  women, 
children,  &c.,  in  the  same  period  of  time,  there  were  no  less  than  47  cases,  or  about  3  cases  to 
every  4  persons.  It  is  also  to  be  recollected  that  1853  was  one  of  the  most  healthy  years  known, 
and,  although  diarrhoea  was  pretty  common,  there  does  not  apjiear  to  have  been  a  single  case 
of  cholera  infantum  recorded — an  unusual  circumstance,  though  the  disease  was  on  the  island. 
I  lost  a  little  patient  in  August  with  malignant  cholera  infantum,  east  of  the  fort,  between  it 
and  the  Moultrie  House,  on  Middle  street  ;  and  there  were  a  good  many  other  cases  of  the 
disease.  I  have  often  regretted  that  a  record  of  this  kind  had  not  been  kept  from  1850 ;  for  the 
difference  between  the  two  classes,  the  regular  soldier  and  non-military  persons,  would  have 
been  much  greater  than  it  now  appears  to  be. 

In  2)roofof  the  great  salubrity  of  Fort  Moultrie  and  Sullivan's  Island,  it  is  common  to  refer  to 
the  Army  Medical  Statistics,  p.  201,  from  which  it  appears  that  the  annual  ratio  of  mortality  in 
Charleston  harbor  (Forts  Moultrie,  Pinckney,  and  Johnson)  is  2.60  per  cent.  During  the 
same  period,  the  annual  mortality  of  Fort  Moultrie  was  3  per  cent.  It  must  be  recollected  that 
these  are  just  what  they  are  intended  to  be — statistics  of  picked  men.  From  them  are  excluded 
tlie  old,  the  young  females,  and  invalids;  and  no  one  is  permitted  to  enter   the  service  but 

"  One  cliild  died  in  May,  of  convulsions. 


248  BEPORT  ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

the  strongest  and  most  healthy,  for  obvious  reasons.  As  statistics  of  strong  men  for  active  ser- 
vice, being  also  the  first  of  a  series,  they  are  valuable;  but,  as  general  vital  statistics,  showing 
the  salubrity  of  a  country,  and  detailing  facts  connected  with  the  health,  longevity,  mortality, 
and  consequent  prosperity  of  all  classes  of  citizens,  they  are  of  no  value  whatever. 

As  1853  was  generally  healthy,  but  few  remarks  in  relation  to  the  diseases  of  the  year  are 
required. 

Fevers  were  more  prevalent  in  April  and  May  than  in  the  usual  fever  months  of  August, 
September,  and  October.  The  very  great  rains  in  1852,  from  May  to  September,  had  saturated 
the  earth  ;  there  had  been  considerable  winter  rain,  and  the  last  half  of  April  and  almost  the 
whole  of  May  were  hot  and  dry  ;  the  action  of  the  sun  on  the  porous  and  sandy  soil  produced 
disease.     A  few  brief  remarks  may  not  be  uninteresting. 

Family  of  Captain  E ,   northwest  of  Fort  Moultrie,  on  Cove  street.     April   19th,   a 

colored  girl  taken;  May  5,  a  colored  child  taken;  and  May  12,  son — all  with  remittent  fever. 
None  of  them  had  been  from  the  island. 

Family  of  Major  H ,  northwest  of  the  fort,  in  Cove  street.     Mrs.  H.  taken  April  25tli ; 

an  Irish  servant  girl  on  the  same  day  ;  Major  H.  on  tlie  2Gtli — all  with  remittent  fever.  Not 
one  of  them  had  been  from  the  island. 

Family  of  Captain  P ,  west  of  the  fort,  in  Middle  street.     Mrs.  P.  taken  with  tertian 

intermittent,  April  26  ;  one  son,  April  30  ;  two  sons.  May  1 ;  and  a  fourth  son,  May  4th — all 
with  remittent.  Two  of  them  were  attacked  the  second  time  on  the  14th  of  May.  Not  one  of 
these  persons  had  slept  away  from  Sullivan's  Island  for  two  years. 

One  ju'ivate  of  the  garrison  taken  Ajnil  11th;  one,  A])ril  26th;  one,  May  18th;  all  of  remit- 
tent. 

Sergeant  Kiley's  child,  on  the  east  side  of  the  fort  parade^  taken  with  remittent  fever  on  tlie 
3d  of  May. 

Sergeant  Williams's  child,  on  the  west  side  of  the  parade,  was  taken  with  remittent  fever  on 
the  5th  of  May. 

Eleanor  Brassard,  daughter  of  Private  Brassard,  on  the  west  side  of  the  parade,  was  taken 
with  continued  fever  on  the  31st  of  May.  None  of  the  last  three  had  been  to  town  or  from  the 
island. 

Variola,  owing  to  tlie  universal  neglect  of  vaccination,  prevailed  to  a  considerable  extent  in 
Charleston  during  tlie  winter  of  1853-'4,  but  there  were  no  cases  of  the  disease  on  Sullivan's 
Island.  The  universal  neglect  of  vaccination  in  the  country,  and  even  in  the  city,  is  astonish- 
ing. From  this  epidemic  there  appears  to  be  no  reason  for  distrusting  the  preservative  powers 
of  the  vaccine  disease;  but,  on  the  contrary,  our  faith  in  it  should  be  confirmed.  No  doubt,  the 
operation  is  often  performed  with  bad  matter.  In  the  last  part  of  the  winter^  I  revaccinated  a 
lady,  by  request,  whose  husband  had  formerly  studied  and  practised  medicine,  and  subsequently 
became  a  preacher;  great  irritation  and  inflammation  came  on;  the  axillary  glands  were 
swollen;  there  was  fever;  and  considerable  pus  formed  at  the  point  of  operation,  which  the 
husband,  the  ex-doctor,  pronounced  to  be  genuine  vaccine  matter ;  and  I  verily  believe  that  he 
would  have  attem]ited  to  propagate  the  disease,  had  a  chance  presented.  It  is  important  that 
every  one  should  lie  vaccinated;  and  it  is  more  important,  jierhaps,  that  good  matter  should  be 
employed.  In  revaccinating  in  this  particular  year,  more  local  irritation  supervened  than  I 
have  ever  before  known.  No  reason  can  be  given,  but  such  is  the  fact;  while  the  real  vaccine 
disease  went  its  course  as  usual. 

Other  eruptive  fevers  were  not  imcommon  in  Charleston,  as  measles  and  scarlatina,  but  none 
of  them  made  their  appearance  on  Sullivan's  Island. 

Having  given  an  abstract  of  the  climate  of  Sullivan's  Island  from  1849  to  1853,  inclusive, 
particularly  of  the  summer  climate,  we  will  proceed  to  a  few  remarks  on  the  diseases. 

"Fevers  are  the  proper  endemics  of  Carolina,  and  occur  oftener  than  any,  probably  than  all, 
other  diseases.     These  are  the  effects  of  its  warm,  moist  climate,  of  its  low  grounds,  and  stag- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION.  249 

naiit  waters.  In  tlieir  mildest  season,  they  assume  the  type  of  intermittents;  in  their  next 
grade,  they  are  bilious  remittents;  and,  under  particular  circumstances,  in  their  highest  grade, 
constitute  yellow  fever." — Dr.  Ramsay,  Hist.  S.  C,  vol.  2, p.  97. 

We  have  known  almost  all  kinds  of  fever  to  originate  on  Sullivan's  Island — intermittent, 
remittent,  congestive,  and  yellow  fever ;  but  the  most  usual  form  of  fever  is  the  common  bil- 
ious remittent.  Not  a  summer  passes  without  it,  more  or  less ;  sometimes  it  is  mild,  at  others 
severe.  Fevers  are  so  common  on  the  east  end  of  the  island,  that  tliis  locality  is  considered 
unhealthy. 

Cholera  infantum  is  indigenous,  as  might  be  expected  from  the  proximity  of  the  island  to  the 
city  of  Charleston,  in  the  low  country,  and  in  a  hot  climate,  with  a  humid  atmosphere  and 
high  dew-point.  The  effect  of  change  in  this  disease  is  wonderful,  not  in  the  acute  stage,  but 
when  it  has  become  chronic  to  a  certain  extent.  Children  who  have  had  the  complaint 
in  the  city  are  frequently  sent  to  the  island  to  recover  their  health  and  strength,  and  the 
benefit  derived  from  the  change  is  often  surprising;  on  the  other  hand,  when  the  acute  stage 
of  the  disease  has  been  spent  on  the  island,  we  have  been  anxiuus  that  a  change  should  be 
made  to  Buncombe,  the  north,  or  even  to  Charleston.  We  have  known  little  patients  to  im- 
prove greatly  by  a  removal  to  Charleston,  the  strong  and  damp  winds  of  the  Lsland  appearing 
to  disagree  with  them.  Change,  of  almost  any  kind,  seems  to  work  wonders  in  the  chronic 
state  of  this  disease. 

Chronic  diarrhcea  and  dysentery,  in  adults  or  children,  are  serious  complaints  in  summer, 
either  in  the  city  or  on  the  island,  and  such  patients  should  have  a  change  of  climate  without 
delay. 

Sullivan's  Island  is  an  improper  residence  for  persons  affected  with  chronic  bronchitis  or 
phthisis  pulmonalis.  In  summer,  it  is  too  hot,  and  the  winds  are  too  bleak  and  damp;  and  in 
winter,  the  cold  and  strong  winds  render  it  a  very  unadvisable  resort. 

Asthma :  this  singular  complaint  is  often  greatly  benefited  by  an  island  residence,  and  the 
winter  often  agrees  with  persons  having  it.  Instances  have  occurred  of  persons  having  the 
disease  being  able  to  reside  here  comfortably  in  summer,  who  were  forced  to  remove  as  the 
winter  winds  came  on.     Others  cannot  reside  here  comfortably  at  all. 

Chronic  rheumatism  and  neuralgic  pains  are  not  often  benefited  by  a  residence  on  the  island, 
but  the  contrary.  The  climate,  both  winter  and  summer,  is  too  severe  for  persons  afllicted  with 
these  complaints,  and  I  have  known  such  patients  obliged  to  leave  the  island  after  a  residence 
of  a  few  days. 

Vermes  are  more  common  among  children  than  in  any  part  of  the  United  States  in  which  I 
have  practised  medicine.  The  long  round  worm  (ascaris  lumbricoides)  is  referred  to.  The  best 
remedy  I  have  found  is  termed  the  German  icorm  poxvder,  sold  by  some  of  the  apothecaries  in 
Charleston.     Spigelia  Marilandica  has  always  been  inert. 

Boils,  whitlows,  carbuncles,  and  all  sorts  of  abscesses  and  eruptions,  are  remarkably  com- 
mon. This  is  said  to  be  the  case  in  Charleston.  These  are  sujiposed  to  be  owing  to  the  long- 
continued  summer  heat,  though  many  consider  the  stimulation  of  sea-bathing  to  be  a  prominent 
cause. 

Persons  in  a  state  of  debility  from  attacks  of  almost  any  acute  disease,  as  fever,  cholera  in- 
fantum, dysentery,  &c.,  often  come  from  Charleston  to  the  island,  and  recover  their  strength 
and  appetite  in  a  short  time ;  and  those  who  suffer  from  the  same  diseases  on  the  island  are 
equally  benefited  by  a  change  to  the  upper  country,  as  already  stated  under  the  head  of  cholera 
infantum. 

From  the  situation  and  physical  characteristics  of  the  country  around  Charleston,  including 
Sullivan's  Island,  the  summer  climate  must  be  enervating,  and  most  persons  would  improve  by 
annually  spending  July  and  August  in  a  more  elevated  region. 

6.  96 32 


250 


REPORT   ON    THK   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


DISEASES. 

In  examining  the  following  statistical  tables,  which  have  been  cominled  from  abstract  No.  1 
of  this  division,  being  tliat  ibr  the  South  Atlantic  Region,  the  fact  that  the  troops  stationed  in 
Charleston  harbor  constituted  the  greater  proportion  of  the  army  serving  in  that  region,  and 
that,  therelbre,  the  results  are  mainly  applicable  to  that  locality,  should  be  remembered. 

In  this  connexion,  particular  reference  is  made  to  the  high  ratio  of  cases  of  phthisis  pulmo- 
nalis  exhibited  in  the  table  of  diseases  of  the  resjiiratory  system.  The  original  records  have 
been  re-examined  in  this  particular,  and  are  correctly  transcribed.  The  cases  are  referred  to, 
and  not  the  deaths ;  for  the  reason,  that  soldiers  afflicted  with  this  disease,  who  have  i'riends  and 
a  home  to  go  to,  often  solicit  and  obtain  their  discharge  from  the  service.  The  statistics 
corroborate  the  statement  of  Surgeon  Porter,  that  "Sullivan's  Island  is  an  improper  residence 
for  persons  affected  with  chronic  bronchitis  or  jihthisis  pulmonalis."  How  much  is  this  result 
due  to  the  "hot  climate,  humid  atmosphere,  and  high  dew-point  f" 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  Btrengtb. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  per  1,000  of  mean  btrenoth. 

Treated. 

Died. 

2,772 
2,875 
2,736 
2,818 

1,289 
1,575 
2,362 
1,644 

6 
15 
16 
21 

465 
547 
863 
583 

2 

5.2 

6 

Fourth  ciiiarter         .....__ 

• 
7.4 

Aniiua.1  ratio     --   ...... 

2,800 

6,870 

58 

2,453 

20  7 

It  appears  from  this  table  that  the  average  proportion  of  cases  treated,  to  the  number  of  men, 
is  2.45  to  1,  annually;  and  that  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  is  1  to  48,  or  about  2  per 
cent.     The  proportion  of  cases  treated,  to  the  number  of  troops,  is  1  to  118,  or  0.84  per  cent. 

Exclusive  of  yellow  fever,  the  annual  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  mean  strength  of  the  forces  is  1  to 
53,  or  1.9  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

TniKD. 

TEAE. 

0 

■£ 

ii 
! 

£ 

0 
0 

S  5P 

Strenffth  -          

2,772 

2,875 

2,736 

2,818 

2,800 

^i 

Diseases, 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

0  a 

■So 

Febris  continua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quoticliana.. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittenB  qiiartana... 

7 

13 

53 

16 

9 

1 

0 

99 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

44 
39 
34 
10 
31 
2 
3 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 

15 
73 
64 

9 

164 

14 

5 

1 
1 
0 
0 
3 

0 

14 
21 
70 
17 
61 
4 
32 

0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
4 

80 
146 
221 

52 
265 

21 

40 

1 
1 
0 
0 
5 
3 
5 

1  in    80 
1  in  146 
Oin  221 
Oin    52 
lin    53 
1  in      7 
1  in      8 

28 
60 
79 
18 
94 

Ffbrifi  tvnhus.        - 

7 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

14 

Total          

0 

163 

1              i 
2          .'54.4               7 

2I9     1       fi 

825 

15 

1  in    75 

?94 

1 

AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 


251 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM, 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FODRTH. 

TEAR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases. 

-"  -5 

Is 

2, 

772 

2, 

375 

2,736 

2, 

318 

2,800 

c    S 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

•i  o 

c 

C3 

Cholera  Asiatica 

0 

49 

29 

5 

3 

2 

0 

30 

62 

0 
0 
0 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 

204 

101 

4 

2 

0 

0 

60 

121 

0 
2 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 
320 

78 
6 
0 
0 
1 

95 

196 

0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

1 

0 

203 
57 
10 

1 
1 

1 
78 

86 

0 
2 
0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

776 

2e5 

25 

6 

3 

2 

253 

465 

0 
6 
0 
3 

1 
0 

1 
0 

2 

0 

1  in  129 

0  in  265 
lin      8 

1  in      6 
0  in      3 
lin      2 

0  in  253 

1  in  232 

0 

277 

94 

Dysenteria  chronica 

9 
2 

1 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio  ...... .- 

0.7 
90 

All  other  diseases  of  this 

166 

Total 

180 

1 

482 

3 

696 

4 

437 

5 

1795 

13 

1  in  138 

641 

DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

O 

OQ 

cd 

a> 
•a 

:i 

c 

c 
c 
o 

i 

^5 

1= 

2,772 

2, 

875 

2, 

736 

2,818 

2,800 

i! 

-si 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica 

8 
291 
2 
9 
2 

2 

0 
0 
1 
0 
0 

0 

7 

165 

8 

11 

3 

6 

0 

0 
1 
0 
0 

1 

4 
307 
8 
3 
3 

3 

2 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

16 
212 

8 
6 
4 

2 

0 
0 
3 
0 
0 

1 

35 
975 
26 
29 
12 

12 

2 
0 

5 
0 
0 

2 

1  in     17 

0  in  975 

1  in      5 
0  in     29 

0  in     12 

1  in       6 

12 

348 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

9.2 
10 

Pnpiimnnin. 

4 

All  other  diseases  of  this 
system 

4 

Total 

314 

1 

199 

2 

328 

2 

248 

4 

1089 

9 

1  in  121 

389 

75 

0 

83 

• 
0 

76 

0 

70 

0 

304         n 

0  m  304 

108 

The  quarterly  reports  of  sick  are  without  special  remarks  of  interest,  except  those  which  are 
embraced  in  the  very  elaborate  report  of  Surgeon  Porter,  above  given. 

The  influenza,  noted  as  prevalent  in  1843  in  every  region  yet  considered,  appeared  at  Forts 
Moultrie  and  Johnston,  and  Oglethorpe  Barracks,  in  August  of  that  year.  At  the  post  last 
named,  it  remained  till  some  time  in  September. 


252  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


SOUTH  INTERIOR  REGION,  No.  1. 

The  region  design.ated  as  the  Soulli  Interior,  No.  1,  embraces  that  portion  of  the  territory  of 
the  United  States  wliicli  is  occupied  by  the  States  of  Georgia,  Ahxbama,  Mississippi,  and  Lou- 
isiana. The  principal  military  stations  are  Fort  Jesup,  Baton  Rouge,  and  New  Orleans  Bar- 
racks, Forts  Pike  and  Wood,  and  Mount  Vernon  and  Augusta  Arsenals. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGKAPHT  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  JESUP. 
By  Surgeon  P.  H.  Craig:  1839. 

This  post  is  in  about  latitude  31,  longitude  17  west  of  Washington  city,  on  the  dividing-ridge 
of  the  waters  of  Red  river  and  the  Sabine,  and  equi-distant  from  each,  being  about  25  miles, 
and  100  miles  due  north  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico;  the  ridge,  or  high  land,  has  a  bearing  of  a 
north  and  south  course;  tlie  streams  on  the  north,  or  northeast  side  of  the  ridge,  mostly  empty 
into  the  Spanish  Lake;  its  nearest  point  being  about  12  miles  north  of  Jesup ;  the  lake  disem- 
bogues into  tlie  Red  river  8  or  10  miles  above  Natchitoches.  There  are  other  streams  heading 
southeast  of  the  post  that  fall  into  the  Red  river  some  distance  below  Natchitoches.  All  the 
streams  on  the  Sabine  valley  side  drain  directly  into  the  Sabine;  there  being  no  lakes,  ponds, 
or  marshes  intervening. 

The  elevation  of  the  site  of  the  post  above  the  low  lands,  lakes,  and  rivers,  has  never  beea 
ascertained,  but  must  be  considerable,  as  the  water  is  very  rapidly  carried  off. 

The  face  or  aspect  of  the  country,  on  both  sides  of  the  ridge,  is  rolling  and  broken ;  some  of 
the  creeks  have  small  bodies  of  good  land  bordering  on  them,  of  a  stiff  black  clayey  soil;  and 
the  hills,  a  poor  thin  gray  sandy  soil,  and  a  hard  red  clay-bottom  or  sub-soil.  There  are  but 
few  mineral  i^roductions  discoverable:  a  kind  of  limestone  is  found  in  places  in  detached  masses, 
a  considerable  quantity  of  which  has  been  procured  for  building ;  the  nearest  quarry  is  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  post,  in  a  due  east  course. 

Pine  is  the  most  abundant  timber ;  the  high  lands  are  covered  with  it ;  having  oak  and 
hickory  thinly  intermixed.  On  the  creek  bottoms,  beech,  red  and  black  gum,  sassafras,  mul- 
berry, and  occasionally  cypress,  form  the  growth. 

The  summer  usually  commences  about  the  1st  of  May,  and  continues  until  the  last  of  Sep- 
tember. The  days  are  very  hot  from  10  o'clock  until  sunset ;  the  thermometer  generally  ranging 
from  76  to  90  and  96 ;  the  nights  are  often  cool  and  comiortable,  having  generally  a  refreshing 
breeze  from  the  south  and  southwest,  in  the  direction  of  the  Gulf  and  Bay,  nearly  every  evening 
after  9  or  10  o'clock.  The  rainy  season  commonly  begins  in  the  month  of  Februarj^,  and  con- 
tinues until  the  first  or  middle  of  May,  with  intermission. 

The  winter  season  is  variable,  often  rainy,  and  frequently  changing  from  cold  to  warm, 
sometimes  causing  a  thermometrical  difference  of  20  degrees  or  more  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

The  summer  months  always  produce  most  disease,  particularly  during  August  and  September. 
The  post  is  not  distinguished  by  the  prevalence  of  any  particular  disease.  The  most  frequent 
are  inflammatory,  remittent,  intermittent,  and  catarrhal  fevers,  dysentery,  and  diarrhoea.  Most 
of  the  diseases  require  active  treatment  at  the  onset. 

The  barracks  are  built  on  the  ridge,  about  thirty  yards  from  the  summit-level,  and  on  the 
Sabine  valley  side  of  the  ridge;  their  position  is  on  a  line  ranging  a  very  little  from  east  and 
west,  and  facing  nearly  north  and  south.  The  buildings  are  probably  more  exposed  to  the 
northeast  and  southwest  winds,  but  are  so  situated  as  to  receive  breezes  from  all  points  of  the 
compass.  The  new  barracks  were  commenced  in  1837,  and  finished  about  two  months  since. 
There  being  four  companies,  each  company  has  two  large  rooms,  50  feet  long  by  30  wide;  12 
feet  high  to  the  ceiling,  with  a  passage  of  12  feet  between  the  rooms;  porches,  or  galleries,  on 


AMONG   THL   TROOPS   IN  THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  253 

the  front  and  rear,  well  raised  from  the  ground  on  stone  pillars.  Pine  is  the  principal  timber 
used  in  the  construction  of  the  barracks,  and  consists  of  large  square  logs,  very  neatly  fitted 
together ;  the  ends  of  the  buildings  weather-boarded ;  the  sides  well  protected  from  the  weather 
by  porches  12  feet  wide.  Tlie  buildings  are  dry  and  well  constructed  for  ventilation,  having 
eight  large  windows  in  each  room,  four  on  each  side ;  large  doors  opening  into  the  passage ;  the 
blocks  are  20  feet  apart. 

The  hospital  is  about  60  yards  west  of  the  quarters,  aod  nearly  parallel  to  them,  on  ground 
a  little  lower  than  the  site  of  the  barracks,  erected  in  the  winter  of  1829-'30,  and  consists  of  two 
rooms,  25  by  15  feet,  built  of  pine  logs,  in  a  very  rough  manner;  the  whole  building  is  in  a 
ruinous  and  decayed  condition,  being  very  ill  constructed  and  badly  located ;  being  very  near 
all  the  buildings  appertaining  to  the  quartermaster's  department,  viz:  stables,  blacksmith's 
shops,  saw-pits,  &c.,  &c„ 

No  endemic  disease  has  at  any  time  prevailed  at  the  post  since  its  establishment  in  1822. 

The  officers'  quarters  are  old  buildings,  erected  by  General  Taylor  in  1822 ;  they  have  the 
same  exposure  as  the  barracks.* 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  BATON  ROUGE  BARRACKS. 
By  Surgeon  Benjamin  F.  Harney  :   1810. 

Baton  Rouge  is  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river,  in  north  lat.  30°  36',  long, 
west  of  Washington  14°  28',  and  on  the  first  high  land  or  bluff  found  in  ascending  the  river, 
and  at  that  jjoint  where  the  artificial  embankment  or  "levee"  terminates. 

The  bluff  on  which  the  barracks  are  situated  is  about  22|  feet  above  high-water,  and  about  55 
or  60  feet  above  low-water  mark.  It  is  about  50  or  60  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Lakes  Maure- 
pas  and  Pontchartrain,  which  lie  in  a  southeast  direction,  and  are  distant,  the  former  35  or  40, 
and  the  latter  45  or  50  miles. 

The  public  grounds  are  bounded  on  the  north  by  a  bayou,  which  empties  into  the  river  imme- 
diately above  (175  or  200  yards)  the  barracks;  on  the  east  by  private  property  (lots);  on  the 
south  by  the  village  of  Baton  Rouge ;  and  on  the  west  by  the  river. 

The  nearest  marsh  or  swamp  is  a  cypress  swamp,  distant  15  miles  north.  The  bayou  form- 
ing the  north  boundary  is  filled  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  from  the  river,  from  the  1st  of  Febru- 
ary to  the  1st  of  August  of  each  year. 

It  might  be  supposed  (and  plausibly)  that,  as  the  water  retired  from  the  bayou,  deposils  would 
take  place,  of  such  a  nature  as  would  be  productive  of  disease.  But  experience  has  proven  the 
reverse;  for  as  soon  as  the  annual  fall  of  the  Mississippi  commences,  the  "rainy  season"  also 
begins,  and  the  bayou  is  thoroughly  washed,  and  the  deposits,  that  might  be  a  source  of  disease, 
are  carried  by  the  stream  to  the  river.  It  also  lies  in  a  direction  from  whence  we  have  no  winds 
during  the  sickly  season. 

The  public  grounds  are  undulating,  and  well  drained ;  the  bayou  above  mentioned  draining 
them  into  the  Mississippi,  and  other  bayous  conveying  water  from  these  grounds,  the  villao-e, 
and  the  whole  parish,  into  Lake  Maurepas.  The  country  lying  on  the  same  side  of  the  river 
with  this  station,  and  north  and  east,  is  undulating,  and  naturally  well  drained;  tliat  lyiu"-  to 
the  south,  together  with  all  west  of  the  river,  is  formed  of  a  rich  alluvial  deposit,  level,  but 
susceptible  of  draining  by  means  of  "levees,"  bayous,  ditches,  &c.  There  are  no  mineral  pro- 
ductions. 

The  post  has  never  been  furnished  with  barometer  or  hygrometer,  and  but  little  knowledge 
can  be  derived  from  observations  on  the  thermometer.  A  lew  degrees  of  heat,  more  or  less, 
being,  "casteris  paribus,"  of  no  consequence. 

1  During  a  portion  of  the  year  1844-'45,  troops  were  assembled  at  a  point  about  three  miles  from  Natchitoches,  and 
two  miles  from  the  immediate  banks  of  Red  river.  The  position  was  named  "Camp  Salubrity,"  being  on  an  elevated 
sand-ridge,  abundantly  supplied  with  excellent  spring-water,  .lud  surrounded  with  pine,  oak,  and  hickory  woods. C. 


254  REPOET   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

The  winds  from  April  to  October,  inclusive,  are  generally  from  the  south,  southwest,  and 
west;  and  from  November  to  March,  inclusive,  from  southeast,  east,  and  latterly  from  the 
northwest.  The  former  winds  are  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  mostly  over  a  prairie  country 
interspersed  with  woodland,  bayous,  &c.  Winds  from  an  easterly  direction,  in  autumn,  pro- 
duce derangement  of  the  bowels,  remittent  f^ver,  &c.,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  The  sickly 
season  (properly  so  called)  commences  about  the  1st  of  August,  owing  to  the  causes  producing 
decomposition,  &c.  The  diseases  are  mostly  bilious  intermittent,  and  remittent  fever,  and  tend 
to  a  typhoid  character.  The  remedies,  for  the  most  part,  consist  of  mercurial  cathartics,  &c., 
&c.     The  liver  is  in  fault  in  these  cases. 

The  barracks  were  completed  in  1824,  and  are  situated  on  the  bluif  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 
between  the  village  and  the  bayou  mentioned  as  forming  the  north  boundary  of  the  public 
grounds ;  are  constructed  of  brick,  and  have  slate  roofs ;  all  of  the  best  material  and  good 
workmanship. 

They  were  originally  of  pentagonal  form ;  but  the  building  forming  the  side  parallel  to  the 
river,  and  intended  for  the  quartermaster's  and  commissary's  departments,  being  of  bad  mate- 
rial, and  worse  workmanship,  has  been  removed.  This,  fortunately,  leaves  open  the  angle  next 
the  river,  and  affords  a  finer  view  and  better  ventilation  than  if  the  original  plan  had  been 
preserved. 

The  galleries,  fronting  inward  and  outward,  are  10  feet  in  width,  and  well  shaded  at  all  times 
by  china,  mulberry  trees,  &c.  These  trees  were  planted  in  1824,  and  are  supposed  to  have 
contributed  in  a  great  degree  to  the  preservation  of  the  health  of  the  garrison  since  that  time. 
Trees  are  planted  in  various  parts  of  the  public  grounds,  particularly  in  that  part  between  the 
village  and  the  barracks,  and  in  the  ordnance  department. 

The  rooms  of  the  barracks  are  large,  well  ventilated,  and  altogether  very  comfortable  and 
neat.  The  hospital  is  placed  about  120  yards  southeast  of  the  barracks,  fronting  east  and  west, 
and  surrounded  by  a  gallery  10  feet  in  width.  It  is  airy,  and  well  constructed  for  ventilation. 
No  endemic  disease  has  ever  prevailed  here. 

The  yellow  fever  was  first  known  here  in  181T;  then  in  the  years  1819,  1822,  and  1827. 
There  were  many  cases  of  yellow  fever  m  1829,  but  these  were  confined  to  the  European  Spaniards 
driven  from  Mexico.  These  cases  were  owing  to  their  mode  of  living,  their  filth,  and  to  their 
being  much  crowded  in  the  buildings  they  occupied;  and,  being  unacclimated,  they  were  espe- 
cially obnoxious  to  disease,  and  they  alone  (with  only  three  or  four  exceptions)  suffered  there- 
from. 

The  soldiery  suffered  in  1821  and  in  1823,  without  assignable  cause,  from  a  disease  called  the 
"cold  plague ;"  during  these  years  the  village  was  free  from  the  disease.  It  has  not  been  known 
here  since  1823.  This  disease  prevailed  in  the  month  of  May,  and  jjart  of  June,  in  each  year. 
The  symptoms  were  vet-y  similar  to  those  of  cholera,  and  were  treated  with  mercurial  cathartics 
in  very  large  doses,  warm  bath,  sinapisms,  &c.  The  causes  of  general  sickness  in  1821,  1822, 
and  1823,  were  exposure  while  at  work  on  the  barracks  (then  building),  intemperance,  and  labor 
in  the  cypress  swamp,  some  fifteen  miles  from  this,  in  procuring  timber. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  NEW  ORLEANS  BARRACKS. 
By  Surgeon  H.  L.  Hawkins,  U.  S.  A.:  1839.     (Extracts.) 

The  city  of  New  Orleans  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river,  distant  105 
miles  by  the  channel  from  its  mouth,  and  80  miles  in  a  southeast  course.  It  is  50  miles  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  south;  40  miles  from  Chandeleur  bay,  southeast;  15  miles  from  Lake 
Borgne,  east;  and  6  miles  from  Lake  Pontchartrain,  north.  There  are  no  hills  in  the  vicinity, 
the  city  being  built  on  an  inclined  plane,  descending  gently  from  the  river  to  the  lakes.  When 
the  river  is  full,  the  streets  are  three  or  four  feet  below  its  surface.     Inundations  are  prevented 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION.  255 

by  a  dyke,  or  levee,  which  has  been  made  from  the  Balize  to  the  highlands  about  Baton  Rouge, 
on  the  east,  and  to  Point  Coupee,  1  miles  above  Natchez,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  The 
well-water  of  the  city  is  not  used  either  for  washing  or  for  culinary  purposes,  as  it  contains  the 
muriates  of  lime,  magnesia,  and  soda,  and  the  bi-carbonate  of  lime,  and  also  iron.  Eain  and 
river-water  are  consequently  used  by  all. 

The  barracks  are  situated  three  and  a  half  miles  below  the  city  proper,  on  the  same  side  of 
the  river.  They  were  erected  in  1834  and  1835,  and  form  a  parallelogram  of  about  300  feet  on 
the  river,  extending  back  about  900  feet.  The  quarters,  built  of  granite  and  brick,  are  com- 
modious, dry,  and  well  ventilated.  They  are  sheltered  from  the  N.  and  N.E.  winds  by  a  forest 
of  cypress,  which,  commencing  about  .500  yards  from  the  river,  extends  back  towards  Lake  Pont- 
chartrain.  The  grounds  within  the  parallelogram  have  been  raised  thirty  inches  with  earth 
covered  with  shells,  and,  being  traversed  by  ditches,  are  kept  dry. 

The  S.W.  and  S.E.  winds  prevail  during  the  five  months  from  April  to  August,  and  the 
N.E.  in  September.  It  is  to  be  remarked  that  the  E.N.E.  and  S.E.  winds  come  from  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  over  an  immense  tract  of  low  swamps,  and  that  the  prevalence  of  N.  and  E.  winds  in 
July,  August,  and  September,  is  always  attended  with  the  epidemic  yellow  fever.  In  fact, 
these  three  months  are  the  only  ones  that  can  be  considered  as  proper  seasons  of  disease — that 
is,  the  cause  of  epidemic  yellow  fever  is  produced  during  those  months.  Its  ravages  may,  and 
do,  extend  into  October  ;  but  when  there  has  been  no  ejiidemic  during  August  and  September, 
strangers  are  not  as  liable  to  disease  in  October.  It  has  also  been  remarked,  that  during  an 
epidemic — for  example,  in  September — if  the  wind  prevails  steadily  for  a  few  days  from  the  S.W. 
or  W.,  the  disease  seems  to  be  checked,  fewer  new  cases  occur,  and  those  who  are  sick  recover 
more  readily.  If,  after  this  state  of  things,  the  wind  shifts  around  again  to  the  N.E.,  the  dis- 
ease resumes  its  virulence,  cases  occur  more  frequently,  and  those  who  are  convalescent  are 
suddenly  thrown  back  and  frequently  succumb.  The  yellow  fever  of  this  climate,  then,  may 
be  traced  to  the  following  combined  causes  :  1.  Low  stage  of  water  in  the  river,  leaving  its 
banks,  with  the  deposits  brought  from  the  upper  country,  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  sun; 
2.  Decomposition  of  vegetable  matter  in  the  swamps  in  the  rear  of  the  city;  and,  3.  The  preva- 
lence of  E.  and  N.E.  winds.  These  winds  come  not  only  loaded  with  miasmata  from  the 
swamps  which  they  traverse,  but  are  cold,  and  tend  to  produce  chills,  rendering  the  system  more 
liable  to  be  impressed  with  other  causes  incident  to  the  climate,  such  as  sutlden  alternations  from 
cold  showers  to  a  burning  sun.  In  confirmation  of  this  opinion,  it  is  remarked  that  a  contrary 
state  of  things — to  wit,  high  stage  of  water  in  the  river,  and  the  prevalence  of  S.W.  and  W. 
winds — are  not  attended  with  epidemic  fever. 


FORTS    PIKE   AND    WOOD. 

Fort  Pike  is  situated  on  the  island  of  Petites  Coquilles,  which,  as  its  name  imports,  seems  to 
have  been  originally  formed  of  a  congeries  of  small  shells,  witli  an  admixture  of  earttiy  deposit, 
based  upon  a  substratum  of  argillaceous  earth,  rendered  black  or  blue  by  the  oxide  of  iron. 
The  fort  is  situated  on  the  northern  margin  of  this  alluvial  island,  which  divides  Lake  Borgne 
from  Lake  Pontchartrain,  the  waters  of  which  communicate  by  means  of  the  Passes  Eigolets  and 
Chef-Menteur.  The  island,  according  to  Assistant  Surgeon  De  Leon,  is  about  nine  miles  long, 
and  from  two  to  four  miles  wide.  It  is  about  34  miles  northeast  from  New  Orleans;  from  12  to 
14  miles  north  by  west  from  Fort  Wood,  and  22  miles  north  from  the  Mississippi  river.  The 
island  is  intersected  with  tortuous  bayous  resembling  artificial  canals.  As  their  beds  are  never 
exposed  to  solar  action,  being  under  the  influence  of  the  tides,  they  are  at  no  time  a  source  of 
miasmata.  The  natural  elevation  of  the  surface  of  the  island  nowhere  exceeds  two  feet.  The 
soil  is  fertile,  being  well  adapted  for  the  cultivation  of  vegetables.  In  the  summer,  the  pre- 
vailing wind  is  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.    This  tropical  east  wind  prevails  with  such  constancy, 


256 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


that  the  trees  on  the  shores  of  the  lakes  and  Gulf  have  acquired  an  inclination  from  the  sea, 
sujiposcd  to  be  the  effect  of  its  continued  action  at  a  ]icriod  when  their  j^rowth  is  most  rapid. 

Fort  Wood  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  Pass  Chef-Menteur,  the  southern  houndary  of 
the  island  of  Petites  Coquilles.  It  is  surrounded  hy  marshy,  low  lands,  and  is  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  immense  swamps  that  skirt  the  Mississippi. 

MOUNT   VERNON   AND   AUGUSTA   ARSENALS. 

Mount  Vernon  Arsenal,  near  Mobile  river,  is  about  thirty-two  miles  north  of  Mobile.  The 
post  has  a  local  elevation  of  about  two  hundred  feet  above  a  small  branch  of  the  river,  called 
Coon  creek.  The  position,  according  to  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  E.  Fullwood,  is  most  liappily 
chosen;  the  water  is  excellent,  and  it  is  free  from  the  malarious  diseases  of  the  south. 

Augusta  Arsenal,  situated  about  three  miles  from  the  city  of  Augusta,  occupies  a  high  and 
dry  position  among  the  "  sand-hills."  It  is  distant  about  130  miles  from  the  ocean,  and  is 
elevated,  it  is  estimated,  about  COO  feet  above  its  level.  The  nearest  point  of  the  Savannali 
river  is  two  miles.  The  surrounding  country  presents  no  marshes  or  lakes.  The  locality  has 
an  elevation  of  about  two  hundred  i'eet  above  that  of  Augusta;  and,  as  the  soil  is  hiird,  dry, 
and  sandy,  and  the  physical  aspect  of  the  surrounding  country  exhibits  a  succession  of  hills 
and  sloping  valleys,  the  most  favorable  natural  circumstances  obtain  to  facilitate  drainage. 
The  soil  is  rather  unproductive.  Culinary  vegetables  are  very  inferior  in  size  and  qualitj'. 
Some  varieties  of  fruit,  however,  such  as  the  apple,  plum,  peach,  and  watermelon,  are  very 
abundant,  attain  a  large  growth,  and  are  finely  flavored.  The  forest-trees  consist  chiefly  of 
different  species  of  the  genera  quercus,  pinus,  carya,  juglans,  and  diospyros. 


DISEASES. 


The  following  table,  compiled  from  abstract  No.  2  of  this  division,  gives  the  aggregate 
amount  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  this  region. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

KATIO   PER  1,000  or  UEAH  STRENeTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

6,425 
6,439 
5,583 
5,228 

3,780 
5,406. 
5,053 
3,272 

39 
40 
91 
84 

588 
839 
905 
625 

6 

6 

16 

16 

5,919 

17,511 

254 

2,958 

43 

17,426 

234 

2,944 

39.  5 

It  appears  from  the  foregoing  data  that  the  average  annual  number  of  cases  of  disease  to  the 
number  of  officers  and  enlisted  men  in  this  region  was  2.95  to  1;  that  the  corresponding  ratio 
of  deaths  was  1  to  23.30,  or  4.3  per  cent. ;  and  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number 
of  cases  treated  was  1  to  68.94,  or  1.45  per  cent.  Exclusive  of  cholera,  the  deaths  were  1  in 
25.29,  or  3.9  per  cent. 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


257 


FEVERS. 


Quarters - 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

o 

1 

•a 

"s  i 
§  g 

■£ 
%. 
S 

Strength 

6, 

425 

G, 

439 

5, 

583 

5, 

228 

5, 

919 

a;     » 

=  3 

a  § 
o  a 

•§'3 

a 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

1 

5 

212 

407 

2 

43 

4 

0 

674 

1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

0 

9 

242 

498 

15 

123 

2 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 

36 
61 

549 
464 
33 
180 
2 
118 

5 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

1 

38 

5 

4 

283 

264 

20 

86 

4 

74 

4 
0 
1 
0 
0 
6 
0 
25 

42 

79 

1286 

1633 

70 

432 

12 

192 

10 
1 
1 
0 

0 

7 

3 

63 

1  in        4 
lin      79 
1  in  1286 
0  in  1633 
Oin      70 
lin      61 
lin        4 
lin        3 

7 

FebriB  continua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana. 

Fcbris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana  . . 
Febris  remittens  ....._-...... 

13 

217 

275 

12 

73 

Febris  typbus- - ---- 

2 

Febris  typbus  icterodes 

32 

Total 

3 

889 

2 

1443 

45 

740 

35 

3746 

85 

lin    44 

633 

In  reference  to  this  table,  and  also  with  regard  to  the  consolidated  abstract  for  this  region,  it 
is  necessary  to  remark,  that,  as  a  general  rule,  the  troops  stationed  at  New  Orleans  Barracks  are 
transferred  during  the  sickly  season  to  some  point  on  the  shores  of  the  lakes  or  gulf.  Former- 
ly, Pass  Christian  was  the  place  of  summer  encampment;  but  latterly,  Greenwood  Island,  near 
East  Pascagoula.  This  will  account  for  the  small  number  of  cases  of  yellow  fever  rejjorted, 
particularly  in  1853  and  1854,  when  that  disease  proved  so  terrible  in  New  Orleans.  Most  of 
the  cases  reported  under  that  head,  in  those  two  years,  occurred  at  Baton  Rouge  Barracks — the 
small  garrison  of  which  was  totally  prostrated  by  the  disease.  In  1853,  the  troops  in  the  sum- 
mer encampment  at  Greenwood  Island  suft'ered  from  this  epidemic,  an  account  of  which  is 
given  in  tlie  following  letter  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  A.  McParlin  to  the  Surgeon 
General,  dated  Camp  Twiggs,  East  Pascagoula,  Mississippi: 

"  Genekal:  Herewith  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  the  report  of  sick  and  wounded  of  this  post 
for  the  quarter  ending  September  30,  1853. 

During  the  greater  part  of  this  ])eriod,  the  health  of  the  troops  in  this,  their  summer  quar- 
ters, has  been  remarkably  good ;  and  has  so  continued  until  lately,  when  an  epidemic  fever  pre- 
vailing has  brought  many  under  treatment  in  the  hospital. 

During  July  and  August,  when  fever  was  desolating  New  Orleans,  (and,  in  the  latter  month, 
our  neighboring  village  of  Pascagoula  claimed  several  subjects  and  victims,)  it  did  not  molest 
us;  and  it  was  not  until  August  '20th  tliat  any  (grave)  case  of  fever  occurred  in  the  command. 

This  may  be  attributable  to  our  position  on  the  island,  (over  which  the  sea-breeze  sweeps  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  day,)  and  to  our  having  no  connexion,  by  the  landing  of  freight  and 
passengers,  witii  the  infected  ports  of  New  Orleans  and  Mobile. 

This  insular  position  gives  us  the  advantages  of  a  quarantine^  as  regards  infection  on  tlie 
main  land.  The  men  who  visit  town  even,  are  generally  absent  for  a  short  time,  and  are  not 
brought  near  the  sick  or  their  contagion. 

As  we  have  comparatively  little  timber  on  the  island,  or  near  us,  the  winds  from  every  quar- 
ter have  free  course  around  us.  In  this  respect,  we  are  contrasted  advantageously  with  our 
neighbors.  A  ride  for  a  few  hundred  yards  from  their  coast  leaves  you  in  the  depths  of  a  pine 
wood,  wliere  the  cool  and  strong  breezes  of  the  coast  die  away,  and  give  place  to  sultriness  and 
oppression.  There,  also,  the  storm  of  last  year — one  of  exceeding  great  violence — had  pros- 
s.  96 —  33 


258 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


trated  the  trees  in  every  direction.  Tiiese  rotting  in  the  stagnant  midsummer  air,  and  after  an 
unu.sually  icct  season,*  if  ligneous  decomposition  be,  as  some  assert,  a  true  morbific  cause, 
contributed  most  powerfully  to  the  ciiidemic.  This  storm  brought  over  the  i.sland  an  iniuida- 
tion  from  the  bay,  and  left,  on  its  subsidence,  a  new  stratum  over  the  soil. 

From  the  latter  part  of  July,  the  date  of  the  first  cases  at  East  Pascagoula,  fever  has  spread 
from  house  to  house,  in  a  most  plain  and  evident  manner;  and,  passing  to  tlie  north,  has  at- 
tacked also  persons  living  some  miles  in  the  country,  in  the  pine  woods,  or  near  the  river. 
All  this,  before  it  crossed  over  to  our  quarters  on  the  island. 

It  has  been  interesting  to  trace  the  steady  advance  of  the  fever,  and  its  invasion  of  house 
after  house,  in  the  regular  order  of  position.  A  few  days  after  one  of  the  early  cases,  in  a 
dwelling  nearly  central  in  the  village,  it  manifested  itself  in  a  resident  of  tlie  first  house  on 
the  riglit;  after  several  cases  occurred  in  this  first  household,  it  proceeded  to  tlie  second  on  the 
right;  then  other  cases  appeared  in  the  first  house  on  tlie  left.  Sinuiltauetiusly,  now,  cases 
were  occurring  on  the  right  and  left;  and  several  members  of  a  household  would  be  seized, 
esjiecially  in  dwellings  not  separated  from  each  other  by  great  distances.  Since  that  time,  at 
longer  or  shorter  intervals,  cases  have  been  occurring  along  the  line  of  buildings  on  the  coast, 
and  in  opposite  directions.  Cases  have  thus  been  approaching  our  island  from  the  main  land, 
until  it  reached  the  last  house  near  the  bridge  dividing  us. 

I  may  state  here,  that  the  first  case  of  fever  in  the  country  was  at  the  distance  of  three  miles 
from  the  village,  in  the  person  of  a  lady,  yet  who  had  not  visited  town  during,  or  for  weeks 
preceding,  the  epidemic.  She  died  of  "black  vomit;"  as  did  also,  a  few  days  thereafter,  a 
female  in  a  neighboring  house — distant  some  hundred  yards  or  more. 

In  August,  I  was  myself  a  subject  of  the  disease.  From  that  time,  and  in  September,  cases 
of  fever  of  varying  degrees  of  intensity  have  been  under  treatment  at  the  barracks.  In  tlie 
order  of  invasion,  they  stand  as  follows.     I  give  also  the  "daily  mean"  of  temperature : 


AUGUST. 

Date . 

20. 

23 

26. 

31. 

10. 

13. 

14. 

16. 

17. 

19. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

25 

Temperature,  Fah. 

820 
1 

82.5 

1 

85 

I 

84.5 
1 

80 
1 

82.5 
1 

86.25 

1 

86.75 
1 

87.25 
2 

82.5 
2 

80 
1 

71 

1 

71 
2 

75 
1 

Seizures  among  the  laundresses,  and  in  private  families  on  the  island,  are  not  included  in  the 
enumeration  above. 

At  the  garrison — wliether  from  the  lateness  of  its  reaching  us,  or  advantages  arising  from 
local  position  and  police — many  of  the  ca.ses  have  been  of  a  mild  type  from  the  first ;  or,  if 
grave,  readily  giving  way  to  treatment.  The  fever  is  disposed  to  remit  at  the  expiration  of  24 
or  3G  hours ;  and,  generally  declining  on  the  third  day,  leaves  the  patient  in  a  state  of  ajiyrexia, 
attended  by  the  most  complete  prostration  and  debility.  In  some  cases  the  remissions  have 
been  slight  and  imperfect,  and  these  are  the  more  severe  in  their  nature. 

I  report  all  the  cases  under  "febris  remittens  flava,"  in  the  tabular  statement,  and  it  includes 
those  of  the  mild  and  malignant  type.  Of  the  latter,  three  cases  terminated  in  congestion.  I 
have  had  no  case  at  the  island  in  which  "black  vomit"  a2)peared.  The  three  who  died  were 
all  of  the  congestive  type;  two  of  them  relapsing,  after  24  or  36  hours  of  apyrectic  calm. 

All  the  cases  exhibited,  in  their  incursion,  the  usual  symptoms  of  "  yellow  fever;"  such  as 
I  had  been  made  familiar  with  in  tlie  cases  occurring  earlier  in  my  practice  in  town.  From 
their  evident  epidemical  character,  also,  I  was  disposed  to  regard  them  as  "yellow  remittent 
fever,"  (as  termed  by  Dr.  Chisholm,  in  the  West  Indies,  and  by  Dr.  Rush,  iu  our  own  country,) 

"  10.  75  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  montli  of  July,  1853. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   THE   SOUTHEEN   DIVISION.  259 

modified  and  made  mild  by  influences  I  have  before  alluded  to.     In  the  vitiated  air  and  crowded 
population  of  New  Orleans,  they  would  doubtless  have  been  more  grave. 

The  cold  weather  prevailing  from  the  22d  to  the  25th  ult.  aided,  if  it  did  not  induce,  con- 
gestive symptoms  in  the  two  fatal  cases  on  the  2Cth  and  27th  of  September.  At  the  same  date, 
a  fatal  case  by  congestion  occurred  in  the  town  of  Pascagoula.  The  weather,  indeed,  lately, 
has  been  unfavorable  for  those  cases  'exhibiting  a  tendency  to  local  engorgement  and  disturb- 
ance, gastric  or  cerebral;  inasmuch  as  the  heats  of  the  days  are  succeeded,  soon  after  nightfall, 
by  cold  winds,  usually  from  the  north. 

The  treatment  I  have  employed  has  been  chiefly  a  reliance  upon  quinine,  in  large  and  small 
doses,  at  the  inception  and  at  the  period  of  expected  remission  of  the  fever ;  and  for  many  valu- 
able suggestions  I  am  indebted  to  the  experience  and  kindness  of  Dr.  McCormick,  U.  S.  A., 
at  New  Orleans. 

If  the  patient  were  a  strong  and  healthy  subject,  and  the  case  of  a  sthenic  type,  brought  to 
me  soon  after  the  rigor,  I  exhibited  20  grs.  of  quinine  with  30  drops  of  laudanum.  Generally, 
after  the  first  dose  of  quinine,  a  moderate  dose  of  castor-oil  was  given.  If  the  tongue  was  very 
foul,  and  indications  present  of  bilious  disturbance,  it  was  preceded  a  few  hours  by  a  small  dose 
of  the  submuriate  of  mercury.  If  the  tongue  was  of  a  good  appearance,  I  gave  a  small  dose  of 
oil. 

As  the  patient  approached  the  period  of  expected  remission,  (generally  at  the  expiration  of 
24  or  3G  hours,)  the  quinine  was  repeated  (as  above)  every  two  or  four  hours,  until  the  fever 
declined.  This  generally  ensued  upon  a  copious  and  critical  diaphoresis,  which  was  by  mild 
means — warm  baths  and  hot  pediluvia — induced  and  kept  up.  The  quinine  was  generally  con- 
tinued until  60  or  80  grains  had  been  taken.  If  the  fever  continued  after  the  period  of  remis- 
sion, it  was  much  mitigated,  and  most  of  the  distressing  symptoms  would  disappear. 

On  the  second  day,  quinine  and  laudanum  (the  latter  to  moderate  the  effects  of  quinine  upon 
the  head,  and  the  irritant  effect  it  sometimes  manifests  in  weak  stomachs)  were  again  given  at 
the  period  of  remission  ;  and,  in  some  cases,  the  fever  would  cease  from  that  time.  If  it  went 
on  to  the  third  day  not  much  abated,  or  if  it  had  been  somewhat  of  the  continued  form 
throughout,  (as  I  have  seen  in  private  j^ractice,)  it  was  of  grave  import,  and  pernicious  symp- 
toms would  often  soon  appear. 

Whenever  the  fever  broke,  and  the  stage  of  calm  commenced,  soon  to  eventuate  in  conva- 
lescence or  collapse,  the  state  of  the  stomach  had  to  be  watched,  and  the  strength  of  the  patient 
kept  up  by  gentle  stimulation  and  the  use  of  the  blandest  aliments — beef,  mutton,  or  chicken- 
broths,  in  small  quantities,  and  at  short  intervals,  with  especial  care  not  to  overtask  or  ofiend 
the  stomach. 

Nausea  and  irritability  of  stomach,  or  vomiting,  were  combated  by  sinapisms  to  the 
epigastrium,  ice,  and  cordial  tonics.  These,  if  unchecked,  and  Z'W^Z  on  to  "collapse," -re- 
quired the  free  use  of  brandy  with  water,  or  as  a  toddy,  iced  champagne,  with  the  application 
of  revulsives  and  califacients  to  the  trunk  and  extremities. 

Lime-water,  flaxseed  mucilage  with  lime-juice,  iced  drinks,  pounded  ice,  lemonade,  &c.,  were 
very  useful  in  allaying  the  sense  of  gastric  heat  and  thirst.  For  this,  also,  and  the  restless- 
ness at  night,  so  common  in  this  fever,  I  found  a  concentrated  solution  of  the  acetate  of  ammo- 
nia (after  a  prescription  by  Dr.  McCormick)  very  excellent  in  its  effects.  When  I  could  ex- 
hibit it  freshly  made,  the  carbonic  acid  gas  was  evolved  in  the  draught,  and  added  to  its  effi- 
cacy, as  I  think.  This  preparation,  with  iced  champagne,  or  brandy  in  different  forms,  I  have 
given  in  the  stages  ef  "black  vomit;"  in  some  cases,  with  apparent  relief  and  suspension  for 
several  hours  of  this  symptom. 

I  may  state  here,  that  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  having,  in  private  practice,  one  patient  re- 
cover after  "black  vomit"  had  continued  for  several  hours. 

The  convalescence  from  this  fever  is  extremely  slow,  and  some  time  elapses  before  the  patient 


260 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


can  return  to  his  usual  diet.  In  private  practice,  some  thirty  cases  of  fever  Lave  Leen  under 
my  charge,  three  of  whom  have  died  witli  the  "hlack  vomit."  In  the  first  case,  I  was  called 
in  late,  and  tliis  symptom  ajjpeared  in  12  hours.  The  patient  had  heen  suhjocted  to  unusual  ex- 
posure and  fatigue.  The  second  case  had  come  over  from  New  Orleans  seventeen  days  previous 
to  his  seizure,  and  was  in  daily  or  frequent  receipt  of  articles  from  that  infected  port.  The 
third  occurred  in  the  country,  after  the  death  of  a  neighher  with  the  same  disease. 

The  cases  occurring  in  tlie  command  were  ordered  immediately  to  the  hospital.  This  early 
removal  of  the  sick  from  the  sound,  gave  less  scope  for  local  causes  in  the  men's  quarters  to 
aid  an  epidemic  in  its  spread.  After  removal,  every  endeavor  was  made,  within  the  first  24 
hours,  to  procure  alleviation  or  a  perfect  remission  of  the  disease. 

Those  who  were  brought  in  frequent  connexion  witli  the  sick,  seemed  to  be  more  usually  the 
subjects  of  the  disease.  I  have  lost  one  attendant  in  the  hospital,  and  the  steward  is  sick  whilst 
I  write. 

The  disease  first  appeared  among  the  ofiicers  who  were  quartered  in  town.  It  next  attacked 
those  who  sat  up  with  them,  or  slept  there  during  tlieir  sickness.  Finally,  most  of  the  officers 
being  sick  from  this  cause  and  others,  it  attacked  those  men  of  the  command  who  came  up  from 
the  garrison  and  fulfilled  that  duty. 

The  neighboring  places  of  fashionable  resort  in  the  summer — Pass  Christian,  Biloxi,  Bay  of 
St.  Louis,  and  latterly  Ocean  Springs — have  all  been  visited  by  the  epidemic.  Indeed,  if  the 
line  of  commerce  and  travel  extends  and  conveys  the  epidemic,  as  it  would  appear  to  have  done 
in  ascending  the  Mississipi)i,  it  is  difficult  to  expect  that,  with  daily  communication  with  both 
New  Orleans  and  Mobile  in  a  period  of  a  most  diff'usive  and  malignant  visitation,  even  these 
ordinarily  healthful  sea-side  localities  should  escape." 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters. , 


Strength . 


6,425 


Deaths. 


6,439 


Cases.    Deatlis, 


5,583 


Deatbs, 


5,228 


e^ 


5,919 


Cases.    Deaths. 


Cholera  Asiatica 

Diarrh  cea 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysenteria  chronica- 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  clironica. 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this 
system 


Total . 


Exclusive  of  cholera. 


4 

372 

160 

14 

6( 

1 

5 

134 

178 


873 


32 

894 

409 

13 

3 

7 

3 

201 

351 


3 

656 

244 

22 

17 

7 

3 

126 

248 


46 

343 

151 

9 

3 

7 

2 

101 

156 


85 
2265 

964 
58 
28 
22 
13 

562 

933 


20 

25 

12 

11 

3 

0 

1 

0 


1  in 
1  in 
I  in 
1  in 
1  in 

0  in 

1  in 


4.25 
90 
80 

5 

9 
22 
13 


18 


0  in  562 


1  in  233 


1913 


18 


1326 


18 


818 


22 


4930 


76 


4845 


56 


1  in  65 


1  in  86 


382 
162 
9 
4 
3 
2 
95 

157 


833 


818 


Although  a  comparatively  small  number  of  cases  of  cholera  are  reported  in  the  above  table, 
it  is  well  known  tliat  this  disease  prevailed  to  a  very  great  extent  in  many  parts  of  this  region 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    THE    SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  2G1 

in  1849  and  1850 ;  and  particularly  in  New  Orleans,  where  it  commenced  in  December,  1848.  The 
following  remarks,  respecting  the  nature,  symptoms,  and  treatment  of  the  epidemic  cholera,  as 
it  prevailed  in  New  Orleans,  were  communicated  to  the  Surgeon  General,  hy  Assistant  Surgeon 
Charles  McCormick,  who  wWon  duty  in  that  city,  and  had,  therefore,  extensive  opportunities 
for  studying  the  disease : 

"  CnoLERA  is  characterized  hy  profound  disorder  in  the  vital  functions,  viz :  innervation,  circu- 
lation, and  respiration,  attended  with  gastro-intestinal  flux,  more  or  less  profuse,  and  a  special 
alteration  in  the  hlood  and  in  its  circulation. 

"Like  fever,  it  has  its  precursory  signs,  its  premonitory  symptoms.  There  is  a  sense  of 
general  uneasiness  {malaise)  ;  lassitude;  want  of  appetite;  giddiness,  sometimes  amounting  to 
vertigo ;  headache ;  dimness  of  sight ;  dullness  of  hearing ;  griping  or  colicky  pains  of  the  stomach 
and  bowels;  a  sense  of  oppression,  of  weight,  of  rumbling  motions  of  the  intestines. 

"In  some  rare  cases,  the  period  of  invasion  is  passed  over,  and  the  patient,  without  any  pre- 
monitory symptoms,  is  plunged  at  once  into  collapse. 

"  In  a  vast  majority  of  cases,  however,  diarrhoea  is  the  most  prominent  and  extensively  recog- 
nized 2^''^^onitori/  symptom  of  cholera.  It  comes  on  suddenly,  without  the  patient  having 
noticed  any  other  of  the  many  deviations  from  health  that  may  immediately  have  preceded  it. 
It  is  a  symptom  that  can  scarcely  be  overlooked,  and  therefore  arrests  the  attention  of  the 
sufferer  immediately. 

"  Epidemic  cholera  has  four  distinctly  marked  stages:  1.  Loose  dejections;  2.  Watery  dis- 
charges by  the  stomach,  bowels,  and  skin;  3.  Corpse-like  coldness,  and  blueness  of  the  skin, 
or  collapse;  4.  Keaction,  choleraic  fever,  an  ataxic  condition. 

"The  first  consists  of  a  simple  looseness  of  the  bowels,  the  dejections  being  frequent  and  more 
or  less  copious  and  thin,  the  consistence  decreasing  with  each  evacuation  until  it  arrives  at  the 
next  plainly  marked  stage  of  the  disease — 

"The  second  period.  The  evacuations  now  consist  of  little  else  than  a  watery  fluid.  With 
these  discharges,  the  thirst  is  always  intense,  and  the  voice  begins  to  fail ;  the  stomach  becomes 
involved,  pouring  forth  the  same  watery  fluid  in  greater  or  less  abundance ;  the  skin  becomes 
covered  with  a  cold  clammy  sweat,  at  times  very  profuse;  and  ushered  in  with  this  evacuation 
from  the  stomach,  bowels,  and  skin,  and  apparently  intimately  connected  with  it,  are  seen  the 
most  painfully  distressing  phenomena  of  this  terrific  malady — the  cramps  and  spasms — which 
cause  the  patient  at  times  to  writhe  in  agony,  giving  forth  every  expression  of  pain  that  human 
torture  could  provoke. 

"The  third  period  follows,  and  consists  of  collapse.  This  seems  naturally  explained  by  the 
waste  of  the  watery  portion  of  the  blood,  and  the  great  exhaustion  of  the  nervous  system,  so 
intimately  connected  with  it,  and  with  the  violent  cramps  and  spasms.  The  voice  has  become 
more  feeble;  the  watery  evacuations  cease;  the  agony  is  over,  for  the  spasms  have  also  ceased; 
and  the.patient  lies  indifferent,  apathetic,  fearless,  and  craves  only  drink.  The  thirst  continues 
intense,  becomes  insatiable,  and  seems  to  exist  in  a  direct  ratio  to  the  quantity  of  watery  fluid 
poured  forth  by  the  discharges,  and  to  depend  thereon.  It  seems  to  arise  from  an  instinctive 
desire,  an  urgent  demand,  to  supply  the  waste  and  drainage  of  the  system.  The  whole  body 
shrinks,  the  features  become  contracted,  pointed,  peculiar,  (choleraic  countenance  ;)  the  patient 
has  a  cadaverous  aspect,  the  eyes  deeply  sunken  in  their  sockets,  eyeballs  rolled  upwards  or 
natural,  expressing  great  sufi'ering  or  total  indifference.  The  skin  is  as  cold  as  a  corpse, 
clammy  and  moist,  of  a  blueish  hue,  varying  both  in  intensity  of  color  and  exter.t  of  surface  it 
occupies  ;  the  hands  and  feet,  particularly,  are  shrivelled,  corrugated,  and  greatly  shrunken, 
having  lost  at  least  one-third  of  their  bulk,  and  look  as  if  long  macerated  in  water,  (like  a 
washerwoman's  hands;)  the  pulse  is  scarcely  discernible,  or  extinct,  and  the  action  of  the  heart 
feeble;  the  air  enters  the  lungs,  but  respiration  is  laborious,  with  a  sense  of  sufl'ocation  from  the 
changed  condition  of  the  blood,  that  prevents  the  full  vivifying  influence  of  the  air  on  it;  the 


262  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

spissitude  being  such  that  it  does  not  flow  in  the  iisiisil  channels,  which  expose  so  great  a  surface 
to  the  action  of  the  air  tlirong]iout  the  minute  and  abundant  capillaries  of  the  lungs.  (Hence, 
from  this  olvimi.i  symjitom,  the  name  cholera  aspliyxia.)  Tlic  yoice,  enfeehled  and  greatly 
diminished,  has  become  husky  and  nearly  extinct,  and  tlie  demand  i^iakes  is  still  for  cold  drinks, 
iced  water.  The  patient  complains  of  being  parched,  burning  up,  and  yet  the  whole  surface  is 
icy  cold,  and  possesses  an  exalted  sensibility;  sinapisms^  blisters,  &c.,  are  loTidly  complained  of 
as  burning  like  fire — insupportable;  even  the  hand  of  a  healthy  person,  brought  in  contact  with 
a  collapsed  cholera  patient,  I  have  heard  loudly  complained  of  as  burning.  The  tongue  is  cold, 
broad,  flat,  and  dry,  or  mucous  and  pasty;  the  abdomen  retracted.  In  short,  the  whole  body 
has  become  collapsed,  the  patient  looks  more  like  a  corpse  than  a  living  being.  The  blood, 
changed  in  its  character,  deprived  of  its  watery  portion,  no  longer  traverses  its  accustomed 
rounds,  but  collects  in  the  heart  and  veins,  especially  in  the  larger  trunks,  in  undue  quantity. 
This  change  of  place,  arising  from  a  change  in  the  spissitude  of  the  blood,  gives  rise  in  its  turn 
to  other  changes.  There  is  no  arterial  blood ;  there  is  no  secretion,  jierhaps,  except  that  of 
bile;  for,  as  before  stated,  the  blood  has  forsaken  the  arteries  and  retreated  info  the  veins. 

"Throughout  all  this  frightful  havoc  of  the  physical  frame,  the  mind  moves  calmly,  clearly, 
self-possessed,  and  begins  to  feel  the  destructive  influence,  or  is  gone  (with  but  few  exceptions) 
only  when  the  brain  has  ceased  to  be  supplied  with  aerated  blood — only  when  the  individual  is 
in  articulo  mortis. 

"The  fourth  stage  occurs  when  an  individual  becomes  collapsed  and  lives  through  it.  It 
is  one  of  reaction — a  state  of  ataxic  fever,  or,  as  Sydenham  termed  it,  ataxia  spirituum — a  ner- 
vous disorder ;  the  nervous  system  not  having  as  yet  recovered  from  the  profound  shock  it  has 
had. 

"The  chief,  constant,  and  most  conspicuous  pathological  phenomena  are  seen  in  the  blood. 
This  fluid  is  fundamentally  changed ;  it  is  deprived  of  its  watery  portion  ;  its  density  becomes 
greatly  increased ;  its  equilibrium  throughout  the  entire  system  is  destroyed ;  it  accumulates  in 
undue  quantities  in  the  right  cavity  of  the  heart,  in  the  vena  cava,  in  the  portal  and  eraulgent 
veins ;  in  fact,  the  whole  nervous  system  is  found  turgid  with  this  thick  black  coagulated  blood ; 
the  arteries  mostly  empty,  as  also  the  left  side  of  the  heart. 

"In  twenty  bodies  examined  a  short  time  after  death,  such  was  constantly  found  to  be  the 
condition  of  the  blood.  It  was  also  found,  on  placing  a  quantity  of  it  aside  in  a  vessel  until 
the  following  morning,  coagulated  in  every  instance  but  one — the  whole  quantity  in  the  vessel 
not  containing  one  drop  of  serum. 

"The  case  mentioned  as  an  exception  was  that  of  a  woman  who  had  been  ill  two  weeks  with 
typhus  fever,  took  the  cholera  during  the  time,  and  died  very  shortly  after.  In  her  case,  on 
examining  the  next  morning  the  blood  that  had  been  taken  from  her  body  and  set  aside,  it  was 
found  all  fluid,  but  very  thick  and  dark — no  sign  of  coagulation,  no  appearance  of  serum.  In  this 
case  it  would  seem  the  typhus  fever  had  diminished  the  fibrin  to  such  an  extent  that  no  coagula- 
tion took  place,  and  the  cliolera  had  robbed  the  blood  of  its  watery  portion.  Next  in  frequency 
and  importance  to  this  changed  condition  of  the  blood  is  the  change  seen  in  the  bladder ;  it  is 
empty,  no  urine  in  it,  perfectly  contracted  on  itself  to  the  size  of  a  black  walnut  with  the  hull  on. 
The  mucous  surfaces  all  bedewed  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  with  a  fluid  strongly  resembling 
the  rice-water  discharges,  and  which  turns  litmus  paper  red,  and  is  coagulated  by  nitric  acid. 
The  gall-bladder  is  turgid ;  the  ductus  choledochus  usually  pervious ;  the  liver  often  engorged, 
the  blood  returning  from  it  with  difficulty,  on  account  of  the  obstruction  in  the  central  organ 
of  the  circulation;  the  lungs  are  collapsed,  and  usually  bloodless. 

"All  the  serous  membranes  are  found  covered  witli  a  tenacious  pasty  exudation;  they  are 
dryer  than  natural. 

"Usually,  also,  the  solitary  glands  throughout  the  intestinal  canal  are  very  much  enlarged, 
become  very  distinct  and  prominent,  the  surface  of  the  intestines  somewhat  resembling  in  rough- 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  263 

ness  a  nutmeg-grater.  The  glands  of  Peyer  also  become,  in  most  cases,  exceedingly  conspicuous 
and  distinct. 

"The  brain  and  spinal  chord,  pancreas,  kidneys,  and  spleen,  healthy;  the  latter  looking 
shrivelled  and  corrugated. 

"The  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  and  bowels  offered  at  times  widely  different  appear- 
ances.    It  was  seen,  in  some  cases,  intensely  inflamed ;  in  others,  white  and  anemic. 

"Such,  then,  are  the  phenomena  of  this  terrific  malady,  and  such  the  fatal  devastations  it 
makes  upon  the  human  frame. 

"  To  call  nothing  cholera  but  collapse  and  its  approach,  would  be  on  a  par  with  disclaiming  all 
cases  to  be  yellow  fever. unless  attended  witli  hemorrhage,  or  black  vomit, — conditions  nearly,  if 
not  quite,  as  dangerous  as  collapse. 

"  It  may  be  as  difficult  to  diagnose  simple  diarrhoea  from  the  loose  dejections  that  form  the  first 
stage  of  cholera,  as  to  diagnose  remittent  from  yellow  fever.  In  both  cases,  when  we  know  the 
epidemic  exists,  it  influences  us  very  much  in  deciding  all  doubtful  cases.  In  my  opinion, 
diarrhcea  is  as  much  the  first  stage  of  cholera  as  a  chill  is  of  intermittent  fever. 

"There  is  no  disease  milder  iu  its  first  attack — none  more  frightful  and  fatal  if  neglected. 
Like  a  hay-rick  on  fire,  at  its  first  outset  a  grasp  of  the  hand  may  extinguish  it — neglected  a 
few  moments,  destruction  is  inevitable. 

^^  Treatment. — It  is  always  of  great,  and  sometimes  even  of  vital  importance,  that  the  patient 
should  be  in  bed.  If  this  precept  is  duly  attended  to  in  the  first  stage,  very  often  a  simple  dose 
of  laudanum,  in  a  little  brandy  and  water,  or  a  table-spoonful  of  paregoric,  or  a  dose  of  seven  or 
eight  grains  of  camphor  in  a  tea-spoonful  of  Hoflman's  anodyne,  joined  with  prudence  in  diet, 
will  prove  all  sufficient;  but  this  should  be  trusted  to  only  in  slight  attacks. 

"  I  have  usually  commenced,  in  ordinary  cases,  by  giving  one  of  the  following  pills  after  each 
loose  evacuation,  viz:   R — Calomel  3   ss.;  pulv:  opii  grs.  vj.  M  ft:   pil:  No.  vj. 

"In  this  way,  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours,  you  will  probably  liave  given  twent}'  grains  of  calo- 
mel and  four  grains  of  opium,  which,  in  ordinary  cases,  will  generally  prove  sufficient ;  and  even 
in  most  severe  cases,  you  will  have  administered  as  much  calomel  as  will  be  necessary. 

"When  this  has  proved  sufficient,  the  evacuations  will  have  become  far  less  frequent,  and 
changed  in  character,  especially  in  consistence.  In  this  early  stage,  the  danger  is  greater  the 
more  frequent  and  the  thinner  or  more  liquid  and  watery  the  stools  may  become.  You  can 
continue,  therefore,  to  give  one  of  the  calomel  and  opium  pills  after  each  evacuation,  if  of  this 
character,  until  the  whole  six  are  taken ;  and,  if  the  passages  still  continue,  it  becomes  neces- 
sary to  continue  the  opium,  as  follows:  R — Pulv:  camph:  grs.  xij,  pulv:  opii  grs.  vj.  M.  ft:  pil: 
vj ;  giving  one  of  the  pills  after  each  evacuation.  Rest  in  bed,  fomentations  or  flaxseed  poultices 
applied  to  the  abdomen,  and  mustard  plasters  and  warm  mustard  foot-baths,  prove  also  highly 
beneficial. 

"  When  the  attack  is  sudden  and  severe,  give  9j  of  calomel,  and  from  three  to  four  grains 
of  ojdum  at  one  dose — and  even,  if  very  urgent,  a«  much  as  six  or  eight  grains  of  opium. 

"  In  all  cases,  when  the  disease  comes  on  suddenly  and  violently,  or  progresses  rapidly,  it  be- 
comes the  practitioner  to  adopt  a  vigorous  course  of  treatment,  for  the  second  stage  supervenes 
ra})idly ;  in  all  such  dangerous  cases,  the  nervous  derangement  is  intense,  as  also  the  irritation 
of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  alimentary  canal.  At  all  hazards,  this  gastro-intestinal  flux  must 
be  arrested  ;  the  special  alteration  that  is  abo\it  taking  place  in  the  blood  must,  if  possible,  be 
stopped  ;  for,  as  it  progresses,  the  patient's  danger  becomes  imminent — every  watery  evacuation 
adding  to  his  peril. 

"  The  remedies  that  I  have  found  most  potent  for  the  second  stage,  with  the  rice-ioater  dis- 
charges, are  the  various  preparations  of  opium,  camphor,  Hoflman's  anodyne,  acetate  of  lead, 
tannin,  brandy,  broths  seasoned  witli  red  pepper,  carb:   aramoniie,  &c. 

"  Opium  is  a  remedy  of  infinite  value ;  in  the  early  stages  of  this  disease,  I  consider  it  as  nearly 
indispensable.     There  has  scarcely  a  prescription  been  given  i'or  this  disease  in  any  part  of 


264  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

the  world  where  the  disease  has  prevailed,  in  which  some  preparation  of  opium  has  not  been 
named  as  one  of  its  ingredients.  The  almost  universal  consent  of  physicians,  in  all  parts  of  the 
world,  is  in  favor  of  the  early  administration  of  opium;  I  myself  have  found  it  of  i'ar  more 
value  than  any  other.  It  can  always  be  safely  and  beneficially  employed  by.  any  prudent 
practitioner. 

"  Inasmuch  as  the  danger  of  the  disease  depends  upon  the  frequency  and  profuseness  of  the  dis- 
charges, I  have  found  it  a  very  safe  and  good  practical  rule  to  direct  one  grain  of  opium  to  be 
given  after  each  loose  evacuation.  Thus,  in  severe  cases,  the  discharges  being  more  frequent,  a 
large  quantity  of  opium  is  taken  in  a  given  time  ;  and  it  is  required,  because  tbe  irritation  is 
greater. 

''There  are  many  cases,  however,  in  which  tl  ere  is  no  time  to  lose,  and  the  remedies  must  be 
given  in  asi'uU  doses  as  safe  at  the  first  outset.  I  have  given  six  grains  of  opium  at  tlie  first  dose, 
in  extremely  hazardous  cases,  and  with  signal  success  ;  in  many  followed  up  by  the  use  of  camphor 
and  Hoffman's  anodyne,  as  follows,  viz:  R — Pulv:  camphor:  3  j,  Hoffman's  anodyne,  ij.  M. 
A  tea-spoonful  to  be  given  every  half  hour  or  hour,  in  a  little  brandy  and  water.  This  is 
a  very  valuable  sedative,  and  i»  found  to  favor  the  action  of  opium,  and  can  safely  be  given, 
when  to  give  more  opium  would  be  imprudent.  Opium  has  a  direct  tendency  to  tranquilize 
and  calm  the  nervous  derangement  so  conspicuous  in  severe  cases,  beside,  in  a  great  majority 
of  cases,  promptly  arresting  that  most  dangerous  of  all  the  phenomena  of  cholera — the  gastro- 
intestinal flux.  But  the  moment  the  watery  discharges  cease,  opium  is  capable  of  doing,  and 
has  doubtless  done,  sad  mischief;  during  collapse,  its  administration  is  fraught  with  danger, 
even  in  small  quantities  ;  and  in  large,  it  is  eminently  jierilous  and  should  not  be  given.  It 
must  also  be  used  sparingly,  and  with  great  caution,  during  the  ataxic  period  following 
collapse. 

"I  have  combined  the  calomel  with  the  opium,  with  a  view  to  its  laxative  efiects,  and  find  less 
costiveness  following  this  treatment  than  where  the  calomel  has  been  omitted. 

"In  the  second  stage,  where  the  vatery  evacuations  set  in,  I  have  derived  great  benefit  by 
combining  acetate  of  lead  with  the  opium,  and  also  from  the  use  of  tannin,  as  before  stated. 
The  formula  is,  viz:  R — Acet:  plumb:  3j,  pulv:-opii  grs.  xij.  M.  ft:  pilul:  No.  xij.,  giving 
one  after  every  watery  evacuation,  and,  if  these  are  copious,  oftener,  or  in  larger  doses — say 
two  or  three  pills  at  a  time.  Or  it  may  be  given  bj'  injections,  thus,  viz  :  ft — Acet:  plumbi: 
3j,  tinct:  opii  3j,  water  §  vj.  Give  one-half  as  an  injection,  and  repeat  if  necessary.  The 
use  of  brandy-toddy,  and  of  beef  or  chicken-broth,  seasoned  with  salt  or  red  pepper,  will  be 
found  useful,  and  should  be  given  the  more  freely  the  more  severe  the  attack  is. 

"Whenever  the  first  stage  is  severe,  and  always  in  the  second  stage,  direct  a  large  blister  to 
be  applied  over  the  epigastrium,  and  give,  in  addition  to  the  other  remedies,  viz:  ft — Garb: 
ammoniaj,  pulv:  gum:  Arabic,  ufi,  3  ij,  aqua  |  vj.  Next,  direct  a  table-spoonful  every  fifteen 
minutes  or  half  hour,  as  may  be  necessary,  using  with  it  brandy-toddy  freely. 

"In  the  collapse,  little  can  be  done  except  to  endeavor, by  all  means  in  our  power,  to  restore, 
through  the  absorbents,  the  lost  serosity  of  the  blood.  Give  broken  ice  as  freely  as  it  is  craved. 
Give  animal  broths,  seasoned  with  salt  and  red  pepper  ;  also,  brandy-toddy.  Most  usually,  in 
this  condition,  but  little  can  be  retained  in  the  stomach,  and  it  will,  therefore,  be  found  judi- 
cious to  exhibit  then^by  the  rectum — say,  to  give  from  one  to  two  table-spoonsful  of  brandy, 
mixed  with  four  ounces  of  beef-tea,  chicken-broth',  &c.,  and  repeat  it  every  hour  or  two,  as  it 
can  be  retained.  I  have  several  times  known  good  champagne  wine,  when  properly  cooled,  by 
surrounding  the  bottle  with  ice,  to  be  retained  in  the  stomach,  when  no  other  fluid  would  be.  If 
we  can  by  any  means  cause  fluids  to  be  retained  in  the  stomach  or  rectum,  during  the  collapse, 
we  give  our  patient  every  chance  we  can  of  his  recovery.  It  is  thus  placed  in  contact  with  the 
absorbents,  and  this  is  all  we  can  do;  it  remains  for  them  to  act;  if  they  do  act,  life  may  be 
saved,  otherwise  it  cannot. 

"The  ataxic  ftver  is  the  condition  in  which  death  oftenest  occurs.     It  is  extremely  dangerous. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 


2G5 


and  requires  judicious  treatment  and  close  attention.  The  main  indications  are  to  sustain  the 
system,  to  supply  it  freely  with  nutritious  broths,  and  try  by  these  means,  combined  with  stimu- 
lants, such  as  brandy,  champagne,  carbonate  of  ammonia,  &c.,  with  camphor  and  opium, 
(using  the  latter  with  extreme  caution,)  to  prevent  exhaustion. 

"  There  is  one  fact  fully  established  during  the  late  epidemic  at  the  Charity  Hospital.  It  is 
this :  those  patients  (and  there  were  a  great  many  of  them)  who  passed  through  the  disease 
without  having  had  any  opium  given  to  them  at  any  period  of  the  disorder,  passed  through  the 
following  stages  of  the  disease,  and  died  precisely  as  those  who  were  treated  with  opium: 
died  apparently  narcotized — comatose.  This  is  readily  accounted  for,  by  the  circulation  of  black 
blood  through  the  brain."* 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIEATOEY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters -__ 

FiRsr. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOUKTH. 

YEAR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases. 

1 

it 

Strength 

6, 

425 

6, 

439 

5, 

583 

5, 

228 

5,919 

S5 

■si 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

31 

365 

8 

45 

22 

6 

0 

0 
5 

1 
2 
0 

22 
310 

8 
35 
10 

8 

0 
0 
7 
0 
0 
1 

15 

300 

14 

40 

7 

8 

1 
0 
8 
0 
0 
2 

16 

200 

13 

38 

7 

9 

0 
0 
8 
0 
2 
0 

84 
1175 
43 
158 
46 
31 

1 
0 
28 
1 
4 
3 

lin     84 

0  in  1175 

1  in     1.53 
1  in  158 
lin    11.5 
lin  10 

14 
198 

7.2 

Pleuritis    -   _ 

26 

8 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

6 

Total 

477 

8 

393 

8 

384 

11 

283 

10 

1537 

37 

lin    41 

259 

Rheumatism  us    . 

212 

0 

248 

0 

194 

0 

157 

0 

811 

0 

0  in  811 

137 

The  epidemic  influenza,  which  has  been  so  frequently  noted  in  this  report^  made  its  first 
appearance  at  Fort  Jesup  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1843,  but  prevailed  more  generally  in 
August.  At  Baton  Eouge  Barracks  that  disease  prevailed  in  July  and  August,  reaching  into 
September,  when  it  became  complicated  with  the  epidemic  of  yellow  fever.  Most  of  the  nine 
fatal  cases  of  yellow  fever  reported  in  the  third  quarter  1843,  had  been  previously  sick  with 
epidemic  catarrh.  At  Mount  Vernon  Arsenal  the  influenza  prevailed  in  September,  there  being 
no  cases  reported  in  August. 

In  closing  this  summary,  it  is  important  to  state  that,  during  the  war  with  Mexico,  the  hos- 
pitals at  New  Orleans  and  at  Baton  Rouge  were  opened  for  the  reception  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
from  the  general  hospitals  at  the  immediate  seat  of  war.  As  it  is  not  the  present  object  to  give 
the  medical  statistics  of  that  war,  the  reports  from  those  stations,  for  the  periods  when  occupied, 
as  above  stated,  (from  October,  1846,  to  January,  1849,)  have  been  excluded  from  the  consoli- 
dated abstract.  If  time  permits,  some  general  statistics  of  that  war  will  be  given  as  a  supple- 
ment to  this  report. 

o  In  an  article  published  in  the  New  Orleans  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  Dr.  McCormick  has  mors  fully  presented 
his  views  respecting  the  proximate  cause  and  pathology  of  cholera..— C. 


S.  96- 


-34 


266  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

SOUTH  INTERIOR  REGION.— No.  2. 

This  region  inclnde.s  that  portion  of  the  area  of  the  United  States  which  lies  hetween  the 
Arkansas  and  Rod  rivers,  on  the  north  and  south,  and  tlic  Mississippi  river  and  the  eastern  slope 
ol'  the  Rocky  ]Mouiitains,  on  the  east  and  west.  The  military  stations  are  coniined  to  Arkansas, 
and  to  the  Indian  Territories  bordering  upon,  or  lying  due  west  from,  that  State.  Fort  Smith 
is  the  only  post  in  the  State  of  Arkansas;  the  stations  in  the  Indian  Territories  are  Forts  Gib- 
son, Wayne,  Towson,  Washita,  and  Arbuckle. 

FORT   SMITH. 

This  station  is  on  the  south  hank  of  the  Arkansas,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Poteau  river,  and  at 
the  western  limit  of  the  State  of  Arkansas.  It  is  about  330  miles  north  from  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  has  a  local  elevation  of  about  70  feet.  Lakes  and  marshes  abound  in  every  direc- 
tion ;  some  of  the  latter  being  subject  to  be  inundated  by  the  Arkansas  and  Poteau  rivers.  The 
diseases  of  this  post  are  similar  to  those  of  Fort  Gibson,  which  will  be  more  particularly 
described. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  GIBSON. 

By  Assistant  Surgeon  R.  H.  Coolidge. 

Fort  Gibson  is  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Neosho  or  Grand  river,  in  the  Cherokee 
Nation,  west  of  Arkansas,  latitude  35°  48'  10"  north,  longitude  95°  3'  15"  west,  and  about  425 
miles  north  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  measuring  from  a  point  near  the  mouth  of  the  Sabine  river. 

The  fort  stands  upon  a  plain  550  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  about  20  feet 
above  ordinary  low-water  mark  in  the  Neosho.  This  plain  extends  back  from  the  river  about 
350  yards,  where  it  terminates  in  a  ridge,  the  commencement  of  a  high  rolling  prairie,  which 
spreads  in  an  easterly  direction  to  the  Menard  mountain,  distant  about  three  and  a  half  miles. 
On  the  north  it  is  terminated  immediately  at  the  fort,  by  the  high  prairie  above  alluded  to, 
which  here  attains  an  elevation  of  over  100  feet,  and  reaches  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  On  the 
south  and  southeast,  this  plain  is  continuous  with  the  "river-bottom,"  of  which  it  is,  in  fact,  a 
portion,  which  extends  south  to  the  confluence  of  the  Neosho  with  the  Arkansas  river,  two  and 
a  half  miles,  and  thence  southeast  for  five  miles,  following  the  Arkansas  to  the  Bayou  Menard, 
a  small  stream  at  the  base  of  the  Menard  mountain.  This  bottom-land  has  a  river  margin  of 
about  eight  miles  ;  and  an  average  breadth  of  three  miles,  the  whole  of  which,  except  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  fort,  is  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  forest-trees  and  cane,  and  has 
within  its  borders  several  lakes  and  lagoons.  The  whole,  not  excepting  the  site  of  the  fort,  is 
subject  to  overflow,  and  during  the  intense  heat  of  summer  the  lagoons  are  mostly  dried  up. 

To  the  southwest  lies  a  similar  "bottom,"  triangular  in  shape,  bounded  on  the  east  by  the 
Neosho,  on  the  south  by  the  Arkansas,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Verdigris,  a  river  which  empties 
into  the  Arkansas,  one-half  mile  above  the  mouth  of  the  Neosho.  The  width  of  this  "bottom," 
measuring  from  the  Neosho  to  the  Verdigris,  varies  from  a  half  to  three  miles,  while  its  average 
extent  in  a  line  north  from  the  Arkansas  is  about  two  miles. 

The  climate  of  Fort  Gibson  is  variable;  the  summers  are  intensely  hot,  and  the  winters, 
though  sometimes  mild  and  pleasant,  are  occasionally  severe,  the  rivers  being  frozen  so  that 
loaded  wagons  cross  in  safety. 

The  annual  average  range  of  the  thermometer  is  96°,  in  summer  rising  to  102°,  and  falling 
in  winter  to  +6°.  The  extreme  average  in  a'period  of  twenty-seven  years  is  123°;  the  max- 
imum being  116°,  the  minimum  — 7°.  The  mean  temperatures  are  as  follows:  spring  61.04, 
summer  79.41,  autumn  61.66,  winter  41.13:  year  60.81. 

The  prevailing  winds  during  the  summer  months  are  from  the  S.E.  and  S.S.E.,  blowing,  in 
some  months,  twenty-eight  out  of  thirty  days  from  one  of  those  points.  These  winds  traverse 
the  extensive  "bottom"   above  described,  before  reaching  the  fort.     Occasionally  the  wind 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   THE    SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  267 

changes  to  the  southwest,  blowing  over  the  bottom-land  lying  between  the  Neosho  and  Verdi- 
gris rivers;  and  this  change  is  always  followed  by  increased  sickness  among  the  infantry,  whose 
barracks  are  more  exposed  to  this  wind  than  to  that  from  the  southeast;  while  the  contrary 
obtains  with  the  dragoon  command,  whose  quarters,  located  on  the  prairie-ridge  bordering  the 
great  bottom,  are  more  exposed  to  the  miasm  wafted  by  the  prevailing  wind.  As  a  general 
rule,  the  fevers  in  this  command  are  more  severe  than  those  occurring  in  the  infantry,  whose 
barracks,  being  on  the  immediate  bank  of  the  river,  are  protected  in  some  measure  from  the 
prevailing  winds  by  the  elevated  prairie-ridge. 

The  soil  is  a  sandy  alluvion,  resting  upon  a  substratum  of  limestone.  The  water  is  strongly 
impregnated  with  lime. 

The  majority  of  the  diseases  are  of  malarial  origin,  and  those  which  chiefly  engage  the  atten- 
tion of  the  medical  officers  are  fevers  of  an  intermittent  and  remittent  type. 

An  examination  of  the  records  of  the  hospital  at  this  station  for  a  period  of  twenty  years  has 
developed  the  following  results;  the  time,  for  the  purpose  of  comparison,  being  divided  into 
two  periods  often  years  each:  the  first,  from  1829  to  1838;  the  second,  from  1839  to  1848. 

During  the  first  decennial  period,  the  aggregate  strength  of  the  command  was  4,0G4;  and 
there  occurred  4,686  cases  of  intermittent,  and  1,016  cases  of  remittent  fever.  Of  the  former 
5,  and  of  the  latter  44  were  fatal. 

In  the  second  decennial  period,  the  aggregate  strength  of  the  command  was  3,308 ;  and  during 
this  period  4,466  cases  of  intermittent,  and  356  cases  of  remittent  fever  were  reported.  Eight 
cases  of  each  type  proved  fatal. 

The  annual  average  of  intermittent  fever  for  the  first  decennial  period  is  120  per  cent.;  for 
the  second,  135  per  cent.  Of  remittent  fever,  the  average  for  the  first  period  is  25  per  cent.; 
and  for  the  second,  10.7  per  cent.  The  deaths  from  fevers  of  all  kinds  for  the  first  ten  years 
were  57 ;  and  for  the  second  ten  years  18 — all  of  which  occurred  within  the  first  four  years  of 
this  period.  In  the  first  decennial  period,  26  deaths  were  from  phthisis  pulmonalis;  and  in 
the  second,  10  died  with  that  disease. 

The  total  number  of  deaths  from  1829  to  1838,  inclusive,  is  277;  the  annual  mortality  being 
6.5  per  cent.  Excluding  the  deaths  from  epidemic  cholera  (18),  homicide,  suicide,  and  submer- 
sion, the  annual  ratio  of  mortality  is  reduced  to  4.5  per  cent. — (Vide  Med.  Statistics  U.  S.  A., 
ed.  1840.) 

In  the  period  embraced  in  the  second  abstract,  there  were  90  deaths,  being  an  annual  mor- 
tality of  2.8  per  cent. 

The  practice  of  treating  diseases  of  malarial  origin,  and  particularly  of  remittent  and  inter- 
mittent fevers,  with  large  doses  of  quinine,  administered  not  only  in  the  remission  and  inter- 
mission, but  in  the  height  of  the  fever,  was  introduced  at  Fort  Gibson  in  the  summer  of  1843, 
by  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  McCormick,  who,  in  common  with  many  officers  of  the  medical 
staff,  had  previously  adopted  this  treatment  in  Florida. 

It  is  found  that  from  July  1st,  1843,  to  June  30th,  1847,  a  period  of  four  years,  during  which 
the  hospital  was  successively  in  charge  of  Surgeon  Randall,  Assistant  Surgeon  McCormick,  and 
myself,  there  were  2,252  cases  of  intermittent  reported.  Of  these,  1,645  were  quotidian,  588 
tertian,  and  19  quartan.  Of  remittent  fever,  105  cases  are  reported.  All  these  fevers  were 
treated  with  large  doses  of  quinine,  and  upon  what  has  been  appropriately  termed  the  "abortive 
method."     No  case  terminated  untixvorably. 

The  total  number  of  deaths  during  this  period  is  13:  of  these,  2  were  from  delirium  tremens, 
3  coup  de  soleil,  1  cerebritis,  2  phthisis  pulmonalis,  1  hfemathorax,  1  pneumonia,  1  icterus,  1 
dysentery^  and  1  enteritis. 

The  aggregate  mean  strength  of  the  command  being  944,  and  the  deaths  13,  the  annual  ratio 
of  mortality  is  1.3  per  cent. — which  is  5.2  per  cent,  less  than  the  annual  ratio  for  the  first 
decennial  period,  and  4  per  cent,  less  than  for  the  first  four  years  of  the  second  decennial  period. 

The  annual  average  of  intermittent  fever  for  the  four  years  under  consideration,  is  found  to 


268  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

be  238  per  cent. — being  118  per  cent,  bigher  than  the  ratio  for  the  first  decennial  period.  The 
reverse  of  this,  however,  obtains  with  regard  to  remittent  fevers;  the  average  for  the  fonr  years 
being  11  per  cent.,  wliile  for  the  first  ten  years  it  is  25  per  cent. 

In  connexion  with  this  unusually  large  ratio  of  intermittent  fevers,  it  is  proper  to  state  that 
in  January,  1843,  the  Xeoslio  rose  thirty-five  feet,  overflowing  tlie  extensive  bottom-lands  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  fort;  and  in  May  and  June,  1844,  the  wliole  of  these  lands  were  again  sub- 
merged. The  river  overflowed  its  banks  so  suddenly,  that  large  numbers  of  cattle  were  over- 
taken in  the  cane-brakes  by  the  water,  and  drowned.  The  lower  floors  of  some  of  the  public 
buildings  were  covered  with  water,  and  it  became  necessary  to  remove  the  commissary  and  other 
stores.  The  extensive  gardens  of  the  post,  then  in  full  cultivation,  were  ruined.  When  the 
waters  subsided,  which  was  not  till  the  lapse  of  several  weeks,  so  great  was  the  amount  of  putre- 
fying animal  and  vegetable  matter,  that  travellers,  passing  in  steamers  on  the  Arkansas,  were 
compelled  to  enter  their  rooms  and  close  the  doors.  According  to  the  testimony  of  Cherokee 
and  Creek  Indians  residing  near  this  post,  the  summers  of  1843  and  '44  were  the  most  sickly 
ever  known,  if  we  except  that  of  1834,  in  which  year  the  ratio  of  mortality  at  the  post  was  21 
per  cent. ! 

The  fevers  occurring  among  the  troops  during  the  summer  months  are  quotidian  and  remit- 
tent. Of  the  former,  very  many  would  become  remittent  under  any  other  than  the  "abortive" 
treatment.  That  this  is  not  mere  conjecture,  is  shown  by  the  statistics  presented  in  this  paper ; 
and  further,  by  the  fact  that,  during  the  months  of  September  and  October,  the  fevers  in  the 
surrounding  countrj'  are  almost  universally  of  a  severe  bilious  remittent  type. 

So  much  has  been  written  within  the  last  eight  years  of  the  efficacy  of  the  quinine  treatment 
in  fever,  that  it  seems  a  work  of  supererogation  to  add  to  the  mass  of  facts  in  support  of  its 
propriety  and  success,  which  have  been  presented  to  the  profession.  A  treatise  on  the  diseases 
of  a  locality  would,  however,  be  so  manifestly  incomplete  without  some  account  of  the  treatment 
proper  to  be  adopted  for  their  cure,  that  the  following  remarks  are  deemed  necessary: 

In  the  treatment  of  oi'dinary  intermittents,  it  was  not  considered  necessary  to  give  the  quinine 
during  the  paroxysm.  In  the  quotidian,  the  fever  coming  on  in  the  morning  and  subsiding 
towards  evening,  it  was  the  practice  to  prescribe  ten  grains  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  at  bed- 
time, the  dose  to  be  repeated  the  following  morning,  about  five  hours  before  the  expected  return 
of  the  paroxysm.  In  a  majority  of  these  cases^  no  preparatory  treatment  was  necessary,  unless 
perhaps  a  single  purgative  dose  of  calomel  and  rhubarb,  to  cleanse  the  prima?  vife,  and  excite 
the  functions  of  the  liver.  The  general  condition  of  the  patient,  and  particularly  of  the  organs 
connected  with  the  digestive  system,  was  always  examined  ;  and  upon  the  discovery  of  any  func- 
tional derangement,  or  visceral  disease,  the  proper  remedies  were  administered. 

Numerous  carefully  conducted  experiments  proved  that  the  above  method  of  using  quinine 
was  the  most  economical  and  efficacious  mode  of  treating  the  intermittents  at  Fort  Gibson.  As 
a  general  rule,  twenty  grains  thus  given  prevented  a  recurrence  of  the  paroxysm,  which  would 
not  be  effected  with  less  than  thirty  grains  given  in  small  doses  repeated  every  hour. 

The  remittents,  in  some  seasons,  frequently  required  the  lancet;  and  it  was  generally  neces- 
sary to  act  upon  the  liver  and  intestinal  canal,  either  with  an  emetic  and  cathartic,  or  with  the 
latter  alone.  Frequently,  however,  patients  have  been  admitted  with  high  fever,  intense  head- 
ache, full,  frequent  pulse,  dry  and  intensely  hot  skin,  to  whom,  in  preference  to  bleeding, 
(though  to  all  appearance  absolutely  required,)  a  full  sedative  dose  of  quinine — say  fifteen  or 
twenty  grains — was  given  without  any  preparatory  treatment.  The  effect  has  uniformly  been 
to  lessen,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  the  force  and  frequency  of  the  pulse,  alleviate  or  entirely 
remove  the  headache,  and  bathe  the  body  in  profuse  perspiration.  The  same  effects  would  be 
produced  by  venesection,  affusion  of  cold  water,  diaphoretics,  &c.;  but  the  fever  thus  tempora- 
rily allayed  would  return,  perhaps,  with  increased  violence,  and,  with  alternate  remissions  and 
exacerbations,  continue  for  weeks,  perhaps  become  typhoid,  and  prove  ultimately  fatal ;  while, 
with  the  sedative  quinine  treatment,  there  is  produced  so  full  and  perfect  a  remission  of  the 


AMONG   THE   TEOOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION.  269 

febrile  symptoms,  that  if  the  remedy  is  repeated  at  intervals  of  four  or  six  hours  for  two,  or  at 
most  three  periods,  the  disease  vanishes,  and  the  patient,  instead  of  feeling  as  if  he  had  been 
sick,  is  able  to  resume  the  laborious  duties  of  a  soldier  by  the  third  or  fourth  day  from  the 
attack. 

That  the  above  is  no  mere  fancy  of  the  writer,  could  be  demonstrated  from  the  official  records, 
did  time  and  space  jjermit.  It  may,  however,  be  briefly  stated,  that  in  the  summer  of  1844 
the  supply  of  quinine  was  exhausted,  a  quantity  intended  for  the  post  having  been  lost  by  the 
sinking  of  a  boat  in  the  Arkansas.  Every  method  of  treating  intermittents  and  remittents  was 
tried,  nevertheless  the  number  of  beds  in  the  hospital  had  to  be  doubled ;  many  of  the  fevers 
assumed  a  typhoid  type ;  and  several  would  have  proved  fatal  but  for  the  employment  of  quinine, 
a  small  quantity  of  which,  obtained  from  a  private  source,  was  reserved  for  the  most  severe 
cases.  In  a  short  time  after  a  full  supply  of  quinine  had  been  received,  the  extra  beds  were  no 
longer  required,  the  occupants  having  returned  to  duty. 

It  was  ascertained,  from  a  record  of  some  hundred  cases,  that  intermittents  were  liable  to 
return  at  intervals  of  seven,  fourteen,  twenty-one,  and  twenty-eight  days.  The  period  of  recur- 
rence having  been  ascertained,  the  patient  was  required  to  take  twenty  grains  of  quinine  in  two 
doises — one  twelve,  and  the  other  six  hours  before  the  expected  paroxysm.  In  every  case  unac- 
companied with  organic  disease,  this  treatment  was  successful,  effecting  a  permanent  cure. 

In  fevers  occurring  in  pregnant  women,  the  quinine  was  given  more  freely  than  in  ordinary 
cases,  it  being  deemed  important  to  prevent  a  return  of  the  paroxysm^  in  order  to  prevent  abor- 
tion or  miscarriage — a  result  never  caused  by  the  use  of  quinine. 

It  is  not,  however,  only  in  the  fevers  at  this  post  that  this  remedy  is  useful.  It  is  equally 
necessary  to  the  successful  treatment  of  dysentery,  cholera  infantum,  and  pneumonia.  It  is  not 
pretended  that  quinine  will  cure  all  of  the  above  diseases,  or  that,  in  places  free  from  mala- 
rial influences,  it  is  necessary;  it  is  recommended,  because  all  persons  residing  at  Fort  Gibson 
(and  the  same  must  obtain  in  places  similarly  situated)  must  receive  the  poison  malaria,  which 
usually  exhibits  itself  in  the  series  of  symptoms  we  call  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers ;  some- 
times, however,  from  peculiar  idiosyncrasy,  or  unusual  vigor  of  constitution,  its  presence  remains 
unknown  and  unnoticed,  till  from  some  accidental  cause  there  is  a  departure  from  health ;  then 
this  poison  exercises  a  powerful  influence  over  whatever  disease  exists,  and  no  disease  accom- 
panied with  fever  can  be  satisfactorily  treated  at  this  post,  unless  the  practitioner  recognizes 
the  existence  of  this  poihon,  and  applies  its  antidote. 

As  regards  the  mooted  question,  whether  or  not  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the 
digestive  system,  and  dropsies,  have  been  more  frequent  since  the  practice  of  using  large  doses 
of  quinine  became  general  in  the  army?  the  records  of  Fort  Gibson  give  the  following  results: 
In  the  first  decennial  period,  with  a  command  having  an  aggregate  strength  of  4,064,  there 
occurred  3,255  cases  of  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs,  and  56  of  dropsies.  In  the  second  period, 
with  an  aggregate  command  of  3,308,  only  1,486  cases  of  the  former  and  9  of  the  latter  are 
reported. 

The  most  fatal  disease  occurring  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Gibson,  and  also  in  the  State  of 
Arkansas,  is  that  called,  in  the  language  of  the  country,  "winter  fever."  The  principal  mor- 
tality among  tlie  Cherokee  and  Creek  Indians  is  from  this  disease.  It  usually  attacks  persons 
enfeebled  by  climate  and  malarial  influences,  who  live  in  open  houses,  are  poorly  clothed,  and, 
above  all,  intemperate.  No  case  has  occurred,  to  my  knowledge,  among  the  regular  troops. 
The  disea.se  is  sometimes  rapidly  fatal,  being  ushered  in  with  a  chill,  during  which  the  brain 
or  lungs,  or  both,  become  fatally  congested,  the  patient  never  rallying.  In  less  severe  cases, 
there  is  usually  a  chill,  followed  by  fever,  complicated  with  pneumonia,  whicli  is  not  imfre- 
quently  double.  The  disease  has  a  strong  tendency  to  become  typhoid,  and,  if  treated  as  an 
ordinary  pneumonia,  is  generally  fatal.  The  following  extract  from  my  official  report  for  the 
third  quarter,  1845,  briefly  states  my  views  of  the  nature  and  treatment  of  this  disease. 

"The  disease  called  'winter  fever'  is,  in  fact,  a  pneumonia.     The  attendant  fever  appears  to 


270  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

be  continued,  and  not  to  differ  from  the  symptomatic  fever  attending  pneumonitis  at  the  north ; 
but,  if  closely  watched,  slight  remissions  may  be  observed,  even  in  the  severest  cases.  There 
appears  to  be  an  'essential  i'ever'  with  local  intiaramation.  In  such  cases,  my  observation 
teaches  me  that  you  may  bleed,  cup,  give  mercurial  cathartics,  and  use  the  tartrate  of  antimony 
freely,  and  still  tlie  disease  will  gain  ground.  I  have  closely  watched  several  cases,  and,  not- 
withstanding the  employment  of  remedies  wliich,  in  ordinary  pneumonia,  would  have  been 
successful,  I  have  found  the  disease  steadily  advancing  both  in  extent  and  degree.  In  this  con. 
dition,  with  extensive  inflammation  of  both  lungs,  I  have  given  "the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  ten 
and  twenty-grain  doses,  with  the  happy  effect  of  removing  ahnont  entirelij  the  attendant  fever  in 
less  than  twenty-four  hours,  and  checking,  or  at  least  enabling  remedies,  before  inefficacious, 
to  check  the  progress  of  the  disease." 

In  a  subsequent  report  (March,  1847, )the  following  remarks  occur: 

"I  have  had  an  excellent  opjiortunity  this  quarter  of  treating  this  disease  ('winter  fever'),  in 
a  severe  form,  among  the  Arkansas  volunteers,  and  the  success  of  my  treatment  has  corrobo- 
rated the  views  expressed  in  my  report  for  December,  1845. 

"The  treatment  adopted  was  moderate  bleeding,  cupping,  and  external  irritants;  a  mercu- 
rial cathartic  followed  by  the  nitrous  powder  of  the  United  States  Dispensatory,  frequently  re- 
peated, and  quinine  given  in  suiScient  doses  to  check  the  fever,  which  it  always  did. 

"The  disease  had  a  typhoid  tendency,  which  prevented  large  bleeding,  and  rendered  the  use 
of  serpentaria,  senega,  and  wine  necessary  in  the  latter  stages. 

"Sixteen  cases  were  treated  during  this  quarter,  two  of  which  were  fatal;  of  these,  one  was 
apoplectic  when  first  seen ;  the  insensibility  was  never  removed,  the  patient  dying  in  sixty 
hours.  The  other  was  complicated  with  meningitis,  and  was  under  treatment  only  thirty-six 
hours." 

FORT  "WAYNE. 

Tin's  post  was  occupied  about  three  years  within  the  period  embraced  in  this  report,  having 
been  finally  abandoned  in  the  summer  of  1842.  According  to  Assistant  Surgeon  Josiah  Simj^- 
son,  who  has  furnished  a  few  brief  remarks  respecting  its  locality,  this  post  was  situated  upon 
a  beautiful  and  elevated  plain,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  a  large  prairie,  about  sixty  miles 
north  of  Fort  Gibson. 

FORT  TOW  SON. 

This  fort  is  situated  in  the  Choctaw  nation,  about  fifty  miles  west  from  the  western  boundary 
of  the  State  of  Arkansas,  six  miles  northwest  of  Red  river,  and  the  same  distance  south  and  east 
from  the  Kiamichi.  Immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  buildings  is  an  abrupt  ravine  about  eighty 
feet  deep,  varying  in  breadth  from  a  few  yards  to  half  a  mile,  and  bounded  on  the  opposite  side 
by  rolling  hills  densely  covered  with  oak  and  pine.  Through  it,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  runs  a 
creek  which  has  its  source  among  the  pine  hills  to  the  northwest  of  the  fort,  and  which  empties 
into  Red  river  a  short  distance  below  the  Kiamichi.  This  bottom,  which  is  covered  with  hick- 
cry,  scrub  oak,  &c.,  presents  a  marshy  surface — the  obvious  source  of  malarial  exhalations. 
In  front  of  the  fort  the  ground  descends  gradually  for  a  mile.  At  this  point  the  prairies  com- 
mence, and  spread  out  in  an  undulating  manner  to  a  great  distance.  In  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  fort,  the  soil,  which  is  composed  of  light  sand  and  clay,  is  not  very  productive.  Upon 
the  prairies,  the  soil,  though  superficial,  is  much  richer,  based  upon  a  thick  stratum  of  lime- 
stone. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  FORT  AVASHITA. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  T.  C.  Madison  :  1852. 

Fort  Washita  is  located  in  the  Chickasaw  district  of  the  Choctaw  Nation,  west  of  the  State 
of  Arkansas.  Latitude  34°  14'  2G";  longitude  19°  20'.  Altitude  of  the  barometer  above  the 
sea,  645.0133  feet. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION.  271 

The  False  Washita  river  runs  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  post,  about  30  miles  above  its 
mouth  or  entrance  into  Red  river,  and  about  150  feet  below  the  level  of  the  post.  Its  bottom 
is  not  extensive  in  this  vicinity;  and  if  there  be  any  malaria  generated  therein,  tlie  prevailing 
winds  during  the  summer  and  autumnal  seasons  waft  it  in  a  different  direction. 

The  post  is  beautifully  situated  in  a  small  grove,  on  the  border  of  an  extensive  prairie,  and 
is  decidedly  one  of  the  healthiest  positions  at  present  occupied  by  our  troops. 

By  reference  to  the  hospital  register,  it  appears  that  there  have  occurred  3,334  cases  of  sick 
and  wounded,  from  the  1st  of  July,  1842,  to  the  31st  December,  1848,  inclusive.  During  the 
above  period,  there  were  five  deaths  only — namely,  two  from  remittent  fever,  one  from  acute 
dysentery,  one  from  a  gun-shot  wound,  and  the  fifth  from  delirium  tremens. 

From  the  1st  January,  1849,  up  to  the  present  time,  no  death  has  occurred,  if  you  except  a  re- 
cruit en  route  for  Fort  Belknap,  who  arrived  here  in  a  dying  condition.  During  the  erection  of 
the  present  quarters,  which  are  the  best  I  have  seen  in  the  army,  the  men  were  worked  hard,  and 
necessarily  much  exposed  to  the  solar  rays,  and,  as  is  usually  the  case  at  most  new  posts,  suf- 
fered from  intermittent  fever,  which,  however,  in  every  instance,  was  readily  curable  by  the 
quinine  treatment. 

The  climate  may  be  considered  variable.  The  highest  afternoon  thermometrical  observation 
during  the  above  period  was  107°  Fahrenheit,  and  the  lowest,  zero.  Ice,  which  is  so  desira- 
ble as  a  luxury,  and  almost  invaluable  as  a  remedy,  can  generally  be  procured  during  the 
winter,  and  preserved  throughout  the  summer.  All  the  wells,  springs,  and  small  streams  in 
this  vicinity  are  strongly  impregnated  with  lime,  making  it  desirable  to  collect  rain  for  pur- 
poses of  ablution.  No  case  of  cholera  has  ever  occurred  at  this  post,  or  at  Fort  Towson,  though 
Forts  Smith  and  Gibson  have  suffered  considcrabh'  on  more  than  one  occasion. 

The  characteristic  geological  formations  of  this  region  are  lime  and  sandstone.  The  soil  of 
the  high  ground  is  argillaceous,  covered  with  a  thick  vegetable  mould ;  that  of  the  low  land  is 
partly  alluvial  and  very  productive.  To  enumerate  all  the  flowers  on  our  almost  boundless 
prairies  would  be  an  endless  task,  besides  requiring  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  botany 
than  I  possess. 

The  following  are  a  few  of  the  plants,  trees,  flowers,  and  animals  in  this  vicinity: 

Silphium  laciniatum,  or  polar  or  magnetic  plant  (Indian  guide) ;  datura  stramonium,  or 
Jamestown  weed ;  digitalis  purpurea,  or  foxglove ;  aralia  niidicaulis,  or  sarsaparilla ;  atropa 
belladonna,  or  deadly  nightshade;  podophyllum  peltatum,  or  May-apple;  achillea  millefolium, 
or  yarrow;  a^sculus  pavia,  or  yellow  buckeye;  arum  tryphillum,  or  Indian  turnip;    allium 

sativum,  or  garlic;  allium (species  unknown),  or  wild  onion;  cactus  melocactus,  or  melon 

thistle ;  cactus  opuntia,  or  prickly  pear ;  carya  alba,  or  shag-bark  hickory  ;  carya  olivreformis,  or 
pecan  nut;  cercis  Canadensis,  or  red  bud;  cornus  sericea,  or  red  rod;  crattegus  punctata,  or 
common  thorn-tree ;  fragaria  Virginiana,  or  wild  strawberry;  fraxinus  acuminata,  or  white 
ash;  fraxinus  sambucifolia,  or  black  ash ;  juglans  nigra,  or  black  walnut;  diospyros  Virgini- 
ana, or  persimmon;  serpentaria  Virginiana,  or  snake-root;  prunus  Virginiana,  or  Avild  cherry; 
morus  rubra,  or  red  mulberry ;  nepeta  cataria,  or  catnip  ;  oxalis  acetosella,  or  wood  sorrel ; 
Phytolacca  decandra,  or  poke-weed;  populus  lavigata,  or  cottonwood;  quercus  nigra,  or  black- 
jack; quercus  obtusiloba,  or  post  oak;  quercus  rubra,  or  red  oak;  rubus  villosus,  or  high 
blackberry;  rubus  trivealis,  or  dewberry;  ulmus  fulva,  or  slippery  elm;  verbena;  vitis  vul- 
pina,  or  winter  grape;  vitis  labruscoides,  or  fox  grape;  mimosa,  or  sensitive  plant,  (red,  yel- 
low, and  white) ;  dianthus  barbatus,  or  sweet-william;  lobelia  cardinalis,  or  cardinal  flower; 
indigofera  tinctoria,  or  indigo;  viola,  or  violet;  viola  tricolor,  or  pansy;  humulus  lupulus,  or 
hop;  helianthus  annus,  or  sunflower;  campanula,  or  bell-flower;  marrubrium  vulgare,  or  hore- 
hound;  bois  d'arc,  or  Osage  orange;  platanus  occidentalis,  or  sycamore;  Chickasaw  plum; 
tanacetum  vulgare,  or  wild  tansy ;  rhus,  or  sumach;  foeniculum,  or  fennel ;  sambucus,  or  elder; 
coreopsis ;  heliotropium  ;  menthte  viridis,  or  spear  mint. 


272  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Animals. — Bear  (black),  deer  (white  tail),  fox,  hare,  opossum,  otter,  skunk,  wolf  (prairie), 
raccoon,  mouse,  rat,  rabbit,  squirrel  (red,  fjrey,  and  black). 

Birds. — Bird  of  Paradise  (prairie),  blackbird  (red-winged),  blackbird  (rusty),  blue-bird,  buz- 
zard, crane  (sandhill  and  white),  crow,  dove,  ducks  (teal,  summer,  and  mallard),  grouse,  quail 
(Virginia  partridge),  lark,  mocking-bird,  hawks,  owls,  martin,  plover,  red-bird,  robin,  sparrow, 
swallow,  snipe,  sap-sucker,  wild  goose,  woodpecker,  wild  turkey,  whip-poor-will,  wild  pigeon, 
yellow-l)ird,  bee-martin,  kingfisher. 

Reptiles. — Lizard,    moccasin,    rattle-snake,   water  snake,    black    snake,   viper,   tarantulas, 
scorpions. 

Fishes. —  Buffalo,  drum,  catfish,  eel,  gar-fish,  trout  (not  speckled),  sucker,  sun-fish. 

With  regard  to  the  Indians  in  this  vicinity — the  Choctaws  and  Chickasaws — they  sufier  much 
from  scrofula,  scurvy,  rheumatism,  and  typhoid  pneumonia,  or  "winter  fever."  The  majority 
of  them  are  too  lazy  to  work,  and  are,  consequently,  badly  clothed  and  badly  fed.  Their  scro- 
fula is  generally  hereditary — that  is,  scrofulous  parents  generally  beget  scrofulous  children. 
Their  scurvy  is  owing  to  their  disinclination  to  engage  in  agricultural  or  horticultural  pursuits. 
Very  tew  of  the  wealthiest,  even,  hardly  ever  procure  vegetables  for  consumption  during  the 
winter  season. 

I  am  inclined  to  think  favorably  of  the  infusion  or  decoction  of  the  leaves  of  the  black  walnut 
in  scrofulous  affections.  I  have  tried  it  in  a  few  cases  only;  the  suggestion  was  derived  from  a 
medical  journal.  In  "winter  fever,"  I  believe  the  treatment  adopted  by  Assistant  Surgeon 
Coolidge,  U.  S.  A.,  to  be  the  best. — {Vide  2d  vol.  Fenner's  Southern  Medical  Reports.) 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  FORT  ARBUCKLE. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Rodney  Glisan  :  1854. 

This  post  is  in  latitude  34°  27'  north,  longitude  9Y°  09'  west,  and  is  situated  in  a  wood,  some 
four  miles  south  of  the  Washita  river,  and  seventy-six  miles  north  by  west  of  its  conjunction 
with  Red  river.  Immediately  west  of  the  garrison  is  a  low  timbered  bottom,  rank  in  vegetable 
growth,  through  which  run  several  small  sluggish  mountain  streams,  that  dry  up  during  the 
intense  heat  of  summer. 

The  prairie  beyond  the  timber  (in  which  the  post  is  located)  east  and  west  is  undulating,  and 
rises  irregularly,  southward,  swelling  into  a  broken  mountain  ridge,  with  an  elevation  of  400 
feet  above  the  river's  bed.  This  mountain  is  south  of  the  fort,  and  distant  about  1^  mile; 
general  direction  east  and  west.  The  only  really  boggy,  marshy  lowland  lines  Wild-horse 
creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Washita,  and  the  latter  river — the  former  distant  one  mile,  and  the 
latter  four  miles,  north. 

The  characteristic  geological  formations  of  this  country  are  lime  and  sandstone.  The  soil 
of  the  high  ground  is  argillaceous,  covered  with  a  thick  vegetable  mould;  that  of  the  low  land 
is  partly  alluvial  and  very  productive.  The  climate  is  mild  and  uniform,  but  subject  to  sudden 
changes  of  temperature ;  weather  generally  fair.  The  prevailing  winds  during  winter  are  from 
the  N.;  during  the  spring,  S.W.  and  S.;  during  the  summer,  S.;  and  during  the  autumn,  we 
have  them  from  the  S.,  the  S.E.,  and  S.W.  The  vernal,  summer,  and  autumnal  winds  sweep 
over  a  dry  and  elevated  region  of  the  country. 

As  the  alluvial  low  land  lies,  principally,  north  of  the  garrison,  and  the  prevailing  winds 
are  from  an  opposite  direction,  the  miasmatic  exhalations  of  this  region  are  not  fully  expe- 
rienced. 

The  bottom,  in  our  immediate  vicinity,  is  tolerably  well  drained. 

It  is  ascertained  from  an  examination  of  the  hospital  records,*  that  each  man  was  on  the  sick 

«•  The  abstracts  of  meteorological  observations,  and  of  reports  of  sick  and  wounded,  which  formed  part  of  this  report, 
are  omitted,  in  accordance  with  the  general  rule. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION,  273 

report  1.3  times  per  quarter.  The  principal  diseases  bear  the  following  ratio  to  the  whole 
number  treated :  Intermittent  fever,  36 ;  catarrh,  9;  dysentery,  4.66;  and  diarrhoea,  4.03  per 
centum. 

The  number  of  deaths  for  the  last  2f  years  being  5,  the  annual  ratio  of  mortality  per  100  of 
mean  strength  is  consequently  1.8.  Three  of  the  deaths  occurred  in  1852 — two  of  dysentery 
and  one  of  typhoid  pneumonia;  and  two  in  1853,  of  dysentery. 

The  predominant  disease  during  the  second  and  third  quarters  (of  1851)  was  intermittent 
fever.  This  was  generally  of  a  mild  tyjie,  and  in  no  instance  did  it  assume  a  malignant  form. 
The  great  majority  of  the  cases  of  this  complaint  in  the  second  quarter  were  secondary  and  of 
foreign  origin,  occurring  originally  at  the  temporary  encampment  on  the  Canadian  river.  The 
company  that  came  thence,  and  suffered  most,  left  here  at  the  commencement  of  the  second 
month  in  the  third  quarter.  In  accordance  with  a  general  law  pertaining  to  malaria,  that, 
other  things  being  equal,  the  lower  the  position  the  more  intense  its  action,  it  has  come  under 
my  observation,  both  at  the  temporary  encampment  on  the  Canadian  and  at  this  post,  that  per- 
sons occupying  raised  bunks  (say  2^  or  3  feet)  were  much  less  liable  to  malarious  diseases  than 
those  sleeping  on  the  ground. 

The  first  disease  requiring  particular  notice  in  1852  is  scurvy.  We  had  two  well-marked 
cases  of  this  complaint  in  the  first  quarter,  and  there  appeared  to  be  a  general  predisposition  to 
it  in  the  command.  But  as  its  cause  was  clearly  to  be  attributed  to  the  deficient  supply  in  the 
commissary  department  of  the  usual  anti-scorbutics — sauer-kraut,  dried  apples,  pickles,  &c. — as 
well  as  to  the  scanty  issue  of  very  poor  and  indifferent  beef  to  tlie  troops,  its  progress  was  soon 
checked  by  correcting  these  evils,  and  requiring,  in  addition,  large  quantities  of  wild  onions, 
which  were  just  becoming  of  a  proper  size  for  use,  to  be  issued  daily  to  the  men. 

Four  out  of  five  deaths  were  from  the  different  varieties  of  dysentery.  But  the  predominant 
affections,  both  in  1852  and  1853,  were  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  which  were,  in  many 
cases,  of  a  very  severe  grade.  These  are  so  universally  common  in  this  region,  that  he  who, 
after  a  residence  here  of  three  years,  has  escaped  unscathed,  is  looked  upon  as  the  most  fortunate 
of  mortals.  And,  indeed,  he  has  some  claim  to  congratulation;  for,  from  the  frequency  of  their 
recurrence  in  the  same  individual,  there  are,  perhaps,  no  maladies  more  depressing  to  our 
physical  and  mental  energies. 

There  is  scarcely  a  single  day  throughout  the  year  in  which  some  one  is  not  ailing  with  the 
intermittent  fever;  but  it  is,  of  course,  more  prevalent  in  the  spring  and  beginning  of  autumn, 
particularly  the  latter  period.  About  the  first  of  October,  it  is  no  unusual  occurrence,  in  a 
command  of  120  men,  to  have  as  many  as  twenty  on  the  sick-report  at  one  time  with  this  com- 
plaint. 

It  is  then,  also,  that  remittent  fever  is  so  rife.  In  this  climate  nearly  all  diseases  are  modi- 
fied by  malaria  throughout  the  entire  year,  but  more  especially  in  the  autumn.  It  is  this  com- 
plication that  renders  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  so  exceedingly  troublesome  to  manage.  But  its 
baneful  influence  is  more  particularly  observable  in  the  (so  called)  winter  fever  of  this  region, 
which  is  essentially  a  typhoid  pneumonia,  complicated  with  malarious  fever.  It  will  be  again 
referred  to  under  the  remaiks  on  the  diseases  of  the  Indians. 

From  the  fact  that  the  men  have  had  all  the  mechanical  duty  to  perform  at  and  around  the 
post,  in  erecting  quarters,  building  bridges,  &c.,  the  number  of  wounds  and  injuries  is  unusu- 
ally large.  The  majority  of  the  men  are  foreigners,  and  the  larger  proportion  of  these  Ger- 
mans and  Irish,  who  know  nothing  of  the  use  of  the  broad-axe,  however  expert  the  former  may 
have  been  with  the  broad-sword,  or  the  latter  with  the  spade,  in  their  own  country. 

Causes. — As  it  regards  the  severity  of  the  disease,  the  want  of  acclimation  may  be  mentioned 
as  one  of  the  most  prominent  causes.  All  the  above  fatal  cases  occurred  in  persons  not  long 
from  a  more  northern  and  colder  climate ;  three  of  them  had  been  here  a  little  more  than  a 
year,  the  other  only  five  or  six  months — in  fact,  died  during  their  first  summer's  residence. 
The  men  have  been  much  exposed,  ever  since  the  location  of  this  post,  in  erecting  permanent 
s.  96 35 


274  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

quarters,  and  for  the  greater  ])art  of  this  time  both  companies  were  cabined  in  very  indifferent 
shanties — affording  bnt  little  ])rotection  from  inclement  weather.  One  comjjany  is  still  occu- 
pying these  huts.  Exposure,  therefore,  is  anotlicr  prolific  source  of  the  frequency  of  disease  at 
tliis  post. 

Eecruits  are  notorious  for  being  frequently  sick ;  owing,  principally,  to  their  not  knowing 
how  to  adn])t  them.selves  jiroperly  to  the  vicissitudes  of  this  climate,  where,  on  account  of  the 
extreme  sudden  changes  of  temperature,  one  is  required  to  be  constantly  on  the  alert.  It  may 
be  summer  to-day,  and  winter  to-morrow.  These  changes  are  more  frequent  in  the  last  of 
autumn  and  the  first  of  spring;  though  we  had  a  remarkable  example  on  the  15th  instant. (?) 
The  whole  afternoon  was  very  warm ;  as  night  aj)proached,  the  wind  suddenly  veered  from  south 
to  northwest;  and  by  simrise  the  following  morning  the  thermometer  had  fallen  to  15°;  being 
61°  lower  than  at  3  r.  M.  of  the  preceding  day.  Sudden  changes  of  temperature,  then,  may  be 
noted  as  one  of  the  greatest  of  exciting  causes.  The  character  of  the  diseases  shows  that  ma- 
laria also  has  been  very  active.  Independent  of  its  own  legitimate  diseases,  (if  the  expression 
is  allowable,)  we  must  look  to  it  alone  for  an  explanation  of  the  greater  prevalence  of  dysen- 
tery than  diarrhoea.  For  if  we  leave  out  the  excess  of  this  disease  in  the  second  quarter  of 
1853,  which  is  ascribable  to  the  unusual  exposure  of  the  subjects  of  it  to  cold  and  moisture, 
they  having  been  daily  up  to  their  waists  in  water  while  engaged  in  bridging  Wild  Horse  creek, 
we  will  have  a  regular  increase  of  it  as  the  fever  season  advances.  It  was  not,  however,  merely 
a  regular  numerical  increase,  but  a  progressive  intensity  of  grade  and  miasmatic  complication. 
It  is,  therefore,  fair  to  conclude  that  many  of  the  cases  of  dysentery,  especially  in  September 
and  October,  would  have  been  simple  diarrhoea,  had  not  the  influence  of  malaria  been  con- 
joined to  the  usual  causes  of  this  com^daint.  It  would  be  impossible  to  select  a  place  in  this 
whole  section  of  country  free  from  this  poison.  Our  position  is  generally  considered  a  healthy 
one;  and  will  doubtless  prove  so  after  the  bottom  in  our  immediate  vicinity  shall  have  been 
divested  of  its  superabundant  vegetable  growth,  the  dead  timber  and  other  obstructions  removed 
from  its  water-courses,  and  good  quarters  furnished  for  the  troops.  The  clearing  already  done 
around  the  garrison,  instead  of  rendering  it  more  salubrious,  has  probably  made  it  less  so — 
attributable  to  the  large  timber  liaving  been  mostly  felled  for  building  purposes,  leaving  the 
dense  vegetable  growth  only  the  more  subject  to  decomposition  from  a  greater  amount  of  solar 
heat  conjoined  to  its  previous  moisture — the  elements  in  all  countries  for  the  generation  of  ma- 
laria. It  is  only  in  a  state  of  semi-cultivation  that  the  projjer  conditions  are  obtained  for  the 
production  of  this  poison  to  its  fullest  extent.  For  it  is  notorious  that  in  all  new  settlements, 
in  thickly  timbered  regions  where  miasmatic  fevers  prevail,  they  are  more  prevalent  in  the 
second  and  third  years  than  in  the  first,  or  than  they  ever  become  afterwards. 

Treatment. — The  scorbutic  cases  were  easily  managed  by  giving  a  strong  solution  of  citric 
acid  frequently  during  the  day,  preceded  by  a  mild  saline  cathartic  when  there  was  much  con- 
stipation ;  and  the  free  use  of  wild  onions,  together  with  eggs  and  fresh  meat,  as  a  diet.  It  was 
entirely  too  early  in  the  season  for  garden  vegetables  of  any  kind. 

I  am  disposed  to  ascribe  the  beneficial  results  almost  entirely  to  the  wild  onions.  For  the  pa- 
tients improved  very  slowly,  if  at  all,  under  the  citric  acid  alone,  which  was  soon  exhausted,  and 
did  not  show  decided  symptoms  of  convalescence  until  the  use  of  the  wild  onions  commenced. 

I  also  believe  that  this  vegetable  was  the  chief  instrument  in  preventing  a  further  outbreak 
of  the  disease  among  the  troops.  That  there  was  a  general  scorbutic  diathesis  in  the  character 
of  nearly  all  the  diseases  then  prevalent,  and  that  this  rapidly  disappeared  upon  the  free  use  of 
onions,  cannot  for  a  moment  be  doubted.  This  beneficial  change  began  simultaneously  with 
their  use,  and  even  before  any  otlier  alteration  was  made  in  the  diet  of  the  men. 

Is  it  not,  then,  a  fair  deduction  to  attribute  to  them  a  great,  if  not  the  chief,  agency  in  the 
cure  and  prevention  of  this  dreadful  disease? 

I  am  also  informed  that  this  vegetable  was  very  extensively  used  at  Fort  Belknap  and  Phan- 
tom Hill  in  the  winter  of  1852,  and  with  highly  flattering  results. 


AMONG   THK   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION.  275 

I  am  aware  that  its  anti-scorbutic  virtues  are  well  known,  (at  least  in  the  army;)  but,  as  its 
growth  is  co-extensive  with  our  immense  western  frontier ;  and  as  it  so  frequently  happens,  both 
in  military  and  civil  practice  in  the  far  west,  that  the  usual  officinal  therapeutical  remedies  are 
not  to  be  obtained  ;  and  as  this  vegetable  is  to  be  had  iu  abundance  early  in  the  spring,  long 
before  garden  vegetables  and  fruits  can  be  gotten,  I  have  deemed  it  a  duty  to  add  my  feeble 
testimony  in  its  favor.  Again :  although  it  is  a  favorite  remedy  with  some  surgeons  in  the 
army,  I  am  not  quite  sure  that  it  is  at  all  known  in  civil  jiractice.  It  certainly  is  not  in  this 
section  of  country. 

In  the  treatment  of  the  miasmatic  fevers,  quinine  and  the  various  preparations  of  cinchona 
were,  of  course,  mainly  relied  upon.  Quinine  was  generally  administered  during  the  intermis- 
sion or  remission  of  the  febrile  paroxysm ;  but  where  there  was  no  abatement,  or  only  a  slight 
remission,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  give  it,  even  while  the  fever  was  raging  most  violently.  My 
experience,  however,  would  not  justify  me  in  adopting  the  practice  of  those  who  give  it  indis- 
criminately during  the  paroxysm,  and  in  the  interval.  My  usual  plan  in  intermittent  fever 
was,  to  commence  the  treatment  by  giving  a  solution  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  and  quinine;  or  a 
mixture  of  rhubarb  and  quinine,  if  the  bowels  were  costive;  or  of  quinine  and  opium  if  they 
were  particularly  loose;  but  when  regular,  quinine  alone.  In  cold,  damp  weather,  ol:  ricini 
was  substituted  for  the  above  cathartics ;  but  given  before,  not  with  the  quinine. 

As  only  well-marked  cases  are  included  under  the  head  of  remittent  fevers,  I  usually  found 
it  necessary  to  use  calomel  or  blue-mass  freely,  either  separately,  or  combined  with  quinine.  It 
was  also  in  this  class  of  affections  that  venesection  was  occasionally  made  use  of.  But  from  my 
knowledge  of  this  disease,  as  it  has  prevailed  here  for  the  last  two  and  three-quarters  j'ears,  I 
should  not  fancy  being  compelled,  like  Gil  Bias,  to  adopt  Dr.  Sangrado's  practice  in  every 
instance,  nor  even  in  the  majority  of  cases. 

Of  course,  emetics,  diaphoretics,  etc.,  were  conjoined  to  the  other  treatment  in  the  fevers 
generally.  In  dysentery,  the  treatment  was  varied  according  to  the  type  and  grade  of  the  dis- 
ease. When  highly  inflammatory  in  character,  attended  with  much  tenesmus  and  arterial 
excitement,  more  especially  if  associated  with  great  hepatic  or  biliary  derangement,  a  large  dose 
of  calomel  alone,  or  combined  with  opium,  and  assisted  by  oil,  together  with  venesection,  was 
employed.  For  the  next  few  days,  alterative  doses  of  calomel  or  blue-mass,  conjoined  with 
opium  or  ex:  hyosciamus,  were  given  once,  twice,  or  three  times  daily;  and  about  every 
second  day  a  mild  cathartic — which  was  generally  castor-oil;  but  when  the  i'ever  was  high,  and 
the  skin  hot  and  dry,  rochelle  salts.  Opium,  either  alone  or  in  combination,  was  much  em- 
ployed. Sometimes  the  mercurial  preparations  were  given  frequently,  with  the  view  of  "touch- 
ing the  gums." 

In  the  chronic  stage  of  the  acute,  and  in  all  chronic  cases,  acet:  plumbi  was  freely  adminis- 
tered; but,  except  in  one  or  two  cases,  where  the  stools  were  very  thin,  and  nearly  pure  blood, 
it  seemed  to  afford  very  little  relief,  and  in  many  cases  aggravated  the  symptoms.  At  this 
stage,  alum  and  other  astringents  were  also  employed.  Hope's  mixture  sometimes  did  service, 
but  as  frequently  failed.  Cups,  blisters,  fomentations,  clysters,  were  all  brought  into  requi- 
sition as  occasion  required.  Owing,  however,  to  the  frequent  miasmatic  complication,  quinine 
became,  in  many  cases,  indispensable.  This  was  usually  employed  in  large  quantities  ender- 
mically. 

Here  end  my  remarks  upon  the  diseases  of  the  post;  now  for  a  few  observations  concerning 
those  of  the  surrounding  country. 

With  the  exception  of  some  seven  or  eight  families,  there  are  no  inhabitants  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  this  post.  The  only  Indians  that  temporarily  encamp  in  its  vicinity  are  roaming  bands 
of  the  Kickapoos,  Witchitas,  Keechies,  and  hunting  parties  of  Caddoes,  Wacoes,  Creeks,  Chero- 
kees,  Delawares,  Chickasaws,  and  Choctaws.  They  are  almost  universally  afliicted  with  the 
malarious  fevers  and  their  effects.     I  have  seldom  seen  a  case  of  intermittent  fever  among  them 


276  REPORT    ON    TUE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

•without  an  enlargement  of  the  spleen.  Enlarged  and  indurated  liver,  and  dropsy,  are  by  no 
means  rare — all  attributable  to  the  freqxtency  and  long  continuance  of  the  disease.  Remit- 
tent fever  is  very  fatal  among  them,  particularly  with  tlie  wild  and  half-civilized  tribes. 

About  three  luindred  of  a  renegade  band  of  the  Kickapoos,  who  come  under  the  latter  class, 
encamped  in  two  parties  near  the  garrison  in  the  summer  of  1852,  and  remained  there  until 
last  spring.  According  to  their  custom,  they  located  their  villages  on  high  ground,  but  did 
not  display  the  same  hygienic  knowledge  in  regard  to  their  position  from  marshes.  One  party 
was  peculiarly  unfortunate  in  selecting  a  site  directly  north  of  a  swampy  part  of  the  Washita 
bottom,  wliich  was  kept  during  the  whole  summer  and  autumn  just  sufficiently  moistened  to 
make  it  a  perfect  hot-bed  of  malaria.  The  consequence  was,  that  they  were  all  stricken  down 
with  the  fever  in  its  most  violent  form,  and  a  large  number  died. 

During  their  residence  near  garrison,  they  did  not  fail  to  observe  that  there  was  some  more 
effectual  mode  of  treating  this  disease  known  to  the  whites  than  they  had  any  knowledge  of. 
Their  importunities  for  my  assistance,  therefore,  were  very  frequent.  But,  for  the  want  of  an 
interpreter,  they  followed  my  prescriptions  so  badly  that  I  attended  a  very  few  of  them. 

Perhaps,  among  all  the  diseases  to  which  the  Indians  of  this  country  are  siibject  (smallpox 
excepted),  the  winter  fever  is  the  most  dreadful.  It  prevails  more  or  less  every  winter;  but, 
occasionally,  from  a  peculiar  combination  of  meteorological  conditions,  sweeps  them  off  by  hun- 
dreds. Its  fatality,  however,  is  more  owing  to  the  mode  of  treatment  than  the  disease  itself. 
They  absolutely  bleed  their  patients  to  death.  I  allude  more  particularly  to  the  Choctaws 
and  Chickasaws,  among  whom  it  raged  so  fearfully  in  the  winter  of  1852.  They,  in  common 
with  all  the  so-called  civilized  Indians,  adopt  the  medical  practice,  as  well  as  other  customs  of 
the  whites,  but  are  more  easily  imposed  upon  by  quacks  and  impostors. 

I  attended  in  the  winter  of  1852  some  six  or  seven  cases  of  this  disease,  all  of  whom  recov- 
ered. I  adopted  with  them  the  treatment  recommended  by  Dr.  Coolidge,  U.  S.  A.,  as  pub- 
lished in  Dr.  Fenner's  Southern  Medical  Eeports  of  1851  or  1852,  except  that  the  quinine  was 
used  in  smaller  doses,  and  given  by  preference  in  the  remission  of  fever;  which  was  not,  how- 
ever, always  practicable.  As  his  report  is  not  at  hand,  I  am  not  sure  but  that  he  also  recom- 
mends the  quinine  to  be  given  in  the  remission.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  to  his  accurate  descrip- 
tion of  the  disease,  and  its  treatment,  that  I  must  refer  all  those  who  desire  a  more  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  subject. 

I  shall  conclude  with  an  extract  from  my  former  report : 

"It  appears  to  be  a  common,  but  doubtless  false  opinion,  that  the  average  life  of  the  red  man 
(casualties  excepted)  is  greater  than  that  of  his  white  brother.  It  is  true  that  we  see  a  great 
many  old-looking  men  amon'g  them;  but  their  old  age  is  premature.  I  believe  their  longevity 
is  not  as  great  by  10  per  centum  as  that  of  Anglo-Americans.  This  is  no  doubt  attributable 
to  their  irregular  diet,  great  exposure,  ignorance  of  hygienic  and  proper  therapeutic  remedies. 
In  other  respects,  they  have  everything  favorable  to  health  and  physical  development.  Their 
mode  of  life  affords  them  healthy  exercise,  and  simple  nutritious  diet." 

List  of  plants. — Aralia  nudicaulis,  or  wild  sarsaparilla ;  achillea  millefolium,  or  yarrow; 
wsculus  pavia,  or  yellow  buckeye;  arum  triphyllum,  or  Indian  turnip;  allium  sativum,  or 
garlic;  allium  (species  unknown),  or  wild  onion;  asclepias,  or  milk-weed  ;  cactus  melocactus, 
or  melon  thistle ;  C.  opuntia,  or  prickly  pear ;  carya  alba,  or  shag-bark  hickory ;  C.  olivaeformis, 
or  pecan  nut ;  cercis  Canadensis,  or  red  bud  ;  cornus  sericea,  or  red  rod;  Crataegus  punctata,  or 
common  thorn-tree;  diospyros  Virginiana,  or  persimmon;  fragaria  Virginiana,  or  wild  straw- 
berry;  fraxinus  acuminata,  or  white  ash  ;  F.  sambucifolia,  or  black  ash;  gymnocladus  Canaden- 
sis, or  coffee-bean  tree;  juglans  cinerea,  or  butternut;  J.  nigra,  or  black  walnut;  juniperis 
Virginiana,  or  red  cedar ;  plantanus  occidentalis,  or  false  sycamore ;  mentha  borealis,  or  horse 
mint ;  morus  rubra,  or  red  mulberry ;  ne2)eta  cataria,  or  catnip ;  oxalis  ascetosella,  or  wood-sorrel ; 
panax  quinquefolia,  or  ginseng ;  phytolacca  decandra,  or  poke-weed ;  populus  levigata,  or  cotton- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE   SOUTHEKN   DIVISION. 


277 


■wood  ;  primus (species  unknown),  or  prairie  plum  ;  quercus  nigra,  or  black-jack;  Q.  ob- 

tusiloba,  or  post  oak  ;  Q.  macrocarpa,  or  over-cup  oak;  Q.  palustris,  or  pin  oak;  Q.  rubra,  or  red 
oak  ;  Q.  bannisteri,  or  scrub-oak  ;  rubus  villosus,  or  high  blackberry  ;  R.  trivealis,  or  dewberry; 
sambucus  Canadensis,  or  black-berried  elder;  ulmus  Americana,  or  red  elm;  U.  fulva,  or  slip- 
pery elm;  verbena ,  (species  unknown);  vitis  vulpina,  or  frost  grape;  V.  labruscoides,  or 

fox  grape  ;  viola ,  (species  unknown). 

Mammalia. — Antelope,  bats,  bear,  (black,  common),  beaver,  buffalo  (within  fifteen  miles  of 
here),  deer  (white  tail),  deer  (black  tail),  fox  (common  grey),  hare,  mouse  (common),  mustang, 
otter  (common),  panther,  raccoon,  opossum,  skunk,  sr^uirrel  (grey,  fox,  and  black),  wild-cat, 
wolf  (large  black),  wolf  (prairie),  rat  (brown),  rabbit. 

Birds. — Bird  of  Paradise,  blackbird  (red-winged),  blackbird  (rusty),  blue-bird,  buzzard, 
crane  (sand-hill),  crow  (corby),  dove,  dipper,  or  didapper,  ducks  (teal,  summer,  and  mallard), 
eagle,  grouse,  hawk  (prairie),  liumming-bird,  kingfisher,  lark  (prairie),  mocking-bird  (Eng- 
lish), martin,  owl  (barn),  pewee,  plover,  partridge,  red-bird,  robin,  raven,  sparrow,  swallow, 
snipe,  sap-sucker,  swan,  wild  goose,  woodpecker,  wild  turkey,  whip-poor-will,  wild  pigeon,  wren, 
yellow-bird. 

Reptiles. — Lizard  (common),  moccasin  (water),  rattle-snake,  water  snake,  black  snake,  gar- 
ter snake,  scorpion  (so  called);  also,  scorpio  occitanus,  or  true  scorpion,  viper,  turtle  (soft- 
shelled),  turtle  (fresh  water),  terrapin  (water  and  land),  frog  (bull  and  horned),  toad. 

Fishes. — Bufialo,  catfish,  eel,  gar-fish,  perch  (black),  trout,  bass,  sucker,  silver  sides  (or  fall 
fish),  sun-fish. 


DISEASES. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MOETALITT. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO  PER  1,000  or  MEAN  8TREN0TH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

10,195 

10,990 

10,326 

8,540 

6,769 

8,985 

12,200 

7,  566 

53 

53 

107 

42 

664 
817 

1,181 
886 

5  2 

Second  (quarter 

4  8 

Third  quarter 

10  3 

Fourth  quarter . 

4  9 

10,013 

35,520 

255 

3,547 

25.4 

Exclusive  of  cholera 

35,312 

228                    ^  'i'" 

22  7 

' 

The  mean  strength  of  the  forces  in  this  region  being  10,013,  and  the  number  of  cases  of  sick- 
ness reported  35,520,  it  follows  that  the  relative  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  ofiicers  and 
men  was  3.54  to  1.  It  also  ajipear.s,  from  the  foregoing  table,  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to 
troops  was  1  in  39.36,  or  2.5  per  cent.;  and  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number  of 
cases  treated  was  1  in  139.29,  or  O.'iTl  per  cent.  Exclusive  of  cholera,  the  proportion  of  deaths 
to  the  command  was  1  in  43.91,  or  2.2  per  cent.;  and  to  cases  treated  1  in  154.88,  or  0.64  per 
cent. 


278 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


FEVERS. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases. 

§ 

£  S 
o  a 

■S's 

& 

Strength                   . 

10,195 

10,990 

10,326 

8,540 

10,013 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

DeaUis. 

Cases. 

Deatbs. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Fcbris  congestiva. ._-_- 

0 

15 

1108 

748 

58 

85 

3 

0 

0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 

0 

52 

1430 

1116 

36 

197 

2 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 

9 

48 

3G82 

1166 

40 

815 

10 

4 

4 
1 
3 
0 
0 
10 
5 
0 

0 

12 

2146 

1016 

71 

250 

1 

1 

3 
0 
1 

0 
0 
4 
0 
0 

9 

127 

8366 

4046 

205 

1347 

16 

5 

7 
2 
4 
0 
0 
14 
9 

7  in        9 
1  in      63 
1  in  2091 
0  in  4046 
0  in    205 
lin      96 

0.8 

Febris  contiuua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana  . 
Febris  intermittens  quartana. 

12 

836 

404 

20 

134 

Febris  typhus. ... 

lin       1.8         1.6 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0       Oin        5 

0.5 

Total 

2017 

3 

2833 

2 

5774 

23 

3497 

8 

14121 

36     ;  lin    392 

1412. 

The  original  quarterly  reports  are  without  .special  notes  respecting  this  class  of  diseases, 
except  that  by  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  McCormick,  for  the  quarter  ending  September  30, 
1844;  from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts:* 

"Fever  has  been  the  prevailing  disease;  the  quotidian  ty2)e  predominating,  according  to  this 
report,  probably  because  all  the  cases  admitted  and  treated  on  the  first  attack  yield  so  readily 
and  rapidly  to  the  energetic  use  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  that  the  fever  is 
immediately  cut  short,  and  arrested  in  its  progress  before  it  has  had  time  to  develop  its  type. 
In  some  cases  the  soldiers  have  suffered  fever  to  become  developed  before  admission ;  and  of 
these,  many  proved  remittent.  Among  the  severest  fevers  I  have  met  with  in  the  south,  a  mild 
form  in  the  commencement  has  been  by  no  means  uncommon — even  so  slight  as  a  mild  form  of 
intermittent.  Fevers  may  assume  the  congestive  (algid)  type  at  the  outset,  or  it  may  occur  at 
any  stage  of  the  disease.  Whenever  it  does  occur,  it  almost  always  proves  fatal  in  the  third 
congestive  paroxysm,  unless  promptly  relieved  by  large  doses  of  opium  and  quinine." 

"From  a  scarcity  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  I  have  been  compelled,  on  several  occasions,  to 
treat  all  the  cases  of  fever  without  it,  except  those  which  assumed  a  severe  or  dangerous  char- 
acter. The  result  of  all  such  compulsory  trials,  even  in  cases  where  the  acidulated  decoction, 
or  cold  acidulated  infusion,  or  the  bark  itself  in  substance,  had  been  freely  administered,  has 
been  a  confirmation  of  all  my  previous  experience,  viz :  that  the  free  administration  of  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine  is  the  only  safe,  judicious,  and  effectual  mode  of  arresting  the  progress  of  fever, 
and  restoring  the  patient  to  health,  free  from  the  sequela3  that  so  often  followed  every  other 
method  of  management,  and  which  in  themselves  have  always  proved  more  difiicult  of  cure  than 
the  malady  from  which  they  originated.  On  every  occasion,  during  this  quarter,  wherein  this 
powerful  remedy  was  omitted,  the  fever  wards  of  the  hospital  were  filled  with  jmtients,  suffering 
from  fever  day  after  day,  and  daily,  in  a  great  \najority  of  cases^  increasing  in  severity,  and  in 
nearly  every  case  continuing  its  course  until  arrested  by  quinine,  (which  really  does  seem  to  act 

«  Having  been  on  duty  with  Assistant  Surgeon  (now  Surgeon)  McCormiclc  at  Fort  Gibson  at  the  time  this  was  written, 
the  compiler  c.in  add  his  testimony  respecting  the  cro%vded  condition  of  the  fever-wards ;  the  increasing  severity  of  that 
class  of  diseases — intermittcnts  running  into  high  grades  of  the  remittent  form,  and  some  becoming  typhoid  -,  and  also  to 
the  almost  instantaneous  change  effected  by  the  use  of  quinine  when  a  supply  was  received.  In  exjiUnation  of  the  defi- 
ciency in  that  article,  it  is  proper  to  add,  that  it  was  caused  by  the  sinking  of  the  steamer  having  the  medical  supplies  on 
board. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


279 


almost  as  an  antidote).  But  when  that  remedy  was  on  hand  in  quantities  sufficient  to  justify 
its  true  and  proper  use  in  all  cases,  two  days  were  sufficient  to  free  the  wards  from  fever,  and 
to  change  the  scene  from  one  of  suffering,  prostration,  and  sickness,  into  one  of  convalescence 
and  health." 

"The  chief  remedies  resorted  to  as  substitutes  for  quinine  were  the  Peruvian  bark,  Virginia 
snake-root,  a  combination  of  oi)iuin  with  the  tartrate  of  antimony  and  i)otassa,  or  ipecac,  (of 
which  I  reported  favorably  in  183'J,)  the  ferro-cyanuret  of  iron,  in  doses  of  from  5  to  15  or  20 
grains  three  times  a  day ;  a  combination  of  opium  and  sulphate  of  zinc,  and  the  arsenite  of 
l)otassa.  They  proved  inefficient  in  a  great  majority  of  cases.  The  remedies  are  named  in  the 
order  in  whicli  their  comparative  efficacy  would  seem  to  class  them.  Fowler's  solution  signally 
failed,  although  I  had  hoped  much  from  its  use.  That  it  was  given  in  quantities  sufficient  to 
produce  its  full  efl'ects,  was  sufficiently  evident  from  its  having  had  a  decidedly  poisonous  effect 
in  one  case,  and  such  a  tendency  in  two  others." 

Eruptive  Fevers. — Under  this  head  we  have  to  note  24  cases  of  rubeola,  4  of  which  proved 
fatal.  These  cases  occurred  at  Fort  Smith,  in  the  third  quarter,  1846,  and  were  mostly  confined 
to  the  Arkansas  volunteers,  who  garrisoned  that  post.  During  that  quarter,  however,  the  com- 
mand was  composed  of  both  regulars  and  volunteers,  and  the  diseases  of  both,  being  embraced 
in  one  report,  are  included  in  the  general  abstract.  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  H.  Bailey  reports 
that  the  disease  was  brought  to  Fort  Smith  by  the  volunteers.  The  disease  exhibited  a  strong 
tendency  to  congestion,  particularly  of  the  lungs. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters   .              -          ______ 

FIBST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOCBTH 

TEAS. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 

cases. 

§ 

f.'^ 

10, 

195 

10, 

390 

10, 

326 

8, 

540 

10, 

013 

=^3 

w  3 

^  a 

Di;<easop. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

0 

356 

136 

18 

5 

4 

2 

173 

197 

0 
6 
1 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 

23 

907 

481 

30 

5 

11 

3 

332 

377 

7 
2 
3 
1 
1 
0 
0 
2 
1 

182 

979 

448 

11 

18 

7 

1 

283 

342 

18 
6 
9 
1 
3 
0 
0 
0 
7 

3 

502 

154 

33 

7 

1 

0 

130 

189 

2 
1 
5 
6 
•2 
0 
0 
0 
1 

208 

2744 

1219 

92 

35 

23 

6 

918 

1105 

27 

15 

18 

11 

G 

0 

0 

2 

11 

1  in      7. 7 
1  in  183 
1  in    68 
1  in       8+ 
1  iu      6 
Oin    23 
Oin      6 
1  in  459 
1  in  100 

DiarrliOLia                      _    

274 

Dyseuteria  acuta 

Dyson teria  chronica 

Enteritis 

121 
9 
3 

Hepatitis  acuta __    _..... 

^ 

Hepatitis  clirouica                    

0.  5 

91 

All  otlier  diseases  of  this  system. . 

110 

Total 

891 

12 

2169 

17 

2271 

44 

1019 

17 

6350 

90 

lin    70 

634 

6142 

63 

lin    97 

614 

Cholera  Asiatica. — The  first  remark  respecting  this  disease,  from  the  stations  now  under 
consideration,  occurs  iu  the  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  H.  Bailey,  at  Fort  Smith,  for  the 
quarter  ending  30th  Jime,  1849,  wherein  that  officer  alludes  to  the  prevalence  of  cholera  upon 
the  Arkansas  river,  and  to  the  arrival  of  steamers  at  Fort  Smith  with  that  disease  on  board. 
Dr.  Bailey  remarks,  that  up  to  the  date  of  his  report  there  had  been  but  "little  proclivity  to 
the  disease,  either  among  the  troops  or  the  inhabitants  of  the  place."  Surgeon  J.  B.  Wells, 
reporting  at  the  same  time  from  Fort  Gibson,  (120  miles  above  Fort  Smith,  by  the  Arkansas 


280  ^   .REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

river,)  observes,  "the  cases  of  diarrhoea  under  treatment  during  the  quarter  were  impressed  with 
the  'constitution  of  atmosphere,'  favoring  the  development  of  epidemic  cholera."  In  the  next 
quarter  that  officer  reports  181  cases  of  cholera — 131  in  July,  and  50  in  August.  Of  the  total 
number  18  died,  being  in  the  proportion  of  1  to  10.  In  regard  to  this  disease,  Surgeon  Wells 
reports  as  follows: 

"In  my  report  of  sick  and  wounded  of  30th  June  last,  I  remarked  that  the  cases  of  diarrhoea 
under  treatment  were  impressed  with  the  constitution  of  atmosphere,  favoring  the  development 
of  epidemic  cholera.  On  the  night  of  the  15th  of  July  last  (1849),  four  privates  of  the  5th 
infantry  were  brought  into  the  hospital,  in  quick  succession,  collapsed  and  pulseless,  agonizing 
under  sjmsms,  vomiting  and  purging  rice-water-likc  discharges,  algid  surface,  tongue  cold, 
cyanosis  of  extremities  and  face.  Death  took  place  in  each  case  in  from  six  to  eight  hours. 
Two  of  the  cases  had  spasmodic  or  irregular  contractions  of  the  muscles  for  one  hour  after  dis- 
solution. The  secretion  of  urine  was  entirely  suppressed,  and  none  found  in  the  bladder  after 
death.  Upon  the  admission  of  a  c^o^eraic  patient,  if  vomiting  and  purging  were  present,  I  im- 
mediately exhibited  a  mixture  composed  of  morphine  and  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  in  cam- 
phor-water; this  failing,  I  gave  four  drops  of  creosote  in  mucilage,  which  generally  composed 
the  stomach.  From  my  observation  of  this  article  in  chronic  diarrhoea  in  Florida,  and  reflect- 
ing on  its  strong  tendency  to  coagulate  animal  juices  (albumen),  I  determined  to  make  trial  of 
it ;  and  the  result  proved  entirely  satisfactory.  Furthermore,  I  was  pleased  to  find  in  the  July 
number  of  the  Medical  Examiner,  published  at  Philadelphia,  a  report  of  two  cases  of  cholera, 
by  Surgeon  C.  A.  Finley,  U.  S.  A.,  who  makes  the  following  remarks:  "Creosote  was  given 
to  check  emcsis,  and  with  good  effect."  The  stomach  being  quieted  for  the  moment,  I  threw 
into  it  9  1  of  calomel  and  10  grs.  of  camphor,  combined.  This  was  repeated,  if  necessary,  in 
one  hour,  and  then  its  administration  was  regulated  by  the  discbarges — their  frequency  and 
color;  if  for  the  former,  one-half  the  dose  for  each  discharge;  and  as  soon  as  any  co?or  was  per- 
ceived in  the  discharges,  that  remedy  was  gradually  discontinued ;  for,  with  such  a  discharge, 
reaction  was  sure  to  succeed,  recovery  to  dawn,  and  convalescence  to  follow.  Quinine  was  then 
introduced  into  the  system,  to  maintain  the  action  of  the  heart,  and  aperients  to  work  off  the 
mercury.  In  cases  where  the  pulse  was  the  merest  quiver,  internal  and  external  stimulants 
were  freely  used,  conjoined  with  the  above  treatment.  The  body  was  covered  with  hot  mustard 
cataplasms,  and  the  spinal  column  freely  irritated  with  hot  si)irits  of  turpentine." 

In  March,  1850,  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  H.  Bailey  again  notes  the  fact  of  occasional  cases  of 
cholera,  brought  in  boats  to  the  landing  at  Fort  Smith,  and  adds  tliat  the  disease  did  not  spread 
in  town  or  garrison.  This  immunity,  however,  appears  to  have  had  its  limit,  for  we  find  the 
disease  prevailing  there  in  the  following  spring.  From  the  official  report  of  Acting  Assistant 
Surgeon  N.  Spring,  it  apjjcars  that  on  the  31st  of  May  two  companies  of  the  5th  infantry  ar- 
rived at  Fort  Smith  from  Corpus  Christi,  Texas,  having  the  cholera,  which  had  broken  out  two 
or  three  days  before  their  arrival  at  that  post.  "Tlie  sick  (says  Dr.  Spring)  were  placed  in 
the  hospital,  while  the  troops  encamped  upon  the  bank  of  the  river,  150  yards  distant  there- 
from, and  two  hundred  yards  from  the  barracks.  No  case  occurred  in  the  barracks  until  the 
night  of  the  4tb  of  June,  when  five  men  were  violently  seizetl  with  the  disease.  These  were 
rapidly  followed  by  others,  of  which  a  few  were  of  a  highly  aggravated  character,  but  the  major 
part  of  less  intensity  and  malignancy.  The  men  first  attacked  belonged  to  company  E,  5th 
infantry,  which  occui>ied  large,  well-ventilated,  and  commodious  brick  quarters,  and  it  was  in 
this  company  the  most  violent  cases  occurred.  These  men  had  been  at  no  post,  for  years,  where 
cholera  prevailed.  Company  F,  7th  infantry,  were  in  wooden  sheds,  adjoining  the  quarters 
occupied  by  the  first  mentioned  company.  Among  them  no  deaths  occurred;  the  cases  were  of 
a  mild  type,  and  readily  yielded  to  prompt  treatment.  This  company  had  been  at  Baton 
Kouge  and  Jeflerson  Barracks  at  a  time  when  cholera  prevailed  at  those  posts,  and,  in  both 
instances,  almost  entirely  escaped  its  ravages.  The  fact  of  the  men's  being,  in  a  manner,  habit- 
uated to  the  presence  of  the  epidemic,  had,  I  have  no  doubt,  and  I  think  the  facts  bear  out  the 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 


281 


inference,  a  decidedly  beneficial  influence.  On  the  6th  of  June  companies  B  and  K,  of  the  5th 
infantry,  were  removed  into  the  country,  and  on  the  next  day  company  E  went  to  the  same 
encampment.  From  that  time  the  disease  abated  within  the  limits  ot  the  post;  but  few  other 
cases  occurred,  and  but  one  fatal  one.  Company  F,  7th  infantry,  cleansed  the  quarters  vacated 
by  company  E,  of  the  5th,  and  removed  into  them  soon  afterwards,  without  experiencing  any 
ill  effects.  In  connexion  with  what  may  be  almost  termed  the  escape  of  company  F,  7th  infan- 
try, from  the  cholera,  and  the  mooted  question  'Is  cholera  contagious?'  I  cite  the  following 
fact:  Of  the  attendants  who  waited  on  the  cholera  sick  of  the  post  command,  about  fifteen  in 
number,  seven  liad  the  disease,  of  whom  two  died,  and  four  others  barely  escaped  death." 

The  treatment  is  not  specially  given  ;  in  one  case,  mention  is  made  of  bleeding  to  six  ounces, 
with  happy  effect.     The  patient  recovered. 

Two  or  three  cases  occurred  in  the  town  on  the  9th  of  June,  but  no  other  cases  are  noted  as 
occurring  there  until  about  the  24th  of  that  month,  when  the  disease,  having  nearly  disappeared 
from  the  garrison,  reappeared  among  the  citizens  with  increased  violence,  and  at  the  date  of 
Dr.  Spring's  report  (July  5th)  it  was  still  raging. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  KESPIEATGRY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 


Streugtli 

10, 

195 

10, 

D90 

10, 

326 

8, 

540 

10, 

313 

rmportion  of 
cases 

g  3 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

i'3 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.  _ 
Catarrhus  _-__. 

90 

679 

7 

80 

91 

24 

2 
0 
9 

1 
7 

0 

43 

460 

9 

67 

37 

19 

1 
0 
9 
0 

3 

1 

23 

303 

2 

51 

17 

14 

1 
1 
3 
0 
2 

3 

54 

456 

2 

33 

17 

10 

0 

1 

4 
0 

3 

0 

210 

1898 

20 

231 

162 

67 

4 
2 

25 
1 

15 

4 

1  in       52 
1  in    949 

1  in    231 
1  in      10.8 

1  in      17 

20 
189 

2 

23 

16 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 
tem   

6 

Total 

971 

19 

635 

14 

410 

10 

572 

8 

2588 

51 

1  in      51 

258 

Rheumatismus 

358 

1 

328 

1 

258 

0 

266 

0 

1210 

2 

1  in    605 

121 

In  the  winter  of  1846-'47,  pneumonia,  of  an  exceedingly  congestive  and  fatal  character, 
occurred  among  the  Arkansas  volunteers  stationed  at  Fort  Smith,  and  also  aflected  the  regular 
force  at  that  station,  though  in  a  less  degree.  The  cases  occurring  among  the  regulars  only, 
are  given  in  the  abstract.  The  following  statement  respecting  this  disease,  as  it  occurred 
among  the  volunteers,  is  taken  from  the  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  H.  Bailey,  for  the  quar- 
ter ending  March  Slst,  1847  : 

"  The  autumn  and  early  part  of  winter  were  very  mild.  The  average  daily  mean  of  the 
thermometer  in  November  was  55.03,  and  in  December  4G.62.  Cold  weather  set  in  on  the  7th 
January.  Thermometer  at  10°.  The  weather  was  extremely  variable  through  January,  Feb- 
ruary, and  March ;  the  thermometer  often  vai-ying,  from  one  morning  observation  to  the  next, 
from  10°  to  38°.  The  spring  was  at  least  three  weeks  more  backward  than  usual.  A  strong 
disposition  to  bronchitis  and  catarrhal  aft'ections  existed  among  the  troops  during  the  whole  of 
December,  but  mostly  not  of  a  character  to  excite  any  appreliensiou  of  the  fearful  epidemic 
which  so  speedily  followed.  After  the  7th  January,  catarrhal  aft'ections  assumed  a  more  obsti- 
S.  96 36 


282  heport  on  the  sickness  and  mortality — southern  division. 

nate  character.  Pneumonitis  soon  took  the  place  of  bronchitis;  and  whether  the  patient  was 
seized  with  bronchitis,  diarrhwa,  intermittent  lever,  or  any  otlier  disease  calculated  materially 
to  affect  the  system,  lung  alfection  was  sure  to  follow.  Pneumonia  was  often  ushered  in  by  a 
severe  chill,  from  which  the  patient  would  sometimes  never  react;  others  assumed  an  actively 
inflammatory  character  from  the  first;  hut  more  frequently  a  depressing  influence  on  the  circu- 
latory system  was  observed  tliroughout  the  whole  course  of  the  disease.  Many  were  seized  with 
pain  in  the  nape  of  the  neck  and  cerebellum,  attended  with  giddiness,  redness  of  the  con- 
junctivae, and  delirium.  These  were  the  worst  cases.  Others  with  pain  at  the  extremity  of  a 
nerve,  speedily  following  it  to  its  source.  In  all  the  various  manners  of  attack,  pain  in  the 
lungs  and  difficult  respiration  soon  followed,  and,  when  fatal,  the  patient  died  suffocated — the 
same  as  those  whose  lungs  were  primarily  affected.  In  one  case — that  of  a  destitute  citizen, 
which  proved  fatal — I  found  the  whole  surface  of  the  cerebellum  intensely  inflamed.  From  all 
I  have  seen  and  heard  of  tliis,  and  other  epidemics  of  a  similar  character,  I  am  inclined  to  the 
belief  that  the  origin  of  the  pneumogastric  nerves  may  be  involved,  and  defective  innervation 
of  the  lungs  a  cause  of  their  strong  predisposition,  to  disease.  At  all  events,  it  is  certain  that 
depletory  treatment  is  not  to  be  relied  on  to  the  same  extent  that  it  is  in  pneumonia  of  the 
north,  even  making  due  allowances  where  the  disease  is  engrafted  on  systems  previously  under 
the  deprsssing  influence  of  malarious  diseases,  and,  in  all  cases,  for  the  debilitating  influences  of 
climate.  Venesection  has  been  resorted  to  in  all  those  cases  where  sufficient  reaction  and 
strength  of  constitution  existed  to  justify  resorting  to  it,  and,  followed  by  topical  bleeding  and 
blistering,  by  opium  and  calomel,  doubtless  saved  a  good  number  of  patients;  and  in  some  in- 
stances, where  reaction  was  not  well  established,  venesection  was  tried  with  the  happiest  effects; 
but,  as  a  general  rule,  where  the  vital  powers  were  low,  especially  when  broken  down  by  ex- 
cessive use  of  stimulants,  and  holding  their  lives  on  such  feeble  tenures  as  did  many  of  those  I 
had  to  treat,  we  must  seek  for  other  jjowerful^  prompt,  and  efficient  remedial  means  than  the 
lancet,  or  the  patient  speedily  dies  suffocated.  For,  while  depressing  the  circulatory  system 
with  the  lancet,  the  lungs  are  fast  filling  up,  and  the  vital  powers  on  the  wane.  Large  doses 
of  quinine  were  of  no  utility.  Small  doses  seemed  in  some  instances  beneficial  in  bolstering  up 
the  patient.  Emetics,  especially  of  sulph:  zinc  and  copper,  often  gave  temporary  relief.  Calo- 
mel was  always  decidedly  beneficial,  and  opium  of  more  use  than  all  other  remedies  together." 
The  reports  from  this  region  frequently  allude  to  a  non-syphilitic  bubo,  which  is  of  common 
occurrence,  more  particularly  in  the  commands  at  Forts  Smith  and  Gibson.  Assistant  Surgeons 
Baily,  Abadie,  and  McCormick  speak  of  its  persistent  and  unyielding  character.  The  disease 
appears  to  depend  upon  some  obscure  affection  of  the  lymphatic  system,  and  to  be  excited  by 
slight  strains  and  exposure  to  cold.  The  treatment  most  useful,  is  by  iodine  and  its  compounds, 
externally  as  well  as  internally.  The  disease  is  known  among  the  people  as  "  the  Arkansas 
groin."  When  treated  with  mercury,  as  a  syphilitic  affection,  the  results  are  great  general 
emaciation,  with  suppuration  and  undermining  the  skin  in  every  direction — a  condition  which 
it  is  found  exceedingly  difficult  to  relieve. 


ABSTRACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCUKKING  AMONG   THE   TEOOPS 


SOUTHERN  DIVISION. 


284 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCTJRRINO 


Years 

FIRST  aUARTEB. 

1839. 

1840. 

184L 

1842.' 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

48. 

48. 

97. 

438. 

445. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 
17 

1 
1 

2 
4 
1 

1 

Ervsincliis 

1 

4 

5 

1 

1 

2 
5 

10 
4 

1 

Diseases   of  the   organs 
connected  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 

1 

1 
2 

4 
6 

10 
11 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system ' 

3 

3 

4 

4 

19 

2 
1 

79 

65 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 
3 
1 
1 
1 
6 
1 
3 

4 

1 

I 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

nervous  system. 

1 
1 

3 

1 
3 

1 

6 

1 

.... 

Diseases  of  the  urinar>' 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

2 

Diseases    of  the    serous  t 
and  exhalent  vessels,    i 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  8c 

1 
22 



8 
3 

muscular  structures. 

Fj^nila 

Pldo"nion  et  abscessus 

2 



10 
7 

16 

1 
1 

nicus 

2 

7 

5 
2 

12 

6 

1 

1 

Wounda  and  injuries 

Sub-Iuxntio 





5 

8 

5 
9 

1 

4 

1 

Vulnus  sclopcticum 

1 

Debititas 

1 

7 
3 

1 

Miscellaneous -j 

1 
14 

■■■;■■  ;::;;:i 

10 

11 

19 

25 

30 

46 

22 

250 

212 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISrON. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  ATLANTIC  EEGION. 


285 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

1 

1845.            1846.      1     1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853.      I      1854. 

STRENGTH. 

402.                151. 

21. 

49. 

179. 

82.                  242. 

402. 

91.                 77. 

2,772. 

Cases 

Died 

Cases.  Died.  Cases-!  Died.  Cases 

'            '            1            1 

Died 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

I           1 

.  Died 

'          1 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died 

i 

Cases.  Died.  Cases 

Died 

Total 
]  cases. 

Total 
died. 

...J.. 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

15 
5 
2 

1 

1 

] 1      1 

7 
13 
S3 
16 

._.__.!___. 

6 

11 

5 

5 
5 

1 

= ! 

!    1 

2 

1 

1 

1      3 

9      

1     

1 

I 
4 

1 

1 

' 

j 1 

5 
3 

3 

[ 

1 

:    3 



9 

7 

1 

3 
3 
2 

1 
2 

1 

1 

1 

6 

1 

1 

49 
29 
S 
3 
2 

i      ' 

2 

1 

1 

I 



11 
17 

1 
65 

2 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1 
6 

1 

30 

62 

8 

291 

2 

9 

2 

2 

14 

14 

5 

1 

6 

39 

3 
27 

4 
16 



1 

5 

1 

10 

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 



1 
1 

10 

9 

6 

8 

4 

1 



4      

1 

2 

2 

1 
4 

5 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

' 

1 

3 

5 

1 

1 
1 

2 

S 





1 
4 

, 

I 

4 

1      

... 

4 

1 

1 

7 

1      

4 

2 

5      

1 
1 

....      1... 

1 

4 

2 

1      2 



,         1             t 

"1 

2 

2 

1 

9 
7S 

14 

1 

3 

. 

3    i 

10 

2 

6 

8 



2 

1 

13 

1 

6 

4 
4 

2 

13 
2 

1 

22 
6 

3 

7 
2 

93 

28 

S 

3 
6S 

11 

2 

2 
28 
30 
16 

3    1 

2 

6 
22 

3 

1 

8 
33 

1 

1 
1 

■A 

1 

10 

1 
1 

2 

1 

10 

2 

3 
2 

1  ! 

1 
2 



4     ; 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
5 
8 



1 

::::::  ::::'i 

1 

4 
1 

1 
1 

2 

4 



2 

2 

1       

6 

3 

1 

1    i 



1 

( 

1 

' 

1 
1 

2 

1 

i 

1      

3 
3 

i 

; 

5 

; 

' 

s    

■ 



! 

1     1 

::::: z.jz.j""i 

1 

' 

1 

....     1    ' 

5 

3 

1 
9n 

4 

1 
8 

1 

1 

1    

1 
12 

1           ! 

3      

112               2 

J 

2          2 

3 

1 

6 

' 

2 

205     ] 52     1 

1             1 

31           2     j    22     1 

109 

1 

40 

94 

3       114 

19      43      

1,289     '          6 

286 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  ITiE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841.      j     1842. 

1843.           1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

48, 

SO. 

S3.          1 

123.        1        483. 

433. 

!                   1 

1           t 
SPECIFIC  DISEASES.               Oases.  Died.  iCases.  Died. 

1 
Cases.  Died.  .Cases. 

Died.  Oases. 

1 
Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

f 

i 

1 

1    ' 1 

.1  , !   w 

S!4 

4      

1 

1      

9     1 

1 

1 

S 

Fevers ■ 

!                1 

3 

1 

1 

:::::j 

9 

1 

3           1 

Eruptive  fevera j 

1 

I 

■■■;■■  :;.::;i 

1 
j 



6    1   !      2 

8 
18 

2 
2 

66 
19 

37 
13 

1 

a 

1 

1 

2 

7 
13 

1 
31 

1 

3 

11 
25 

7 

R 

8 

1 

6 

4 

29 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

1  Pleuritis 

2 

1 

1 

3 

;::::.i 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 

1 

1 
1 
1 

— 

Cephalalgia 

4 

a 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

2     

1 

1 

i 

2 

i 

1 
7 

1 

4 

1 

r 

Gonorrhoea 

2 

1 
1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  geaital  organs. 

Syphilis  primitiva 

1 

2 

1 

1 

■■V" 

4 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  < 

1 

1 

exlialeut  vessels.            i 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 

Pernio 

Podagra  



1 
19 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

4 

8 

Abscesses  and  ulcers. . . . 

Fistula 

3 

2 

2 

3 
2 

13 
1 

i 

Concussio  cerebri 

1 

2 

18 

3 
S 

6 

18 

1 

7 

Fractura 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries..,. 

1 
Sub-luxatio 

4 
8 

3 
6 
2 
1 

Vulnus  incisuin 

5 

5 

Vulnus  laceratum 

2 

1 
1 

19 
2 
2 

^  Vulnus  sclopeticum 

Debilitas 

25 

Ebrietas 

1 

3 

Hsemorrbois 

1 

1 

1 

Hernia 

Miscellaneous ■ 

1  Morbi  cutis 

1 

1 

1 

2 
35 
2 

24 

2    j 1 

10    1 1 

Morbi  oculi 

1 

1 

All  other  diseases ' 

4 

!■■;;•■ 

1 

1 

3 

Total 

36 

1 

28 

78 

44 

K6 

1 

258    '     a 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  ATLANTIC  REGION. 


287 


SECOND  aUAKTER.                                                                                                 i 

1845. 

1846. 

1847.      1     1848. 

1 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.           1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

422. 

141. 

»92.                  87. 

151. 

69. 

230. 

138.        j         70. 

73 

2,875. 

Cases. 

Died. 

ceases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Tolal 
died. 

9      

4 

1 
1 

2 
3 

5 

i 

1 
1 
3 

44     1 

3 
14 

1 
4 

1 

1 

1 

39 
34 
10 
31 
2 
3 
3 
8 

! 

1 

: ," 

10 

3 

a 

9 

4 

1 

1     1      2 

1 

j 

1 

1 

1 

l";-";-;-| 

1 

8    i      ■; 

i 

5 

1 

23 
10 

1 

10 

15 
8 

1 

5 

6 

14 

2 
4 

7 
7 

8 
3 

1 

1 

3 

1 

204 
101 

4 
2 

2 

2 

1 

:::::: i 

1 

::::::::::::  .:.::.i 

......  ......j 

1 

13 

43 

7 
4 

4 
8 

2 
3 

3 

2      

1 

1 
50      

5 

1 
4 

1 
1 
3 

1 
3 

2 

121      

1     

6      

7     1 

38 

1 

10 
2 

4 

1 

13 

4 

2 

165 
8 
11 
3 
5 
13 
16 

1 

2 

1 

4 
3 

1 

1 

1 
3 

1 

2 
2 
1 
3 
1 
3 

1 
2 

1     i 

1 

............ 

3 

6     

1 
2 
4 

1 
2 

1 
1 
2 

8 

7 

35 

2 

1 

3 



7 



1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
3 

2 

2 

1           j 

10     ' 

i."" 

1      

^ 

1 

3 

I 



1      

15 

1 
1 

1 

... 

1 
S 

2 

83 

1 

72 

15 

2 

3 

79 

6 

2 

1 

26 

44 

8 

5 

3 

47 

18 

5 

4 

19 

64 

4 

92 

21 



1 

6 

1 
1 

14 

1 

3 



1 





7 
3 

a 

6 
2 

11 

7 



16 
3 

2 



2 



1 



.      , 



3 

1 

1 

9 

3 

1 

2 

1 

1 
5 



1 

3 
3 

2 

i      3 

1 

2 
4 

2 

1 

1      

1 

3 

1 
1 

j 

2 



4 

1 

3 

1  • 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 
3 

1 

1 
1 

1 

o 

i 

I 

3 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1           i 

1 

2 
1 
6 

1 
11 

i 

1 
3 

3 
3 

1 

3 

2 
1 

I 

1 

17 

4 

i 

8 

1 

11 

3      

6 

I 

3 

253 

3 

79          6         76 

1        102 

31      

1 

86 

1 

40 

23     j 

33 

1,575 

15 

288 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRlNa 


Years    

THIRD  QUAKTER. 

183!). 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

48. 

50.                    M.                    31)3.                  449.                   410. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.  Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases, 

Died. 'Cases,  Died. 

1           1 

\ 

1 
9 

3 
9 
5 

1           2 

n 

5 

4 

23 
19 
7 
8 



1 


5 

F  ve                                   i 



4      

1 

1 

41 
1 

3 

I 

17 

..     . 

1 
3 

1 

1 

r 

1 

a 

Iluheola                                  .           

1 

1 

^'"''"™''"'' 1 

4 

1 

2 

1 

9 

1 

4 
3 

1     30 



60 

25 

15 
6 
5 

1 

17 

Diseases  of  the    organs 

connected  with  tlie  di- 

[ 

gestive  system. 

1 
9 

1 
1 

14 
11 



10 

24 

1 

172 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

3 

a 

9 



66 

1 

'    24 

2 

3 

6 

13 

1 
1 

;::::: '. 

.' 

Diseases  of  the  respira- J 

; 

;         1 

torj'  system. 

L 



2 

4      

1 
2 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
J 

1 

5 

nervous  system. 



1 

2 

1 

; 

6 

1 
1 

7 
1 
4 

4 
1 
3 

"""I,,.:.. 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

3 



1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 
2 

4 

1 
3 

» 

Diseases  of  tlie    serous  i 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  Si 
muscular  structures. 

i... 

1 

9 



18 

I       ' 

Fistula 

i 

1 
3 

9 
3 



9 

13 
3 

3 
10 

1 
13 

:::::: 

1 

5 

6 

1 

1 

1 

1 



Wounds  and  injuries,...  ■ 

1 



3      6      

IS      10      

4 

4 

4 
1 
2 

Vulnus  laceratuin 

1 

3 
1 

Vulnus  punciuni 

i 

1 

1 
1 
2 
4 

. 

Dcbiiitas 

J     "  ; 

13 

1       5 

1 

3      ......1       4 

1 

a 

2 



Miscellaneous 

1 . 

1 

3 

4      

R 

SI 
3 

11 
1 

.    :::::: \ 

6 

1 

11 

...:„!  38 1 

90      5 

Total 

59 

5 

R!> 

977      548           6       258 

4 

:                                                   '                         '1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  ATLANTIC  REGION. 


289 


THIRD  aUARTEIl. 

1845.      1      1846.            1847. 

1848. 

1849.           1850.      i      1851.           1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STKESGTll. 

389.                   154.                    160 

i 

30.         1         119. 

44.                   373. 

72. 

44. 

104. 

2,736. 

Cascs.l  Died,  'cascs 

1 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.!  Died. 

i 

Cases   Died.  Cases. 

1           1 

Died. 

Cascs 

Died. 

I             ' 
Cascs.  Died.  Cascs.  Died. 

1 

Total     Total 
cascs.     died. 

') 

5 

1 
3 

3 

IS 
73 

1 

3 

3 


6 

t 

5     '                    M 

6 

3 

3 

2 

1      

1 

64      

2 

sx::::. 

9      

17      

4 

36 

5 

24 

4     

164              3 

_          ll      _    _ 



14              2 

r  ■■■ 

1 

1 

5      

....  1 .  "  _____  i_ 1  

5      

1 

j  ■  ■ 

i 

4              I 



' 

33 

8 

24 

1         70 

1 



13 
4 

1 





42 
13 
1 

2 

4 

19 

320              2 
78      

6      

:'           1           1           i 



"     1 

!           1           ■           1 

1 

1                1 

ai 

34 

:  12 

'■         Q 

19 

37 

1 

1 

[ 

4 

1 

1 

4      

95      

!      1     ' 

3 

14 
2 

18 

1 

3 

2 

6 
3 

196                1 

■^ 



4               2 

10 
3 

6     '                 38                        .1 

3 

2 

307    1 

1      1 

8     ■ 

1 

1 

3      

3        

3      

1 

::::::  ■:::::::::j:;:::; 

1 

1 

1 ' 1 

6 
1 

> 

1 

3 
2 

1 
1 

1 

27       

1        9_ 

3 

11      

.1 

1 



r, 

9      

1 



4      

1 

1 

3 
2 

2 

2 

1 

9               2 

3      I 

, 

4 

4 

1 

9 

1 
2 

51      

1 

4      

2 

2     ' ' 



3 

20      

3 

1 

( 1 

, 

1 
3 

I 

6      

' 1      1 

14      

i                   2                 '   '.... 

1            ' 

3              1 

'■            i 

1 

7 

'            i 



12     

i             1 

6      6      3      2     1 1       fi 

7    1 1 

2 

76 

1 

10     1 1       fi 

2 

8 
1 

7 

1 

......      22 

4 

4     j 9 

19 

I 

112 
23 
11 
Si 

2 
3 
4 

2 

4 

4 
11 

5 

10 

1 

10 

5 

1       2 



5 



o 

1 

3      

3 
9 
4 

1 

3 
26 
75 

6 

S 
3 

1      

1 

1 

28 

1 

1 
1 

] 

1 



1 
9 

1 
12 

I __; 

1 



1        .1 

1 

3 

1 
3 
3 

7 

1        .•) 

1      

9 
2 



6 

1       1 

17 

1 
3 
3 

.:::::t:::::;,::;:: 

fi 

13 

1 

3 
6 

1 

S 

1 

31 
61 

1 

■       ' 

1 

, 

6      

3 

■■■;•■ ; 'si:::::: 

.T 

17 

2 



1 

2      

It 

I<u 

1 

184 

i 

123    1       1       262     1 

36      j    77    1 j    60          2       240 

49    ! 

16    1      1       101      i  2,362            16 

!           1                      1 

S.  96 37 


290 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  FRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839.           1840. 

1841.           1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Mk  AN  STRENGTH 

48. 

403. 

Am. 

348. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Ca.<es.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Ciuca. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Pebris  continua  communis 

2 

1 
2 
G 
5 
15 

1 
2 
2 
10 
6 

Fcbris  intermittens  rjuotidiana 

10 
28 

8 

1 

1 

...    !  ■■■■!..■■■ 

Ertiplive  fevers - 

Kuheula 

1 

Searlatina 

i              ' 

Diarrhtea j 

1 

33 
15 

28 
9 

1 

6 
2 

Diseases   of  the   organs 
connccied  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 

Enteritis 

"1 

1 

1 
G 
5 

1 
44 

Obstipatio 

13 

12 
3 

5 
38 

1 
20 

1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 

10 

fiO 

Diseases  of  the  res])ira- 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

tory  system. 

3 

1 

I 

1 

2 
3 

1 
3 

1 

Cephalalgia 

4 
2 

2 
2 

1 

Diseases  of  iho  hniiiiand 
nervous  system. 

Epilepsia 

Neuralgia 

1 

I 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system...   . 



2 

1 
4 
1 
1 

3 
1 
2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 
2 

Syphilis  primitiva 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

I 

5 

2 

2 

Diseases   of  the   serous  ( 

Ascites 

and  exhalent  vessels,     i 

Podagra 

• 

18 

7 

11 

Fistula 

Abscesses  and  ulcers,...  • 

Phlegmon  et  ahsccssus 

.... 

8 
2 

13 

R 

15 
.    2 

Ulcus 



1                         1            1 

1 

16 

Contnsio ■ 

13 

1 
1 
5 
6 



10 
2 

1 

..!..:::::: 

Wounds  and  injuries....  -j 

t 

4 
2 
1 
3 

1 
2 

10 
4 

11 

Vuhius  laceratum 

2 

1 

L 

Vulnus  sclopeticum 

1  Debilitas 

1 
2 
1 

26 

2  :::::: 

1         ; 

2 

1 

Hernia 

1 
1 

1 

■' 

1 
4 

12 

1 
22 

i 

....I... 

23 

3 

1 

Total 

29 

321 

2 

231 

1 

176 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  ATLANTIC  REGION. 


291 


FOURTH 

QUARTER 

1845.            1846.            1847.            1848. 

1849.           1850.      '      1851.           1852.     i      1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTU. 

149.                  66.                  263.                  149. 

59.         1         150. 

482.         I         106.                  59. 

102. 

2,818. 

Uases. 

1 
Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cdses.  Died.  Cascs.l  Died.  Oases. 

II,                      1 

Died.  jCases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Icases.'  Died. 

•                      1           ■ 

Total     Towl 
cases,     died. 

8 

1 
1 

1 

1            I 

1 
3 
3 

1      

1 

14      

1 
4 
o 

1 

1 
5 

1                        1 

21 
70 
17 
61 

1    in 

f; 

.1 

1 
1 

'"     I ■      - 

°      1       " 

t 

___. 

10     e 

'      

3      1      4      2      1      5 

1 

1 

a 

1 

4 

4      

32           4 

i 

m           i 

1 





'■ 

!                                  1                     .              

j 

! 

8 

9 
2 
1 

24 

7 

14 

a 

4 

18     i       1          23      1 

1      10      3 

1       

34 
3 

203 
57 

•; 

1 
1 

78 
86 
16 
212 
8 
6 
4 
2 
13 
10 
7 
6 

a 

6            13            1 

2 

'   

1 

1 1 

5 

11 

8 

1 

3 

2 
4 
1 
2 
2 



■ 

1             1             i 

1      

4      

I 
2 



24 
1 



4 

2 

2 

1 
2 
3 

1     1      3 

4 

1     17 

2 

o 

1 

4 
4 

17 
1 

1 

7 

12 

1 



1 

3 

11 

3 

...  i---- 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 
2 

a 

1      

1 

1 

1 

1 

I 

2 

1 
9 

..        1 

..::::::::: 

1 

3 

I 

4 

8     

2 

1 

4 

2      

1 

45      

3      

2 

5 

3 

1 

::::rv 

1 

as    

1 

1    

1 

2 

1 
2 

1 

1 

15    

2 

2 

1 

6              1 

1 

1      



4 

4 

1      2 

1 

7 

3 

7 

5 

1 

70      

1 

3 

3 

1 

2 

'  ; ^ 

3     1 6 

2      

2 
2 

23 

95      

1      5      

27      

■     ■■ 

I 

! 

1 

1      

4 
1 

1 

3 

h      ' 

3 

2      5 

1      1 

14 

79      

1 

5               1 

1 

1 

1 
.J 

1 

2 

4     '' 

1     1 

> 

:      1      

2     1 4 

2     ' 9 

1 

, 

33     

! 

, 

38     

•2        

10     ' '       1 

1    1 

17      

2 

4     '       1 

1 

12               I 

1      

o 

1 

2     1      1 

1 

1 
13 

1 

...... 

11               2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

49      

1                    -* 

1       , 

r' 

10      

3 

5      

1 

1      1 '        3 

.. 

1      

i 

1 

9      

4 
i       1 

5 

1 



35 

6 

1 
1 

3 
12 

r.:..i 

6 

! '"T 

1         19 

'      2      1 

t            1 

5 

9t< 

1 

64 

1         76      134          1    1    80    1      1    '    24 

83 

4    1  179 

1 

5    f    67 

4         38 

142 

1     I    1,644            21 

292 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

1839.            1840.      ^      1841.      !      1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

1 

400.                 914. 

266. 

387. 

909. 

887. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases..  Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

^ases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 
34 

1  Fi'hris  interniilt<-ns  i|iintu)iana 

20      

40      

2 
16 

7 

72 

36 
15 
1 



46     

76      

I 

i 

Febris  reniittcns 

"V 

3      !       1      '      4      

3      

1 

1 

1        ■  1 

'  Rubeola 

1 

1 

1 

'                                     i 

1 

! 

1            I 

29 

11 

2 
1 

21      

2     

16      '     68 

2 





22 
10 

1 

1 


22      

33     

33 

1 

27 
6 

pise.ises    of   the    organs 
connected  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 

2 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

9 

35 

7 
19 

2 
53 

2 

6 

4 
4 

8 
4 

15 
6 

1 

18 

28 
1 

61 
1 
4 
1 
1 

10 
5 
2 
1 
2 
4 



All  other  diseases  of  this  system  

1 

5 

18 

1 
I 

1 

1 


19 

54 

Diseases  of  ilie  respira- 
tory system. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

3 

3 

4 

2    1 

1 

Ophalalyia 

8 

1 

5 
1 

8 
2 

1 

1 

4 
4 
4 

2 
7 

1 
3 
1 
4 

1 

3 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

nervous  system. 

1 

1 
1 

All  other  diseases  nt  this  system ... 

1 
3 

1 

1 

5 

6 

3      

Dificase^  ut    the  uriiiarj 
and  genitiil  organs. 

1 

1 

2 

4 

5 

Diseases    of  the    serous/ 

AH  other  diseases  of  this  class 

S 

1 

1 

2 

1 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  & 

muscular  structures. 

f 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  ^ 
1 

Rlieumatismus,  acutus  ct  chronicus 

12 
1 
3 
9 
3 

8     

12 

24 

1 
5 
9 

24 

31 

I'hlegnion  et  abscessus 

Ulcu-* 

5 
2 

3 
4 

18 

11 

4 

1 

48 

20 
8 
2 

Concussio  cerebri 

4 

1 

16 

22 
5 

1 

28 

2 

2 

1 

1 

10 

11 

1 



VVnunds  and  injuries.... 

Sub  luxalifi...    . 

16 
14 

13 
12 

S 

10 

12 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

Debilitas 

1 

2 

5 
8 
4 

Ebrietas , 

9 

12 
1 
4 

1 
2 



2 

7 

1 

2 

12 



1 

1 

Miscellaneous 

1 
8 
3 
9 

2 
13 

2 

12 
1 

1 

9 

1 

10 



4 

20 

26          1 

Total 

304 

6 

111 

2 

210 

3 

339 

6 

454 

2 

431 

3 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR— EAST. 


293 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 
STBENGTn. 

1815. 

1846. 

184Y. 

1848. 

1849.           1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

1,634. 

362. 

339. 

143. 

262. 

124. 

208. 

394. 

143. 

64. 

6,425. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases  1  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

• 
Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total     Total 
eases.  |  died. 

1     '          1 

1 

37 

79 

1 

9 

, 

1 

5              1 

8 
16 

1 

30 

13 

1 

2 

7 

6 

3 

:::::.r"8" 

'      5 

19 

10 

3     

8    i 

1 
1 

212      

407      

2      

5 

11 

1 

43      

1 



1          2 

4                1 

2 

' 

....  1 

2      

13 

1 

13      

1 

4 
6 
3 
1 

1 

4 

372 

160 

14 

5 

1 

78 

36 

1 

1    " 

1          1 

1 

49 
ID 

1 

2 

3 

10 

1     15 

15 

6     

2 
2 

9 
3 

4 

-" 



1 

I 
1 

a 



1 

1 

1 

1       

2 
46 
58 

5 
98 

3 
11 

1                       I 

........... 

5      

1 

6                1      4 

............ 

8 
6 
3 
11 

4      1      1      

2 

1 
2 
1 

134      

7 
2 
11 
X 

7 
2 
19 

1 

2 
1 

1 

3 

3 

3 
12 

1 

2      

3      

178 

31 

36S 

8 

45 

32 

6 

72 

2 

4 

7 

! 



1 

;      2 

1    1      1 

1 

1 

5 

1 

U 
10 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 
2 
3 



2 



2 

1 

1 

1       

31 

30 

3 

1 

1 
33 

2 
16 

3 

8 

1 

1 

2 

7 

1 

1 

1 

1 

57     '           2 

1 





la    

4 

1 

' 

10   

3 
3 

1 

1 
11 



1 
6 

L  . 

13    1          1 

7 

1      1      9 

2 

i 

89      ...... 

1            1 

4      

I 

1 
1 

A 

3 

1    1 :      , 

1 

36      

" 



0    1 

2 

1 

15      

I...."'i..... 



21      

1 

1 
1 

■ 

1 

8               2 

■■|  

j 

i 

1      

[ 

! 

I 

58 

7 

6 

3 

8 

2 

1      3 

11 

i      ^ 
1 

3 

1 

213      

3     ' 

46 
27 
10 

3 

4 

6 
10 

3      

2 

6 



3 
2 
1 

1      4 

10 
3 
3 

1      2 

138      

94      

I      " 

1 

23      

\ 

5      

63 
2 
1 

3 

1 

9 

2      

4 

1 

6 

10 
1 

2     

2 

217     1 

11     ! 

1 

1 

6 

1 

""\ 

1 

2 

19 

16 

1 

6 

1 

7 

48 

13 

3 

8 

23 

5 

1 

3 
3 
4 

1 
3 
2 

10 
3 

2     

1 
1 

81 

100 

12 

13 

13 

33 

101 

37 

13 

" 

84 

3 

197 

4 

1 
1 

1 

1      " 

1 

1 

1 

... 

1 

9 
3 
7 

1 

i 

1 

3 

...             1 

2 
1 

3 
3 

1 
2    1 

1  ! 

3 
3 

1 

4 
3 

4 

1 
1 

3 



1 

1 

1 

j            j  

j      1 

1 
1 

2 

i 1 

3 

1 

4 

.  .       1 

58 

9 

10 

3 

9 

7 

5 

14 

1     i      4 

1 

3 

993 

2 

135 

1 

361 

5 

22 

3 

137 

1 

71 



78 

2     1   159 

3    1    47 

1 

38 

3,780 

39 

294 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  riUNCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

429. 

305. 

183. 

426. 

800. 

1,598. 

.     SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Coses.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases. 

1 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

1 

2 

1 

40      

SO 

14 

58 

'      3 

41 

54 

124 

4 

31 

Febris  interniittuns  teriiana 

16 

9 

20 

5 
11 

26 

S 

1 

■4 

7 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

1 
10 

Rubeola 

1 





154 
20 

2 

42 
23 

1 

10 

8 

94          1         48 
50       Vi 

9 

89 
120 

1 

1 

1 

' 

Diseases    of   tlie    orgjins 

1 
1 

connected  with  the  di- 

2 

1 

gestive  system. 

1 
5 
6 
1 

18 

36 

1 

60 

1 
8 



9 
2 

8 
8 

1        K 

36 

85 
1 

36 
4 
7 

2 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

31 
8 
32 

7 

4 

25 

1    1      2 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 



6 

7 
3 

tory  system. 

1 

1 
44 
23 
1 
2 
3 
38 

1 

1 

18 

11 

1 
1 

4 

1 

1 

3 

1 

13 
7 
2 
4 

1 

1 

2 

nervous  system. 

Neuralgia 

1 
1 

r 

1 

8 

7 
1 
4 
1 
3 

1 

Striciura  urethrn^ 

1 

1  ::::::i 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  priniiiiva 

3    1 

1 



3 

4 

9 
3 
6 

All  other  diseases  of  Uiis  class 

4 
1 

1 

2 

1 

exhalcnt  vessels.            ' 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcere . . . . ' 

All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

2 

■ 

1 

9 



1 

1 

1 

Podagra 

i 

1  Rheiimatismus,  aculus  ct  chronicus 

18 

10 

S 

12 

23 

1 
14 
4 
2 

46 

8      

11      

1 
2 
1 



17 
7 

1 

23 
17 
4 

Ulcus 

I 

4 

Amputalio 

5 

9 

5 

34 

21 
1 
4 
12 
14 
1 
2 

48 
1 
.  9 
12 
18 

Wounds  and  injuries.... . 

Luxatio 

Sub-tu.vatio 

12 

aa 

5 

2 

8 

1 

Vulnus  iiicisuni 

3 

8    ^ 

3  ; 

4      

Vulnus  punctuiii 

Dcbililas ' 

1 
3 
1 
3 
5 
4 
2 
14 



8 
13 
9' 
4 

1 
30 

1 
66 

1 

98 

1 

3 
5 
U 

1 
2 

1 

10 
6 
1 
3 
2 

! 

Hu>uiurrhois 

6 

1 

4 

10 

Miscellaneous 

Morbi  cutis 

4 
I 
4 

Scorbutus 

All  other  diseases 

6 

a 

27 



3 

102 

1 

404 

2 

441 

4 

1,046 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR.— EAST. 


295 


SECOND  aUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847.           1848. 

1 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

8TEESGTH. 

1.759.       1 

71. 

71.                   18. 

271. 

122. 

135. 

141. 

125. 

85. 

6,439. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Oases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died. 

!7ases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.;    J-'    To^l 

3 
50 
169 

i 

1     

4      

.7     1 

2 
1 
4 

9      

1 
5 
5 
3 

11 
11 

;      2      

11 
12 

13 

11 

IS 
8 

1 

3 
3 

242 

498 

15 

123 

2 

9 

10 

1 

32 

694 

409 

13 

3 

7 

3 

201 

331 

Si 

310 

8 

33 

10 

8 

180 

70 

17 

18 

8 

107 

5 

40 

14 

25 

2 

7 

23 

1              ; 

5      

1 

6 

S 

::::::::::: 

1 

■    ■■■|   

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

2          1 

....:.■;■■■ 

2 

1 

::::::...::. 

............ 

1 

32 

31 

6 

2 

9 

:::::::"": 

9 

313 
96 
2 

1 

15 
2 

2 

,      3 

4 

7 

21 
3 

1 

1 

13 

7 

13 
4 
2 

14 

4 
1 
1 

1 
7 

1. 

.' 

1 

2 

2 

93 

143 

2 

7 
3 

1 
1 

6 
9 

4 

2 
10 

2 
3 

1 

7 
4 
2 

7 
2 
2 
1 

1 
1 

4 

2 

1 

1 

134 

1 
6 
4 
2 

77 

19 
8 
7 
2 

27 
1 

11 
6 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

3 

1 

1 

7 

1 

I 
5 
4 
5 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

2 

1 

10 

S 

2 

1 

1 

1 
1 
2 

1    i 

1 

4 

3 

8 

2 

1 
l' 
1 

1 

2 

1 
1 

2 

■ 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

t           ] 

91 

3 

66 

26 

4 

4 

12 

2 

15 

1 

S 



1 

1 
4 

] 

3 

1 
S 

248 

6 

155 

88 

17 

2 

1 

969 

7 

9 

89 

112 

20 

14 

5 

31 

143 

50 

1 

13 
4 

3 
3 

3 

8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
3 

137 

2 

1 

34 

27 

6 

2 

2 

11 

66 

18 

12 

14 

25 

3 

90 

1 

1 

2 

1      

3 

1 

2 

1 

... 

1 
1 
5 
3 



1 
2 

1 

3 

5 
4 

4 

1 

1  : 

i 

1 

1        ■■ 

1 

1 

2 

1 

4 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 
7 
3 

1 

3 
3 

. 

4 
1 

2 

I 

1 

1 

1 

2 

3 

1 

a 

1 

4 
1 

1 

•Jfi      

1 

1 
1 

33      

1 

1 

3 

1 
6 

1 

3    1 

95      

8    1          1 

24 

2 

'      2    1   

1            I 

6 

6 

3 

1 

4 

270    j 

1,856 

5 

79 

92 

1     1     16    1 

j 

2J7 

9 

77 

94 

1 

85 

1 

70 

1 

66 

3 

5,406 

40 

296 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OP  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Yearb 

THIRD  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

1839.           1840. 

1841. 

1842.            1843. 

1844. 

MCAN    STRRNGTH 

380. 

290.                  133. 

487.                   903. 

1,799. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Febris  congestiva 

1 

1 

1         27 

1 

2 
45 
169 
190 
4 
44 

1 

Febris  conlinua  communis 

7 
20 

Febris  intfrriiitteiis  qiii>tiiliana 

30 

19 

1 

16 

'  106 

fit 



Fevers { 

14 

12 

37 
2 
34 

1 

1 

3 

36 

Febris  tyjiliiis  

7 

18 

5 

20 

9 

KrysJipelas 

1 

::::::i i 

f 

98 
40 

1 
2 

1 

27 
14 

1 

21 
17 

70 

1 

42 
35 
3 

2 
1 
1 
13 
35 
1 
190 
1 
7 

1 

149 
58 

1 

19 
5 

Diseases    of  ihe   organs 

Uysenieria  chronica 

connected  with  the  di-. 

1 

6 

gCfitive  system. 

1 

3 

1 

42 

78 

5 

48 

1 

23 

1 

3 

55 

16 

1 

4 

7 

21 

1 

10 

2 

1 

3 
21 

1 
1 

6 
4 

1     01 

All  other  (iiseases  of  this  system 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  clironica 

33 

21 
1 
13 

25 
3 
4 

1. 

3 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

1 

3 

neuritis 

1 

1 



I 
1 

1 

3 
1 

1 

1 

I 

11 

21 
2 

7 
2 

7 
1 
2 
3 
3 
13 

1 

Diirieases  of  the  brain  and, 

Epilepsia 

nervous  system. 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 
2 

r 

2 

3 

6 
1 

Strictura  urethra? 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

Syphilis  primitiva 

5 

1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

1 
1 

2 

2 

2 
9 

1 

Diseases    of  tlie    serous . 
and  exhalent  vessels.    [ 

Ascites 

2 

1 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  & 

Pernio 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  ] 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  Pt  ehrnnicus 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

9 

26 
10 

1 



12 

14 
5 

3 

1 
4 

1     14 

39 

10 

32 

34 

4 

6 

58 
72 
15 
14 



Ulcus 

3 

Amputatio 

1 
30 

Conlusio 

12 

8 

2 

38 

1 

54 
3 
1 
19 
31 
2 
G 

Fractura 

1 
14 
10 

5 
4 
5 
3 
2 

Suli-lu\alio 

10 
12 

6 

1 

Vulnus  puuctuin 

1 
3 

4 

1 
1 



2 
3 
2 
1 
3 

6 
9 
4 
2 
2 

14 
2 

30 

1 

22 

47 

r 

2 
3 

10 
1 

98 

Elirictas 

22 
1 

Ila-morrhois 

Hernia 

Morbi  cutis 

4 

7 

4 
3 

8 
7 

Morbi  oculi 

All  other  diseases 

5 

5 

4 

1 

17 

Total 

399 

5 

209 

6 

120 

8 

557 

3 

756 

17 

1  438 

5 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    THE 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POST'S  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR- 


SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 
-EAST. 


297 


'                                                                                    THIKD  aUARTER. 

18t5. 

1S46.      '       1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

413. 

200. 

102. 

133. 

208. 

140. 

99. 

130. 

90. 

78. 

5,583. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.!  Died.  Casea. 

!       1 

Died. 

Cases.!  Died. 

Cases. 

Died! 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

5 

1 

1 

1 

36 
61 
549 
464 
33 
180 
2 
118 
4 

5 

..... 

7 
13 
5 

2 
13 
11 

4 

1 
56 

51 
56 

4 
10 

4 
6 

9     

3 
6 
13 
14 

18 
17 

23 
13 

12     

5     

9 

4 

1 

16 

5 

3 

1 

1 
14 

3     

1 

1 

17 

10 

38 

2 

1 

1 

• 

• 

3 

19 
8 

3 

3 

656 

244 

22 

17 

7 

3 

126 

248 

15 

300 

14 

40 

3 

50 
27 

48 
4 
8 

1 

3 

44 
6 

12 

2 
1 

1 

12 
9 
3 

12 
3 

22 

1 

1 

24 
3 

11    j 

1     

7 
1 
5 

6 

1 

1 

3 

::::::..... 

1 

1 
2 
5 
3 
3 
4 

5 

18 

4 
9 
1 
5 

1 
2 

7 
7 

5 
4 

5 
3 
3 

4 
3 

3 
3 

5 
3 

1 
2 

1 
1 

3. 
3 
3 

1 
3 

1 
15 

1 

3 

3 

a 

::::::::::: 

8 

1 
1 

.... 

2 

7      

8 

1 

1 

1 

8 
130 
45 
U 
13 
20 

2 

4 

2 

3 

2 

1 

1 

8 
1 
1 

1 

1 

2 

7 

2 

5 

... 

1 

2 
1 
3 

1 
2 

2 
1 

1 

1 
4 

1 

I 
8 

1 

2 

1 

3 

1 

64     

2      

7 
2 
1 
3 

5 

1 
1 
2 

29    ' 

1 

5 
16 
6 
5 

2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 



1 

1 

! 

1 

' 

19 
9 
13 

3 
6 
11 

23 

2 
G 
1 
I 
12 

4 

4 

23 

3 

5 
14 
6 
1 

4 
6 
2 

1 

1 
9 
2 



3 

14 

194 

280 

94 

27 

2 

13 

162 

8 

9 

53 

78 

7 

10 

4 

107 

113 

23 

14 

31 

60 

8 

254 

11 

1 

2 

1 

3 

7 

1 
1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

4 

2 

1 
8 

! 



1 
1 

1 

1 

2 



1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 
1 

14 
6 
I 
1 
4 
4 
1 

20 

' 

1 

1 

2 
.3 
4 
2 

1 

2 

2 

6 
9 

27 

7 
2 

9 
2 

1 

3 

I 
1 

2 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 
1 

I 

1 
1 

5 

1 

30 

1 

1 
1 
9 

3 

1 
5 

1 
3 

1 

a       1 

10 

5 

6 

5 

3 

367 

2 

aio 

5 

184 

2 

54          S 

153 

3 

142    1 

105 

a 

104 

1 

136 

16 

119 

15 

5,033 

91 

S.  96- 


-38 


298 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1839.      , 

1840. 

1841.            1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

E.\SES. 

308. 

1 

187.                   119.                  824.         j 

843. 

1 

1,598. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.                Cascfl. 

Died.  Caao.  Dicd.j 

1           1 

aases. 

Died.  Cases.! 

Died.! 

Coses. 

Died  ' 

Coses 

Died. 

1 

1 

.      1 

4 

3 

1 

ao 

31 

Fevers 

Febris  intermittens  quoiidiana 

Febris  interniiltens  lerliana. . ..  , 

30 
13 

6 
3 



63 

46     '' 

6 
14 

1 
.52 

1 



1 
10 

32 
23 

3 
21 

3 
11 

1 

2 

92 
98 

1 
6 

3 

3 

1 



...... 

■■.::::  " 

.:::::  ::::: 

1 

1 

11 

^ 

1 

Eruptive  fevers - 

1 

1 

40 
5 
1 

1 
1 

33_ 
32* 

'       4 

'       1 

42 
19 

16 

33 
1 
1 
1 
I 
6 

21 
1 

22 
1 
5 

134 
31 
2 

1 

1  ; 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

...!.." 

connected  with  the  di- 

4 

gestive  system. 

1 

2 

1 

6 
12 



1 
1 

13 

25 

3 

as 

48 
69 

1 
59 

3 
17 

1 

3 
24 
20 



2 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

G 

7      

a* 

2 

1 
1 

Phthisis  puhnnnahs 

1 
4 

2 

1      

Diseases  of  the  resptra- , 

3 

1 

5 

ton-  system. 

2 
1 
6 

1 
5 

1 
2 

4 

8 
2 
1 
1 
3 
2 



3 
3 

» 

1 

1 
16 
1 
5 
1 
1 

nervous  system. 



1 

1 
1 

1 



All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

..   . 


1 
1 

1 

2 

7 
1 
2 

1 

2 

16 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases    of  the    serous , 

and  exhalent  vessels,     i 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &.  < 

muscular  structures.      ' 

Syphilis  primitiva    

] 



1 

1 

1 

9 

7 
8 

Syphilis  consccuiiva 

1    ; 

2 



^ 

1 

i 

! 

2 

1 

^  Kheuniatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

'  Fistula 

10 



8 

2 

14 

22 

66 

2 

29 

29 

7 

74 

3 

3 

2 

20 

33 

4 

4 

1 

4 

67 

10 

9 

3 

19 

1 

■"a"! 
1 

2 

4 

6 
4 
5 

11 
1 

1 

'      1 

a 

31 

15 

1 

41 

20 

7 

1 

25 

Ulcus 

10 

2 

Punilio 

Wounds  and  injuries,...  ■ 

Suhluxatio 

1 

9    i 

4 

13' 
1 
3 

a 

3 
11 

4 
1 

10 

o 

i 

10 

Vulnus  l^ceratum 

...._!____ 

1 

1    a 

Debilitas 

1       

5      

1                      1 

1        4 

1 
] 

10 
4 

, 

Ilomia 

1      

1 

3 

a 

4      .          '     lA 

5 



10 
4 
17 

Scorbutus 

1 

1      1     34 

2 

66 

.... 

Total 

165           5 

1 

25.T      

45 

4 

529 

15 

385 

19 

,1,107 

6 

AMONG   THE   TEOOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR— EAST. 


299 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1840.           1847. 

1848. 

1849.     1      1830. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1834. 

STRENOTQ. 

236.                     64.          '          154. 

99. 

86.                KM). 

190. 

131. 

126. 

51. 

5,!S8. 

Coses. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.:  Died. 

i 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total    Total 
ca^es.     died. 

1 

! 

5    1          4 

4 
8 
2 
4 

1 
3 
5 

1 

1 

2 
8 



4      

1 

1      

18     , 

9      

11 
6 

4 

1 

1 

283              1 

2 

264    1 

5 

1 

20      

.     ...       4    j      1 

1 

17 

1 
2     

2 

:::::;  v 

1 

86              5 

4      

1 

1 

4 


5 

2 

74            25 

.......:. 

2     

1 

3          1 

3             1 

1 



1     

43 

6 

2 

14 

1 
1 

1 
2 
4 

46              7 

11 

14 

1 

2 

1 

7 
2 
2 

5 

4 

5 

1 

1          I 

: 

15 

14 

1 
4 

343    1          8 

151     '          1 

1 

' 

1 


9               4 

1 i 

3     1           1 

7 

2 

101 

156 

16 

200 

13 

38 

7 

9 

48 

48 

::::::;::::: 

1 

10 
5 

1 
14 
4 

1 

..       1      3     . 

3 

1 
1 
9 

3 

3 

2 

3     

' 

1 

1      ^ 



1    

6 

3      

1 

1 

4      2      

1 
4 



1 
4 



1 

I                    i 

1 

3 

5 
2 

1 
2 



3      





1            1 

1 

8 

2 

'■*'*' 

1 

2      

2 

3 

1 

::::::::::: 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1 

1 
3 



1 

1    1      1 

6 

... 

, 

1 

2     1 

I 

1 

1 

6      

1 

4     ...;.. 

1 
3 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

13             5 

7 

1 

5 

2 1 

63    ! 

1 

3     

4 

1 
2 

2 
1 
2 

24     

4 

1 

....          1 

19 

21 

2 

7 

1 

157 

4 

106 

78 

SO 

186 

6 

8 

2 

1 

1 

2 



1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

3 

1 

1      1 
10 



,,,,     i 

!■;■■ ■•;;•■ 

4 

1 

^ 

1 

2 

2 

2 

4 
3 

1 
5 
1 
3 
1 

1 



a 

'  1 

2      

4 

3 
4 
3 

1 

1 
2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

7 

i 

1 

1 
1 
1 

2 

1 

I 

1 

1 

;          '    '        "'\ 

3 



1 

2      

'.... 

1 
1 

1 

1 
5     

2 ! 

5    ' 

1 

2      

1      

1 

1 

3 

46      

3 

81     1 



'    1 

2 

2- 1 

3 

20 
11 

4 
34 
106 
25 

1             ■ 

1 

'" 

4 
3 

1      2 
1 
4 

3 
3 
I 
1 

8 

2 

,, 

5 

1 

1 

..      !    1 

2 
1 

1 

1                       1 

3 

1 

2 

1 

20     1 

2 

1 

9    1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

68 

8 

165 

2 
6 

■ 

1 

1 

4 

i 

2 

3 

5      16 

5 

1      6      

1 

3 

147 

1 

4 

'     70 

2 

55 

9 

47 

1 

45 

^ 

178 

6 

90 

5 

62 

2 

57 

2 

35 

2 

3,2ra 

84 

300 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


FIRST  aUARTER. 

1839.            1840. 

1841. 

18-f? 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

8. 

EASES. 

1 
861.         1       1,551. 

777. 

5.' 

956. 

910. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Casea. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

S 
29 
61 

4 

Fevers ■ 

Frbria  inlermiltens  qtioiidiana 

Febris  inlerrnirtens:  toriiana 

54 

69 

180 
88 
18 
U 
2 
3 

2 

87 
105 

1 
8 

53 
23 

141 

94 

15 

1 

1 

7 

Erysipelas 

2 

1 

2 

1 

Gruplivc  fevers 



2 

27 

4 

1 

1 

52 

34 

3 

2 

1 

15 

7 

1 

14 

5 

1 

30 

13 

2 

35 
21 

Dyscnti'na  acuta 

Diseases    of  l!ie    organs 

coimeclyd  with  tlie  di- 

1 

gestive  system. 

6 
15 
32 

98 
1 
9 

9 

1 

1 

2 

1 
1 

24 
23 
U 
140 
2 
14 
6 
5 
3 
19 
4 
6 
2 
11 

2 

2 
2 

1 

5 
12 

2 
39 

7 
2 
2 
4 
9 
2 

4 
9 

24 
13 
2 

81 



22 
16 
9 

46 
1 
3 
2 
2 

2 

8 
6 
1 
9 
22 

1 

All  other  diiJcases  of  tliis  system 

1 

69 

Diseases  of  tlie  respira- 
tory system. 

PInnritis 

11 
2 

6 
3 
3 
2 

7 
5 
1 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

3 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

1 
4 
7 
16 

2 

1 
1 
11 

1 

AH  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Gonorrhrea , . . . 

1 

1 
12 

9 

Diseases  oJ   tlie  urinary 

Syphilis  priinitiva 

2 

2 

2 

1 
2 
2 

1 
2 
10 

and  genital  orj^ans. 

2 

1 

1 

2 

Diseases    of  the    serous  r 

1 

3 
9 

2 

1 

f 

o 

1 

2 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &.  J 

Podagra 

1 
S7 

muscular  suuciures.     1 

f 

Rlionniatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

Fisinla  

29 

50 
1 
37 
19 
6 

1 

21 

la 

31 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  \ 

[ 

Phlegmon  ct  abscessus 

Ulcus 

7 
17 

22 

15 
3 

...   . ., 

22 

7 



19 
20 
10 



19 
19 
4 

1 
21 

52 

1 
2 

24 

28 
2 

57 
1 
4 



« 

Lii.\atio 

2 

Wounds  and  injuries..,. 

1 
7 
10 

Pub-luxatio 

9 
99 

19 

44 



3 
13 

1 

6 
14 

19 
1 

1 
1 
3 

12 
4 
1 
4 

16 

Vulnus  inei^nin 

* 

Vulnus  pimctnrn 

1 

5 

Vulnns  sclopeticum 

f 

Debiiilas 

1 

3 

1 
3 
1 

1 
2 
3 
2 
1 

17 
1 

25 

EbriPtas 

2 
2 

2 

3 

3 
2 
6 

20 
8 

43 

Hernia 

Morbi  cutis 

5    ; 

4      

^     \ 

Morbi  oculi 

3 
6 
41 



5 

. 

All  other  diseases 

Total 

1 

15 

47 

450          a 

990 

14 

486 

6 

330 

1 

491 

2 

749 

1 

I 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOOTH  INTERIOR— WEST. 


301 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

1845.            184G.            1847.            1848.            1849.            1850.            1851.      I      1852. 

1853.           1854. 

STRE.NOTU. 

730.                518. 

346.                   310.                   464.                   593.                   383.                   299.                   498.                   441. 

10,195. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

i           i           1 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

4      !       2 

1 

, 

5      2     ! 15               1 

97 
91 
6 

1 

Ill 

20 

47 
10 



7 
14 

9 
18 



23 
2 

1 
1 
1 

70 
IS 
2 
2 

41 
45 

8 
21 

66     

"^ ! 

74 
63 
2 

8 

1,108      

'^«    i 

58     

9 

10 

1 

3 

5      

85      

1 
1 

3              2 

1 

3 

1 

13              1 

1 



"" 

2 

:::;;:::;::::::::::::::: 

2     

1 



1      

i 

1 

2      

30 
3 

2M 

7 

16 

1 

2 

7 
2 

12 

1 
3 
5 

2 

3i 

2 

1 

12 

1 

16 
2 
3 

23      

26      

11 
3 

1 

336 

136 

18 

5 

4 

2 

173 

197 

90 

679 

7 

•    6 

1 
3 

1 



2 
2 
9 
16 
8 
8 
2 

1 



: 



11 

10 
7 
63 

13      

19      

10     ' 

3 
11 

3 
22 

1 

1 

3 

7 
1 
10 

11 
6 

S 
3 
2 
IS 

14 
12 
2 
18 

13 

13 

1 
61 

•■■■•• 

6 
12 

1 

2 
2 

42 

...... 

10 

2 
2 

2 

27 

9 

7 



3 



1      

4 
4 

3 

8    1 

.  a 

3 

2 

80              1 

1 

28 

1 

1 



3    1      1 
3 

25           1 

2      

91              7 

1                         I 

1 

24      

3 
S 
1 

1 

1 

14 

!    1    

i       3     1       1 

1 
1 

3  1 

1 

4      

2    j 

1     1 

2 
3 





1 

29      

1    ' 

3 

66              4 
21      

... 

1      

2 

1 
2 

8 
1 
3 
1 

2 

...... 

29 

31 

146 

4 

1 I 

3 
8 

1 
7 
2 
2 

1      

3      

2 
8 
1 
2 
3 
8 
1 

1 
9 
1 
5 
1 
5 

3 

13 

j      3 



a 
1 

9 

7 

10  ; 

2 

i 

43    ' 

2 
2 



1 

15      

4 

1 

1       2 

52      

I 

1              2 

' 

2 



6               2 

1 

3 

3 

.„ 

2 

23      

1 

1      

36 

:  31 1 \"'^" 

4 

...... 

8 

15     

'  "  1 

11 

25      7      

3S8              1 
n 

46 

11 

3 

1 

37 

1     29      18 

5      6 

3                        n 

6      

15 
1 

17       ;     12 

1    on                    Q 

5      

23      17      

1      4      

314      

147      

1      

1      

14      

2 

2      

3 

1 

39      

1 
27 

17 

1 1 

5      

1    26      

10 

...i. 

8 

1 

14 

1    22      

28 

1 



388    1 

14    ' 

1 



1 

2 

12     1 

9 

7 
11 

1 

10 
113 
232 

26 

19 
5 

13 

4 
11 



::;:;:i-5" 

1      7 



5 
2 
5 

13      

20 

3 
13 

1 
1 
1 

5 

7 
1 

21 
14 

4 
5 
1 

I 

2 
1 

1 
11 

3 

1 



1    .... 

1 
1 
11 

1 
2 
I 

"'            i 

::::::i....: 

1 

..-....'    1  1 

1 

1     18 

7 



4 
5 

70      

2 
3 

, 

3 

35    i 

( 



2 



1 
2 
3 

1 

16     I 

3 

8 

1 
3 

3 
10 

2 
15 

4 
3 

59    ' 

11 

11 

4    I 

7 
3 

11 

145      

24      

33 

38 

:  14  ; 

"      

17 

I 

1  !  10 

14 

: «» 

15          1 

409               4 

576 

493 

2 

303 

2 

160 

2 

242 

6 

333          3    :  218     

190           2     1  436     j K2           3        6.769             53 

302 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841.           1842.           1843. 

■ 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

i.a 

7. 

1,401. 

574. 

1,420.                 913. 

904. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.                ' 

Dases. 

Died. 

3ases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

i 

1                                     1            ' 
Qases.l  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Febris  continue  communis 

'  Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 

1 
151     , 

1 

Q      

22 

76    1 
79    i 
1 
17 

1 

152 
161 

4    1 
10 

1 

4 

81    1 , 

165    1 

1 

30 

73 

4 

7 



179 

159 

7 

Fevers - 

6 

1 

1 

11 

10 

1 



^ 

17 

4 

:::::.......! 



135 
75 

1 

87 

22 

3 

1 

54 
33 

1 

118 

188 

18 

1 

.2 

1 

63 
18 

1 
1 

61 
20 

1 

129 
46 

1 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

'    i 

counected  with  the  di- 

4 

gestive  system. 

1 

40 

48 

6 

40 

1 

5 

1 

1 

1 
2 
1 

46 

40 
6 

54 
3 

21 
6 
2 

25 
7 
6 
2 
5 

24 
1 
3 
2 

10 

1 
3 

9     

1 

45 
25 

4 
57 

5 
6 
5 
1 
7 
3 
4 

1 

25 
34 
4 
29 

. 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

33 
3 
9 





1^ 

4 

8 
4 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 1 
too'  system. 

3     

1      

2 

5 
2 
3 
3 

4 

1 



t 



i 

2 
10 
4 
4 

6 
5 
5 
3 

9 

1 
4 

1 

6 

Diseases  of  the  braiii  and 

1 



nervous  system- 

AU  other  diseases  of  this  system.... .... 

1      

15      

1 

8 

5     11 

17      17 

Siriciura  urelhr.T 

Syphili-s  primiUva 

1 

^ 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

5 
2 
11 

3 

1 
3 

12 
2 

8 





and  genital  organs. 

2 
2 

2 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  f 

1 
2 

2 

Diseases  of  the  iibrous  &. 

1 
26 
22 
43 

1 

muscular  structures. 
Abscesses  and  ulcers ....  J 

Rheunintismu?,  acutus  et  chronicus..... 

25 
5 
14 

42 
54 
21 
16 
2 

21 
10 
10 
3 

1 

27 
37 
12 
4 

47 
36 
18 
2 



Ulcus 

\ 

1 

1 

1 

•12 

25 

1 

4 

8 

42 

16 

•■;ol:::::; 

38 

72 

1 



1 

4 

3 
4 
2 
18 
9 
3 

Wounds  and  injuries.... ' 

1 

8 

29 

1      1 

9 
13 

6 
IS 
6 
2 

1 
3 
6 

7 
1 
1 

15 
1 

43 



Vulnus  incisum 

20 

2 

1 

2     

;  1 

2     2 

Debililas 

1 
1 
7 
4 
13 
12 
7 
97 

2 

32 

3 

2 

1 

» 

4 
7 

3 



i      ^ 

1      1 

3 

1 

Miscellaneous 

1 

Morbi  oculi 

3 

2 

32 
16 
63 

,    27 

7 

2        48 

1 

16   1 ;    18 

2     1 

31      33 

791 

13 

1,086 

9     1    .174     1        o 

1,101   !      5    1  612 

2 

975 

1 

1 

1 

1 

I 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMOKG  THE  TEOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR— WEST. 


303 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

18-15.      '      18-16.            1847.      1      1848.           1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.            1853. 

1854. 

STRESGTU. 

699. 

600. 

340.          1          308.                   472. 

505. 

448. 

271.                   444. 

374. 

10,990. 

Cases.' Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 

Cases.' Died.  Cases. 

1 

Died.  Cases 

Died.'    Total 
1   cases. 

Toial 
died. 

q 

1      1      1 

...... 

8      4 

52     

167 

lae 

6 
6 

138 
85 

1 
19 

43    i 

I  •::::: 
^i  1 

27 
9 
6 

23 

40 
11 
3 
2 

91 
28 

53 
60 

1 
3 

j    10 

3D 

101 
66 

92 
56 

1,430 

1,116 

36 

197 

2 

29 

1      8 

1 

17 

28 

3 

1 

1 

2 
2 

1 



1 

3      

1      

4 

4 

23 

907 

481 

30 

:::::.::::"::::;: 

33 

40 

3 

7 

7 

67 
S3 

56 
27 

so 

8 

5 
1 

46 

1 

23     

15     



14 
10 

20 
10 
2 

29 
3 
1 

2 
3 

1 

1 
3 

1           1 

....■|.:""' 

5               1 

3 

U      

1 

1 
15 
36 

S 
31 

3      

20 

30 

1 

30 

8 
13 

8 
11 

1 
1 
3 

1 

6 
14 

1 
12 

19 

1 

10 

3 
15 

10 
14 

9 
17 

,; ;::::: 

31 
18 

14 



332               2 
377     1           1 
43               1 

3 



10 

1 

18 



460      

9              9 

9 
5 

1 
2 
1 
1 



2 

3 
1 

9    1 

3 

1 

2      

67      

•  >.. 

1 

3 

1 

1 

37              3 

1 

'    i 

3 

1 

1 

1      

•     19 

1 

6 
4 
3 

1 

5 
X 

8 

2 

1 

3 



1 

36              1 

1 



1 
1 



28 
37 
42 
154 

' 

1 

1 

8 

4 

1 

1 
2 

1 
3 

1 

1 

2 
90 

1 
20 

3 

3 

1      

s 

2 

1 

11 
1 

1 

4      

10 
1 
3 

12 

6 
2 
7 

1 

2 

1 

1    1 

1 

60       

3 
3 

1 

17      

3      

S 



5 

4      

...... 

1 

9 

69 

1 

1 

S 
3 
2 

328 
337 
177 



1 

1 
8 

4 
2 
I 

43 

.28 
9 

4 

9" 
30 
11 

3 

9 
17 
10 

1 



2 
1 
3 

>.. 

19 
13 
12 
3 

1 

,5 

31 

6 

1 

\ 

1 

14 
17 
I 

14 
94 

1 
I 

8 
19 
4 
2 

1 

1 

3       

1 
18 

1 

1 

2 

20 

1 

4 

463 
17 
27 
97 

313 
31 
34 
15 
41 

116 
43 
16 
33 

ISI 
42 

537 

1 

38 
2 

35 
5 
3 
9 
8 
3 
3 
1 
2 

11 
4 

59 
1 

7      

J 

15 
1 

9 

5 

34 

1 

6 
8 

3 

1 
13 
10 

1 

1 
6 
10 

10 

13 

1 
5    : 

4 
4 

7 

3 
4 

4 
8 
1 
1 
2 
2 

3 

9 

13 
3 

5 

1 

5 

25 

3 

3 

.1      

1 

'      1 

1 

3 
1 

4 
2 

1 

1 
3 

1 

1 



1 

] 

1 
3 
3 

1      

I  i:::::: 

1  1 

3  ! 

9     

1 
4 
2 
1 
1 
6 

...^.. 

3      

6           1 
2     

3 

3 
3 
11 

1 

3 

2 
13 

3 
6 
3 
16 

1 
1 
2 
14 

1 

3 

I i 

:::::•'  I  ::::■ 

3    i 

1           

t 

I 
20 

3 

32 

41 

19     ■    29 

3 

16 

29      13      

8 

769 

I 

591 

2 

347     i       1        193 

1 

251 

2 

358    '      5 

1 

344 

7 

112 

434          2       387           1 

8,985 

53 

30d 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OP  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCTTRRLNG 


« 

THIRD  aUAKTEB. 

181^9.     1 

1840. 

1841.           1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DFS- 

EASES. 

1,3-j. 

1,310. 

836.                 1,095. 

888. 

837. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.               Cases.  Died.  Cases.lDied. 

i         1 

3asesJ  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.' 

Died. 

1 
Cases.  Died. 

1 

2           2 
829         a 

:i' 

1 

13 

347     ! 

26fi 

21 

67 

4 

4 

1 

1 



1 
410 
152 

6 
83 

Fevera - 

Febris  uiterniiltens  rjuniidiana 

Fcbris  intermittens  lertiana i 

136 

77 

150     ' 

113 

390 

113 

5 

91 

1 

77 
2 

3 

2 

3 
2 

97 
1 

1         53 

1 

1 

::::::  71 

213 
60 

1 
1 

94 
23 
2 

: 

3 

1 

52 
26 

1 

'  141 

158 

2 
4 

81 
17 

1 
2 

76 
14 

1 

1 

Ujsc.iscs   of  the    organs 
connected  with  the  di-' 

1 
2 

2 

1 

1 

gestive  sy:>tctn. 

1 
27 
25 

1 
21 

38 
45 

1 

25 

31 

3 

20 

9 
59 

83 

1         16 

2 

22 
31 
2 
50 

3 

4 
1 

18 

11 

•     2 

...... 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

38 

1 

7 

102 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

9 
1 

10 
3 
3 
15 
14 
6 

1 
2 

8 

1 

tory  system. 

3 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

3 
5 

1 
1 

1 

14 
3 
6 
5 
4 

18 

8 

1 

1 
4 

1 

Delirium  tremens 

!  F.pilep-;i:i 

,  Neuriil-iia 

'  All  other  diseases  of  this  system  

2      

nervous  system. 

2 

1 

1 
13 

1 

3 
22 

1 
4    ' 

22    i 

! 

13      

- 

12 

19 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

!  Syphilis  priiniliva 

5 

^ 

2 

3     

9 
6 
11 

and  genital  organs. 

3 

1 

1 
5 

Diseases  of  the    serous  t 
and  exhalent  vessels.     I 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

1  All  other  diseases  of  this  class 

1 

< 

1      1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

j  Pernio 

. 



muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus,  acutus  et  chronicus 

27 
47 
36 

36 

66 

20 

3 

18 

24 

13 

2 



3a 

28 

48 

3 

92 
50 

14 
1 

45 

58 

32 

2 

■••M" 

Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . .  ? 

22 

36 

27 
2 

1 

1    41 

51 

50 
1 

2 

2 

I 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

4 
4 
18 

. 

8 
13 

6 
26 

3 

1         13 

4 
14 
10 

2 

1 
10 
27 

2 

1 

52 

1 

4 

3 
1 

.... 

3 

3 

:    IB 

!    20 

4 

1 

2 

87 

1 

Dehililas 

Fhrieti^ 

15 
3 

3 

.'i 
i) 

1 

6 
10 
3 
1 





'    12 

1          4 

3 
34 

1 
1 

3 



I 
7 
19 

Mt9cellaneoD» i 



1 

20 

39 
1 

129 

1 

25 

."i 

11      

4      

171        a 

1 

43      104 

1 

66 

1    54 

...... 

! 

1           Total 

1,797        31 

1 1,374 

13 

1  763    '■     10     1.173 

,12 

1 1,230 

1 

2 

1,167 

3 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   THE   SOUTHERN    DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR— WEST. 


305 


THIRD  QUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853.     !      1854. 

STRENGTH. 

640. 

568. 

313.                   180. 

459. 

380. 

397. 

292. 

409. 

341. 

10,326. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

i 
Cases.  Died. 'Cases. 

t 
Died,  leases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

1 
Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

I           1 
Cases.  Died.  Cases.^  Died. 

Total     Total 
cases,     died. 

1 

3 

142 

64 

9             4 

5 

2 



5     1      3          1 

48              1 

891 
96 
3 
43 

1 

216 
39 

1 
39 

3 

1 


1 

74 
12 
2 

77 

33 

4 

lis 

32 

1 
1 

114 
36 

119 
32 

«5    i 

109    1 

71 
21 
2 

3,682              3 

1,166      

40      

14 

33 

16 

40 

61 

31     t 

1 

815            10 
10              5 

1 

4      

3 
24 

1 

1 

1 ' 

9      

4 

1 

24               4 

181 
69 

18 

1 

1 
25 
11 

i           1 

182             18 

39 
11 

1 

35 
57 

-    \ 

10    i 

1    1 

26 

1 
1 

31 
13 
1 



4 
13 

1 

1 
1 

35 

•19 
2 

17 
7 

979               6 

448              9 

11              1 

' 

1 

18              3 

7      

1      

9 
35 

1 

12 

21 

12 

6 

1 

2 

2 

10 

S 

1 

6     ' 

23      

10 
4 



5 
12 

6 
13 

14 

4 
16 

;       10 

1      9 

1     '      1 

383      

342              7 
23              1 

IS 

1 

2 

2 

1 

i 

1 

8 

13 

9       

303              I 

2              3 

2 

1 
1 
7 
2 

1 

1 

2 

3 

2      

6      '■      4      

51      



2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1      

1      

17              2 

1 

1 
1 
1 
3 
1 
3 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

14               3 

1 
3 



S 

4 

81      

43              3 



3 

8 

21      

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
2 

1      

1 
5 
3 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

26      

2 
16 

1 
17 

7 

4 

2 

36              6 

12 

1 
6 

3 

2 

1 

149     

2      

1 
1 
5 

2 
3 

2 

1 
3 

1 
•2 
4 

4 

1 

55     

1 

23      

5 

1     

4 

52      

1 

1 

1 

i      1 

1 

' 

1 

7               2 
4      

1 

2 

24 
59 
2 

1 

5 
16 
16 

4 

IS 
10 





3 
1 
2 

10 

29 

13 

2 

9 
51 
11 

6 

21 

3 

1 

2 
13 
3 

1 

1 

6     9     

44      62      

3     5      

S    : 1    ; 

258      

583               1 
229      

1 
20 

1 

1 

1               1 

19 



16 
2 
2 

6     

10 

6 
2 

24 

i      6 

24      23      

1      

381     

8       

1 



1      10      

1 

1 

12 
8 
1 

6      

89      

219              2 
20      

14 
12 

...... 

7      

6      

1      

1      

1     1      1 

2 
6 
4 

I 

3 

Q 

3 

9 
1 
I 
3 
3 
3 
2 
3 

9 
10 

1 
15 

2      

4    

j.... 

14      

10      

1       

6 
1 
6 
24 
2 
1 
6 
9 
1 

1 

i 

1      

1 

1 

4      27      

1       14               3 

2 

1 

.-> 

5 
16 
4 

1 

1 
7 

9 

7 
4 

.1 

2     1      91      

4 
2 

1 
4 

2 



3 
2 
1 

1      

1 

1   ; 

1    

6 
3 

1 
3 

4      

3    ' 

166              3 

36      

19      

2 

6 
3 

1 

4 

3      

52      

i      4 

1 

2 

1 

4      2      

; 

1T8      

U      

43 



19 

2 

''     i 

28 

34 

17 

16 

18 

39      '      9      

1 

794               S 

618 

12 

341           1 

ISS 

585    '     19 

1 

392      369 

1  367          3 

712    '      2       332          2 

12,200            107 

S.  96- 


-39 


306 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  3.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  ITvINCffAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

FOURTH  QUARTEK. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

911. 

805. 

615. 

773. 

922. 

74 

8. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Oases. 

Died. 

Cases.'  Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

3 

1 

1 
46 
76 

17 



3 

3 

347 

194 

11 

25 

343 
172 
26 
11 

1 
1 

116 

56 

46 

2 

13 

297 

86 

1 

13 

136 
S 
7 

p__- 

1 

Eniptivc  fevers | 

9 

3 

1 

a 

44 
19 
5 

3 

60 
8 
12 

1 

37 
9 
2 

76 
20 

1 

3 

39 
13 

1 

32 
12 

1 

1 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

connected  with  the  di- 

1 

gestive  system. 

8 
34 

4 
16 
2 

1 

6 
14 

25 

16 

3 

73 

2 

13 
28 
15 
86 

1      8 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

10 

6 

42 

1 
2 
4 

Catarrhu< 

32 

2 

39 

29 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory-system. 

5 

3 

1 

2 

.j      4 

4 
2 
3 
7 
1 
3 
4 
5 
13 
3 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

1 
3 

1 

1 

10 

10 

1 

1 

I 

3 

12 

'      3 

5 

4 

1 

i     19 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

2 

1 

2 

1 

nervous  system. 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

2 

1 

1 
7 

2 

4 

11 



Diseases  of  the  urinary 

Syphilis  primitiva 

1 

1 

3 

1 
2 
4 

9 
3 
3 

and  genital  organs. 

2    i 

1 
1 

L 

2 

3 

1 

1 

Diseases    of  the    serous  < 
and  exhaleut  vessels.    ' ' 



1 

1 



Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  ] 

3 
23 

18 
13 

muscular  structures. 

Rheiniiatisnius,  acutus  et  chronicus. ... 

27 
6 
12 

7 

24 

14 
7 
3 
1 

29 
3 
4 
1 
4 

13 

32 
34 
12 
4 

29 
24 
14 

1 

36 

34 

9 

6 



Abscesses  and  ulcers > 

Ulcus 

14 
1 
2 

25 

s 

39 

56 
1 
1 
1 
4 

31 

37 
3 

Fractura  

3      

Wounds  and  injuries....  ■ 

6 
13 

U 
16 

I      4 

26     

7 
6 

1 

i 

i 

1 
5 
5 

1 
1 
3 
3 
3 

5 

1          1 

3 

2 

4 

6 

1 

1 

2 
1 
19 

Debilitas 

5 

]      2 

16 

!      3 

4 

1 
1 

8 

1 

4 

1    ' 2 

2 

Miscellaneous ■ 

2 

7 

7 

5 

3 

46 

7 

1 

31 

15 

13 

All  utlicT  ilisc-ascs 

Total 

66 

53 

25      

28 

795 

12 

632 

3 

391 

2 

616 

8 

1,038  1 

7-19 

1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    THE   SOUTHERN   DIVISION. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  THE  SOUTH  INTERIOR— WEST. 


307 


FOURTH  aUARTER. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850.            1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

559. 

390. 

27?. 

312. 

462. 

373.                 310. 

352. 

464. 

367. 

8,540. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  ICases. 

'            1           1 
Died.  Cases.i  Died.  Cases. 

1           1 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total    Total 
cases,     died. 

3 

I 

1 

90 

51 

1 

8 

! 

2 
104 
51 

1 
193 
59 

2 

47 
17 

12 
2,146 
1,016 

308 
51 
3 
36 

107 
23 

47 
15 

6 
26 

1 

31 

106 
18 

1 
1 

8 

21 

'       8 

1 

:: 

1 

i    26 

i 

71      



39 

6 

7 

14 

11 

250               4 
1      

1      

1 

7 

1      

1 

1 

25      

1 

1      

3 
23 

17 

1 

a 

1 
1 

3 

502 

154 
33 

7 
1 

3 

SM 

1 
1 
9 

5 
4 

15 
2 
4 

•  •■•■ 

30 
4 
6 

1 

3 

32 
14 

16 
5 

31 
9 

1 

14 
9 

22 

8 



1 
S 
6 

1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

' 

.*.... 

» 

4 
10 

8 
31 

3 
4 

7 
6 

1 

2 

7 
2 
9£l 

7 
1 
3 

7 

4 
3 
3 

8 

5 

7 

14 
7 
3 

11 

" 

7 
10 

4 
39 

9 
13 



11 
9 

130 
189 
54 

1 

11 



13 

18 

4S6 
2 

1 
4 

a 

3 

1 
1 
7 

1 

1 

1 

2 
2 

3 

3 

1 

3 



1 

1 

33 
■  17 
10 
45 
31 
21 
24 
15 

1 

1 

3 
3 

1 

I 

3 

1 
1 

1 

2 
1 

6 

3 

2 
2 



1 
3 
1 
2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

7 

1 

! 

3 

1 
8 

1 

3 
3 

1 

1 
1 

2 

4 

9 

5 

1 

2 

3 

91     

1 

2     

16 
6 
5 

1 

1 
2 

3 

7 
3 
4 
3 

!      :. 

1 
3 
3 

1 
1 

45 
23 

1 

1 
3 

3 

1 

35  c:::: 

1 

... 

1 

.::::::::::: 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1 

5     

1 



5      

1 
12 

30 
4 
2 
1 

24 
2 

3      

8 
17 
7 

1 

8 

14 

1 

9 
13 
3 

1 

17 

11 

1 

1 

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42 

FLORIDA, 


THE  ATLANTIC  COAST  OF  FLOKIDA. 

This  region  extends  from  the  24th  to  the  30th  parallels  of  north  latitude,  and  includes  the 
following  military  stations:  Fort  Marion,  Camp  near  New  Smyrna,  Fort  Pierce,  Fort  Dallas, 
and  Key  West  Barracks. 

FOET   MARION. 
[From  first  edition  U.  S.  Army  Vital  Statistics.] 

"Fort  Marion  is  in  the  city  of  St.  Augustine,  which  is  situated  on  the  bay  of  the  same  name. 
It  is  distant  about  two  miles  from  the  ocean,  and  about  half  a  mile  from  Anastasia  Island, 
which  divides  the  bay  from  the  ocean.  The  St.  Sebastian,  a  small  stream,  runs  within  half  a 
mile  of  the  town ;  and  the  North  river,  which  rises  about  35  miles  nortli  of  the  city,  empties 
into  the  ocean  immediately  opposite  the  fort.  There  are  a  few  marshes  in  the  vicinity,  but 
they  are  inundated  twice  every  24  hours  by  the  tides;  and  there  are  also  some  low  hammock 
lands  from  two  to  six  miles  distant,  from  which,  when  the  wind  prevails  from  the  southwest, 
clouds  of  mosquitoes  issue  in  the  month  of  June,  subject  to  be  driven  back  as  the  wind  changes. 
The  site  of  the  city  is  slightly  elevated,  being  about  twelve  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ponds  and 
marshes  in  the  vicinity.  The  adjacent  country  is  level  and  generally  sandy,  some  parts  being 
sufficiently  rich  in  calcareous  and  vegetable  matter  to  produce  most  of  the  vegetables  cultivated 
at  the  north.  Oranges  flourish  here  most  luxuriantly;  but,  in  the  early  part  of  1835,  all  the 
groves  in  the  northern  half  of  the  peninsula  were  wholly  destroyed  by  frost — an  occurrence  pre- 
viously unknown. 

"St.  Augustine  has  long  been  celebrated  as  a  winter  residence  for  jjulmonary  invalids ;  but  the 
city  itself  has  claims  upon  the  traveller's  attention,  not  the  least  being  the  fact  that  it  is  the 
oldest  town  in  the  United  States.  The  fort  is  also  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  United  States.  It 
was  finished,  as  appears  by  its  now  nearly  illegible  inscription,  in  l^oG,  in  the  reign  of  Fer- 
dinand the  Sixth.  The  walls  consist  of  a  concretion  of  sea-shells  obtained  from  quarries  on 
Anastasia  Island;  and  as  the  material,  under  a  bombardment,  crumbles  away  without  suffering 
fractures,  the  fort,  duly  manned,  would  be  almost  impregnable.  The  barracks  and  hospital  are 
situated  directly  on  the  bay,  about  a  mile  south  of  the  fort.  The  position  of  these  buildings  is 
eligible  in  every  respect. 

"  This  post  has  been  at  all  times  justly  esteemed  for  its  salubrity.  Compared  with  the  average 
mortality  of  southern  posts  in  general,  this  station  is  found  to  exhibit  a  much  lower  ratio. 
The  annual  average  of  fevers  of  malarial  origin  is  very  low — that  of  intermittent  fever  being  20, 
and  that  of  remittent  fever  11  per  cent.  It  is  seldom  that  diseases  of  a  malignant  character 
appear  at  St.  Augustine.  Towards  the  close  of  the  present  year,  (1839,)  yellow  fever,  which 
ravaged  the  principal  cities  of  our  southern  States,  made  its  appearance  at  this  station.  This 
is  only  the  second  time  that  this  epidemic  has  prevailed  in  this  city  within  the  period  of  20 
years;  while  at  Charleston,  we  are  told  by  Professor  Dickson,  that  in  24  years'  practice,  but 
three  have  passed  without  his  knowing  the  occurrence  of  yellow  fever.     The  period  at  which  it 


310  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

prevailed  first  at  St.  Augustine  was  immediately  after  the  cession  of  the  province  by  Sj^ain.  As 
much  filth  had  been  allowed  to  accinnulate  during  a  succession  of  years,  both  at  this  jilace  and 
at  Pensacola,  the  circumstances  incident  to  its  removal  by  the  American  antlioritics  were 
regarded  as  the  exciting  cause  of  the  disease  by  tlie  medical  officers  of  the  army.  The  expe- 
rience of  a  century  and  a  half  teaches  us  that  the  causes  of  yellow  fever  are  ])Orcnnial]y  present 
in  our  soutliern  cities.  Indissolubly  connected  with  our  soil  and  climate,  it  maintains  the  same 
relation  towards  the  animal  economy,  as  the  malaria  of  our  immense  low  country.  As  regards 
the  essential  cause  of  yellow  fever,  we  still  remain  in  tiie  dark.  It  is  manifest,  however,  that 
to  develop  tlie  cause,  and  to  keep  up  its  action,  requires  a  high  range  of  atmospheric  tempera- 
ture; and  as  this  condition  seldom  obtains  on  the  coast  of  Florida,  it  would  seem  to  afi'ord 
an  apparent  explanation  of  its  infrequent  occurrence  in  this  region.  As  the  extremes  of  tem- 
perature are  much  modified  by  geographical  position,  and  as  the  combined  influence  of  the 
various  causes  acting  in  the  most  intense  degree  appears  necessary  for  its  development,  a  link 
in  the  chain  seems  to  be  wanting.  At  Key  West,  as  in  the  islands  generally  of  the  West 
Indies,  yellow  fever  has  prevailed  with  mucli  malignity."' 

Although,  for  reasons  elsewhere  given,  the  vital  statistics  of  the  Florida  war  are  not  included 
in  this  report,  it  is  deemed  proper  to  notice,  in  this  connexion,  an  epidemic  (yellow  fever)  which 
occurred  at  Fort  Marion  in  1841,  concerning  which  Surgeon  J.  B.  Porter,  in  November  of  that 
year,  reported  as  follows: 

"The  first  case  of  yellow  fever  which  ran  a  regular  course  to  a  fatal  termination  was  admitted 
on  the  3d  of  October,  and  died  on  the  10th,  after  a  much  longer  illness  than  the  subsequent 
cases.  In  order  to  give  a  full  description  of  the  disease  as  it  prevailed,  the  progress  of  the 
most  severe  cases,  as  they  went  on,  apparently  unchecked  by  remedial  means,  to  a  fatal  termi- 
nation, will  be  given.  The  patient  was  usually  taken  witli  prostration  of  strength,  sometimes 
chilliness,  almost  amounting  to  a  rigor,  and  cold  extremities;  reaction  rarely  came  on,  or  was 
very  partial  and  temporary.  Early  in  tlie  disease  there  was  great  thirst ;  dry  tongue,  some- 
times a  moist  one;  heaviness  of  the  head,  or  giddiness;  red  or  watery  eyes;  pain,  or  tender- 
ness, of  the  globe  of  the  eye  on  slight  pressure;  intense  pain,  or  stricture,  over  the  eyes  or 
frontal  region ;  sometimes  pain  of  the  back  or  loins ;  pulse  quick,  frequent  and  weak,  or  slow, 
weak,  and  uncertain ;  res2)iration  heavy ;  great  irritability  of  the  stomach ;  and  frequently  pain 
or  tenderness  on  i)ressure  of  tlie  epigastrium. 

"In  its  progress,  the  eyes  and  skin  became  gradually  j-ellow,  until  the  whole  body  was  of  an 
intensely  yellow  line;  Uack  vomii  ca.uie  on;  tongue  became  black,  and  there  was  hemorrhage 
from  the  mouth  and  nostrils;  frequently  vibices;  hiccough;  delirium,  or  coma;  and  death 
closed  the  scene. 

"Some  few  cases  had  a  short  stjige  of  reaction;  beating  of  the  carotids;  flushed  face;  redness 
and  burning  of  the  eyes ;  pain  of  the  head ;  tongue  white,  gradually  becoming  yellow ;  exces- 
sive thirst;  pulse  full  and  pretty  strong;  hot  and  dry  skin;  respiration  heavy  and  hurried; 
nausea  and  vomiting  of  a  thick  ropy  mucus;  and  urine  small  in  quantity,  and  high  colored. 
The  whole  body  and  eyes  early  became  yellow,  and  the  disease  went  rapidly  on,  with  UacJc 
vomit,  hemorrhage,  delirium  or  coma,  to  a  fatal  termination.  The  duration  of  the  disease  in 
the  fatal  cases  was  from  48  hours  to  4  or  5  days ;  some  survived  several  days  longer  in  a  state  of 
insensibility,  without  the  least  prospect  of  recovery.  Between  the  most  severe  yellow  fever  and 
simple  remittent,  of  which  there  were  a  few  cases,  there  were  all  grades  of  disease.  No  case 
has  been  registered  as  febris  icterodes,  unless  some  of  the  decided  symptoms  manifested  them- 
selves, and  tliey  had  generally  all  the  following,  viz:  redness  or  burning  of  tlie  eyes;  a  pain  of 
the  eyeball,  especially  on  pressure,  and  pain  over  the  eyes  in  the  frontal  region;  great  disturb- 
ance of  the  stomach ;  and  particularly  yellowness  of  the  eyes,  forehead,  and  sometimes  of  the 
breast.  Unless  nearly  all  of  the  above  symptoms  were  present,  especially  the  yellow  line,  the 
disease  was  not  registered  febris  icterodes,  but  as  febris  remittens. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    FLORIDA.  311 

"The  most  marked  cases  of  febris  remittens  partook  of  the  nature  of  the  prevailing  epidemic, 
and  were  generally  characterized  by  the  want  of  action  consequent  on  loss  of  vital  energy. 

"In  the  treatment  of  febris  icterodes,  the  few  cases  which  had  considerable  reaction  were  bled ; 
free  scarifying  and  cupping,  cold  ablution,  and  mercurial  and  other  cathartics  were  used.  But, 
in  general,  the  lancet  was  considered  inadmissible,  on  account  of  the  exhausted  condition  of  the 
patient;  he  was  cupped  freely  on  the  epigastrium  and  spine,  warm  stimulating  pediluvia,  free 
application  of  sinapisms  to  the  limbs  and  epigastrium,  and  epispastics  at  a  later  period ;  mercu- 
rial and  other  cathartics  were  freely  given.  In  addition  to  the  above  means,  the  irritability  of 
the  stomach  was  allayed  by  effervescing  mixtures  of  carbonate  of  soda,  freely  given ;  stimulating 
enemata  freely  used,  &c.  Whenever  slight  ptyalism  was  produced,  whether  early  or  late  in 
the  disease,  the  patient  became  better,  generally  bore  the  administration  of  tonics  well,  and 
convalescence  was  soon  established. 

"In  the  advanced  stage,  quinine  and  other  tonics  were  used;  and  wine  or  brandy  and  water, 
in  some  instances,  was  beneficial.  The  most  universally  useful  tonic  was  good  London  porter, 
which  almost  always  agreed  with  the  patient^  and  materially  contributed  to  his  restoration. 
There  is  a  class  of  cases,  which  are  benefited  by  no  kind  of  treatment  whatever — those  which 
occur  in  old  drunkards ;  in  these,  no  matter  what  is  attempted,  the  disease  invariably  runs  to  a 
fatal  termination." 

This  epidemic  continued  until  the  1.5th  of  November,  on  which  day,  and  on  the  16th,  there 
were  white  frosts,  and  on  the  ITtli  a  black  frost.  The  total  number  of  cases  treated  was  56,  of 
which  25  proved  fatal. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGKAl^HY  AND  DISEASES  OF  "CAMP  NEAR  NEW  SMYRNA." 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Robert  Southgate  :   1853. 

An  unprovoked  assault  having  been  made  upon  a  camp  of  peaceful  Seminoles,  by  a  party  of 
white  men  anxious  to  provoke  hostilities,  and  fears  of  retaliatory  measures  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians  having  been  excited  among  the  peaceful  settlers,  company  L,  2d  artillery,  stationed  at 
St.  Augustine,  was  ordered  to  take  post  at  New  Smyrna,  and  extend  protection  to  the  settle- 
ments in  its  vicinity.  In  obedience  to  orders,  the  company,  in  the  latter  part  of  February, 
1852,  marched  to  and  encamped  at  Dunlawton,  the  most  important  settlement,  twelve  miles 
north  of  New  Smyrna  (properly  so  called),  to  which  place  a  detachment  was  sent,  as  also  to 
Enterprise,  on  the  river  St.  John's.  This  last  detachment  was  called  in  early  in  July,  several 
of  the  men  having  suffered  from  severe  intermittent  fever,  and  the  position  not  being  deemed 
of  sufficient  importance  to  risk  the  still  greater  sacrifice  of  health  which  might  be  reasonably 
anticipated  during  tlie  "course  of  the  summer  and  fall.  The  geographical  position  of  the  camp 
is  in  latitude  29°  north,  longitude  81°  7'  west.  It  is  located  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Halifax 
river,  eight  miles  from  the  Mosquito  bar,  over  which  the  river  flows  into  the  ocean.  It  is  about 
two  miles  due  west  of  the  ocean,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  the  river  and  a  long  narrow 
peninsular  strip  of  land,  formed  by  ridges  of  sand  and  shells,  upon  which  there  is  a  growth  of 
the  saw-palmetto,  small  live-oaks,  and  a  variety  of  unimportant  shrubs. 

The  physical  aspect  of  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp  presents  no  feature  of  interest. 
Sterile  flatness  would  express  its  appearance,  did  not  a  fertile  swamp,  here  and  there,  prove  by 
its  presence  the  exception  to  the  rule,  of  its  utter  worthlessness  for  the  purposes  of  agriculture. 
The  geology  of  Florida  presents  an  unexplored  field  for  scientific  research.  The  prima-facie 
impression  on  the  mind  of  the  observer  is,  that  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp  has  been, 
at  a  former  period,  beneath  the  surface  of  the  waters  of  the  neighboring  ocean;  and  whether  we 
adoj)t  the  opinion  that  it  has  been  lifted  from  beneath  the  waves  by  a  submarine  force,  or  that 
the  waters  have  subsided  and  left  it  dry  (the  former  deemed  the  more  tenable),  there  cannot  be 
a  doubt  that  in  its  formations  we  read,  geologically  speaking,  the  history  of  a  modern  era. 
Within  the  memory  of  man,  great  changes  have  been  effected  in  the  physical  appearance  of  the 


312  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS' AND    MORTALITY 

coast  in  this  vicinity,  l)y  ibices  still  in  operation — the  action  of  high  winds,  the  disintegrating 
power  of  the  waves,  when  lashed  into  fury  by  the  great  storms  which  occasionally  sweep  along 
the  coast;  and  it  requires  no  stretch  of  imagination  to  realize  that,  if  at  some  future  day  an 
extensive  hreach  should  be  effected  in  the  narrow  peninsular  strip  of  land  described  as  stretch- 
ing between  the  camp  and  the  ocean,  the  country  for  miles  back  would  be  completely  inundated. 
A  section  of  the  surface  near  the  camp  presents,  in  descending  series — 1st,  a  very  thin  layer 
of  vegetable  mould;  2d,  strata  of  sand  variously  colored,  (a  thin  layer  of  dark  mould,  probably 
the  decomposed  sea-weed  which  at  certain  seasons  is  deposited  in  thick  layers  on  the  shore,  and 
which  I  have  observed  to  be  gradually  covered  in  by  sand,  occasionally  separating  the  strata;) 
3d,  the  coquina  rock,  which  is  found  near  the  camp,  at  an  average  depth  of  eight  feet.  This 
interesting  formation  exists  in  various  degrees  of  compactness — in  some  places,  crumbling  by 
slight  pressure  into  smaller  fragments;  in  others,  presenting  a  firmly  cemented  and  useful 
material  for  building  purposes.  Tliis  shell  formation  has,  I  believe,  been  classed  witli  the 
eocene  (lower  tertiary)  group.  The  practised  palteontologist  must  decide  this  point,  and  for 
him  the  fossil  geology  of  Florida  presents  a  fresh  and  inviting  field  of  labor.  The  rich  swamp, 
to  be  referred  to  as  having  probably  influenced  the  health  of  the  command,  presents  a  soil  of 
the  average  depth  of  two  feet — a  dark  loam  reposing  upon  marl,  which  exists  in  great  abun- 
dance ;  beneath  the  marl  we  find  strata  of  sand  and  tlie  shell  formation. 

The  medical  topography  of  the  camp  may  be  described  as  follows :  The  site  of  the  encamp- 
ment is  a  slu'U  bank,  elevated  about  nine  feet  above  low-water  mark,  immediately  in  the  rear 
of  which  we  have  a  flat  marshy  surface,  inundated  by  the  river  during  high  tides.  About  one 
mile  west  of  the  camp  there  is  a  fertile  swamp,  which  has  been  partly  cleared,  dyked,  and 
devoted  to  the  culture  of  the  cane;  this  is  skirted  by  an  extensive  pine  barren,  of  which  the 
country  principally  consists.  The  points  of  medical  interest  are:  the  proximity  of  the  ocean — 
favorable  to  health ;  the  extensive  marshy  surface  in  rear  of  the  camp,  pre.senting  to  the  sun's 
rays  material  ior  tlie  production  of  a  febrific  agent — directly  the  reverse.  The  influence  of  the 
fertile  swamp  in  the  production  of  disease  may  be  estimated,  when  the  facts  connected  with  it 
shall  have  been  passed  in  review. 

Lying  mostly  between  two  seas,  Florida  is,  by  position,  entitled  to  an  equable  climate;  and 
yet,  on  this  coast,  and  in  this  latitude,  equability  can  hardly  be  considered  characteristic  of  it. 
During  the  winter  and  spring,  the  atmospherical  changes  are  often  sudden  and  marked.  Even 
in  this  respect,  however,  Florida,  contrasted  with  other  sections  of  our  country,  can  claim  a 
superiority.  Earely  is  the  change  so  great  as  to  impress  an  individual,  in  fair  health,  uncom- 
fortably; and  the  invalid  has,  generally,  sufticient  warning  to  guard  against  it.  In  relation 
to  general  health,  indeed,  equability  can  hardly  be  considered  the  most  vital  element  of  climate ; 
the  highest  degree  of  physical  vigor  being  attained  in  climates  of  which  variableness  is  a  striking 
quality.  The  human  organism  is  constituted  for  such  mutations;  and,  were  it  subjected  to  the 
monotonous  impression  of  a  uniform  temperature  for  a  length  of  time,  its  powers  would,  unques- 
tionably, languish.  Even  in  special  cases,  such  as  chronic  diseases  of  the  lungs,  the  marked 
difference,  during  the  summer,  between  the  temperatures  of  day  and  night,  so  characrteristic  of 
the  climate  of  tliis  coast,  would  probably  be  of  service  to  the  invalid.  The  refreshing  sleep  that 
may  be  enjoyed  during  the  cool  nights  of  midsummer,  with  the  invigorating  sea-breezes  of  the 
day,  must  in  his^  as  well  as  other  cases  marked  by  debility  and  irritation,  promote  the  general 
health  ;  while  the  ftiet  that,  during  the  winter,  the  temperature  is  rarely  so  depressed  tliat 
exercise  in  the  open  air  may  not  be  enjoyed,  will  render  it  a  salutary  residence  during  that 
season  of  the  year.  Exercise  in  the  open  air,  by  maintaining  the  vigor  of  digestion,  and  ap- 
peasing the  wearing  excitement  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  must  economize  the  vital  force  and 
save  the  integrity  of  the  tissues;  and,  to  the  consumptive  invalid,  these  considerations  are  of 
the  very  first  importance. 

I  write  in  reference  to  the  northern  invalid,  whose  skin  has  been  constricted  during  successive 
hard  winters,  who  has  suff"ered  from  frequent  catarrlis,  and  in  the  upper  portion  of  whose  lung 


AMONG   THE    TEOOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  313 

the  fatal  deposit  has  been  made;  to  him,  a  removal  to  Florida  holds  out  the  prospect  of  greater 
lenglh  of  days.  I  am  credibly  informed  that  there  are  residing  between  this  and  Indian  river, 
three  individuals,  who  left  the  north,  pre.s-nting  the  symptoms  of  advanced  pulmonary  disease, 
and,  by  a  permanent  residence  in  this  delightful  peninsula,  have  regained  an  unexpected 
measure' of  health.  Making  due  allowance  for  probable  errors  of  diagnosis,  it  is  not  improbable 
that  the  entire  change  of  life,  the  newness  of  impressions — mental,  moral,  and  physical — may 
have  imparted  a  renewing  impulse  to  the  energies  of  the  system,  by  which  the  secretion  of 
tubercle  has  been  checked,  and  that  already  deposited  rendered  inoperative  for  mischief.  On 
the  other  hand,  for  those  who  become  consumptive  in  Florida,  a  removal  to  a  more  bracing 
climate  is  imperatively  demanded.  In  sucli,  the  rapid  melting  down  of  the  tissues  of  the  lung 
during  the  warmer  months,  it  has  been  my  painful  duty  to  witness  in  more  than  a  single 
instance.  In  St.  Augustine,  the  climate  of  which  difiers  but  slightly  from  that  of  this  camp, 
tuberculosis  of  the  lungs  is  not  a  rare  disease.  Of  one  family,  originally  numbering  ten,  two 
alone  survive — eight  having  been  hurried  to  the  tomb  by  this  formidable  malady.  Among  the 
negro  population  it  is  not  uncommon,  and  would  seem  to  be  on  the  increase — three  cases  of 
the  hemorrhagic  variety,  all  terminating  in  a  rapid  decline,  having  come  under  my  observation. 
The  cause  of  this  increase  in  a  class,  on  many  accounts  interesting,  is  worthy  of  the  investiga- 
tion of  the  philanthropist  and  physician. 

The  proximity  of  the  ocean,  from  the  surface  of  which  a  large  amount  of  aqueous  vapor  is 
raised  into  the  atmosphere  by  the  action  of  the  solar  rays,  renders  the  climate  of  the  coast  a 
moist  one.  This  meteorological  condition  is  indicated  by  very  palpable  signs.  The  rapid  oxi- 
dation of  iron,  the  difficulty  of  keeping  instruments  bright,  the  necessity  of  frequently  airing 
clothing  to  preserve  it  from  mildew,  are  matters  of  common  observation.  The  planters  on  the 
coast  remark  that  their  crops  stand  a  long  drought  remarkably  well ;  a  circumstance  due  to  the 
moist  condition  of  the  atmosphere  and  the  copious  precipitation  of  dew,  supplying  the  long 
absence  of  rain.  These  sensible  eflects  are  manifested  most  decidedly  during  the  heats  of  spring 
and  summer,  and  in  relation  to  health  may  be  considered  favorable.  Springing  fresh  and  pure 
from  the  bosom  of  the  ocean,  the  aqueous  vapor  is  mingled  with  no  hi:rtful  agent;  and,  by 
communicating  a  refreshing  element  to  the  atmosphere,  exerts  a  benign  influence  upon  the  sys- 
tem during  its  subjection  to  elevated  and  protracted  atmospherical  heat ;  diflering  from  that 
arising  from  the  ponds  and  swamps  of  the  interior,  which  depresses  the  spirits,  and  frequently 
bears  on  its  wings  unwholesome  emanations.  During  May,  June,  July,  August,  and  Septem- 
ber, when  sickness  most  prevailed^  Fahrenheit's  thermometer  ranged  between  79°  and  89°. 
For  a  few  hours  during  the  month  of  June,  it  indicated  93° — the  greatest  elevation  noted  du- 
ring the  summer.  The  coolest  portion  of  the  twenty-four  hours  was  the  period  embraced  be- 
tween midnight  and  day-break.  The  warmest  part  of  the  day  was,  as  a  general  rule,  between 
the  hours  of  9  and  11,  a.  m.  The  greatest  difference  between  the  temperatures  of  day  and 
night  occurred  during  March  and  April,  in  the  spring,  and  the  months  of  October  and  Novem- 
ber, in  the  fall;  and,  during  these  months,  the  digestive  and  respiratory  apparatus  suffered 
most  disturbance.  During  the  summer,  when  the  land  breeze  from  the  south  and  west  was 
blowing,  the  temperature  of  86°  was  very  oppressive;  the  respiration  was  labored,  the  spirits 
depressed,  the  indisposition  to  bodily  and  mental  exertion  almost  insuperable.  With  intense 
anxiety  was  the  ocean  breeze  expected !  The  first  ripple  on  the  surface  of  the  water  to  the 
southeast  was  the  signal  of  approaching  relief!  By  the  full  establishment  of  the  refreshing 
current,  mental  and  physical  elasticity  were  restored  ;  hope  took  the  place  of  despondency  ;  and 
the  past  was  remembered  only  to  heighten  the  enjoyment  of  the  present.  The  mercury  in  the 
thermometer  generally  fell  about  six  degrees  in  ten  minutes,  without  producing  any  other  than 
a  sense  of  comfort  and  well-being.  The  sea-breeze,  blowing  with  great  regularity,  is,  indeed, 
tlie  great  sanitary  agent  on  the  coast  of  Florida,  tempering  the  protracted  heats  of  summer, 
and,  by  its  nerve-strengthening  power,  resii.ring  the  lost  tone  of  the  system. 

The  summer  climate  of  the  coast  may  be  considered  a  very  fine  one.     A  few  miles  back  from 
s.  96 io 


314  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

the  ocean  it  does  not  merit  the  same  praise ;  and  the  contrast  a  single  mile  west  of  the  camp  was 
80  marked  as  to  excite  surprise  in  every  one  who  tested  tlie  difference.  During  the  Avinter,  on 
the  otlier  liaud,  an  interior  position  is  more  suitable  for  tlie  pulmonary  invalid;  and  a  dry  pine- 
harren  country,  through  which  he  may  roam  at  will,  and  inhale  the  balsamic  atmosphere,  will 
prove  most  friendly  to  his  lungs,  and  best  sustain  the  flagging  energies  of  his  system. 

■  The  land-breeze  during  the  summer  is,  in  all  its  projjerties,  the  reverse  of  the  ocean  current. 
Instead  of  being  nerve-strengthening,  it  is  nerve-debilitating ;  and  during  its  prevalence  there 
was  invariably  an  increase  of  the  sick-list.  Fortunately,  the  sea-breeze — the  better  genius  of 
the  coast — prevails,  and,  in  a  great  measure,  neutralizes  the  power  of  its  antagonist. 

The  subjoined  abstract  will  show  the  diseases  and  the  number  taken  sick  since  this  camp  was 
occupied.  What  were  the  disease-producing  agents  during  the  spring,  summer,  and  fall? 
With  respect  to  the  catarrhs  and  diarrhoeas,  the  majority  of  which  were  so  slight  as  not  to 
amount  to  disease,  and  accordingly  are  not  reported,  they  occurred  in  months  during  which 
there  was  the  greatest  contrast  between  the  temperatures  of  day  and  night ;  and  a  moment's 
reflection  upon  the  physiological  sympathies  and  relations  of  the  skin  with  the  digestive  and 
pulmonary  mucous  membranes  will  suggest  the  rationale  of  their  causation.  Not  so  with  inter- 
mittent fever ;  doubt  still  clouds  the  professional  mind,  and  the  question  presents  itself  as  to 
the  existence  or  non-existence  of  a  specific  cause. 

For  a  long  period  there  has  been  conceived  to  be  a  relationship  between  the  soil  and  certain 
forms  of  disease ;  marsh  miasm  having  been  considered  the  fruitful  parent  of  intermittent  and 
remittent  fevers.  Received  as  a  medical  fact,  which  it  was  deemed  a  heresy  to  disi)ute,  it  has, 
in  these  latter  days,  been  called  in  question,  and  distinguished  members  of  the  profession  seem 
disposed  to  discard  it  as  a  dogma  that  has  no  substantial  basis !  It  is  plausibly  argued  that 
ordinary  meteorological  influences — heat,  dryness,  moisture,  alternations  of  temperature, 
changes  in  the  electrical  state  of  the  atmosphere,  &c. — are  adequate  to  produce  these  and  other 
forms  of  disease;  and  that  where  we  have  such  causes  acting  upon  the  system,  it  is  an  errant 
philosophy  to  seek  for  others  t  A  concise  statement  of  the  medical  history  of  the  command 
during  the  past  summer  may  throw  some  light  upon  this  point. 

In  sketching  the  topography  of  the  camp,  it  was  stated  that  there  existed,  some  distance  in  its 
rear,  a  fertile  swamp  which  had  been  partly  cleared,  dyked,  and  devoted  to  the  culture  of  the 
cane.  On  its  arrival  at  Dunlawton,  the  company  encamped  on  this  ground,  which  offered  the 
shelter  of  a  few  old  sheds.  The  camp  was  surrounded  by  a  quantity  of  vegetable  matter  in 
process  of  decay,  from  which  it  was  thought  might  be  evolved,  under  the  action  of  elevated  at- 
mosiiheric  heat,  a  febrific  agent.  It  was  accordingly  deemed  expedient  to  move  the  camp  to  its 
present  position,  and  early  in  April  the  movement  was  efi'ected.  As  a  mill  and  other  valuable 
property  in  the  field  would  have  been  exposed  to  violence  in  the  event  of  an  Indian  incursion,  a 
guard  was  left  for  its  protection,  which  was  relieved  by  a  fresh  detail  every  twenty-four  hours. 
Scattering  cases  of  intermittent  fever  occurred  during  the  month  of  April,  increased  in  frequency 
and  severity  during  the  months  of  May  and  June,  so  as  seriously  to  impair  the  efficiency  of  the 
command,  and  render  the  discontinuance  of  the  guard  at  the  sugar-field  a  matter  of  necessity. 

In  moving  the  company  to  a  new  position,  the  cause  of  the  disease  was  not  entirely  evaded. 
The  marshy  surface  immediately  in  rear  of  the  camp,  subject  to  occasional  overflow,  and  pre- 
senting to  the  solar  rays  material  for  the  production  of  disease,  maintained  the  morbid  impres- 
sion in  those  who  had  already  suffered,  and  eventually  affected  that  portion  of  the  command 
whose  sjiecial  duties  had  exempted  them  from  detail  for  guard.  Hence^  before  the  expiration 
of  the  summer,  every  enlisted  man,  with  a  rare  exception,  had  suffered  one  or  more  attacks  of 
intermittent  fever.  It  is  an  interesting  fact,  and  illustrative  of  the  facility  with  which  all  the 
sickness  might  have  been  avoided,  that  the  proprietor  of  Dunlawton,  with  his  family,  had  en- 
joyed uninterrupted  health  for  a  series  of  years,  by  retiring,  for  the  summer  and  fall,  to  their 
sea-shore  residence,  distant  less  than  two  miles;  and  that  the  penalty  of  the  experiment  of 
spending  the  summer  at  Dunlawton  was  the  illness  of  himself  and  every  member  of  his  family, 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA,  315 

with  a  single  exception.  So  active  was  the  endemic  influence,  that  nearly  all  the  negroes  on 
the  plantation,  young  and  old,  were  affected  hy  it.  The  case  of  the  company  haker  is  not  with- 
out interest.  After  the  withdrawal  of  the  command  from  the  sugar-field,  he  alone  remained 
there  in  the  discharge  of  his  special  duty.  A  very  few  days  elapsed  before  he  reported  sick 
with  severe  premonitions — pain  iu  the  back  and  head,  giddiness,  gastric  distress,  coated 
tongue,  witli  a  viscid  and  bitter  state  of  the  secretions  of  the  mouth.  After  the  operation  of  an 
emetic,  which  led  to  the  copious  discharge  of  acrid  bile  and  vitiated  mucus,  a  simple  tertian 
was  revealed,  which  yielded  speedily  to  the  sulphate  of  quinine.  On. his  restoration  to  health, 
he  was  returned  to  duty,  with  instructions  to  leave  the  field  at  sunset,  and  pass  the  night  in  the 
new  encampment.  In  a  very  few  days  he  again  reported  sick  with  a  similar  train  of  symptoms, 
which  yielded  to  similar  treatment ;  and  having  been  again  returned  to  duty,  he  was  for  the 
third  time  similarly,  though  not  so  severely,  affected.  Now  there  is  nothing  strange  in  all  this; 
and,  doubtless,  medical  officers  will  remember  similar  cases,  as  strikingly  illustrative  of  the 
influence  of  peculiar  localities,  and  the  functional  derangement  of  the  digestive  apparatus 
produced  by  the  cause  of  intermittent  fever.  The  effects  were  as  specific  as  those  produced  by 
any  poison;  and  upon  such  evidence  the  mind  may  repose,  until  the  advance  of  science  shall 
enable  us  still  further  to  disclose  the  mysterious  agents  by  which  we  are  surrounded.  It  is  not 
every  season,  however,  that  presents  so  striking  a  manifestation  of  the  endemic  influence;  due, 
possibly,  to  the  fact  (and  in  this  presenting  an  analogy  with  the  vegetable  productions  of  the 
soil)  that  the  elements  which,  by  their  combination,  produce  the  poison,  become  deficient,  and 
require  repose  for  their  reproduction. 

In  connexion  with  this  last  paragraph,  it  may  not  be  irrelevant  to  mention  a  case  of 
sickness,  characterized  by  some  peculiar  features.  The  greatest  sufferer  from  intermittent 
fever,  during  the  summer  and  fall,  was  Private  Otto,  hospital  steward.  The  dispensary 
tent,  in  which  he  slept,  was  pitched  just  on  the  border  of  the  marshy  plain,  described  as  being 
immediately  in  rear  of  the  camj).  It  was  in  the  centre  of  a  small  grove  of  the  cabbage-pal- 
metto, which  sheltered  it  from  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The  hospital  tent  was  in  front  of  it,  and 
completely  obstructed  the  current  of  the  sea-breeze ;  the  position  was  not  one  of  election,  but 
necessity.  The  physical  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed,  were  great  dami)ness,  and  the 
rapid  growth  of  a  beautiful  green  mould,  that  night  after  night  covered  the  surface  of  the  vege- 
table extracts.  The  symptomatical  peculiarities  of  the  case  were  distressing  vertigo,  and  irrita- 
bility of  stomach,  which  continued  throughout  the  intermissions.  He  suffered  no  less  than 
five  attacks  of  the  disease,  and  his  case  forcibly  recalled  to  my  mind  several  whicK  formed  the 
subject  of  a  communication  made  to  Professor  J.  K.  Mitchell  some  years  since,  after  a  perusal 
of  his  lectures  on  the  cryptogamous  origin  of  fever.  Had  the  fungus-producing  atmosphere  any 
influence  upon  Private  Otto?  If  not  the  cause  of  intermittent  fever,  may  the  unusual  develop- 
ment of  this  form  of  vegetable  life  in  miasmatic  localities  be  an  explanation  of  the  malignity 
it  occasionally  displays?  These  were  questions  which  presented  themselves  to  my  mind,  when 
I  reflected  upon  the  coincident  peculiarities  of  cases  separated  by  time  and  distance.  Tlie  cryp- 
togamic  theory  is  destined,  perhaps,  like  all  that  have  preceded  it,  to  be  numbered  among  the 
unsuccessful  efforts  to  advance  the  cause  of  truth ;  but  the  ingenuity  and  research  displayed  by 
Dr.  Mitchell  in  its  advocacy  entitle  him  to  the  thanks  of  the  profession.  The  detachment  sta- 
tioned at  New  Smyrna  suffered  from  intermittent  fever,  but  not  to  the  same  extent  as  the  troops 
in  camp  at  Dunlawton.  The  medical  topography  of  the  two  places  is  similar  ;  but  the  latter 
presented  a  surface  fitted  for  the  production  of  a  stronger  poison,  and  the  emanations  from  its 
fertile  swamp  made  an  impression  which  was  felt  long  after  the  command  was  removed  from  its 
direct  influence. 

With  respect  to  New  Smyrna,  the  amiable  and  philosophic  Abbe  Kaynal,  in  his  History  of 
the  Settlement  of  the  East  and  West  Indies,  remarks:  "The  Greeks  groan  under  the  Ottoman 
tyranny,  and  must  be  inclined  to  shake  ofl"  the  detested  yoke.  This  was  the  opinion  of  Doctor 
TurnbuU,  when,  in  1767,  he  went  to  ofler  an  asylum  in  British  America  to  the  inhabitants  of 


316  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Peloponnesus.  Several  of  them  yielded  to  his  solicitations;  and^  ibr  the  sum  of  one  inindi-od 
guineas,  he  obtained  leave  fi-om  the  government  of  the  place  to  embark  them  at  Modon.  He 
landed  in  Corsica  and  Minorca,  and  prevailed  upon  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  islands 
to  follow  him.  Tlie  emigrants,  to  the  number  of  one  thousand,  arrived  in  East  Florida,  with 
their  prudent  conductor,  where  sixty  thousand  acres  of  land  were  granted  to  them.  This  would 
have  been  an  immense  possession,  even  if  the  climate  had  not  destroyed  any  of  them  ;  but  they 
had,  unfortunately,  been  so  much  thwarted  by  tlie  winds  as  to  prevent  their  landing  before 
summer,  which  is  a  dangerous  season,  and  which  destroyed  one-quarter  of  their  number. 
Those  who  escaped  the  first  disaster  have  since  enjoyed  perfect  health,  which  has  only  been 
aflected  by  a  few  fevers." 

His  speculations  upon  the  future  of  this  settlement  are  as  follows;  "Wliy  should  not  Athens 
and  Lacedemon  be,  one  day,  revived  in  North  America?  Why  should  not  the  city  of  Turnbull 
become,  in  a  few  centuries,  the  residence  of  politeness,  of  the  fine  arts,  and  of  eloquence?"  Its 
present  desolation  holds  out  but  little  prospect  of  the  fulfilment  of  his  anticipations,  and  a  para- 
graph in  the  same  chapter  may  partly  explain  the  ])resent  condition  of  the  settlement.  "The 
soil  of  East  Florida,  (says  Eaynal,)  being  a  great  deal  too  sandy,  constantly  drove  away  all  men 
who  were  desirous  of  making  a  rapid  fortune.  It  would  scarcely  have  been  peopled,  except  by 
some  extraordinary  event.  The  troubles  by  which  North  America  hath  been  agitated  have 
driven  to  that  comparatively  barren  soil  a  few  peaceful  citizens,  who  had  a  settled  aversion  for 
disputes,  and  a  still  greater  number  of  men  who,  either  from  ambition,  habit,  or  prejudice,  were 
devoted  to  the  mother  country."  The  apologist  for  East  Florida  may  attempt  to  explain  away 
the  cause  of  its  slow  population;  the  Indian  phantom  may  now  and  then  be  raised,  clothed  in 
all  its  horrors;  but  the  face  of  nature  remains  the  same,  and  he  who  has  examined  the  country 
■with  an  unprejudiced  eye  will  remain  a  skeptic  as  to  its  future  populousness.  In  another  chap- 
ter of  his  history,  the  Abbe  Eaynal  remarks : 

"  The  first  Spaniards  who  settled  there  would  probably  not  have  recovered  from  those  dan- 
gerous fevers,  with  which  most  of  them  were  attacked  on  their  arrival  in  Florida,  either  in  con- 
sequence of  the  food  of  the  country,  or  of  the  badness  of  the  waters  ;  but  the  savages  taught 
them  that,  by  drinking  (fasting  and  at  their  meals)  water  in  which  the  root  of  the  sassafras  had 
been  boiled,  they  might  depend  upon  a  speedy  cure.  The  experiment,  on  trial,  proved  suc- 
cessful." 

These  extracts  are  quoted  to  show  that,  at  the  earliest  period  of  the  settlement  of  the  Floridas 
fevers  were  rife ;  and,  doubtless,  under  a  less  improved  treatment  than  at  present  pursued, 
many  cases  might  have  terminated  in  death.  If  those  of  the  past  summer,  there  were  oc- 
casionally urgent  symptoms;  and  it  is  not  improbable  that,  without  the  invaluable  aid  of  the 
sulphate  of  quinine,  the  intermittents  might  have  degenerated  into  remittents;  and  these  last, 
after  having  lasted  sufiiciently  long  to  impair  the  nervous  energy  and  vitiate  the  circulating 
fluids,  have  lapsed  into  a  fever  resembling  typhus.  It  is  a  weak  enthusiasm,  therefore,  to  con- 
tend that  Florida  is  the  healthiest  country  on  the  f;ice  of  the  wide  world.  It  would  be  strange, 
indeed,  if  her  fertile  swamps  and  hammocks  did  not  generate  fevers.  It  has  been  proved,  how- 
ever, that  on  her  salubrious  sea-coast  almost  perfect  immunity  from  fever  may  be  enjoyed  ;  and 
it  is  high  praise  to  say  that,  if  the  bane  exists,  a  way  of  escape  is  within  easy  reach  of  those 
who  select  Florida  for  a  home. 

I  am  not  aware  that  the  health  of  the  command  was  seriously  modified  by  any  other  than  the 
endemic  influence.  That  the  nervous  and  sanguiferous  systems  felt  the  influence  of  long  con- 
tinued and  elevated  solar  heat,  may  not  be  doubted ;  but  the  loss  of  tone,  resulting  from  its 
action,  was  countervailed  by  tlic  invigorating  breezes  from  the  ocean.  The  diet  of  the  soldiers 
consisted  of  the  wholesome  army  ration,  with  good  fish  caught  in  the  Halifax  river,  and  an 
occasional  supply  of  venison.  The  water,  though  slightly  brackish,  was  good.  No  irritation 
or  other  appreciable  influence  was  produced  on  the  alimentary  canal  ;  and,  considering  tlie  well- 
known  imprudence  of  soldiers,  the  immunity  from  diarrhoea  was  rather  remarkable.     During 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    FLORIDA.  317 

the  summer,  indeed,  constipation  seemed  to  be  tlie  rule — diarrhoea  the  exception.  In  the 
month  of  Novemher,  on  the  other  hand,  when  the  nights  were  decidedly  chilly,  nearly  every 
relapse  into  intermittent  fever  was  either  preceded  or  followed  by  diarrhoea.  It  has  been  stated 
that  many  cases  of  the  endemic  were  of  a  severe  character — the  irritability  of  stomach,  the  pain 
in  the  back  and  head,  &c.,  announcing  no  slight  impression  on  the  system.  I  do  not  wish  to 
convey  the  idea  that  they  were  of  a  dangerous  character;  for  a  large  majority  of  the  fevers  of 
Florida  yield  readily  to  treatment.  In  estimating,  however,  the  force  of  the  cause,  due  consider- 
ation should  be  had  of  the  character  of  the  subject  upon  which  it  acts.  The  company  consisted 
mainly  of  recruits  enlisted  at  the  north,  who  were  sent  into  a  southern  camp  at  the  commence- 
ment of  warm  weather,  and  kejit  in  an  unhealthy  position  long  after  the  supposed  necessity  had 
passed.  Many  of  them,  of  previously  intemperate  habits,  had  been  caught  up  by  recruiting 
sergeants  about  the  filthy  purlieus  of  our  large  cities,  and  hurried  into  the  service.  In  looking 
at  the  detachment  as  it  landed,  one  could  not  helj)  imagining  that  the  commanding  and  medical 
officers  at  some  recruiting  depot,  disgusted  with  the  subjects  of  their  official  care,  had  thrown 
open  the  doors  of  the  guard-house  and  hospital,  and  thrust  the  inmates  forth,  to  be  hurried 
aboard  of  a  transport  bound  for  some  distant  station  !  Such  was  the  morbid  mass  exposed  to 
the  causes  of  disease  !  Had  these  men  been  placed  in  garrison,  disciplined  into  something  like 
decency,  and  instructed  by  the  force  of  example  into  a  proper  care  of  themselves,  they  would 
have  suffered  less  severely  from  the  exposures  of  a  camp  life  ;  and  the  fact  that  the  rare  exam- 
ples among  them  of  a  better  class  and  more  intelligence  sufiered  less  severely,  and  recovered 
with  more  facility,  shows  that  such  advantages  secured  them  comparative  immunity.  In  the 
army,  indeed,  we  are  presented  with  striking  illustrations  of  a  truth,  which  should  be  engraved 
on  the  door  of  entrance  to  every  hospital — the  intemperate  sufler  most  severely  from  disease, 
and,  as  a  general  rule,  fall  its  earliest  victims. 

Assuming  the  fact,  that  intermittent  fever  is  the  result  of  a  specific  cause,  it  is  allowable, 
within  certain  limits,  to  speculate  upon  its  mode  of  action.  The  late  distinguished  professor  of 
the  theory  and  practice  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  advocated  the  gastric  pathology  of 
this  fever  with  great  eloquence  and  force ;  and  he  who  has  observed  the  disease  closely  will 
admit  that,  let  the  antecedents  in  the  intimate  recesses  of  the  system  be  what  they  may,  the 
first  appreciable  derangements  exist  in  the  digestive  apparatus.  Nor  is  this  fact  without  a 
practical  bearing ;  for,  by  carefully  obviating  the  initial  disturbance,  the  attack  may,  frequently, 
be  warded  o&.  Being  consulted  by  the  proprietor  of  Dunlawton  as  to  the  health  of  several  of 
his  children,  who  had  sufiered  repeated  attacks,  I  directed  his  attention  to  the  coated  tongue 
and  torpor  of  the  bowels  which  preceded  them;  and,  by  the  use  of  gentle  but  efficient  means 
to  correct  the  frequently  recurring  functional  derangement,  the  attacks  were  interrupted  and 
health  restored.  In  a  miasmatic  locality,  medical  men  are  presented  with  three  well-marked 
manifestations  of  the  endemic  influence  in  the  production  of  intermittent  fever,  neuralgia,  and 
the  malarial  cachexia.  It  is  well  known  that  the  last  two  may  invade  the  system  without  the 
patient  having  ever  had  a  paroxysm  of  fever.  Various  grades  of  the  cacliexia  are  met  with  in 
unhealthy  districts ;  and  the  subjects  of  it  will  express  a  wish  to  have  a  regular  attack  of  the 
ague,  as  a  means  of  getting  better  of  their  complaints.  Intermittent  fever  is,  however,  the 
most  usual  manifestation ;  and  the  case  of  the  company  baker,  briefly  sketched  above,  is  stri- 
kingly illustrated.  It  will  be  remembered  that  marked  gastric  symptoms  characterized  his 
attacks,  which  were  repeated  three  several  times  after  as  many  exposures  to  the  air  of  the  moist 
rich  sugar-fleld.  The  cause  of  the  disease  may,  then,  be  reasonably  supposed  to  make  its  pri- 
mary impression  ui)on  the  nervous  system  of  the  digestive  ajiparatus  ;  the  capillary  circulation 
of  these  organs  is  disturbed,  and,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  their  secretory  functions  are  per- 
verted; hence  the  vitiated  secretions  which  so  prominently  mark  the  onset  of  the  disease.  The 
intimate  union  and  sympathy  which  exist  between  all  departments  of  the  nervous  system,  the 
important  part  which  that  system  performs  in  all  the  vital  movements,  will  readily  account  for 
all  the  subsequent  phenomena — the  pain  and  confusion  of  head,  the  rigors,  the  occasional  C0U7 


318  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

vulsions,  the  defective  formation  or  irregular  distribution  of  animal  heat,  the  feeble  action  of 
the  heart,  the  congestion  of  various  organs,  &c.,  &c.  Occasionally,  the  morbid  impression  is 
too  strong  for  the  vitality  of  the  system,  which,  after  a  short  struggle,  is  extinguished.  For- 
tunately, the  vis  conservatrix  is  generally  successful ;  and  the  patient,  after  a  violent  commo- 
tion, (the  particulars  of  which  need  not  be  detailed,)  lies  ])rostrate  and  bathed  in  perspiration — 
a  gradual  return  to  apparent  health  com])leting  the  circle.  But  the  disease  still  exists ;  the 
peculiar  cause  has  impressed  a  periodicity  on  these  movements;  the  paroxysms,  if  not  inter- 
rupted, are  repeated  again  and  again,  with  surprising  regularity.  Each  repetition  still  further 
deranges  the  animal  and  organic  functions;  and  although,  after  frequent  paroxysms,  the  posi- 
tive suiferings  during  an  attack  may  not  be  so  distressing,  yet  the  appearance  of  the  patient 
indicates  that  a  healthy  blood  is  no  longer  formed,  and  that  his  nutrition  is  seriously  impaired. 
His  emaciation  is  evident ;  his  skin  becomes  sallow,  harsh,  and  dry ;  he  is  troubled  with  con- 
stipation, or  diarrhcea — usually  the  former ;  and  the  sequel  of  the  history  is,  that  his  face  becomes 
pufiy,  his  abdomen  tumid,  the  lower  extremities  cedematous,  and  general  dropsy  terminates 
the  scene — dropsy  from  altered  crasis  of  the  blood.  This  form  of  cachexia  I  have  seen  on  the 
St.  John's  river,  in  subjects  who,  for  years,  have  breathed  the  endemic  poison.  The  only  hope 
for  the  patient,  under  such  circumstances,  is  a  removal  from  the  abode  of  this  mysterious  power, 
a  faithful  course  of  mild  alteratives  and  aperients  with  the  preparations  of  taraxicum,  a  di- 
gestible and  nutritious  diet,  and  a  steady  administration  of  the  great  tonic-analeptic,  iron. 
By  the  use  of  these  means,  and  such  others  as  particular  circumstances  may  indicate,  health 
may  generally  be  re-established. 

Intermittent  fever  is  a  subject  of  much  interest  to  the  army  medical  officer,  inasmuch  as  it 
is  encountered  at  every  step  of  his  progress.  He  has  to  deal  with  the  disease  under  circum- 
stances hostile  to  the  full  efficacy  of  his  remedial  means;  for  his  patients  have  frequently 
only  the  shelter  of  a  tent  from  the  chill  night  air  and  the  burning  sun,  and  their  continuance 
in  unhealthy  positions,  which,  for  military  reasons,  cannot  be  abandoned,  subjects  them  to  the 
continued  influence  of  the  cause  of  the  very  disease  he  is  attempting  to  cure ;  hence  the  liability 
to  relapses  and  fresh  attacks,  which  prove  so  harassing  to  the  surgeon,  and,  occasionally,  so 
ruinous  to  the  health  of  the  soldier.  In  every  case  of  intermittent  fever  the  practitioner  will 
recognize  the  presence  of  two  elements — periodicity  and  functional  derangement  of  the  digestive 
system.  The  former  is  located  in  the  nervous  system,  and  is  occasionally  manifested  by  parox- 
ysmal neuralgias,  which  observe  regular  periods  of  recurrence.  These  are,  clearly,  affections 
of  the  nervous  system,  and,  with  a  due  regard  to  the  condition  of  other  organs,  to  be  relieved  by 
remedies  mainly  addressed  to  that  system.  The  other  element  prominently  marks  the  onset  of 
the  disease;  makes  it,  according  to  its  degree,  mild  or  severe;  and,  by  its  occasional  intensity, 
prevents  the  complete  resolution  of  the  paroxysm  producing  a  remittent;  which,  after  it  has 
continued  sufficiently  long  to  produce  loss  of  jiower  and  vitiation  of  the  blood,  verges  toward 
typhus;  or,  if  the  acuteness  of  the  disease  has  passed,  and  a  chronic  functional  derangement  is 
maintained  by  the  long-continued  operation  of  the  cause,  produces  that  cachectic  condition 
described  in  a  former  part  of  this  paper. 

Every  physician  of  experience  in  malarial  fevers  has  witnessed  the  natural  conversion  of  inter- 
mittent and  remittent,  and  the  lapse  of  the  latter  into  a  disease  resembling  typhus,  and  thence 
a  retrograde  movement  into  the  more  manageable  disease ;  and  in  the  treatment  of  the  malarial 
cachexia,  one  of  the  favorable  indications  is  the  occurrence  of  a  regular  paroxysm  of  intermittent 
fever — the  periodical  element  seeming  to  have  been  interrupted  by  the  more  powerful  derange- 
ments of  the  system,  and  to  reapjjcar  on  their  relief.  As  regards  the  treatment  of  intermittent 
fever,  as  it  occurred  at  Dunlawton,  I  have  but  little  of  interest  to  communicate.  Apprehending 
in  some  of  the  earlier  cases  a  remittent  form  of  fever,  I  administered  at  the  onset  the  following 
powder:   R  Sulph:  quin:  grs.  x;  prot:  chlor:  hydrarg:  grs.  x;  sulph:  morphias  gr.  ss.  M. 

The  severe  pain  in  the  head  and  back,  the  general  malaise  of  the  patient,  &c.,  disappeared 
as  by  enchantment ;  an  aperient  next  day  completed  the  treatment.     It  struck  me,  however, 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA,  319 

tliat  signal  as  the  relief  seemed  to  be,  the  medication  was  too  strong  for  the  amount  of  disease, 
and  that  the  patient  was  enfeebled  by  it  more  than  could  be  considered  justifiable.  According- 
ly, I  pursued  the  more  usual  course  of  cleansing  the  alimentary  canal  by  an  emetic  or  cathar- 
tic, as  seemed  to  be  indicated,  and  administered  quinine  during  tlie  intermission ;  giving  ten 
grains  at  the  close  of  a  paroxysm  in  quotidians,  and  in  tertians  administering  the  remedy  in 
smaller  doses,  at  regular  intervals.  If  the  patient  "missed  the  chill,"  about  ten  additional 
grains  were  given  during  the  two  following  days;  and  great  care  was  taken  to  return  no  one 
to  duty  before  all  signs  of  functional  derangement  had  disappeared.  In  all  the  more  usual 
forms  of  intermittent  fever,  experience  has  satisfied  me  that  this  is  the  preferable  course  of  pro- 
ceeding. In  j^ernicious  intermittents,  a  very  different  medication  is  demanded.  The  life-force 
has  received  a  blow  under  whicli  it  staggers ;  and  the  uncompromising  administration  of  the 
great  tonic-neurosthenic  quinine  is  the  sheet-anchor  upon  which  we  must  rely  for  safety.  The 
wonderful  powers  of  this  remedy,  which,  with  magic  touch,  seems  to  exorcise  the  evil  spirit,  has 
led,  perhaps,  sometimes  to  a  forgetfulness  of  other  remedies,  and  a  too  exclusive  attention  to 
the  periodical  element.  But  the  arrest  of  the  paroxysms  must  not  be  considered,  in  all  cases,  a 
cure  of  the  disease ;  and  until  the  digestive  apparatus  is  restored  to  a  physiological  state,  as 
evidenced  by  a  clear  complexion  and  conjunctiva,  a  clean  tongue,  a  restoration  of  appetite,  and 
a  regular  condition  of  the  alvine  canal,  the  disease  may  be  considered  to  exist.  By  attending 
to  both  the  elements,  and  directing  the  appropriate  treatment  for  their  relief,  the  medical  officer 
will  have  the  satisfaction  of  saving  his  patients  from  protracted  ill  health.  Fresh  attacks  they 
may  have,  while  breathing  the  poison  ;  relapses  may  be  induced  by  their  own  imprudence  ;  but 
the  course  above  indicated  will  carry  them  through  the  summer  and  fall  with  unimpaired 
health,  free  from  enlarged  spleens  and  other  visceral  obstructions.  Should  he  pursue  an  oppo- 
site course,  and  attempt  to  carry  the  citadel  of  the  enemy  by  storm,  rather  than  by  slower  and 
more  regular  approaches — should  he  purge  his  patient  actively,  and  administer  a  large  dose  of 
the  sulphate  of  quinine — he  may,  indeed,  stifle  the  periodical  element,  but  he  may  not  thor- 
oughly cure  the  patient,  who,  on  being  subjected  to  a  drill  of  any  length,  will  have  to  fall  out 
of  the  ranks  from  inability  to  undergo  the  necessary  exertion.  It  is,  indeed,  important  to  cure 
this  disease  speedily,  for  two-thirds  of  the  command  may  be  disabled  by  it;  but  a  slower 
method  will,  in  the  end,  save  both  time  and  trouble.  As  a  matter  of  experiment,  I  abstained 
in  one  case,  from  the  use  of  quinine,  and  directed  my  attention  to  the  element  of  functional  de- 
rangement, which  was  treated  by  aperients  and  alteratives.  By  tliis  method,  the  severity  of  the 
paroxysms  was  diminished  by  the  amount  of  functional  disturbance  relieved;  but  the  periodical 
element  remained,  and  was  eliminated  by  the  sulphate  of  quinine.  In  this  instance,  a  lon^-er 
immimity  from  a  second  attack  was  enjoyed  than  in  any  other;  and,  although  no  practical  in- 
ference should  be  drawn  from  a  single  case,  the  question  fairly  presents  itself, — may  we  not  be 
in  the  habit  of  resorting  to  the  anti-periodic  too  early,  and  might  we  not  gain  in  the  end  by 
thoroughly  preparing  the  system  for  its  administration? 

Much,  we  apprehend,  is  yet  to  be  learned  upon  the  subject  of  intermittent  fever ;  and  a  great 
boon  would  be  conferred  upon  the  profession  by  him  who  would  make  a  series  of  careful  obser- 
vations upon  the  disease,  the  comparative  value  of  large  and  small  doses  of  quinine,  the  best 
means  of  obviating  relapses,  and  various  other  points  of  interest.  Notwithstanding  the  care 
which  was  taken  to  effect  a  thorough  cure  of  the  disease,  second,  tliird,  and  fourth  attacks  were 
experienced  in  the  course  of  the  summer  and  fall ;  not,  I  believe,  from  an  inevitable  necessity, 
but  from  a  reckless  disregard  of  ordinary  precautions,  and  a  wilful  neglect  of  advice  given.  It 
is  gratifying,  notwithstanding  every  obstacle,  that  the  month  of  December  lias  expired  without 
any  serious  impairment  of  health.  And  if,  under  the  privations  and  exposures  of  a  camp  life, 
in  a  malarious  locality,  the  medical  officer  shall  carry  his  charge  througli  an  unhealthy  season, 
with  its  physical  vigor  not  seriously  diminished,  he  may  consider  it  a  triumph  of  liis  noble  art. 
The  laws  of  nature  he  cannot  annul;  morbific  emanations  will  continue  to  spring  from  the  soil, 
and  poison  the  common  air ;  the  scorching  rays  of  the  midday  sun,  and  the  chilling  blasts  of  the 


320  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

midnight  winds,  will  alternately  unduly  excite  and  depress  the  vital  movements  of  this  myste- 
rious frame ;  last,  not  least,  the  reckless  transgressions  of  the  laws  of  health  and  morals  will 
assuredly  reap  their  merited  penalties.  The  medical  man  must,  in  humility,  submit,  and  be 
content  to  exercise  the  high  but  limited  power  vouchsafed  to  him,  of  relieving  the  effects  of 
causes  wisely  held  from  his  control.  In  military  life  he  will  meet  with  much  to  annoy,  and  see 
enough  to  disgust  him;  and  it  will  require  a  constant  effort  to  school  himself  to  patience  witli 
tlie  subjects  of  liis  professional  care.  He  should  try,  nevertheless,  to  realize  the  humane  senti- 
ment, that  disease  and  suifering  level  all  distinctions;  that  the  poor,  miserable  inebriate,  writh- 
ing on  a  bed  of  sickness,  and  the  good  man  suffering  its  pangs,  demand  an  equal  effort  of  his 
skill.  By  adopting  it  as  his  guide  on  entering  the  service,  the  j'oung  medical  officer  will  never 
have  cause  of  self-reproach ;  and  whether  his  professional  efforts  be  crowned  with  victory,  or 
covered  by  defeat,  he  will  be  sustained  by  the  consciousness  of  duty  faithfully  performed. 
Above  all,  let  him  remember  that  the  aj^proaches  of  disease  are  often  insidious;  and  that  what- 
ever may  be  the  character  of  a  soldier,  (and  many  of  them  are  trickish  and  prone  to  deceive,) 
his  case  should  receive  a  calm  and  deliberate  consideration.  This  advice  may  seem  out  of  place ; 
but  the  young  medical  officer  will  do  well  to  bear  it  constantly  in  mind  during  the  earlier  por- 
tion of  his  array  life,  and  iintil  a  more  matured  experience  shall  have  made  him  acquainted 
with  the  specialities  of  the  service. 

The  liability  to  relapses  and  fresh  attacks  of  intermittent  fever  is  well  known  to  the  army  sur- 
geon, and  a  subject  of  frequent  and  thoughtful  consideration.  Soldiers,  as  a  class,  are  proverbially 
reckless.  Although  warned,  when  returned  to  duty,  against  throwing  themselves  into  currents  of 
fresh  air  after  having  been  heated  by  drill  or  other  military  duty,  I  have  known  relapses  repeat- 
edly induced  by  such  exposure.  An  hour's  exposure  to  the  ardent  rays  of  the  sun,  in  the  passive 
amusement  of  fishing,  has  repeatedly  brought  back  to  the  hospital  soldiers  who,  a  few  days  before, 
were  returned  to  duty  in  perfect  health.  In  one  soldier,  three  successive  attacks  were  traced  to 
gluttony;  and  nothing  but  alarm,  excited  by  the  severity  of  the  last^  led  him  to  restrain  his  appe- 
tite. But,  of  all  the  predisposing  causes,  constipation  was  the  most  usual.  On  returning  soldiers 
to  duty,  they  were  distinctly  warned  against  such  a  state,  and  directed  to  apply  for  medicine  to 
obviate  it.  The  very  few  who  followed  the  advice,  derived  advantage  from  it ;  but  in  a  large 
majority  of  second  and  third  attacks,  constipation  had  existed  for  several  days.  Nor  is  it  diffi- 
cult to  explain  why  it  should  have  been  so.  The  retention  of  excrementitious  material  in  the 
colon  and  rectum  proves  irritant  to  an  extensive  mucous  surface,  produces  sympathetic  disturb- 
ance of  the  stomach  and  liver,  and  co-operates  with  the  cause  of  the  disease  in  reproducing  the 
element  of  functional  derangement^it  helps  to  forge  the  first  link  of  the  morbid  chain.  It  is, 
indeed,  vitally  important  at  the  south  to  guard  against  torpor  of  the  bowels — a  homely  truth, 
which  should  receive  the  religious  attention  of  every  officer  and  soldier  serving  in  that  portion 
of  our  country.  Military  duties,  exposing  the  soldier  alternately  to  the  hot  sun  and  night  air, 
are  unavoidable  causes  of  disease,  with  which  the  medical  officer  has  but  little  concern.  In- 
vested, nevertheless,  with  medical  charge  of  a  command,  he  can  give  such  advice  to  the  sick 
and  convalescent  as  may  be  of  advantage  to  them.  It  is  true  that,  through  recklessness,  few 
will  profit  by  it;  but  he  will  have  the  satisfaction  of  having  discharged  his  duty,  and,  apart 
from  the  emoluments  of  his  commission,  this  is  the  only  reward  he  can  reap  in  the  service. 

In  occupying  a  position  in  a  region  where  malarial  fevers  may  be  anticipated,  are  there  any 
measures  that  might  be  instituted  against  their  access,  or,  falling  short  of  this,  that  might 
temper  the  force  of  their  attacks?  This  presents  an  interesting  field  of  investigation.  That  a 
rigid  enforcement  of  the  laws  of  health  would  lead  to  beneficial  results,  cannot  be  doubted. 
Unfortunately,  there  is  a  very  rare  interchange  of  views  between  commanding  and  medical  offi- 
cers. The  former  do  not,  perhaps,  appreciate  the  importance  of  such  considerations;  the  latter, 
by  the  custom  of  service,  are  reduced  too  much  to  the  condition  of  mere  prescribers  for  the  sick. 
What  medical  officer  of  experience  is  there  who  has  not  traced  attacks  of  disease  to  the  impru- 
dence of  soldiers,  which  might  have  been  controlled  by  commanding  officers — to  exposure  to 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN  FLORIDA.  321 

the  broiling  sun  in  Inmting  or  fishing;  to  bathing  at  unseasonable  hours,  &c.,  &c.;  this,  too, 
when  scarce  an  liour  passed  without  some  soldier  reporting  sick  with  fever  ?  Who  has  not  been 
vexed  at  seeing  men,  who  a  few  days  before  had  been  returned  to  duty  in  perfect  health,  relapse 
into  fever  through  exposures  unnecessary  and  not  in  the  line  of  their  duties?  Observation  has 
satisfied  me  that  a  large  amount  of  disease  might  be  avoided,  if  officers  in  command,  on  the 
occupation  of  an  unhealthy  position,  instituted,  under  the  advice  of  their  medical  staff,  a  system 
of  discipline  having  reference  to  the  predisposing  and  exciting  causes  of  disease. 

The  affections  of  the  digestive  and  respiratory  system  were  few  in  number,  mild  in  character, 
such  as  might  have  occurred  in  any  locality,  and  hardly  deserve  a  special  consideration  in  this 
paper.  The  diarrhoeas  yielded  readily  to  a  rational  treatment.  The  dysenteries,  being  unattended 
by  general  excitement,  were  treated,  for  two  consecutive  days,  by  an  oleaginous  aperient  in  the 
morning,  a  large  dose  of  Dover's  powder  at  nighty  a  warm  sinapism  to  the  abdomen  morning 
and  evening,  with  a  fluid  farinaceous  diet.  After  the  grade  of  local  excitement  had  been  some- 
what lowered  by  these  means,  a  combination  of  hydrar:  cum  creta,  pulv:  Doveri,  et  pulv:  rhei, 
administered  in  moderate  doses  at  regular  intervals,  soon  caused  the  blood  and  mucus  to  give 
place  to  fajcal  discharges.  After  the  disease  has  continued  for  some  time,  I  think  I  have  derived 
benefit  from  directing  an  enema  of  cold  water  before  the  patient  rises  in  the  morning,  so  as 
thoroughlj-  to  wash  out  the  lower  bowel.  During  the  night,  there  is  formed  in  the  lower  i^art 
of  the  colon  and  rectum  an  accumulation  of  vitiated  secretions,  which,  calling  into  action  by 
their  irritant  power  the  excito-motory  system  of  that  part  of  the  bowels,  leads  to  frequent  sudden 
and  involuntary  efforts  to  expel  their  contents.  The  cold  enema,  by  washing  out  the  offending 
cause,  and  giving  tone  to  the  relaxed  and  congested  capillaries,  diminishes  the  frequency  of 
these  expulsive  efforts,  and  materially  promotes  the  comfort  of  the  patient. 

FORTPIEKCE.  .• 

Fort  Pierce,  one  hundred  and  seventy  miles  south  of  St.  Augustine,  is  situated  on  a  blufi" 
about  fifteen  feet  above  the  water-level  of  Indian  river,  on  which  it  is  established.  The  bluff 
on  which  the  post  is  located  is  part  of  a  liigli  range  of  land  which  extends  along  the  western 
border  of  the  river  for  many  miles,  and  is  the  most  elevated  portion  of  land  in  this  region  of 
coimtry.  Two  hundred  yards  west  of  the  post  there  is  a  pond,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in 
circumference;  the  principal  part  of  which  is  dry  during  the  summer,  exposing  a  sandy  bottom, 
which  is  soon  covered  with  grass.  The  country,  generally,  is  very  low,  and  in  the  rainy  season 
is  covered  with  water.  In  fact,  it  appears  to  be  a  succession  of  ponds^  partially  dry  during  the 
warm  season.  The  water  of  the  river  is  highly  impregnated  with  salt,  and  abounds  in  oysters 
and  fish  of  the  finest  description.  The  soil  of  the  country  consists  of  loose  sand,  and  is  very 
poor,  producing  pine,  scrub-oak,  and  occasionally  palmetto.  The  water  used  in  drinking  is 
impregnated  with  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  and  aftects  the  bowels  of  those  unaccustomed  to  it; 
these  effects,  however,  soon  wear  off,  and  it  becomes  palatable  and  wholesome.  The  prevailing 
winds  in  summer  are  southeast,  or  trade-winds,  and  northerly  winds  in  winter.  The  heat  of  a 
vertical  sun  in  the  summer  season  is  very  oppressive,  which,  together  with  the  mosquitoes, 
renders  a  residence  here  during  the  months  of  May,  June,  July,  and  August,  almost  insup- 
portable. These  evils  are,  however,  greatly  ameliorated  by  the  sea-breeze,  which  generally 
prevails  here  throughout  the  day  during  the  warm  season.  In  winter,  frost  is  seldom  seen ;  and 
the  climate,  in  every  respect,  throughout  this  period,  is  perhaps  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the  world. 
The  prevailing  diseases  have  been  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  and  slight  bilious  affections,  attributable 
rather  to  imprudence,  the  relaxing  influence  of  a  warm  climate,  and  the  water,  rather  than  to 
any  miasmatic  origin.  The  bilious  attacks  have  invariably  yielded  to  a  mercurial  cathartic, 
followed  by  ol:  ricini;  the  diarrhoeas  and  dysenteries  to  opium,  camphor,  and  blue-mass,  in 
connexion  with  a  light  diet. 

These  observations  are  derived  from  the  reports  of  Assistant  Surgeon  James  R.  Conrad. 
s.  96 ti 


322 


EEPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


FORT   DALLAS. 

This  post,  according  to  a  Lrief  note  by  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  L.  Adkins,  is  situated  on  a  com- 
paratively high  bluff,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  river,  and  overlooking  Key  Biscayne  bay, 
a  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  separating  the  post  from  the  sea  by  about  three  miles'  distance.  The 
soil  is  very  light,  and  broken  tor  the  most  part  by  limestone  rock.  The  pine-barrens  are  com- 
posed of  silicious  sand,  vegetable,  and  other  matter.  The  hammocks  are  the  most  productive 
of  any  portion  of  the  coast.  The  pomegranate,  fig,  orange,  lemon,  lime,  citron,  and  other 
fruits  are  cultivated,  blossoming  and  bearing  the  year  round.  The  American  aloe  grows  to  a 
great  height.  Frost  rarely  visits  this  locality,  and,  as  spring  is  perennial,  fruits,  flowers,  and 
vegetables  are  always  present.  The  temperature  is  remarkably  uniform,  not  exceeding  a  vari- 
ation of  10°  from  summer  heat  the  greatest  part  of  the  year  ;  and  when  highest,  a  refreshing 
breeze  from  the  ocean  constantly  gives  a  spring-like  character  to  the  atmosphere. 

KEY    WEST   BARRACKS, 

On  Key  West,  or  Thompson's  Island,  about  forty  miles  southwest  of  Cape  Sable,  and  be- 
tween eighty  and  ninety  miles  north  of  Plavana,  with  the  Gulf  stream  between.  According  to 
Assistant  Surgeon  R.  F.  Simpson,  "the  length  of  the  island  from  east  to  west  is  about  seven 
miles,  with  an  average  width  of  one  mile  and  a  half.  The  highest  part  of  the  island  is  not 
more  than  ten  feet  above  the  level  ot  the  sea,  and  at  ordinary  tides  many  parts  are  under  water. 
It  forms  a  portion  of  the  Florida  Reef,  on  which  annually  many  vessels  are  wrecked.  The 
greater  part  of  the  surface  of  the  island  is  covered  with  a  dense  jungle,  with  many  marshes 
and  ponds,  some  of  which,  during  the  rainy  season,  are  filled  with  fresh  water;  others  with  a 
mixture  of  fresh  and  salt  water.  The  basis  of  the  island  is  tertiary — limestone,  with  sand, 
shells,  and  coral.  The  population  (1854)  is  about  3,000,  of  which  1,000  are  Concks,  or 
Bahamans,  750  negroes,  and  the  remainder  Americans,  English,  Irish,  Germans,  Portuguese, 
Italians,  and  Spaniards.  The  Concks  are  a  peculiar  race,  S2)eak  a  language  difficult  for  a 
stranger  to  understand ;  they  intermarry  sometimes  with  very  near  relatives,  are  very  prolific, 
and  some  of  their  children  are  horribly  deformed." 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treateil. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  peb  1,000  of  mean  btrenqth. 

Treated.                      Died. 

851 
835 
900 

754 

479 
602 
887 
440 

1 

5 

12 

3 

563 

721 
985 
583 

1 

6 

Third  tiuarter __ 

13 

Fourth  u  viartcr 

4 

Annual  ratio. _._._.... 

835 

2,408 

21 

1 
2.883           1               25 

It  appears  from  the  foregoing  data  that  the  average  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to 
the  number  of  men  was  2.88  to  1 ;  that  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  was  1  to  39.74,  or 
2.5  per  cent.;  and  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  cases  treated  was  1  to  114.66, 
or  0.87  per  cent. 


AMONG   THE   TKOOPS  IN   FLOSIDA 


323 


FE\'ERS. 


FOURTH. 

Proportion  of  iloalliH  to 
cases. 

g 

t-  ei 

Strengtli 

851 

835 

900 

754 

835 

|i 

-  3 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Febris  continua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana.. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana. 

5 
20 
21 
6 
7 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

2 
61 
25 

2 
11 

0 

9 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 

6 

158 

50 

1 
56 

0 
24 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
9 

4 
39 
32 

0 
12 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

17 

278 

128 

9 

86 

0 

33 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

11 

lin      17 
0  in    278 
0  in    128 
0  in        9 
0  in      86 
0  in        0 
lin        3 

20.3 
333 
153 

10.7 
103 

Febris  typlius 

0 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

39 

Total 

59 

0 

110 

2 

295 

10 

87 

0 

551 

12 

lin      46 

659 

The  thirty-three  cases  of  yellow  fever  reported  in  the  general  abstract  for  this  region  occurred 
at  Key  West  Barracks  in  the  second  and  third  quarters  of  1854.  Assistant  Surgeon  R.  F.  Simp- 
son, in  tran.smitting  his  report  for  the  third  quarter  1854,  remarks  as  follows: 

"  During  the  past  season  yellow  fever  has  prevailed  as  an  epidemic,  and  has  proved  very  fatal, 
not  only  to  strangers,  but  to  persons  who  have  been  living  on  the  island  for  years.  As  nearly  as 
I  can  ascertain,  there  were  in  the  town  250  cases,  and  100  deaths.  In  August,  1853,  two  soldiers 
were  sent  to  this  garrison  from  Fort  Brooke,  Tampa.  One  died  of  yellow  fever  shortly  after 
his  arrival,  and  the  other  died  of  the  same  disease  in  September,  The  first  case  that  I  can  hear 
of  in  town,  was  a  young  lady  who  came  from  Tallahassee;  she  died  in  November,  1853;  and 
from  that  time  till  April,  1854,  there  were  a  few  cases,  and  some  deaths.  From  April  to 
August  the  disease  became  general.  At  first  it  was  confined  to  the  centre  of  the  town,  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  a  large  pond,  which  had  been  the  receptacle  for  quantities  of  filth  and 
decayed  vegetable  matter.  Radiating  from  this  point,  it  gradually  spread  over  the  whole 
island,  attacking  indiscriminately  whites  and  blacks ;  being  most  fatal  in  June  and  July.  The 
first  case  in  the  garrison  occurred  in  the  person  of  the  hospital  steward,  who  had  exposed  him- 
self both  to  the  sun  and  to  the  night  air  in  attending  the  sick  on  the  island.  He  sickened  on  the 
28th  of  May,  and  died  on  the  1st  of  June,  with  black  vomit.  In  addition  to  the  thirty-three 
cases  and  eleven  deaths  reported  as  occurring  among  the  troops,  there  were  sixteen  cases  in 
families  at  the  post,  one  of  which  died." 

The  total  cases  treated  49,  deaths  12.  Dr.  Simpson  expresses  his  belief  that  the  disease  had 
its  origin  in  local  causes. 


324 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters . 


Strenfftli  . 


Diseases. 


851 


835 


900 


Deaths.    Cases. 


"5t 


Cases. 


835 


'2 


0 

582 

Ul 
12 
3.5 
1.2 
2.4 

122 

100 

966  . 


Oiolcra  Asiatiea 

Diarrha'a. . 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysenteria  chronica . . 

Enteritis - 

Hepatitis  acuta.  - 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseasesof  this  system 

Total 


0 

0 

0 

85 

0 

126 

37 

0 

24 

4 

1 

3 

1 

0 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

33 

0 

23 

15 

0 

33 

0 

167 

39 

1 

1 

0 

2 

33 

22 


0 

108 

18 

2 

0 

0 

0 

14 

14 


0 

486 

118 

10 

3 

1 

2 

103 

84 


176 


210 


265 


156 


807 


0  in      0 

0  in  486 

1  in  118 
1  in  3 
0  in  3 
Oin  1 
0  in      2 

0  in  103 

1  in    84 


1  in  161 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  ....   .--.--.. .- 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

TUIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

2 

.a 

ea 

13      . 

I 

s 

^!' 

Strength 

851 

835 

900 

754 

835 

S  § 
o  a 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica  . 

5 
21 

1 
3 
0 

2 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

1 
15 
0 
2 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 

0 

18 
1 
3 
0 

0 

0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

0 

0 

26 

0 

1 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

G 
80 
2 
9 
0 

2 

0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

0 

0  in       C 
Oin      80 
lin       2 
0  in       9 
0  in      0 

0  in       2 

7 
95.8 

2.3 

Pleuri tis  ........-...--.--- 

10.7 

Pneumonia .-_-_              _-.- 

0 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 

2.4 

Total 

32 

0 

18 

0 

22 

1 

27 

0 

99 

1 

lin     99 

118 

I 

21 

0 

22 

0 

21   '       0 

16 

0 

80 

0 

Oin    80 

95.8 

The  original  reports  are  without  comment  respecting  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with 
the  digestive  and  respiratory  systems. 


GULF  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 

The  troops  stationed  in  West  Florida,  and  on  the  immediate  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
have  been  much  more  actively  employed  in  the  field  than  those  stationed  in  East  Florida 
and  on  the  Atlantic  coast.     In  addition  to  this  difference  of  service,  which  would  of  course  tend 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  325 

to  increase  the  amount  of  sickness  among  the  troops  in  this  region,  the  exigencies  of  the  service, 
and  the  special  duty  to  be  performed,  rendered  the  occupation  of  sickly  positions  unavoidable. 
These  facts  should  be  considered  in  any  deductions  to  be  drawn  from  the  statistics  for  this  group 
of  posts. 

The  quarterly  reports  embraced  in  the  general  abstract,  though  rendered  for  separate  posts 
or  forts,  necessarily  include  the  cases  of  sickness  actually  incurred  in  the  field,  as  most  of  the 
field  duty  was  performed  by  scouting  parties  temporarily  absent  from  their  permanent  stations. 

The  positions  most  permanently  occupied  are  Barrancas  Barracks,  Forts  Brooke,  Meade,  and 
Myers.  In  addition  to  these,  the  troops  have  occupied  eight  temporary  posts  in  the  six  years 
covered  by  the  general  abstract  for  this  region. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGEAPHY  AXD  DISEASES  OF  BAKRANCAS  BARRACKS. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  John  F.  Hammond  :  1854. 

Barrancas  Barracks  is  on  the  north  side  of  Pensacola  bay,  near  its  mouth,  in  latitude  30° 
19'  N.;  longitude  87°  16'  9"  W.,  and  30  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  It  is  located  on  a 
sand  bluff  about  25  feet  high  above  the  beach,  and  about  400  yards  from  the  edge  of  the  bay. 
North  of  it,  for  a  mile,  is  a  strip  of  sandy  country  timbered  with  pines  and  undergrowth  of 
several  kinds  of  oak.  Just  beyond  this  is  the  Bayou  Grande,  G  miles  long,  and  200  yards  wide 
opposite  the  barracks,  running  east  and  west,  and  opening  into  the  bay  three  miles  east  of  the 
barracks.  On  the  west  is  Fort  Barrancas,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  and  the  country  beyond 
similar  to  that  just  described.  On  the  south,  extending  along  the  foot  of  the  bluff  for  a  mile, 
and  about  100  yards  wide,  is  a  belt  of  land,  always  damp,  and  flooded  in  rainy  seasons.  A  few 
years  ago  there  were  a  number  of  ponds  upon  this  belt.  They  have  been  drained  by  a  ditch 
■which  at  all  times  contains  water.  Beyond  this  moist  strip,  the  beach  of  brilliant  white  sand 
spreads  out  like  a  sheet  of  snow  to  the  water's  edge.  On  the  east  is,  first,  the  naval  hospital, 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  similarly  located,  except  that  there  is  a  little  swamp  behind  it,  as 
well  as  the  moist  ground  in  front.  Half  a  mile  east  of  it  is  a  canal,  which  drains  a  large  swamp 
that  extends  eastward,  just  north  of  Warrington  and  the  navy-yard.  The  latter  are  a  mile 
east  of  the  barracks,  and  are  between  the  beach  and  a  large  swamp,  the  southern  half  of  which 
is  imperfectly  drained  and  cleared. 

During  the  prevalence  of  the  east  wind,  which  comes  directly  over  the  swamp,  the  navy-yard, 
Warrington,  and  the  naval  hospital,  and  of  the  northeast  and  north  winds,  which  blow  over 
the  bayou,  it  was  observed  that  a  greater  number  of  persons  were  attacked  by  the  fever,  and 
those  already  sick  became  worse.  The  number  of  new  cases  very  evidently  diminislied,  and  tlie 
sick  improved,  when  the  wind  changed  to  the  southeast,  south,  or  southwest,  where  it  came  from 
the  Gulf. 

Early  in  July,  1853,  a  detachment  of  recruits  for  the  navy  arrived  at  the  Pensacola  navv- 
yard  from  the  rendezvous  in  New  Orleans.  The  9th  of  the  same  month,  five  of  them  were  ad- 
mitted with  yellow  fever  at  the  naval  hospital  in  the  vicinity.  They  were  the  first  cases  of  the 
fever  seen  at  Pensacola  bay  that  season.  Several  of  the  attendants  who  nursed  them  were  taken 
sick  shortly  after  with  yellow  fever.     The  disease  extended  no  further  from  them. 

On  the  24th  of  July,  the  same  year,  the  U.  S.  steamer  Vixen  came  into  the  harbor  from 
Tampico,  and  moored  alongside  of  the  navy-yard  wharf.  A  few  days  after  her  arrival,  a  white 
boy,  ten  or  eleven  years  of  age,  who  had  for  two  or  three  successive  days  frequented  her  for  the 
purpose  of  fishing  from  her  decks,  sickened  with  yellow  fever.  Ho  slept  with  his  little  sister. 
She  was  very  soon  taken  with  tlie  same  disease.  They  were  carried  into  the  country.  Both  of 
them  died  with  black  vomit.  These  were  the  first  cases  at  the  bay  that  originated  outside  of 
the  walls  of  the  naval  hospital. 

Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  Vixen,  a  case  of  fractiire  was  sent  from  her  to  the  naval 
hospital,  and  the  man's  mattress  was  thrown  overbonnl.     Tlie  latter  drifted  to  the  beach,  and 


326  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

was  picked  up  by  a  negro  employed  in  tlie  navy-yard.  Within  a  day  or  two  after  he  was  seized 
with  yellow  lever,  and  died  with  black  vomit.  This  was  the  third  case  that  occurred,  not 
counting  those  mentioned  as  in  the  hospital.  All  of  the  comrades  of  the  man,  and  who  were 
his  nurses — seven  or  eight,  or  more — were  taken  soon  after  with  yellow  fever.  The  people  of 
the  Vixen  had  suffered  when  at  Tampico,  and  on  her  passage  home,  witli  a  remitting  fever, 
which  was  designated  by  those  on  board  the  Tampico  fever .  They  soon  began  to  fill  tlie  wards 
of  the  naval  liospital,  and  did  not  cease  until  sixty-six  of  them  were  admitted  witli  yellow  fever. 
In  the  mean  time,  tlie  commodore  in  command  of  the  navy-yard  being  sick,  the  Vixen  lay  at  or 
near  the  yard,  and  the  daily  sea-breeze  spread  her  effluvia  through  the  community.  Tiie  disease 
sjiread  rapid!}*,  and  involved  all  classes  in  the  navy-yard,  and  nearly  the  whole  population  with- 
out, in  the  immediate  vicinity.  A  man  was  admitted  into  the  naval  hospital  the  26th  of  Au- 
gust with  yellow  fever.  He  was  placed  in  a  ward  where  there  had  not  as  yet  been  any  case  of 
the  fever.  There  were  several  other  patients  in  the  ward  when  he  arrived.  Two  or  tliree  days 
after  his  arrival,  three  of  the  patients  of  the  ward  sickened  with  yellow  fever.  The  man  nearest 
on  his  right,  and  the  man  nearest  on  his  left,  were  the  first  of  those  taken.  It  was  observed 
that  the  earliest  to  take  the  disease  in  the  hospital  were  the  attendants  or  nurses  of  the  sick — 
those  who  came  more  frequently  and  more  closely  in  contact  with  them. 

The  17th  August  a  discharged  soldier  was  brought  from  a  drunken  debauch  in  Warrington — 
a  suburb  of  the  navy-yard,  peopled  by  its  civil  employees  and  their  families — to  the  mili- 
tary hospital  at  Barrancas  Barracks.  He  ajipeared  to  have  delirium  tremens.  He  was  sub- 
ject to  it.  He  soon  became  comatose,  and  died  a  few  hours  after.  He  turned  very  yellow  after 
death.  It  was  a  case  of  yellow  fever,  and  it  was  the  first  that  was  at  Barrancas.  His  compan- 
ions in  the  last  debauch  were  men  of  the  crew  of  the  Vixen.  Several  of  them  attended  iiis 
funeral. 

The  occurrence  of  the  fever  so  late  at  Barrancas  might  be  attributable  to  the  little  intercourse 
of  its  residents  with  those  of  other  places,  due  to  the  warmth  of  the  sun,  and  the  deejj,  heavy, 
sandy  soil. 

A  day  or  two  after  the  death  of  the  man  last  mentioned,  a  case  of  obstinate  quotidian  inter- 
mittent fever  occurred  in  a  house  beside  the  hospital.  And  about  the  same  time  the  only  two 
patients  in  the  ward  where  he  died  (both  had  sj'philis)  were  seized  with  fever — one  with  a 
light  remittent,  the  other  was  ephemeral.  The  21st  of  the  same  month  the  men  at  the  barracks 
began  to  sicken  with  the  yellow  fever,  and  from  that  time  it  gradually  sjiread  through  the  com- 
mand and  the  neighborhood. 

The  attendants  in  the  hospital  were  so  uniformly  taken  sick  with  the  fever  a  short  time  after 
entering  upon  their  duties,  that,  in  the  end,  the  greater  part  of  the  command  had  been  attend- 
ants.    Not  one  of  them  escaped  it. 

A  watchman  at  the  navy-yard,  a  recently  discharged  soldier,  was  taken  sick  with  the  fever 
in  August.  Several  of  his  late  comrades  at  the  barracks  visited  and  nursed  him.  He  died  with 
black  vomit.  It  was  a  virulent  case.  All  who  nursed  him  sickened  with  the  fever,  and  several 
of  them  died  with  black  vomit. 

Of  the  command  at  Barrancas,  but  seven  men  escaped  the  epidemic.  Of  the  latter,  one  (a 
sergeant)  had  the  yellow  fever  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  1839  ;  one  "had  a  severe  fever  in  New 
Orleans,  the  summer  of  1847;"  two  had  the  yellow  fever  in  Vera  Cruz^  in  1848;  one  was  sta- 
tioned at  a  fortification,  (Fort  Macree,  three  miles  distant  from  the  barracks,)  and  was  at  no  time 
with  the  sick  ;  another  was  the  company  cook,  and  in  every  way  exposed  to  the  malaria ;  and 
another  resided  at  a  distance  from  Barrancas,  and,  notwithstanding  he  was  somewhat  exi^osed  to 
the  weather,  and  had  occasional  intercourse  with  the  sick,  escaped.  Several  of  the  men  who 
had  kejit  away  from  the  sick  escaped  the  disease  until  late  in  the  season,  when  the  general  sick- 
ness required  them  to  be  detailed  as  attendants. 

If  there  were  epidemic  peculiarities,  they  were,  probably,  greater  tendency  to  early  stupor, 
and  to  congestion  of  the  bowels  and  dysentery,  with  discharges  of  blood  ;  earlier  gastric  irrita- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  327 

bility ;  the  disease  less  tractalile  after  the  early  part  of  the  first  stage ;  earlier  and  more  delirium ; 
and  intolerance  of  loss  of  blood.  It  attacked  equally  all  classes — Creoles  and  other  natives  of 
all  ages,  and  residents  of  many  years;  except  the  negroes,  among  whom  it  was  less  fatal.  No 
instance  was  observed  in  which  it  occurred  in  a  person  who  had  had  the  yellow  fever  before.  It 
did  not  run  its  course  very  quickly.  The  earliest  death  remarked  was  seventy  hours  from  the 
commencement  of  the  attack.  It  reached  the  maximum  the  fifth  day,  generally,  and  death  oc- 
curred the  seventh  or  eighth  day.  As  an  epidemic,  it  swept  like  a  temj)est  through  the  peo- 
ple— sudden,  short,  terrible  in  its  effects. 

The  apparent  contagiousness  of  the  disease  was  a  subject  of  general  remark,  and  not  a  ques- 
tion. Eruptions  upon  the  lips,  and  sometimes  boils  and  carbuncles — as  is  the  case  in  all  mala- 
rious fevers,  attended  by  abatement  of  the  fever — were  so  constant  as  to  entitle  it  to  be  called  an 
eruptive  fever.  There  might  be  little  impropriety  in  placing  all  the  malarious  fevers  in  that 
class.  It  may  be  that  during  the  epidemic  this  season,  there  was  a  mild  form  of  typhus  fever 
running  its  course  at  the  same  time  with  the  yellow  fever,  lending  its  contagiousness  ;  or,  which 
is  most  apt  to  be  the  truth,  that  its  contagiousness  was  apparent  because  it  was  more  malignant 
than  was  ever  observed  here  before,  and  that  the  contagiousness  of  all  malarious  fevers  is  in 
jiroportion  to  their  general  malignancy,  or  the  concentrated  state  of  the  cause  of  the  disease. 
The  i)ortability  of  yellow  fever  should  not  be  questioned. 

The  attack  was  preceded  for  two  or  three  days  by  depression ;  chilliness  ;  constipation  ;  the 
appetite  not  much  impaired.  The  patient  usually  attributed  the  attack  to  cold  he  thought 
he  had  caught  just  p*-eviously.  It  began,  generally,  before  day-light  in  the  morning.  The 
patient  was  benumbed;  had  shiverings;  pain  of  head  ;  loss  of  appetite;  no  thirst;  perhaps 
a  little  nausea.  If  his  feet  were  placed  in  warm  water  about  8  o'clock,  A.  m.,  reaction  would 
speedily  take  place ;  the  surface  become  hot ;  the  face  flushed  and  tumid  ;  the  pulse  frequent  and 
moderately  full;  the  tongue  slightly  furred,  white,  moist;  pain  of  head  severe,  extending  down 
the  back  of  the  neck,  and  felt  as  if  caused  by  a  fluid  poured  down  the  vertebral  canal ;  a  burning 
sensation  in  the  eyes  ;  intense  pains  in  the  small  of  the  back ;  thirst ;  nausea ;  vomiting ;  con- 
stipation ;  the  urine  deeply  colored.  Not  many  hours  afterward,  the  surface  would  become 
dingy  ;  the  eyes  much  injected,  and  the  balls  painful ;  thirst  increased,  but  never  intense;  fre- 
quent vomiting.  Sometimes  the  last  did  not  occur  until  near  the  end,  when^  without  any  ap- 
jiarent  premonition  to  the  jiatient,  the  black  vomit  would  si)irt  out,  perhaps  into  the  face  of  the 
attendant.  The  pharynx  would  become  sore  and  painful ;  the  eyes  and  skin  yellow  ;  the  tongue 
moist  on  the  edges,  dark  brown  and  dry  in  the  centre;  indift'erence  to  objects  around  him,  or 
intolerance  of  visitors  and  noise ;  delirium  ;  urine  scant,  and  of  a  brown  color ;  hemorrhage  from 
the  gums  or  nose;  black  vomit;  bloody  discharges  from  the  bowels;  coma,  or  convulsions; 
death.  In  the  cases  that  recovered^  there  was  almost  invariably  an  eruption  about  the  lips, 
and  boils  and  small  abscesses  (sometimes  carbuncles)  over  the  body  at  a  later  period.  The 
disease  was  regarded  as  of  miasmatic  origin,  and  treated  accordingly.  One  case  will  serve  to 
show  the  general  plan  of  treatment  at  Barrancas,  and  apparently  illustrate  in  a  degree  the  re- 
lationship of  yellow  fever  and  intermittent  fever. 

An  officer  was  taken  sick  the  8th  of  September.  He  had  been  constantly  with  the  sick. 
For  several  days  previous  lo  the  attack,  he  felt  depressed;  a  sense  of  weight  in  the  stomach; 
torpor  of  mental  faculties,  and  chilliness.  At  first  he  attributed  his  attack  to  exposure  the 
night  before.  He  was  taken  with  chilliness,  generally;  some  pain  in  the  head;  the  tongue 
nearly  natural;  some  appetite;  no  thirst;  nausea.  He  was  so  unwell,  as  to  be  induced,  after 
his  morning  duties  were  finished,  to  take  a  hot  foot-bath.  The  symptoms  of  the  early  stage  of 
yellow  fever,  given  above,  were  fully  developed  in  less  than  an  hour  afterwards. 

He  was  immediately  given  hj'drarg:  chlor:  mite;  sulph:  quinias;  each  20  grains.  Two  hours 
afterwards,  the  quinine  had  produced  no  effect  on  his  hc-ad.  Forty  grains  of  it  were  then  admin- 
istered. At  the  end  of  six  hours  after  the  calomel  was  taken,  an  ounce  of  castor-oil  was  given 
him.     It  was  vomited,  and,  with  it,  some  of  the  quinine.     An  hour  afterward  the  dose  of  oil 


328  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

was  repeated,  and  it  was  retained.  Ice  was  given  him  to  eat  when  he  desired  it.  He  was  a 
little  delirious  during  that  night;  slept  none  until  toward  morning;  sweated  very  profusely. 
At  the  end  oi'  twenty-four  hours  from  the  foot-hath,  the  medicine  had  evacuated  his  howels ;  the 
skin  was  soft  and  moist ;  the  fever  nearly  entirely  gone ;  his  head  was  clear,  scarcely  any  effect 
of  the  quinine  on  the  sensorium  perceived  hy  him;  tongue  a  little  furred,  white;  pain  of  head  ; 
pain  in  the  halls  of  the  eyes  increased;  intolerance  of  visitors  and  conversation;  some  nausea. 
A  hlister-plaster  six  inches  square  was  applied  to  the  epigastrium,  and  mercurial  frictions 
employed  on  the  extremities  ;  the  bowels  to  he  kept  open  by  enemata,  if  necessary.  No  medi- 
cine was  given  hy  the  mouth  ;  nothing  to  eat ;  ice,  ice-water,  iced  lemonade,  if  desired.  Toward 
noon  his  fever  was  quite  perceptible,  hut  abated  in  the  afternoon.  During  the  night  there 
was  another  exacerbation,  wliich  remitted  again  in  tlie  morning.  Tliat  night  (the  second) 
excruciating  torture  from  ])ains  of  his  loins;  he  screamed  with  all  liis  force,  constantly.  The 
relief  of  them  was  attributed,  at  the  time,  to  mustard  cataplasms  and^ morphine;  but  it  was  not 
effected  until  near  day-light.  They  did  not  return  after  that  night  with  much  intensity.  The 
blister  was  dressed  with  mercurial  ointment,  and  tlie  use  of  the  latter  was  continued  until  the 
gums  were  touched.  The  fever  continued  remitting  until  the  fifth  day,  when  it  left  liim,  and 
he  was  very  much  prostrated.  He  had  some  appetite,  and  was  allowed  to  take  gruel.  The 
sixth  day  some  light  corn-batter  cakes,  buttered,  were  sent  him.  He  ate  two  of  them  when 
they  were  warm,  and  they  agreed  with  him  very  well.  At  noon  he  ate  two  more  of  them. 
They  were  cold,  and  he  ate  them  with  less  care.  At  night  he  had  dysentery,  with  bloody 
stools.  It  was  immediately  stopped  by  an  opiated  enema.  He  recovered  .slowly,  and  reported 
for  duty,  still  very  feeble,  the  seventeenth  day  after  tlie  attack. 

It  would  have  been  better  to  have  commenced  the  treatment  with  a  general  warm  bath,  a  little 
more  than  tepid.  The  quinine  should  have  been  in  solution,  because  it  acts  more  promptly  in 
that  state.  And  it  should  have  been  given  shortly  after  the  calomel,  in  a  dose  of  forty  grains, 
and  repeated  in  from  two  to  six  hours  afterward,  in  a  dose  of  twenty  to  forty  grains.  It  should 
have  been  given  in  doses  of  two  or  three  grains  during  the  third  twelve  hours,  and  then  finally 
discontinued.  The  quinine,  when  given  after  the  first  thirty-six  hours,  appeared  to  cause  or 
increase  irritability  of  the  stomach,  to  induce  in  some  cases  nervous  irritation  resembling 
delirium  tremens,  and  to  produce  early  delirium.  It  and  the  calomel  were  both  suspended  in 
the  above  case,  to  guard  against  irritating  the  stomach. 

The  cerate  of  Spanish  flies  was  used  for  blistering.  It  would  have  been  better  had  some  other 
vesicant  been  employed.  The  active  principle  of  the  fly,  absorbed  into  the  circulation,  stimu- 
lates the  system  generally,  and  determines  or  predisposes  to  local  inflammation  in  the  acute 
stage.  This  is  obvious  in  most  acute  diseases.  It  rarely  fails  to  irritate  painfully  the  kidneys, 
ureters,  and  neck  of  the  bladder. 

All  visitors  should  have  been  excluded  until  the  fever  had  ceased  for  twenty-four  hours,  and 
noise  been  prevented;  and  the  light  excluded,  at  the  same  time  that  the  ventilation  of  the 
chamber  was  kept  free. 

He  should  not  have  been  allowed  to  eat  anything  until  he  had  appetite,  or  until  after  the 
fever  ceased,  and  then  gruel  only  should  have  been  given  for  several  days,  and  simple  broth 
cautiously  substituted  for  it.  When  the  latter  was  given  early,  it  caused  dysentery  that  was 
difficult  to  control  in  several  instances. 

Calomel  was  given,  at  an  early  period  of  the  epidemic,  in  doses  of  two  or  three  grains  every 
hour  or  two  hours,  during  the  third  and  fourth  twelve  hours.  But,  from  its  sedative  action 
on  the  stomach,  or  indirect  stimulation  of  it  and  the  bowels,  by  its  influence  on  the  secretory 
apparatus  of  the  liver,  or  by  its  modification  of  the  blood,  it  seemed  to  cause  an  early  tendency 
to  black  vomit,  and  to  cause  the  black  vomit.  Mercury  was  not  employed  by  the  mouth  after 
the  first  free  evacuation  of  the  bowels  by  it. 

The  patient,  whose  case  is  given  above,  recuperated  very  slowly.  The  pains  of  his  loins 
continued  severe  for  many  days.     They  were  increased  by  mental  application.     He  was  sen- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  329 

sible  of  them  at  all  times  when  not  asleep.  But  there  seemed  to  be  exacerbations  of  them, 
occurring  at  midday.  He  observed,  several  times,  in  the  mornings,  that  he  had  had  profuse 
perspiration  during  the  preceding  night.  He  took  moderate  exercise  to  regain  his  strength, 
without  avail.  At  length  his  appetite  began  to  fail.  He  was  much  annoyed  by  chilliness. 
And  after  two  weeks  from  the  time  he  returned  to  duty,  he  went  to  bed  with  fever.  It  was 
intermittent  fever,  the  paroxysms  occurring  every  night  at  midnight.  Here  was,  apparently,  the 
yellow  fever  gradually  converted  into  an  almost  indistinguishable  remittent  fever,  marked  by 
the  exacerbations  of  the  pains  at  midday,  and  the  sweats  observable  in  the  morning,  which 
doubtless  followed  an  exacerbation  at  midnight,  and  finally  running  into  an  intermittent  fever, 
rendered  more  23ercei)tible  by  some  accidental  cause.  It  became  severe.  The  tongue  was  heavily 
coated,  white;  there  was  much  irritation  of  stomach;  great  thirst,  and  nausea;  severe  pain  in 
the  head,  the  eyeballs,  and  small  of  the  back.  A  general  warm  bath  was  employed,  calomel 
and  castor-oil  given,  a  blister-plaster  was  applied  to  the  epigastrium,  and  fifty  grains  of  qui- 
nine, in  ten-grain  doses,  administered  in  the  course  of  forty-eight  hours.  The  fever  disappeared, 
and  the  stomach  regained  its  integrity.  But  the  blister  was  followed  by  a  crop  of  fifteen  or 
sixteen  carbuncles  on  the  epigastrium,  with  sloughs  from  two  to  twelve  lines  in  diameter. 
They  were  very  painful,  and  matured  and  healed  slowly.  The  fever  returned  with  a  chill 
several  times  afterward,  and  there  was  a  tendency  to  return  again  and  again. 

This  case  aflbrds  a  fine  instance  of  yellow  fever.  Its  subsidence  through  the  different  forms 
of  miasmatic  fever,  as  the  Cixuse  was  removed,  not  to  say  eliminated,  and  as  circumstances  per- 
mitted the  latter  to  produce  a  sensible  effect,  is  perceptible ;  and  the  peculiar  influence  of  sul- 
phate of  quinine  in  malarious  fevers  is  evident.  The  tendency  of  the  fever  to  return  in  an  in- 
termittent form  was  observed  in  many  of  the  other  cases  of  yellow  fever  that  recovered.  There 
was  one  case  which  recovered  after  the  occurrence  of  the  black  vomit.  The  subject  was  a  man 
of  medium  size ;  bilious  temperament ;  age  about  24  years ;  native  of  Virginia ;  a  soldier.  He 
was  seized  with  the  fever  in  the  midst  of  a  drunken  debauch,  in  Pensacola,  the  26th  of  August. 
The  fever  was  obviously  lessened  by  quinine,  given  early  ;  but  it  returned.  His  skin  and  eyes 
were  deeply  tinged  yellow  as  early  as  the  third  day.  At  the  same  time,  there  were  symjitoms 
of  nervous  irritation — tremors.  The  fourth  day  the  tremors  were  excessive,  and  there  was  some 
delirium.  The  fifth  day  he  was  quite  delirious,  and  excessively  tremulous.  This  continued 
more  or  less  until  the  seventh  day.  Until  that  time,  from  the  second  day,  he  was,  when  seen  at 
the  usual  visits,  in  a  profuse  sweat.  The  seventh  day  the  skin  became  dry,  the  tongue  brown 
and  dry,  and  the  delirium  constant.  He  was  placed  in  a  general  warm  bath.  Shortly  after 
he  was  removed  from  it,  his  pulse  was  reduced ;  skin  quite  moist  with  perspiration ;  intellect 
decidedly  more  clear.  He  slept  comparatively  well  that  night.  The  eighth  day  his  mind  was 
quite  collected ;  skin  moist ;  tongue  had  lost  its  dryness ;  and  he  asked  for  something  to  eat. 
A  little  gruel  was  given  him.  At  the  regular  evening  visit,  at  9  o'clock,  his  mouth,  shirt, 
and  bedding  were  stained  with  recent  black  vomit.  He  said  he  "had  been  vomiting  some 
blood;"  but  he  seemed  unconscious  of  his  danger.  The  tincture  of  the  muriate  of  iron,  and  a 
little  sulphate  of  quinine,  were  given  him  through  the  night.  His  pulse  rose  the  succeeding 
night  at  the  same  hour  that  the  vomiting  occurred  the  night  previous,  but  the  vomiting  did  not 
ensue.  He  very  slowly  recovered.  During  the  convalescence  he  was  much  annoyed  by  boils 
and  little  superficial  abscesses. 

FORT    BROOKE. 
[From  quarterly  reports  of  Surgeon  A.  N.  McLaren.] 

Fort  Brooke  is  located  at  the  head  of  Tampa  bay,  near  the  mouth  of  Hillsboro'  river.  The 
hospital,  situated  on  an  elevated  piece  of  ground  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  river,  is  hand- 
somely encircled  by  a  small  grove  of  live-oak  trees,  which  not  only  adds  to  its  beauty,  but  at 
the  same  time  affords  a  cool  refreshing  shade  to  the  invalid.  The  general  aspect  of  the  coimtry 
is  low  and  level.     The  drainage  is  good.     This  post  is   generally  healthy;  but  in  some  years, 

S.   96 42 


330  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

when  the  interior  of  the  country  has  been  flooded  and  afterwards  dried  hy  a  tropical  sun,  severe 
forms  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fever  prevail.  This  is  especially  the  case  when  the  wind 
is  E.N.E.  from  the  interior.  During  the  Florida  war,  the  principal  general  hospital  was  estab- 
lished here. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  MEADE. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Jonathan  Letherman  :  1852. 

Fort  Meade,  Florida,  is  a  cantcnment  situated  forty-six  miles,  in  a  southeasterly  direction, 
from  Tampa,  Florida.  The  Talakchopko  (Peas)  river,  a  fctream  from  forty  to  fifty  yards  wide, 
runs  in  a  course  nearly  south,  about  a  mile  east  of  the  post.  The  station  is  upon  an  elevated 
piece  of  ground,  upon  all  sides  of  which  is  a  gentle  descent.  The  country  being  generally  low 
and  flat,  this  elevation,  though  slight,  is  higher  tlian  any  portion  of  the  land  for  many  miles 
to  the  west.  The  spot  upon  which  stands  the  post  is  in  a  belt  of  land  from  seven  to  eight  miles 
in  width  and  many  miles  long,  running  northeast  and  southwest,  the  timber  of  which,  except 
upon  the  streams,  has  for  the  most  part  been  killed.  The  pine  trees,  which  in  this,  as  in  the 
greater  part  of  the  State,  constitute  the  principal  portion  of  the  timber,  have  died,  from  some 
cause  unknown — most  probably  from  the  ravages  of  some  worm  or  insect.  They  are  stripped  of 
their  sap-wood,  and,  being  blackened  and  partially  burned  by  the  fires  which  annually  sweep 
over  the  country^  cause  tliis  portion  to  present  an  unusually  dreary  and  barren  appearance. 
Young  pine  and  small  oak  trees  are  again  growing  in  this  space. 

The  banks  of  the  river  and  all  the  streams  are  skirted  on  either  side  with  a  thick  and  luxu- 
riant growth  of  trees,  bushes,  and  vines.  These  are  called  low  hammocks,  in  contradistinction 
to  the  hammocks  which  are  foutid  upon  the  Kissimmee  river,  and  thence  to  the  eastern  coast. 
The  latter  are  liigher  than  the  land  around,  and  are  dry.  The  former  are  lower,  and  are  often 
overflown  during  the  summer.  These  low  hammocks  consist  of  a  large  growth  of  cypress,  mag- 
nolia grandiflora,  oak,  and  hickory  trees;  underneath  is  a  rank  and  luxuriant  vegetation,  vines, 
palmettoes,  and  bushes  rendering  them  almost  impenetrable.  In  the  hammock  on  the  river, 
near  the  post,  is  a  grove  of  sour  orange  trees,  which  bear  abundantly. 

The  aspect  of  the  country  from  Tampa  to  within  twenty  miles  of  the  river  Kissimmee  presents 
an  entirely  different  appearance  from  what  it  does  from  the  latter  point  to  Fort  Capron,  on 
Indian  river.  The  former  is  higher,  and  the  country  more  rolling — if  the  term  can  be  applied 
to  such  slight  elevations  as  are  there  seen ;  the  latter  low  and  flat,  and,  east  of  the  Kissimmee, 
so  entirely  overflown  by  water  during  the  summer  as  to  be  wellnigh  impassable.  The  whole 
country  from  one  coast  to  the  other  is  intersjjersed  with  numerous  marshes,  some  of  which  are 
dry  during  the  winter. 

Away  from  the  banks  of  the  streams,  pines  are  the  principal  timber;  a  tough,  wiry  grass, 
with  a  round  blade,  and  some  palmettoes,  constitute  the  principal  undergrowth.  Upon  the  low 
grounds  bordering  many  ot  the  streams,  a  rank  grass,  with  a  broad  spear-shaped  blade,  grows 
luxuriantly. 

Sand,  mixed  with  a  small  portion  of  vegetable  matter,  constitutes  the  soil  of  the  greater 
portion  of  the  country.  The  proportion  of  vegetable  matter  is  much  greater  upon  the  banks 
of  the  streams.  A  few  feet  beneath  the  surface,  near  the  post,  is  found  a  mixture  of  sand  and 
clay.  The  sand  is  insoluble  in  sulphuric,  nitric,  or  muriatic  acids;  it  is  not  affected  by  them 
in  any  manner.  Organic  remains  are  found  in  the  river,  which  runs  near  this  post — in  its 
bed  and  upon  its  banks.  I  have  in  my  possession  a  remain,  which  is  evidently  a  portion  of 
a  tooth  of  some  huge  animal,  which  I  picked  up  from  the  bottom  of  this  river,  while  stationed 
at  Fort  Chokonikla  (twelve  miles  south  of  this  post)  in  the  summer  of  1850.  Olher  remains 
are  found,  but  whether  vegetable  or  animal  I  am  not  able  to  determine.  The  water  is  so  dis- 
colored, and  the  river  so  deep  during  and  long  after  the  rainy  season,  that  it  is  impossible  to 
obtain  any  specimens.  A  list  of  the  flora  is  herewith  transmitted;  the  greater  portion  I  have 
noted  from  personal  observation.     It  does  not  comprise  the  entire  flora,  but  the  principal  and 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  331 

great  majority  are  there  noted.  A  list  of  the  fauna  is  also  transmitted;  this  is  also  made 
out  principally  from  personal  observation.  The  list  is  as  nearly  complete  as  I  am  able  now 
to  furnish.  By  a  reference  to  the  meteorological  table,  it  will  be  perceived  that  the  winter  of 
1851— '.52  was  an  exceedingly  cold  one  for  this  latitude;  the  iormation  of  ice  being  no  uncom- 
mon occurrence.  Officers  and  men  suffered  much  from  the  cold ;  the  quarters  being  entirely 
inadequate  for  their  protection.  The  buildings  are  very  inferior;  those  of  the  men  are  no  more 
than  sheds,  which  afford  but  little  protection  from  the  rain  or  cold.  Being  placed  upon  posts 
several  feet  high,  and  situated  upon  the  highest  ground  in  the  vicinity,  and  no  trees  of  any 
size  near,  they  are  necessarily  much  exposed  to  the  winds,  which  frequently,  during  the  winter, 
blow  strong  and  cold.  Did  these  buildings  turn  the  rain,  they  would  be  comfortable  durino' 
the  summer ;  but  during  the  winter  they  are  utterly  insufficient  to  afford  proper  shelter  from 
the  inclement  weather.  The  quarters  of  the  officers  are  but  little  superior  to  those  of  the  men; 
they  do  not  turn  the  rain^  and  give  little  protection  from  the  cold.  The  quarters  of  the  men 
have,  however,  been  somewhat  improved  of  late,  but  they  are  still  very  inferior.  The  weather 
is  oppressively  warm  just  previous  to  the  opening  of  the  rainy  season,  which  occurs  in  the  latter 
part  of  May,  or  first  part  of  June.  Eain  falls  almost  daily  from  this  time  until  some  time  in 
September;  and  sometimes  so  abundantly  as  to  render  the  country  almost  impassable  from  the 
great  quantity  of  water. 

For  nine  months  of  the  year  the  climate  in  the  interior  is,  for  the  most  part,  enervating, 
producing  a  feeling  averse  to  exertion,  of  relaxation  of  the  whole  body,  which  is  trying  to  any 
constitution.  The  warmth  and  moisture  during  the  summer  produce,  upon  exertion,  a  sense 
of  exhaustion,  greater  or  less  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  exercise ;  which,  to  saythe  least, 
is  very  unpleasant,  and  which  sometimes  has  required  remedies  for  its  removal.  The  invigor- 
ating effects  of  the  sea-breezes  are  not  felt.  Should  the  health  of  the  troops  be  considered,  it  would 
be  advisable  to  have  them  stationed  upon  the  coast  during  the  hot  and  wet  weather  of  the  summer. 

An  examination  of  the  hospital  register  from  January,  1851,  to  September,  1852,  both  months 
inclusive,  shows  that  the  preponderance  of  cases  of  fevers  occurred  during  the  third  quarter  of  the 
year.  An  exception  is  found  in  the  third  quarter  of  1851,  but  the  fourth  quarter  of  that  year  hav- 
ing the  greater  number  of  cases,  the  exception  is  only  apparent.  A  change  of  troops,  garrison- 
ing the  post,  took  place  during  the  first  part  of  October  of  that  year.  The  troops  that  relieved 
those  who  had  previously  been  stationed  here,  had  suffered  much  from  fever  here  in  1850,  were 
removed  to  Fort  Myers,  and  came  to  this  post  from  that  place,  where  they  had  also  suffered  from 
fevers.  Had  they  been  stationed  here  continuously,  they  doubtless  would  not  have  made  an 
exception. 

During  the  summer  of  1850  sickness  jjrevailed  here  to  a  great  extent.  This,  I  doubt  not, 
was  owing  to  the  position  which  the  camp  (as  it  then  was)  occupied.  This  position  was  upon 
the  low  ground  upon  the  bank  of  the  river,  enclosed  upon  three  sides  by  a  hammock  formed  by 
that  of  a  small  stream  joining  that  of  the  river.  This  space  is  covered  by  a  thick  growth  of 
small  pine  and  small  oak  trees.  The  wind  is  almost  debarred  access  to  it,  except  when  it  comes 
from  a  northerly  direction,  which  it  seldom  does  during  the  summer.  When  stationed  here  in 
November,  1850,  I  suggested  to  Lieutenant  Morris,  1st  artillery,  commanding  the  post,  the  dis- 
advantageous position  of  the  camp  in  reference  to  the  health  of  the  troops,  and  suggested  the 
propriety  of  having  it  removed  to  the  rising  and  open  piece  of  ground  which  the  post  now  occu- 
pies. I  supposed  the  spot  upon  which  the  camp  was  then  pitched  gave  rise  to  malaria  (crypto- 
gamia?)  abundantly ;  that,  as  it  was  so  enclosed  by  hammocks,  the  air  must  necessarily  be  con- 
fined, and  the  malarious  influence  must  be  more  concentrated.  There  has  been  an  evident 
decrease  in  the  number  of  cases  of  fever  since  the  position  has  been  changed.  I  have  not  the 
data,  however,  for  making  an  exact  comparison  between  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1850  and 
that  succeeding. 

The  register  shows  that  intermittent  fevers  prevail  to  a  considerable  extent.  They  vary  in 
intensity,  from  the  mildest  and  slightest  to  the  severe  and»prolonged  paro.xysm;  all,  however, 
thus  far,  have  been  amenable  to  treatment.     Irritability  and  inflammation  of  the  stomach  are 


332  REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

very  frequent  concomitants  in  this  form  of  fever — scarcely  a  case  occurring  in  wliicli  one  or  the 
other  of  these  states  of  this  organ  is  not  i)rescnt.  Clihiroform  I  have  found  to  be  the  most  suc- 
cessful remedy,  in  doses  of  ten  to  thirty  drops  in  a  little  water,  for  allaying  the  irritability. 
In  inflammation  of  the  organ,  it  has  not  been  found  useful,  either  in  allaying  the  inflammation,  or 
in  checking  the  vomiting,  -which  here,  as  elsewhere,  so  constantly  attends  this  condition.  Tiiis 
remedy  I  have  used  as  a  preventive  of  the  paroxysm  of  this  form  of  fever,  in  doses  of  ten  to  thirty 
drops,  but  have  not  seen  the  beneficial  effects  which  I  was  led  to  expect  from  the  accounts  given  of 
it  in  medical  journals.  I  used  it  only  in  some  mild  cases,  and,  not  being  pleased  with  its  effects,, 
tried  it  in  no  others.  Piperin  I  have  also  used  as  an  anti-periodic,  in  doses  of  from  five  to  ten 
grains,  but  it  did  not  answer  the  purpose;  in  tlie  few  cases  in  which  it  was  administered,  it 
produced  no  visible  effect,  and  they  were  mild  in  their  character.  Arsenical  preparations  I  have 
seldom  used.  Of  the  remedies  administered,  sulph:  quinite  has  been  the  only  one  in  which  reliance 
could  be  placed  as  an  anti-periodic.  So  far  as  I  can  jdace  confidence  in  my  experience  in  treat- 
ing intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  in  the  interior  of  this  country,  little  trust  can  be  reposed 
in  small  doses  of  this  salt.  In  doses  of  five  grains  it  may  prevent  the  recurrence  of  a  mild  ])ar- 
oxysm,  but  no  certainty  can  be  looked  for;  and^  as  the  tendency  of  these  paroxysms  seems  to  be 
to  increase  in  intensity  with  eacli  successive  fit,  I  have  not  deemed  it  prudent  to  allow  an  attack 
of  fever  to  run  on,  to  have  a  second  jjaroxysm  to  occur  in  a  case  presenting  complications,  or  in 
one  severe,  if  it  could  be  prevented.  From  ten  to  thirty-five  grains  are  commonly  given,  from 
an  hour  to  an  hour  and  a  half  previous  to  the  expected  paroxysm.  For  more  than  a  year  I  have 
used  tartaric  acid  to  aid  in  the  solution  of  this  salt,  and  have  been  well  pleased  with  its  action. 
In  the  proportion  of  one  part  of  the  acid  to  two  of  the  salt,  a  perfectly  clear  solution  is  speedily 
obtained  ;  still  possessing,  however,  the  characteristic  bitterness  of  the  salt.  Mercurials,  in 
some  form  or  other,  are  required  in  most  of  the  cases.  This  season,  care  is  requisite  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  calomel,  as  it  seems  to  act  with  great  readiness  upon  the  salivary  glands. 

Remittent  fevers  have  presented  no  unusual  characters,  and  have  thus  far  yielded  to  tlie 
treatment  required  for  intermittents,  modified  and  adapted  to  each  case.  And  here  I  may  add, 
that  although  the  treatment  of  diseases  has  been  conducted  upon  the  general  plan  that  expe- 
rience has  found  useful,  yet  each  individual  case  has  been  treated  in  a  manner  considered  suit- 
able for  itself.  Relapses  in  both  these  forms  of  fever  are  continually  occurring.  This  is  but  to 
be  expected,  when  men,  upon  leaving  the  hospital,  undergo  the  same  exposure,  and  are  required 
to  attend  to  the  same  duties,  as  they  were  previous  to  the  first  attack. 

The  only  case  of  dengue  which  occurred  at  this  post,  althougb  a  severe  one,  yielded  readily 
to  large  doses  of  sulph:  quiniro,  with  tinct:  opii.  Dysenteries  and  diarrha^as  have  been  of  fre- 
quent occurrence,  yet  possessed  of  no  endemic  or  epidemic  characters.  One  case  of  chronic 
diarrhoea  proved  fatal.  This  one  was  doubtless  induced  by  the  long-continued  use  of  spirituous 
liquors.  Upon  examination  after  death,  the  colon,  from  the  ilio-ca?cal  valve  to  the  rectum,  was 
found  to  be  one  mass  of  disorganization — greatly  thickened,  ulcerated,  perforated,  and  almost 
putrid.  The  only  matter  for  surprise  was,  how  the  patient  could  have  survived  so  long  with 
his  intestines  in  such  a  disorganized  condition  ;  the  immediate  cause  of  death  being  peritonitis, 
induced  by  perforation  of  the  bowels,  with  extravasation  of  a  portion  of  its  contents.  In  a  case 
of  delirium  tremens,  very  protracted  and  severe,  opiates  in  large  and  frequently-repeated 
doses,  alone,  and  combined  with  stimulants,  entirely  failed  to  give  relief;  chloroform  was 
given  in  drachm  doses,  and  produced  the  most  happy  effects;  and  so  speedily,  as  not  to  leave 
a  doubt  upon  my  mind  of  its  being  the  agent.  In  anotlier  case  it  failed.  So  long  as  the  patient's 
stomach  seemed  to  bave  a  perception  of  it,  and  other  remedies,  he  progressed  gradually  towards 
recovery;  but  an  imprudence  in  the  use  of  stimulants,  just  as  the  case  had  taken  a  favorable 
change,  seemed  to  render  the  stomach  and  system  insensible  to  any  remedy,  and  the  case  ter- 
minated unfavorably.  Notwithstanding  the  failure  of  recovery  in  this  case,  chloroform  in  this 
disease,  I  think,  merits  a  favorable  consideration. 

Of  other  diseases,  there  has  been'nothing,  eitlier  in  symptoms  or  treatment,  requiring  any 
particular  notice. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  333 

The  diminution  of  cases  of  fever  here,  since  the  removal  of  the  post  from  the  low  ground 

upon  tlie  bank  of  the  river,  suggests  the  supposition  that  the  cause  thereof  has  acted  with  more 
virulence  at  that  place — has  been  of  a  more  local  character.  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  and  I  have 
been  stationed  at  several  posts  in  the  interior,  camps  upon  the  banks  of  streams  are  more  gene- 
rally liable  to  fevers  than  elsewhere.  The  higher  grounds  at  some  distance  from  the  streams 
are  not,  however,  entirely  free,  and  sometimes  (as  at  Fort  Chokonikla,  in  1850)  were  so  infected 
by  these  diseases  as  to  render  their  abandonment  necessary.  The  cause  of  these  malarious 
diseases  can  scarcely  be  said  to  be  local  in  the  interior  of  this  portion  of  the  State  ;  for  although 
in  some  places  it  acts  with  greater  virulence  than  in  others,  yet  so  generally  is  it  spread  through- 
out the  country,  that  no  place  can  be  said  to  be  free  from  its  influence.  The  propriety  of  sta- 
tioning troops  upon  the  sea-coast  again  suggests  itself,  especially  during  the  hot  weather. 

There  are  no  inhabitants  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this  post.  Those  that  live  in  the 
interior  are  afflicted  witli  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  as  the  chief  diseases  ;  intermittents 
prevail  principally.  So  common  are  they,  that  the  expression  "he  has  the  fever"  conveys  at 
once  the  idea  of  fever  and  ague.  "Dirt-eaters"  are  said  to  be  not  uncommon.  I  have  seen  no 
one  in  the  act  of  gratifying  this  morbid  propensity ;  yet  the  sallow  countenance,  the  tumid 
abdomen,,  and  the  impression  vividly  conveyed  of  premature  senility,  suggest  at  once  malaria 
and  clay.  The  common  remedy  is  said  to  be  whisky  or  cider  in  which  nails  have  been 
steeped. 

Indians  not  being  permitted  to  trade  at  this  post,  I  have  not  seen  one  since  I  have  been 
stationed  here,  and  am  therefore  unable  to  give  any  account  of  the  diseases  which  prevail 
among  them,  or  the  remedies  therefor. 

The  hospital  of  this  station  has  one  large  room  for  the  sick  of  all  diseases.  Its  situation  is 
very  ineligible,  being  nearly  a  mile  from  the  post,  upon  the  low  ground  near  the  river,  upon 
the  outskirts  of  the  old  camp.  Apart  from  the  inconvenience,  which  is  great,  of  having  it  at 
such  a  distance  from  the  post,  it  is  more  exposed  tlian  any  other  building  to  malarious  influence. 
Instead  of  being  in  the  most  healthy  and  otherwise  eligible  position,  it  is  just  the  reverse. 
The  attendants  are  frei|uently  attacked  by  malarious  diseases — some  quite  severely ;  and  patients 
in  hospital,  from  injuries  and  diseases  other  than  those  of  malarious  origin,  are  attacked,  and 
that  repeatedly. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  trees,  vines,  &c.,  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Meade,  Florida: 

Trees. — Yellow  pine,  pitch  pine,  magnolia  grandiflora,  wild  cherry,  wild  plum,  sweet  orange, 
sour  orange,  sweet  bay,  hickory,  black  oak,  swamp  oak,  cypress,  palmetto  (cabbage-tree),  sweet 
gum,  hawthorn,  persimmon,  dogwood,  maple. 

Vines,  d-c. — Tree  moss,  yellow  jasmine,  trumpet-creeper,  wild  grape,  coral  honeysuckle,  pas- 
sion-flower, blackberry,  dewberry,  dew-plant,  poison-vine,  whortleberry,  jjrickly  pear  (cactus), 
lily,  violet,  saw  palmetto,  fern. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  animals,  birds,  reptiles,  and  insects  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort 
Meade,  Florida: 

Animals. — Deer,  panther,  black  bear,  wild  cat,  black  wolf,  grey  wolf,  fox,  opossum,  otter, 
skunk  (pole  cat),  raccoon,  rabbit,  grey  squirrel,  fox  squirrel,  mole,  mouse. 

Birds. — Wild  turkey,  rice-bird,  snipe,  dove,  turtle-dove,  ducks  (various  kinds),  white  cur- 
lew, Spanish  curlew,  sand-hill  crane,  blue  crane,  white  crane^  paroquet^  mocking-bird,  blue  jay, 
martin,  ivory-bill  woodpecker,  common  woodpecker,  blue  bird,  sjiarrow,  sparrow-hawk,  fowl- 
hawk,  fish-hawk,  quail,  turkey-buzzard  (two  kinds),  crow,  lark,  robin,  red  bird,  wliip-poor- 
will,  owl  (two  kinds),  night-hawk,  yellow  bird,  yellow-hammer,  tomtit,  swallow,  blackbird. 

Insects. — Tarantula,  scorpion,  centipede,  mosquito,  flea,  gad-fly,  common  fly,  sand-fly,  gnats, 
roaches,  crickets,  lioney-bee,  humble-bee,  butterfly  (several  varieties),  wasp,  locust. 

Reptiles,  &c. — Rattlesnake,  ground  rattlesnake,  water-moccasin,  land-moccasin,  copperhead, 
king-snake,  black  viper,  black  snake,  whip-snake,  gopher-snake,  alligator,  lizard  (several  kinds), 
chameleon,  gopher,  terrapin,  soft-shell  turtle,  tree-frog,  bull-frog,  frog. 


334 


KEPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


FORT   MYERS, 

Is  near  Charlotte's  Harbor,  on  the  left  hank  of  the  Caloosahatchee  river,  ahout  nineteen  miles 
from  its  entrance  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  No  report  of  its  topography  can  he  found.  The 
position  is  extremely  insalubrious ;  fevers  and  dysenteries  being  more  rife  here  than  at  any 
other  station  in  Florida.  Tiiis  post  would  long  since  have  been  abandoned,  had  not  special 
military  considerations  demanded  its  maintenance. 


DISEASES. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Uuarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  per  1,000  OF  mean  strength. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  Quarter  .    

2,299 
2,505 
2,014 
2,379 

■     2,019 

2,728 
2,830 
2,685 

6 
15 
27 
22 

878 
1,089 
1,405 
1,128 

2.6 

6.9 

13.9 

9.2 

Aunuiil  ratio 

2,299 

10,262 

70 

4,463 

30  4 

The  relative  ^Jroportion  of  cases  of  sickness  to  the  number  of  troops  in  this  region  was  4.46 
to  1,  and  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  1  to  32.84,  or  3.04  per  cent.  The  ratio  of  deaths  to 
the  number  of  troops  was  1  to  14G.G0,  or  0.68  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


Quarters  ... 

Strengtli 

Diseases. 

Febris  congesti va 

Febris  contiuua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana, 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana  .. 

Febris  remittens 

Febris  typhus 

•I'ebris  typlius  icterodes 

Total 


2,299 


Cases.    Deaths. 


2,505 


Cases.    Deaths. 


2,014 


Cases.    Deaths. 


2,379 


2,299 


Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 


<=>  . . 

a.  0} 


o  a 

2  •- 
•s   o 


0 

1 

287 

582 

18 

48 

3 

0 

939 


0 

5 
777 
346 

2 
110 

3 

2 


848 

322 

5 

231 

6 

30 


0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
12 


1 

4 

849 

455 

41 

100 

2 

12 


1 

15 

2761 

1705 

66 

489 

14 

44 


0 
1 
0 
1 
0 
2 
3 
21 


0  in  1 
lin  15 
Oin  2761 
lin  1705 
Oin   66 

1  in  245 
lin  5 
lin    2 


0.4 

6.5 

1200 

742 

28.7 

212 

6 

19 


1245 


1447 


13 


1464 


13  1  5095 


28 


lin  182  2216 


As  will  be  seen  by  the  consolidated  abstract  and  the  foregoing  table,  fevers  occupy  the  most 
important  position  among  the  diseases  of  this  region.  It  is  proposed,  therefore,  to  give  extracts 
from  the  remarks  in  regard  to  this  class  of  diseases  appended  to  the  quarterly  reports  of  sick 
and  wounded. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA.  335 

Yellow  fever  is  reported  twice  at  Fort  Brooke — once  in  September  1849,  and  again  in  1853 — 
and  once  at  Barrancas  Barracks,  in  1853.  In  1849,  only  three  cases  occurred,  all  proving 
fatal.  Assistant  Surgeon  Laub  shows  conclusively  that  the  disease  was  contracted  by  the 
three  men  at  New  Orleans.  They  sickened  on  the  passage  from  that  city  to  Fort  Brooke.  In 
the  summer  of  1853,  fifteen  cases  occurred  at  that  post,  of  which  nine  died.  No  history  of  the 
disease  has  been  given.  The  epidemic  of  that  year,  as  it  affected  the  troops  at  Barrancas  Bar- 
racks, is  described  in  the  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Hammond,  in  connexion  with  the  topo- 
graphy of  that  post.  (Vide p.  325.)  In  this  connexion,  the  following  remarks  of  Assistant 
Surgeon  E.  H.  Abadie,  respecting  a  fever  which  prevailed  at  Barrancas  Barracks  in  the  summer 
of  1846 ,  are  of  interest : 

"  The  health  of  the  command  at  Fort  Pickens  and  this  place  has  been  good  during  the  quar- 
ter, in  comparison  with  that  of  the  camp  followers  and  their  families  left  behind  by  the  compa- 
nies of  this  regiment  in  Mexico,  as  also  that  of  the  officers'  families  living  here,  but  one  of 
which  has  escaped  an  attack  of  the  prevailing  disease — a  pernicious  intermittent  and  remittent 
fever.  This  disease  commenced  with  us  about  the  beginning  of  August,  attacking  with  little 
apparent  violence,  attended  from  the  first  with  great  tendency  to  congestion  of  the  different  im- 
portant organs,  more  generally  the  liver,  alimentary  canal,  and  brain.  The  individual  attacked 
appeared  as  if  poisoned ;  the  blood  being  changed  in  its  character,  dissolved  and  unnatural  in 
appearance  when  drawn,  resembling  the  dregs  of  claret  in  water,  coagulating  imperfectly. 
Stimulation  had  to  be  used  from  the  commencement;  and  when  depletion  had  to  be  employed, 
it  was  practised  by  cups,  from  such  parts  as  were  the  most  threatened  with  disorganization. 
The  treatment  pursued  had  to  be  purely  eclectic,  meeting  the  symptoms  as  they  appeared. 
Powerful  counter-irritation  to  the  surface  by  means  of  hot  spt:  terebinth  frictions,  followed  by 
the  application  of  sinapisms,  so  as  almost  to  cover  the  whole  body  with  them,  were  indispensa- 
ble, and  were  attended  with  signal  benefit.  The  sheet-anchor  of  the  treatment  being  large 
doses  of  quinine  and  calomel  to  re-establish  the  secretory  functions,  which  were  entirely  arrested 
from  the  beginning  of  the  attack.  The  dejections  from  the  stomach,  vomiting  being  usually 
present,  consisted  of  a  colorless,  glairy  fluid  in  some  cases ;  in  others,  dirty  green  or  brown  floc- 
culi  were  suspended  in  it.  The  discharges  from  the  bowels  j^resented  somewhat  the  same  ap- 
pearance, being  generally  watery,  of  a  dirty  black  color,  the  more  consistent  portion  of  the  stool 
being  very  fetid,  falling  to  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  in  a  pulverulent  form.  During  the  fever 
the  liquor  ammon:  acetat:  with  mist:  camph:  and  spt:  nitr:  dulc:  was  well  borne  and  did  much 
good.  Before  the  termination  of  the  paroxysm,  which  was  usually  by  the  most  profuse  cold 
sweats  with  very  frequent  and  almost  imperceptible  pulses,  quinine  in  ten-grain  doses  was  given 
with  great  benefit;  the  pulse  becoming  fuller  and  less  frequent,  the  sweat  more  natural.  The 
doses  were  repeated  in  intervals  of  from  3  to  5  hours,  arresting  the  paroxysm  if  the  calomel, 
which  had  been  continued  in  repeated  doses  at  the  same  time,  had  succeeded  in  restoring  the 
su.spended  secretions,  which  was  manifested  by  the  appearance  of  copious  bilious  stools,  or  large 
dejections  of  a  dark,  tarry  nature.  The  type  of  the  fever  was  at  first  intermittent,  generally  a 
double  tertian,  the  first  paroxysm  only  being  attended  with  slight  rigors ;  the  occurrence  of  the 
paroxysm  being  very  irregular,  mostly  at  night;  the  intermissions  very  short,  there  being  none 
perceptible,  in  some  cases,  for  the  first  three  days  of  the  attack.  In  September  the  fever  assumed 
the  remittent  type;  the  septic  effects  of  the  miasmata  being  more  striking,  the  congestion  less 
susceptible  of  relief.  In  children  under  5  years,  in  three  cases  out  of  five,  the  disease  was  ushered 
in  by  apoplexy  or  effusion  on  the  brain,  one  side  of  the  body  being  completely  paralyzed,  whilst 
the  other  was  thrown  into  spasmodic  contractions. 

"Fifty-six  cases  of  disease,  including  a  few  relapses,  have  been  treated,  occurring  in  the  fami- 
lies of  the  oflicers  and  soldiers  entitled  to  medical  attendance.  I  would  call  the  attention  of  the 
department  to  the  importance  of  removing  the  evident  cause  of  the  sickness  at  this  place,  when 
barracks  are  being  built  by  the  government  for  a  regiment.  My  predecessor  has  indicated  the 
cause,  and  suggested  the  removal  of  it,  by  draining  the  fresh-water  ponds  that  are  found  at  the 
foot  of  the  sand-hill  upon  which  the  cantonment  is  built.     These  ponds  are  supplied  by  the  fil- 


336 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


tering  of  the  rains  that  fall,  and  probably,  also,  by  springs  in  the  sand-bank.  The  grading  of 
the  ground  from  the  base  of  tlie  hill  to  the  sea-beach  would  prevent  the  accumulation ;  or  a 
ditch  or  canal  might  be  cut,  at  little  expense,  to  conduct  the  water  to  the  sea,  so  as  to  convert 
the  stagnant  pools  into  running  water." 

The  original  recDrds  show  that  the  summer  of  1850  was  the  most  sickly  one  for  the  troops  at 
Fort  Meade ;  in  other  seasons,  that  post  has  been  comparatively  healthy.  In  the  months  of 
July,  August,  and  September,  of  that  year,  out  of  a  command  averaging  188  persons,  there 
were  171  cases  of  intermittent  and  65  of  remittent  fever  reported.  For  explanation  of  this  fact, 
reference  is  made  to  the  preceding  rejiort  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Letherman. 

Fort  Myers,  the  most  southern  point  on  the  Gulf  coast  occui^ied  by  troops,  has  proved  the 
most  sickly.  The  following  remarks  from  the  quarterly  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  J. 
Sloan,  for  the  3d  quarter,  1851,  shows  the  prevalence  of  fevers  at  this  post : 

"  The  continued  and  increasing  sickness  at  this  post  during  the  quarter  has  been  most  dis- 
couraging, and  has  had  a  melancholy  influence  upon  every  one.  Intermittent  fever  has  pre- 
vailed to  an  extraordinary  extent,  ever  varying  in  its  complications,  and  producing  every  species 
of  gastric,  hepatic,  and  cerebral  disturbance.  It  is  almost  wholly  of  the  quotidian  type,  and 
most  obstinate  in  its  character.  The  whole  command  has  suffered,  and  there  is  not  a  healthy- 
looking  man  present,  nor  one  capable  of  making  a  good  day's  march.  These  cases  are  most 
varied  in  their  onset.  Some  are  attacked  with  the  most  violent  rigors ;  others  escape  this  stage. 
Some  are  complicated,  with  great  cerebral  disturbance ;  others  with  congestion  of  the  liver  and 
spleen,  and  become  jaundiced  in  a  few  hours.  Some,  again,  are  seized  with  violent  spasmodic 
contractions  of  the  muscles  of  the  inferior  extremities,  or  symptoms  of  cholera  morbus,  which 
disappear  on  the  accession  of  the  fever.  There  have  been  a  few  cases  of  congestive  intermittent 
with  difficult  reaction,  and  a  few  exhibiting  a  typhoid  tendency.  The  quinine  used  in  treat- 
ment appears  to  be  of  inferior  quality  and  adulterated. 

"The  exciting  causes  of  fever  have  been  abundant.  The  constant,  drenching  rains,  and  tlie 
rays  of  a  scorching  sun,  have  had  their  full  effect  upon  men  exposed  to  their  influence  while 
building  quarters  for  their  own  protection  and  that  of  public  property.  The  provisions  issued 
to  the  troops  have  also  been  of  bad  quality— at  least  since  I  have  been  here.  The  flour  has  been 
sour  or  musty,  and  filled  with  insects ;  the  pork  has  been  scarcely  fit  for  issue ;  the  rice  is 
destroyed  by  weevil,  &c.;  and  vegetables  have  failed  almost  entirely,  from  the  impossibility  of 
gardening  during  the  rainy  season.  The  supply  of  fresh  beef  is  at  present  exhausted;  but  this 
is  a  temporary  misfortune,  and  will  soon  be  remedied.  I  sincerely  hope  to  be  able  to  report  an 
improved  state  of  health  at  the  expiration  of  the  next  quarter." 

In  order  to  present  a  more  definite  idea  of  the  extent  to  which  this  command  suffered  from 
fevers,  the  following  statistics  have  been  collated  from  the  original  reports  : 

Tahle  showing  the  sickness  and  mortality  from  fevers  at  Fort  Myers,  Florida. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength.     Cases  treated. 

1 

Deaths. 

Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Cases  treated,   i    Deaths. 

1851. 

156 
134 
116 
110 

98 
141 
139 

96 
198 
240 
234 

136 

204 
250 

1852. 
Fourth  quarter 

1853. 

First  quarter 

Second  quarter 

Third  quarter 

Total 

137 

134 
125 

110 

368 

341 

234 
126 

Second  quarter 

Third  quarter 

Fourth  quarter 

1852. 

1,406 

1 

2,427         ' 

Eatio  per  quarter. . 

Second  quarter 

Third  quarter 

128 

221          

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA 


337 


Ciuarters. 


1853. 
Fourth  quarter 

1S51. 

First  quarter 

Second  quarter 

Third  quarter 

Fourth  quarter - 

Total 

Uatio  per  quarter 


Mean  slrengtli.     Cases  treated.    !    Dcatlis. 


101 

71 
135 
137 

138 


39 

34 
37 

66 

40 


216 


lie 


43 


It  is  important  to  remark,  that  dxiring  the  years  1851,  1852,  and  for  the  first  three  quarters 
of  1853,  the  command  at  Fort  Myers  consisted  of  companies  of  the  1st  regiment  of  artillery, 
which  had  previously  been  broken  down  by  disease  at  Fort  Meade.  In  the  fourth  quarter  of 
1853,  they  were  relieved  by  companies  of  the  2d  artillery  from  the  north.  For  the  first 
command,  it  will  be  observed  that  the  ratio  of  this  class  of  diseases  to  the  number  of  men  was 
1.72  to  1  per  quarter,  or  6.90  to  1  per  annum  ;  so  that  each  person  was  sick  with  fever  about 
seven  times  in  a  year.  For  the  second  command,  the  very  great  diminution  in  the  number  of 
cases  cannot  fail  to  be  observed.  In  this,  the  ratio  per  quarter  falls  to  0.37  to  1,  or  1.48  to  1 
per  annum. 

So  far  as  the  statistics  of  this  post  afibrd  the  means  of  judging,  the  evidence  is  strongly  in 
favor  of  frequently  changing  troops  from  sickly  to  healthy  stations.  Indeed,  the  mass  of  evi- 
dence tends  to  the  conclusion,  that  troops  from  the  north  resist  in  a  very  great  degree  the  active 
causes  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  during  their  first  summer  at  the  south,  and  that 
soldiers  long  continued  at  unhealthy  stations  become  more  sickly  and  unfit  for  duty  each  suc- 


ceeding year. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  ■WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters. . 


Strength . 


2,299 


Cases.    Deaths. 


Cholera  Asiatica 0 

Diarrhoea 222 

Dysenteria  acuta 6i 

Dysenteria  chronica 3 

Enteritis 1 

Hepatitis  acuta 2 

Hepatitis  chronica 2 

Ohstipatio 42 

All  other  diseases  of   this 

system 61 


Total  . 


397 


2,505      i         2,014 


Cases.     Deatlts.    Cases.    Deaths 


1 

305 

90 

11 

1 

4 

3 

91 

S4 
590 


12 


0 
224 

59 
7 
5 
3 
0 

77 

74 
449 


2,379 


Cases.    Deaths 


0 

252 

122 

5 

1 

3 

1 

71 

52 
507 


2,299 


Cases.    Deaths. 


1 

1003 

335 

26 

8 

12 

6 

281 

271 
1943 


26 


1  in   1 
1  in  125 


1  in 
1  in 
1  in 
0  in 
0  in 


56 

4.3 

3 
12 

6 


0  in  281 


1  in  135 


1  in 


430 

145 

11.3 

3.4 

5.2 

2.6 

122 

117 
845 


S.  96- 


-43 


338 


EEPOET   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY — FLORIDA. 


It  will  be  noticed  that  the  proportion  of  cases  of  dysentery  above  reported  is  relatively  large. 
Assistant  Surgeon  Guild,  in  a  recent  report  from  Barrancas  Barracks,  makes  the  following 
remarks  in  relation  to  that  disease : 

"The  treatment  which  I  have  pursued  in  acute  dysentery  has  been  invariably  to  premise 
with  minute  doses  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  and  ipecac,  administered  at  intervals  of  six  hours  in 
some  simple  aromatic  water — a  plan  of  treatment  first  adopted,  I  believe,  by  Heberden.  Tlio 
action  of  this  remedy  is  that  of  a  local  dei)letive  to  the  inflamed  intestinal  surface,  and,  under 
its  influence,  the  acute  symptoms  ordinarily  abate  in  the  course  of  forty-eight  hours ;  after  which, 
the  case  only  requires  abstemious  diet,  with  opiates  or  astringents,  to  insure  a  speedy  and  per- 
manent recovery.  This  plan  of  treatment  of  acute  dysentery  I  have  pursued  exclusively  for 
several  years,  and  not  a  single  uncomplicated  case  of  the  disease  has  terminated  fatally,  or  in  a 
chronic  form.  Being  satisfied  of  its  efficiency,  I  have  deemed  it  not  improper  to  mention  it 
thus  briefly  in  my  report." 

DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPHIATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

TUIKD. 

FOUUTH. 

TEAE. 

o 
ta 

5 

o 
c 
c 

c 

cr  1,000 
gth. 

Strength 

2,299 

2,505 

2,014 

2 

379 

2,299 

Diseases. 

Cases.  iDeatlis. 

Cases.    Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

B   S 

■So 

a 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

Catarrh  lis 

Phthisis  puLmonalis 

Pleuritis 

10 

46 

3 

4 

3 

16 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

3         0 

51  '       0 

3  j       1 
3          0 
1          0 

10          0 

3 

59 

7 
3 
2 

4 

0 
0 

1 

0 
0 

0 

16 

51 

3 

4 

5 

0 

0 

1 

0 
0 

32 

207 
IC 
17 
10 

35 

e 

0 
3 
0 
0 

0 

Oin      32 

0  in    207 

1  in        5 
Oin      17 
0  in      10 

Oin      35 

14 

90 
6.9 
7.3 

Pneumonia 

All    other    diseases    of  this 
system .       -----   --       --- 

4.3 
15.  2 

Total 

82 

0 

71 

1 

78 

1 

86 

1 

317 

3 

1  in    106 

137 

Rheumatlsmus    _   -.--       .-- 

54 

0 

59  !       0 

50 

0 

49 

0 

212 

0 

Oin    212 

Although  the  reports  of  sick  in  this  region  are  without  remarks  relative  to  diseases  of  the 
respiratory  system,  the  high  ratio  of  cases  of  phthisis  pulmonalis  deserves  special  notice.  An 
examination  of  the  statistics  of  that  disease  for  the  several  regions,  in  connexion  with  the  con- 
solidated temperature  and  rain  tables,  will  serve  to  show,  in  a  marked  degree,  the  efi"ect  of 
long-continued  high  temperature^  combined  with  excessive  moisture  (high  dew-point),  in  the 
production  or  development  of  pulmonary  consumption. 


ABSTRACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCUKRING   AMONG   THE    TROOPS 


IN   FLORIDA. 


340 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRINO 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

AGGREGATE 
STRENOTB. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Mean  strength 

51. 

351. 

1S8. 

129. 

134. 

58. 

851. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.      Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

[            1            1 
Died.  Cases.  1  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total  Total 
cases. 1  died. 

3 

2 

5 
20 
21 

6 

7 

s 

7 
5 

11 
15 

1 
3 

1 

Fevers                                J 

Fubris  inieruiittens  quartana' 

i 

■ 1 

5 
1 

' 

1 

2 

i_ 

1 

::::" ....:. l:::::i 

1 

1 

' 

i            i 

6 

44 

27 

4 

9 

5 

16 

6 
3 

2 

1 

85 

37 

4 

1 
1 

1 

Diseases    of  the    organs 
connected  with  tlie  di- 
gestive system. 

1 

1 

! 

1 

1 

I 

22 
8 
2 

1 

2 
2 

...... 

4 
2 
2 

7 

5 

33 
15 
5 
21 

1 
3 

3 

1 
9 

1 
1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 
Catarrhus 

2 

2 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

2 

1            1 

1 

1 

1            1 
1 ' 

2 
2 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

1 

1 

1 
2 

2 
5 

nervous  system. 

1 

1 

1 

2 

3 

i 

Diseases  of  the  urmarj- 
and  genital  organs. 

2 

1 

2 
4 
6 

Sy(>liilis  consecutiva 

2 
4 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases    of   the    serous  e 
and  cxhalfiit  vessels.     I 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 

1 

1 

muscular  structures. 

6 

3 

3 

8 

1 

21 

f 
Abscesses  and  ulcers....  ^ 

. 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

3 

7 
3 

10 
1 
2 
5 

10 
2 

7 

1 

37 
8 
3 

17 
2 

1 

1 
3 

2 

5 

1 

2 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries 

2 
12 

2 
2 

2 
1 

1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 

7 
17 
4 
7 
2 
5 
4 
2 

2 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 

; 

1 

2 

1 

2 

2     i 

1 

Miscellaneoua J 

1 

1 

1 

22 

3 

X 

1 

1     1 

0 
2 

1 
41 

... 

1 

3 

11 

3 

1     1 

26 

192 

47 

1 

95 

34 

479 

1 

1 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   FDORIDA. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  ON  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


341 


SECOND  QUARTER. 


CLASSES  OF  DIS- 


1849. 


1850. 


1851. 


I 


1852. 


1853. 


1854. 


AGGREGATE 
STRENGTH. 


EASES. 

Mean  STRENGTH 

104. 

950. 

128. 

154. 

109. 

58. 

835. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 
Cases.  Died. 

Cases 

1            1             ' 
Died.  Cases.' Died.  Cases.  Died 

:       ■       1 

Total  Total 
cases,  died. 

Febris  continua  communis  . 

2 

1 

1 
1 

0 

17 

6 

8 

32 
4 

5 

in 

1 
2 

61 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana. 
'  Febris  intermittens  quartana 

1 

25      

2      

11 

Fevers 

2 

1 

6 

4 

9 

2 

9               2 

Eruptive  fevers 

2 

1 

1 

I 

4      

1 

1 

' 1 

i          ! 

1                                ' 

: 

1 

t i 

1 

15 

7 

51 

8 

1 

21      

26 
3 

9 
3 

1 

4 
1 

126 
24 

3 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

Dysenleria  chronica 

3 

Diseases   of  the    organs 
connected  with  the  di- 

1 

gestive  system. 

■i 

5 

6 

7 
5 

93 

i 

AH  oiher  diseases.. 

!  Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 
:  Catarrhus 

3 

15 

2 

8 
] 

1 

33 

::;:::i.:..:: 

1 

1 

4      

1 

A 

1  1 

1 

15     

1 

t 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

1 

1 

o       

tory  system. 

i 

1 

1 
1 
1 

3 
3 

r 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1   • 

7 

I 

4 
6 
2 

Epilepsia 

1 

1 

nervous  system. 

1     ' 

1 

1 

3 
2 

.   .. 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  urinary', 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases  ot'the  serous  and  | 
exhalent  vessels.            * 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 
muscular  structures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ' 

3 

I I'     "1.... 

i             1             1 

1 

1 

1 
2 
1 

1 

2    1 

i^yphtlis  conseculiva 

....  1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

6  i:::::: 

1 

1  :::;:: 

3      

i:"": 

1 

1      

................... 

1 

1             1.. 

\ 

1             1 

Rheuraatismus 

4 



4 

!      1    i 1      7    1 !      5    ' !      1    !  1    22    ' 

1 \ 1 ' 

Plilcgmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus. 

1 

3 
2 

11 
2 
1 
1 
3 



18 

1 

'      7      

6     1 

1     1 

1      

52      

7      

1    i 

3     

1 
27 

6 

8 
1 

4 

3     3 

'"Dz:c::. 

Wounds  and  iiyurit-s.,.. . 

2 
7 

i      2 

j      4 

1 



1 
3 

1 
2 

]    1 

5    ' 

Vuhms  incisum 

1 

15     

1 

2     

1 

'      1 

1 



5     

:::::: ■ 

1 

1 
2 
3 
1 
4 
3 

1 



S    j 

Ebrietas 

2 

2     

1 

3 

1 

9     

1 

5     

Miscellaneous 

1 

1            1 

2      

1 

3     

7      

2     

1    ' 

3 

1      1 

1 
5 

10     1 

16 

11      

s 

45 

Total 

65 

162 

•     93    1      2 

159 

fi2 

1 

61 

S 

602 

5 

342 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  TTIE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRINa 


YbaBb 

THIRD  QUAKTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.            1853. 

1854. 

STRKNOTB. 

EASES. 

Mean  strength    

120. 

400.                 115.        i         159.                   61. 

1 

45. 

900. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases.'  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

'  Died. 

Total  Total 
caseM.   died. 

Febris  continua  communis.. 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

Febris  intermittens  terliana. 

1 
1 
2 

2 
107 

8 

1 

3 
10 

6 

158 

SO 

1 

56 

1 

.in 

32 



1 

1 

2 

47 

1 

2 

1      4 

1 

24 

9 

24 

1 

g 

1 

Variola      

r 

18 
9 

106 

21 

1 

1 

ao 

2 

19 

1 

4 
6 

167 
39 

1 
1 

Diseases    of  ihe   organs 
connected  Willi  thedi--! 

1 

gestive  Bvstein. 

1 

1 

2 
33 
22 

16 

8 

11 

8 

6 

1 

9 

2 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  ct  chronica 

6 

1 
1 

1 

4 

i      8 

1 

18 
1 
3 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

1 

Plcurilis 

1 

1 

11 

1 

4 
2 

17 
2 

1 
1 
2 
2 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

Epilnpsia 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

r 

Gonorrhoea 

Diseases  of  ilu;  urinary 

Syphilis  priinitiva 

1 

[ 

1 
4 
3 

and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

1 

3 

i 

All  other  diseases 

1 

1 

..■.■'1        ■■ 

and  cxhalent  vessels,     t 

All  other  diseases 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

1 

muscular  structures. 

4 

9 

2 

1 

21 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Fistula  

Plilegmon  et  absccssus 

nicua 

9 
4 

61 
8 
1 

10 
2 

1 
1 
4 

25 

6 
1 

6 
2 

117 
17 
2 

1 

an 

1 
1 

6 
14 
4 

A  mbustio 

Concussio  cerebri 

2 

19 

3 

1 

1 

1 

Fractura 

T.nxatio 

1 
4 
2 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries ■ 

Sub-luxatio 

1 
6 

1 

1 
5 

Vuliius  ineisum 

1 
1 

Vulnus  laccralum 

1 

Vulnus  punctum 

Debilitns 

2 

1 
1 

2 
6 
4 
1 
3 

n 

39 

4 
3 

1 

Fia,-morrhois 

1 
I 

::'i 

Miscellaneous ■ 

Hernia 

Morbi  cutis 

1 

1 
4 

............ 



1 

1 

2 
S 

Morbi  oculi 

■■■;■■;::::: 

4 

8 

All  other  diseases 

3     1    11     1 

10 

2 

Total 

66 

'  ORR 

3 

108 

152 

38 

57 

" 

887 

12 

1 

AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POST'S  ON  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


343 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1849.      ,      1850.           1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strenotb 

190.         1         205.                   110.                   147.         '          65. 

37. 

754. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.' Died. 'Cases.  Died-  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total  Total 
cases,   died. 

Febris  continua  communis  . 

j  Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

j  Febris  intermittens  tertiana 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

2 

8 
13 

2 
3 

I 

4 

15  ; 

'.'.  .  . 

12      1 

39     

17      

1 

■.::::::::::: 

32    1..., 

i 

5      

! 

1 

1      

4 

1 

12    ' 

] 

1 

1 



1      ! 

1 

Eruptive  fevers • 

1 



1 

14     ' 62 

11 

16      4 

1 

108 
18 
3 

9     1...       1       3      1 

5 

1 

Dysenteria  chronica 

.2 

1 

; 

Diseases    of  the    organs 

1 

1 

1 

connected  with  the  di-' 

1 1 

1 

gestive  system. 

1 

1 

S 
3 

5 
2 

i i 

"VC". 

1 

14 
14 

5 

I 

1      

1 

3 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 
Catarrhus 

6 

10 

t      * 

4     ' 

i 

2 

36 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- , 

1 

1      

tory  system. 

t 

1 

;:::::  ::::. 

1  • 

9 

2 

11      

1 

1     ' 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and. 
nervous  system. 

r 

1 1 

1 

s 

1 



1 

1 

1 
2 

2 



t 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs.         | 

4 

4 

1 
6 

1 

1 
1 

1 

L 

Diseases    of  the    serous  r 

4 

1 

1 

..  . 

Diseases  of  tlie  fibrous  St  ' 
muscular  scniciures.       [ 

...*.. 

3 

4 

3 



S 

3 

1 

16 

Fistula 

1 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 



S 
3 

13 
6 
1 

3 

8 

3 

1 

31      

9     

f 

Ambustio 

1 
1 

a    

1 

6 

2 



10    

Fractiu"a 

3 

1 

3     

i 

1     

Wounds  and  injuries 

Sub-luxatio 

, 

3 

•T 

6    1 !      S 

1 

.. 

1 

12      

1  Vulnu^l  laccratuni 

1 

\      1 

1 



3     

Vulnus  sclopeticum |       1 

j  Debilitas 1 

1    : 

f 

1 
1 

1 
2 
4 
3 
3 
4 
36 

Ebriclas 

1 
1 

9 

I 

MidcellanenuB ■ 

3 

I 

I 

1 

1 
1 
.■> 

a 

u 

i  ... 

'     18 

€> 

Total 

\ 

1 

1 

113 

1     '  168    1      1 

1 

44 

'     77    1       1     1    28 

[            ,             1 

10 



440 

3 

344 


REPORT   ON    TUB    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTIiACT  OF  THK  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years    

FIKST  QUARTER. 

AGQREnATE 
STBENOTU. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strenotii 

412. 

837. 

266. 

^8. 

331. 

225. 

2,S99. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total  Total 
died,    cases. 

Febris  continua  rommunis. . 

1 

23 

23 

3 

5 

1 

287 

582 

18 

48 

3 

34 
113 

1 

52 

58 

1 

11 

144 
8 
9 
3 

34 

371 

4 

9 

Fevers 

Febris  intermiltens  tertiana. 
Febris  interniittentf  quartana 

10 

1 

5 

1 

IS 
3 

Eruptive  levers 

(  Rubeola.- 

Variola 

f 

25 
3 

124 
35 

1 

18 
11 
2 

1 

18 

7 

1 

21 

16 

1 

222 

64 

3 

1 

2 

2 

42 

61 

10 

46 

3 

2 

Diseases    of  the    organs 

Enteritis 

••fjnnecttfd  with  Uie  di- 

1 

1 

gestive  system. 

Hi'palii  is  chronica 

1 
4 

8 

1 
9 

1 

13 

14 

18 

2 
14 

1 
5 
2 
2 

1 

3 
8 
3 
2 

10 

11 

4 
10 

4 
6 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

2 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

5 
2 
3 

1 
1 
2 
6 

1 
1 
2 

• 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

3 

All  other  diseases 

2 

2 
2 

1 

4 

16    1 

Diseases  ot'tln,-  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

3 

1 
1 



4 
3 

4 

16    '          1 

Epilepsia 

5 
2 

4 
19 

All  otlier  diseases 

2 
2 

7 

4 

Diseases  ot   ihe  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

All  other  diseases 

5 
1 

. 

2 

1 

1 



3 

1 

1 

12 
5 



o 

Diseases    of  tlie    serous/ 

and  exhalent  vessels.     ( 

1 

1 

2 



4 

Pernio 

Diseases  ot  ttie  fibrous  & 

musculiir  structures. 

IS 



23 

2 

5 

1 

5 
4 

5 

I 
1 



54 
4 

no 

26 

4 

1 

2 

79 

15 

3 

22 

51 

5 

7 

3 

11 

19 

6 

4 

i  Fistula 

Abscesses  and  uleers 

1 

Phlegmon  et  absecssus 

Ulcus  

IG 

8 

47 
6 
2 



11 

14 
5 

17 
6 

1 

Ambustio 

... 

1 

Concussio  cerebri 

1 

31 

1 

a 

3 

27 

1 
5 



9    1 

10    I 

1     j 



5 

14 
3 

IS 

1 



Fractura 

VVonnds  and  injuries....  J 

Luxutio 

1 

Sub-Iuxatio 

■■ 

1 
10 
2 
4 

3 
3 

15 
2 
3 

1 

1      

8 



Vulnus  punetuni 

1 

2 
1 
5 
8 





Vulnus  sclopeticuin 

1 

1 
2 
4 

1 

3 

1 

Ebrietas 

3 
3 

3 

2 

1 

HTmorrhois 

1 



2 

I 
7 

1 

.Morbi  cutis 

t 

3 

4 

11 
2 
86 

1 

2 

1 

29 

1 
2 

Scorbutus 

1 
=4 

All  other  diseases 

•2 



8 

11 

Total 

160                    tiHI           o 

235 

2 

293 

1 

597 

133 

1 

2,019 

6 

t 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    FLORIDA. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  ON  THE  GULF  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


345 


\ 

1 

Years , 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.     j      1853. 

1854. 

ST&CNOTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength ' 

300. 

896.                 276.                 345-1         331. 

357. 

2,505. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.'  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  J«^'  T»>al 

Febris  continua  communis.. 

1 

4 
153 
160 

s 

777 
346 

2 
110 

3 

# 

154 

67 

2 

9 

200     

50     

257     

13 

Febris  intermittens  teriiana. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

9 



19 

41     1 

7 

44 
1 

41     

1     

6 

1 



3 

1 

1 

2 

2     

Eruptive  fevers I 

:::::::::::: 

'  I 

1 

1       

.::::::::::::::::::::;■:  ::::■■ 

::: 

1 

1 
15 

1           1              1 

48     ;       1        174      26      28     ' 

14    

30.5               1 

1 

1 

1   1  26   1    a      15        1       la    

8      28      90               4 

Dj'senteria  chronica 

1     ;       2     1       3 



1     1 6      11               4 

Diseases  of  the    organs 
connected  witli  the  di- 

1 

I 
1 

1 



1              1 
4      

3 

^ 

......!::::...::.:: 

■ 

gestive  system. 

2    1 

I 

Obslipatio 

3    1 

10      

31 
27 

1 

5      23      

1          19      U      

*     , ,     ^ 

10      7 

91 
84 

3 
SI 

3 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 
,  Caiarrhus 

2 

1 
<!1 

6      

19 

1 
2 

4 

1 

1 

2 
1 



Diseases  of  the  respira- 1 
tory  system. 

'  PlcuritU 

3      

1 

1       

3 
3 

2 
7 

1    1 

4      

1    1 

4 

1 

s 

10       ... 

1 

2 
3 

19 
10 
5 
4 
5 
11 

1 

i        4 

Diseases  of  tbe  brain  and 

1      

2 

2 

1 

nervous  system. 

1  Neuralgia 

1 

2 
2 

....     1 

j 

1 

... :!  ; 

1 

1 
1 

1 

f 

* 

4  ...::!  a 



1 

"* 

1 

3 

1 

i :......! 

3 

1 
1 

4 

and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

1 

2 

3      

2      

2    ! 

11      

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  e 

_ ' 1   .___   i               ..                        

" 

1 

1     .... 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  1 

] i i::::,.::::::" ::;:: 

muscular  structures,      i 

7 

17     \      6      8    1 6      15 

59 

1 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ,,.,  \ 

!  Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

1  Ulcus 

25 

1 
1 
1 
8 
2 



27     4     16      11      53 

10    1 2     i:i      .T      



136 

29 

Ainbusito 

3 

1 

1    a    2 

9      

1     - 

3 

9     la     8     12     

79      

Fractura 

5 

Wounds  and  injuries..... 

1 

1 
2 
6 

1 

1 

3      

: 

5     

38     

6      

la    

1 

.._.__!       3 

,8    i 

4    1 1     19 

83  1..::.: 

3 

1 

1 
1 
1 
9 

5    1   . 

2 

1 

3 

3 

9      

'  Vulnus  sclopcticum 

1  Debilitas 

2     .. 

10 
17 
2 

6 

75     

1 

6 

6 
4 

1 

9     

3      

2     

39      

'    1 

2 

13           .   . 

1 
2 
1 
6 
5 

1 

4    : 

Miscellaneous ■ 

d 

3   1 

2  : 

5 
3 

9 

16  i:::: 

Morbi  oculi 

16 

2 

43 

4 

4    1 

sy    

8    

All  other  diseases 

Total 

97 

j   so 

i    «' 

25    ! 

171      

170 

3    1904    1      9 

393 

3 

518 

i- 

336 

1  ja,7a8 

15 

1 

K    nr. 

J  J 

346 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRINa 


Tears 

THIRD  aUAKTER. 

! 

1                       1 
1849.      \      1850.      ,      1851.            1852. 

ims. 

185i. 

STRENOTU. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

1                                                                                                                   ! 

Mean  strenotu 

318.                 533. 

S57.                 356. 

303. 

245. 

2,014. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.l  Died.  CasesJ  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases   Died.  Cases    Died    ''"***'*'  T"'?' 

cases,  died. 

4  ! ■ 

I......i 

!  Febris  inter,  quoiidiana  .... 
Febris  intermittens  terliana. 
Febris  iiiiennittens  quartana 
Febris  rcmiltens 

18 
Iti 

210 
194 

230     

«    ': 

2     .. 

254 

37 

! 

121 
43 
9 

10 

1 

15  h.... 

58     .... 

848 
3S«! 

5 
231 

6 
30 

1 

12 

'  119 

21     fin     ... 

9     ' 

1 

1 

1 

Febris  typlius  icterodes 

3 

3 

27 

9 

12 

1 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

1  Rubeola 



I  Cliolera  Asiatica 





53 
3 
2 

66 

25 

3 

2 

2 

2 

1       1 

22 

8 
1 

1          18    1 

12    ' 

39           1 
5      

26      .... 

Q0.1 

4 

Dysenteria  acuta 

6     1 1    S9 

Dysenteria  clironica 

1 

7 

3           1 

2 

connected  with  the  di- 

Ilep.ititls acuta 

9 



1      3 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  chronica i 

1 

4 
9 

17 
17 

1 
24 

1 

1       S 

12    1 

12      .. 

13      

9      

1 

3      

3     

77 

74 

3 

59 

7 

3 

2 

4 

96 

19 

3 

10 

in 

16 

1  Bronchitis,  acuta  el  chronica 

1 
29 

5 

3 

1 
1 
1 
6 

1 

.T    1 

.... 

2      

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

) Phthisis  pulmonalis 

)  Pleurilis 

1              I 

I 

»  ! 



1 
1 
2 

4 

1 

tory  system. 

1 

All  other  diseases 



:  i 

! 

1 
Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

12 
3 

1 

1 

9 

1 
1 

1      

1     '       3      

3 

Epilepsia 

2 

4 

1 

2 
3 

3 

1 

2 

1 

2    ' 

All  other  diseases 

5     1 

1 

Gonorrhcea , 

12 

1 

4 

1      ': i      90 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 

Diseases  of  the    serous  t 

and  eshalent  vessels.     \ 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 

1 
Abscesses  and  ulcf rs ....  \ 

1 
2 

Syphilis  primitiva 

3 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
3 

1 

1 
3 



1 

5 

4 
10 
9 
5 

All  other  diseases 

■ 
1 



2 

1 

Pernio 

Podagra 

Uhcuniatismus 

3 

7 

6 



5 

11 

18 

SO 

Fistula  

Phlegmon  et  absccssus 

Ulcus  

47 
3 

1 

44 
13 
3 

11 
6 

1 

24 

S 
1 

14 

1 
2 



67 
4 
1 

207 
32 
9 

Aniputatio 

Coneussio  cerebri 



14 

8 

1 

1 

» 

3 

4 
1 

38 
3 
2 

17 

48 
4 

11 
1 

55 

33 
7 
5 

43 

4 

1 

181 

1 

V\'uuiids  and  inj  uries . . . .  ' 

j  Punitio 

2 

9 

7 
4 

1 
5 

6 

" 

~     

8 

1 



1      1 

.T                             1 

Vulnus  punctum 

' 

Vulnus  sclopcticuni 

1 

4 
1 

1 

' 

., 

11        4 

a    1      1     1      7 

11 
7 
1 
1 

19 
1 



5 

1 

5 

Ilarmorrhois 

2 

..       i     o 

- 

1 

3 

Morbi  cutis 

S 

..   ..   1 

1 

2 

1 

! 

'  Scorbutus 

1 
39 

......... 

All  other  diseases 

4S                          IJ 

43     '    26     

11 

Total i 

286    '      '1       ^>f^ 

8       a'^    '      -T       s7«           1       -"ifi-T         in 

334 

1 

M 

2,830 

27 

i 

AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   FLORIDA. 


347 


AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  ON  THE  GULF  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

AGGREOATS 
STREXOTH. 

1849.            1850.      j      1851.            1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

CLASSES  OF  DfS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength 

76.-?. 

4*2. 

198. 

360. 

242.                 324.         1       2,379. 

1 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  J-'I-' 

1        

2 

1 

1 

4               1 

Fevera 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana  .... 
Febris  intermittens  tertlana. 
Febris  intermitten!<  quartana 

69 
149 
34 
10 
1 

1 

1 

147 
57 

257 

36 

411 

61 

i    =» 

33 

8     

29      

849    ! 

455      

41 

I           8 

18     3 

4      

j 

100 
2 

12 
2 

•2 

Febris  typhus 

1 

, 

12 

9 

9 

1 

Eruptive  fevers ? 

1 

Diarrhsa 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysenleria  chronica 

125 
45 
2 

31 
18 
3 

1 

SB 
8 

1 

23 
12 

17 
17 

38 

252 
IS 

5 

3 

1 
71 
52 
16 
51 

3 

4 
3 
12 
14 
4 
5 

I 
1 

Diseases   of  the   organs 

i     '" 
1      

connected  with  the  di-"* 

3 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obsttpatio 

1 

10 
3 
6 
2 
4 
1 
1 
2 

10 

lo 

10 
5 

11 

9 

23 
12 
3 
19 

10      

4      

1      

Bronchitis  acuta  ei  chronica 

3 



3 

o 

3 

0 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

Pleuritis 

1 

1      

1 

3 

3 

1 

2 

-T 

Cephalalgia 

8 

1 
2 

1      

i.... 

2      

4 

6 

1 

1 

Diseai^es  of  the  brain  and 

Epilepsia 

1 

3 

nervous  system. 

1 

3 

2 

All  other  diseases 

11 

1 

1 

2 

3 

2    ] 

2      

18 

Diseases  of  the  urinarj- 

4 
1 

3 
3 

1      

6 

and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

4 

■ 

1 

1      

1           1 

3               1 

and  exhalent  vessels.     ■ 

All  other  diseases 

1 

1 

1 

3 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  ^ 
muscular  structures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ....  ^ 

' 

Rhcumatismus 

lo      

6 

4      

5 

6 

13      

'     1 

18      

1      

49 

1 
95 

j  Phlegmon  et  abscessiis 

39 
8 

1 

5 
1 

12 

13 

2 

6 
3 

2 

.:::• 

1  Amputatio 

1      ....     1       1     1- 

Contusio    

Fraclura 

Luxatio 

8 

I 

12 

10 

....     1 

13 

1 

11      

55    1 

o 

3 

1 
4 

4 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

Punitio 

1 

6 
U 
3 
1 
1 
4 

1 

9 

9      

22 
43 

3 
1 
73 
SO 
9 
3 
2 

5 

5 

R 

-    1 

3     .                '^ 

1      

Vulnus  sclopcticuin 

•T 

1      

3        

4      

2 

Ebrietas 

6                        -1 

Ho^morrhois 

1 
2 

1 

J 

4 

1 

MiwcUaneous 

1 

1        1 

1         23      27 

28 

1.1                      1=; 

14      120 

1 

Total 

625         .1      -'its         rt    ;  4.ig         .■)    1  (ua         9    '  9ai 

Zi 

1 



TEXAS. 


SOUTHERN  FRONTIER. 

The  military  stations  on  the  southern  frontier  of  Texas  are  located  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  where  that  stream  forms  the  boundary  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  with 
the  exception  of  two  posts — Forts  Merrill  and  Ewell — on  the  Nueces  river  ;  and  one  at  Cori^us 
Christi,  at  the  head  of  Corpus  Christi  bay.  The  posts  on  the  Rio  Grande  are  Fort  Brown, 
Ringgold  Barracks,  Fort  Mcintosh,  and  Fort  Duncan. 

CORPUS   CHRISTI. 

The  coast  of  Texas  (says  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  B.  Brown)  is  generally  very  low ;  but  at  this  point 
it  is  quite  bold,  rising  into  a  range  of  bluffs  from  thirty  to  sixty  feet  in  height.  The  town  of  Cor- 
pus Christi  is  built  upon  a  level  plateau,  reclaimed  from  the  sea,  and  but  a  few  feet  above  its 
level.  This  plateau  extends  back  from  the  water's  edge  about  600  yards,  where  it  terminates  in 
a  "bluff."  It  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  shell  detritus.  The  wells,  which  are  sunk  in  the 
shell,  are  always  more  or  less  brackish,  and  the  water  causes  derangement  of  the  bowels  in 
those  unaccustomed  to  its  use.  For  drinking  and  culinary  purposes,  rain-water  is  generally  ob- 
tained from  artificial  reservoirs  or  cisterns  ;  but,  in  times  of  extreme  drought,  the  well-water  is 
necessarily  used.     With  this  exception,  the  locality  is  a  healthy  one. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  EWELL. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  Frazier  Head  :  1854. 

Fort  Ewell  is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Nueces,  at  the  point  where  this  river  is 
crossed  by  the  road  from  San  Antonio  to  Laredo,  in  lat.  about  28°  12'  N.,  and  long.  22°  3' 
W.  (from  Washington);  a  spot  which,  long  before  its  occupation  by  troops,  had  enjoyed  the 
evil  notoriety  of  being  one  of  the  most  insalubrious  in  Texas. 

At  this  place  the  river  makes  a  turn,  partly  surrounding  an  elevated  portion  of  land,  which 
slopes  from  a  height  of  Rome  twenty-five  feet  above  the  ordinary  level  of  the  stream  to  its 
swampy  margin.  The  soil  is  argillaceous,  baked  to  almost  stony  hardness  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  year,  but  softened  by  the  .spring  rains  into  a  tenacious  clay.  It  appears  incapable 
of  cultivation.  Its  vegetation  is  almost  wholly  confined  to  diflerent  varieties  of  cactus  and  aca- 
cia.    A  few  elms  are  found  in  the  swamp  by  the  bank  of  the  river. 

The  water  of  the  Nueces  is  good,  and,  though  during  freshets  it  is  often  highly  charged  with 
organic  matter,  appears  to  be  perfectly  wholesome. 

The  meteorological  records  left  at  the  jiost  are  not  sutScient  to  furnish  data  for  any  satisfactory 
account  of  the  climate. 

Nearly  surrounding  the  post,  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  and  in  high  water,  allowing  egress 
only  by  the  road  leading  to  Eagle  Pass,  is  an  extensive  swamp,  partially  overflowed  at  every 
rise  of  the  Nueces,  and,  at  times,  converted  into  a  lake  of  many  thou.sand  acres.  From  this 
marsh  the  prevailing  winds  of  summer  sweep  directly  upon  the  site  of  Fort  Ewell. 

It  is  proper  to  state,  that  no  officer  of  t'le  medical  department  is  believed  to  have  been  con- 
sulted as  to  the  location  of  the  post  at  a  point  so  manifestly  unfavorable  to  health. 


350  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

The  site  was  first  occupied  by  troops  on  the  13th  of  May,  1852.  It  being  intended  to  erect 
permanent  buiklings  on  the  more  elevated  portion  of  the  ground,  the  troops  were  forbidden,  by 
orders  from  department  headquarters,  to  encamp  upon  it,  and  were  obliged  to  pitch  their  tents  on 
the  low  land  near  tlie  bank  ol'  the  river,  from  wliich  they  were  more  than  once  driven  by  freshets, 
to  return  to  it  on  the  subsidence  of  the  Avaters.  Building-tools  were  ordered  to  be  furnished  in 
abundance  ;  but  the  issue  of  lumber  was  so  strictly  curtailed,  that  for  many  months  there  was 
not  enough  at  the  post  to  make  a  coifin ;  and  a  commissioned  officer,  who  had  served  gallantly 
in  the  Mexican  war,  was  buried  in  a  barrel.  There  being  no  timber  fit  for  any  mechanical  use 
within  twenty  miles,  the  progress  of  the  buildings,  as  may  be  supposed,  was  but  slow;  in  fact, 
the  only  ones  ever  completed  were  two  or  three  mud  store-houses,  which  are  already  falling  to 
decay ;  and  in  October,  1852,  orders  were  received  from  the  general  commanding  the  depart- 
ment to  suspend  .all  labor  upon  the  buildings  here  till  further  orders.  In  March,  1854,  though 
the  order  for  encamping  in  the  low  ground  had  not  been  revoked,  the  commanding  officer 
humanely  took  the  responsibility  of  removing  the  camp  to  the  higher  ground ;  but  the  (so  called) 
"fort"  remains  to  this  day  a  mere  camp,  in  which  the  troops  have  been  for  somewhat  more  than 
two  years,  without  flooring  ibr  the  tents,  without  proper  food,  and  often  without  sufficient 
clothing,  exposed  to  the  intense  heat  and  malaria  of  summer,  and  to  the  searching  "northers" 
in  winter,  with  no  shelter  but  the  canvas,  which  was  sometimes  carried  away  or  blown  into 
shreds  by  the  hurricanes,  which  are  not  infrequent  in  this  region,  and  from  the  force  of  which 
not  a  tree  could  be  found  to  protect  them.  Sick  and  well  have  been  alike  subjected  to  this  ex- 
posure. 

The  effect  of  this  continued  wretchedness  is  sufficiently  shown  by  the  medical  history  of  the 
post;  before  proceeding  to  which,  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  that  no  portion  of  the  sufferings 
of  the  men  can  be  charged  upon  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post,  who  has  done  all  in  his 
power  to  alleviate  tliem,  and  has  made  repeated  and  urgent  representations  of  the  condition  of 
his  command,  and  applications  for  the  means  of  improving  it. 

The  prevailing  diseases  are  Chiefly  such  as  would  be  predicted  from  the  most  casual  inspec- 
tion of  the  locality — periodic  fevers,  and  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs. 

From  the  very  imj)erfect  records  left  in  the  medical  department  here,  and  extending  back  to 
include  July,  1852,  it  appears  that  during  two  years  there  have  occurred,  in  a  command  aver- 
aging 170,  of  periodic  fevers,  627;  other  fevers,  13  ;  of  cholera,  colic,  dysentery,  and  (liarrlia?a, 
150  ;  of  phlegmon  and  abscess,  105  ;  and  of  all  other  diseases,  408 — in  all,  1,303  ;  being  7,GG5 
per  thousand  of  mean  strength;  or  every  officer  and  man  of  the  command  has  been  sick,  on  an 
average,  once  in  three  months. 

It  will  be  observed  by  an  inspection  of  the  consolidated  report,  reduced  to  a  tabular  form, 
and  forwarded  herewith,*  that  the  ratio  of  disease  has  been  steadily  increasing  during  the  whole 
period  of  the  occupation  of  the  post;  that  continued  residence,  far  from  acclimating  the  com- 
mand, has  impaired  its  powers  of  resistance.  This  effect  is  undoubtedly  owing,  in  great 
measure,  to  the  destitution  and  needless  exposure  of  the  men  in  an  unhealthy  situation.  Du- 
ing  the  first  year,  the  ratio  of  sick  to  the  whole  command  was  268  per  cent.;  during  the  second, 
557  per  cent. 

In  the  report  of  the  mortality  at  Fort  Ewell,  there  are  some  sources  of  fallacy ;  thus,  of  87 
cases  of  acute  dysentery,  none  are  reported  as  having  terminated  fatally.  Many  of  these,  how- 
ever, assumed  a  chronic  form;  and  some  were  sent  to  Corpus  Christi,  and  other  places,  where 
they  died  of  disease  contracted  here.  Six  men  are  known  to  have  perished  in  this  manner,  be- 
side those  reported  in  the  table  ;  which,  with  the  reported  deaths,  make  an  annual  mortality  of 
5^-  per  cent. 

During  the  months  of  May  and  June,  1854,  it  appears,  from  careful  computation,  that  tlie 
proportion  of  sick  to  the  whole  command  has  been  increasing  more  rapidly  than  at  any  time 

o  As  in  other  similar  instances,  tlie  table  here  referred  to  is  omitted. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS. 


351 


since  the  occupation  of  the  post.  Witliin  this  short  period,  witli  a  mean  strength  of  92,  the 
number  of  cases  of  disease  has  amounted  to  162.  Of  these,  eight  only  were  furnished  by  the 
scouting  parties  detached  from  the  post,  which  exceeded  in  number  the  force  left  as  its  garrison. 
Every  man  of  the  command  has  been  disabled,  on  the  average,  five  days  in  May  and  six  days 
in  June.  In  these  two  months  the  government  has  lost  by  illness  1,114  days'  duty.  When 
it  is  considered  tliat  had  the  men  been  sheltered,  and  otherwise  properly  cared  for,  at  least  one- 
half  of  this  disease  might  have  been  avoided ;  and  when  the  cost  of  the  time  thus  lost  to  the  gov- 
ernment is  computed,  the  economy  of  such  a  policy  as  has  been  pursued  with  these  men  may, 
perhaps^  be  doubted. 

In  March  last,  a  requisition  for  anti-scorbutics,  including  a  quantity  of  potatoes,  was  made 
by  the  commanding  officer,  at  the  recommendation  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Johns,  U.  S.  A.  The 
articles  required  were  ordered  to  be  sent  hither,  except  that  which  was  most  needed  and  most 
likely  to  be  of  service — the  potatoes.  None  of  the  anti- scorbutics  ordered  have  yet  been  re- 
ceived. In  June  a  number  of  cases  of  scurvy  appeared  among  the  troops ;  and  of  those  who 
were  not  reported  sick,  a  large  proportion  were  more  or  less  affected  by  this  disorder. 

In  the  character  of  the  diseases  here,  since  my  taking  the  medical  charge  of  the  post,  but  few 
peculiarities  have  been  observed  wliich  bear  jiarticularly  upon  the  treatment.  The  attacks  of 
periodic  fever  have  seldom  been  ushered  in  by  chills ;  and  the  convalescence  has  almost  invari- 
ably been  slow,  and  attended  with  unusual  debility,  requiring  a  liberal  use  of  tonics,  of  which 
the  chloride  of  iron  and  the  infusion  of  wild  cherry  have  been  among  the  most  efficacious.  Re- 
turns of  the  disease  have,  of  course,  been  frequent ;  and  the  tendency  to  recur  at  periods  of 
seven,  fourteen,  or  twenty-one  days,  has  been  strongly  marked. 

At  one  time,  when  the  supply  of  quinine  was  exhausted,  recourse  was  had  to  common  salt  as 
an  anti-periodic.  It  was  administered  in  the  method  advised  by  Dr.  Hutchinson,  (in  the  New 
York  Journal  of  Medicine,  March,  1854,)  and  with  some  apparent  benefit.  Of  21  cases  thus 
treated,  seven  yielded  to  the  remedy  ;  the  average  duration  of  these  cases  being  3J  days.  To 
the  21  patients,  285  doses  were  given,  of  which  29  were  rejected.  The  results  of  this  treat- 
ment are  subjoined  in  a  tabular  form.  The  sulphate  of  zinc  was  also  employed  in  a  number  of 
cases,  apparently  with  good  results;  which,  however,  have  not  been  numerically  estimated. 

In  the  treatment  of  scurvy,  the  most  decided  benefit  was  obtained  by  the  use  of  the  freshly- 
pfcpared  juice  of  the  agave  Americana,  which  can  only  be  procured  from  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, and  in  small  quantities. 

In  concluding  this  imperfect  sketch  of  the  medico-topographical  history  of  Fort  Ewell,  I 
would  remark,  that  the  long-continued  operation  of  the  causes  enumerated  has  at  length  ren- 
dered this  command  almost  totally  inefficient  for  any  military  purpose;  and  that,  for  the  sake 
of  humanity  and  the  credit  of  the  service,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  order  for  the  abandonment 
of  the  post,  issued  by  the  War  Department  in  December  last,  may  ere  long  be  carried  into 
effect. 

Table  of  cases  in  tvhich  chloride  of  sodium  2oas  used  as  a  remedy  in  periodic  /ever. 


No  of  men. 

No.  of  days  dur- 

Whole namber 

No. 

of  doses 

No.  of  cases  in 

ing  which  salt 

of  doses  taken. 

vomited. 

which  fever 

was  taken. 

jielded. 

3 

5 

63 

2 

2 

5 

^ 

90         ' 

12 

1 

7 

3 

U 

8 

2 

6 

2 

48 

7 

2 

21 


U 


2S5 


29 


352  REPORT   ON    TUE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

MEDICAL  TOI'OGIUPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  MERRILL. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Israel  Moses :  1854. 

Fort  Merrill  was  bniU  in  1849,  on  the  Nueces,  four  hundred  yards  from  the  right  hank. 
The  river,  in  its  ordinary  stage  of  water,  is  fordable,  and  about  forty  yards  wide.  Tlie  low 
bottom-lands,  on  eitlior  side,  are  usually  overflowed  during  the  annual  rise  of  tlie  river  in  June, 
for  miles  in  extent ;  and  tliis  was  especially  so  during  the  last  spring.  The  surrounding  country 
is  rolling,  covered  with  rich  grass,  muscjuite,  cactus,  and  clumps  of  oak ;  the  banks  of  the  river 
lined  by  rows  of  oak  and  cottonwood,  richly  festooned  by  licavy  mosses.  There  is  fine  hunting 
in  the  vicinity.  Deer,  wild  turkeys^  geese,  ducks,  jiartridges,  and  rabbits  abound.  Catfish  is 
the  only  fish  found  in  the  Nueces;  trout  exist  in  tlie  small  streams  in  the  neigiiborhood.  The 
fort  consists  of  officers'  quarters,  and  barracks  for  the  soldiers,  of  square  logs,  and  plastered 
inside;  a  hospital  capable  of  accommodating  twelve  patients,  surgery,  store-rooms,  &c. ;  store- 
houses, offices,  and  camp-women's  huts — all  roughly  built,  and  unfinished.  Tlie  garrison  con- 
sisted of  companies  ¥  and  H,  mounted  rifles — about  eighty-five  in  all — four  officers,  one  lady, 
and  five  laundresses.  Some  dozen  or  twenty  families  of  settlers  on  the  other  bank  of  the  river, 
and  a  small  Mexican  ranch,  were  our  only  neighbors.  Our  chief  food  was  derived  from  the 
commissary  and  the  field — beef,  salt  provisions,  and  game.  Vegetables  were  very  scarce,  and 
the  only  fruit  inferior  melons.  No  gardens  were  planted  at  the  post,  and  the  high  water  had 
swept  off  and  destroyed  those  of  the  farmers.  Corn,  and  a  few  sweet-potatoes,  are  the  only 
articles  raised — cattle  being  the  chief  source  of  wealth  in  this  State,  and  especially  in  this 
neigiiborhood.  The  large  blue  grape  grows  in  great  perfection  in  a  wild  state,  creeping  tlirough 
and  covering  the  trees  on  the  river-side.  It  makes  a  very  fine  wine  and  brandy.  There  are  no 
other  wild  fruits.  The  temperature,  generally,  during  the  three  months  I  was  on  duty  at  the 
post,  was  very  high,  the  thermometer  averaging  from  90°  to  100°  F.  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m.,  but 
tempered  by  a  constant  breeze ;  nights  pleasant,  enabling  one  to  sleep  delightfully,  and  awake 
refreshed.  Kain  has  fallen  in  heavy  showers  for  two  or  three  hours  almost  every  day,  accompa- 
nied by  thunder  and  lightning  and  cool  breezes.  *  *  *  fpjjQ  pj^g^  ^yinter  was  rather  colder 
than  usual.  Snow  rarely  falls;  thus  we  find  in  the  month  of  February  (14),  snow  fell  to  the 
depth  of  1.11  inches,  but  soon  melted.  The  coldest  day  was  the  '7th  of  January,  when  the  ther- 
mometer stood  at  22°,  and  ice  formed  three-fourths  of  an  inch  thick.  Only  once  in  February 
the  mercury  sunk  below  freezing-point,  during  the  prevalence  of  a  severe  norther.  The  warmest 
day  was  August  6,  when  the  mercury  stood  at  102°  at  half-past  12  o'clock. 

Rain  falls  every  inonth  in  the  year,  but  in  greatest  quantity  in  the  month  of  May.  Then 
the  rivers  and  creeks  become  swollen  and  overflow  their  banks,  but  subside  during  the  month 
of  June.  The  Nueces  rose  tiveniy-six  feet  in  June,  1854.  Very  little  rain  falls  during  the 
winter  months.  Variations  in  temj^erature  are  often  very  great  and  sudden  ;  a  cold  norther 
springing  up,  and  freezing  one  who,  but  a  few  moments  before,  may  have  been  panting  witli 
heat. 

Heavy  fogs  settle  down  during  the  night  over  the  river  and  bottom-lands,  and  are  not  dissi- 
pated until  9  o'clock.  Fevers  and  diseases  of  the  digestive  system  form  the  chief  bulk  of  the 
sick-report,  I  here  quote  the  remarks  appended  to  the  quarterly  report,  September  30,  1854, 
by  Assistant  Surgeon  Head,  who  relieved  me  at  the  post  on  the  lotli  September: 

"It  will  be  perceived  that,  in  July,  with  a  mean  strength  of  79,  (including  therein  scouting 
parties,)  there  were  34  taken  sick,  or  less  than  half  the  mean  strength ;  while  in  August  and 
September,  the  number  of  sick  considerably  exceeded  the  mean  strength.  Tlie  proportit)n  of 
sick  rapidly  increased  about  tlie  middle  of  August,  and  has  not  yet  materially  diminished.  I 
have  endeavored  to  ascertain,  as  far  as  possible,  the  causes  of  this  unusual  insalubrity,  and  of 
its  sudden  increase.  Early  in  June  the  river  Nueces  rose  at  this  point  to  an  unprecedented 
height  (twenty-six  feet).      By  the  second  week  in  June,  the  water  had  subsided,  leaving  exposed 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    TEXAS.  353 

to  the  sun  a  recently  overflowed  level  of  considerable  extent  lying  to  the  east  of  the  post;  the 
prevailing  wind  has  been  from  the  southeast.  This  rise  and  fall  of  the  river  was  followed  by 
an  increase  of  the  sick-report,  hut  much  less  than  that  which  occurred  in  August.  More  rain, 
thunder,  and  lightning  in  July  than  June,  and  more  in  May  than  either.  Scarcely  any  per- 
ceptible influence  of  these  phenomena  can  he  traced.  About  July  28,  the  post  was  stripped  of 
many  of  its  important  medicines,  to  supply  General  Smith's  escort,  taken  chiefly  from  other 
posts.  Among  other  supplies,  all  the  quinia,  except  two  ounces,  was  taken,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  economize  the  expenditure.  Until  August  14,  small  doses  of  quinia  and  piperin 
(five  grains  each)  were  used ;  and  afterwards  the  treatment  of  periodic  levers  was  almost  wholly 
by  table-salt  and  Fowler's  solution.  It  appears  that  the  greatest  increase  of  sickness  coincided 
almost  exactly  with  the  discontinuance  of  the  general  use  of  quinia.  During  the  thirty-five 
days  from  June  24  to  August  28,  there  were:  taken  sick  of  malarial  fever  alone,  29;  returned 
to  duty,  26.  During  the  succeeding  thirty-five  days,  from  July  28  to  September  1,  there  were: 
taken  sick  of  malarial  fever  alone,  70;  returned  to  duty,  41. 

"Dui'ing  the  last  two  months,  every  oflicer,  (except  one  who  had  been  but  ten  days  at  the 
post,)  every  lady,  every  soldier,  and  every  laundress,  has  been  sick.  There  are  not  well  meu 
enough  for  the  ordinary  garrison  duty ;  a  single  tour  of  guard  is  almost  certain  to  send  a  man 
to  the  hospital." 

The  malarial  poison  appeared  to  be  of  unusual  intensity,  producing  severer  symptoms  than 
ordinarily  accompany  intermittents ;  while  they  were  prolonged  in  consequence  of  being  deprived 
of  quinia.  Having  but  a  small  quantity,  and  an  interval  of  one  month  occurring  when  I  was 
obliged  to  await  the  arrival  of  a  supply  from  New  Orleans,  I  tried  the  efi'ect  of  a  solution  of 
common  salt,  with  success  in  less  than  half  the  cases. 

I  noted  a  marked  increase  in  the  number  and  intensity  of  the  fever  cases  immediately  after  a 
rainy  period.  Military  duty  was  exceedingly  hard,  and  most  of  the  men  were  broken  down  by 
heat  and  fatigue.  If  a  number  were  sent  on  a  scout,  one-half  or  more  returned  sick ;  while  of 
a  camp  of  twenty  men  at  Santa  Gertrudes,  only  four  remained  well.  Far  from  becoming  accli- 
mated, men  grow  less  and  less  able  to  resist  the  excessive  heats  and  fatigue  of  campaigning. 
A  feeling  of  lassitude,  and  indisposition  to  mental  or  jjhysical  exertion,  takes  possession  of  all. 
A  tendency  to  scorbutus  showed  itself  in  a  few,  but  was  readily  overcome  by  suitable  remedies 
and  diet.  Vegetables  were  very  scarce,  but  grapes  and  melons  could  be  procured  in  abundance. 
Not  a  single  death  occurred  at  the  post. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  BROWN. 

By  Surgeon  S.  P.  Moore :  1853. 

Fort  Brown,  Texas,  is  situated  in  latitude  25°  53'  21"  north,  and  in  longitude  97°  29'  15" 
west,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Kio  Grande,  adjoining  the  town  of  Brownsville,  and  opposite  the 
Mexican  town  of  Matamoras.  It  is  eight  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  from  which  it  is  distant 
by  the  course  of  the  river  sixty-five  miles,  in  a  westerly  direction,  and  twenty-eight  miles  from 
Point  Isabel,  in  a  westerly  course.  The  fort  enjoys  the  delightful  Gulf  breeze  from  the  east 
every  morning  during  the  summer,  which  is  the  harbinger  of  health  whilst  the  prevailing  wind. 
The  river  rises  about  15  feet,  and  generally  reaches  its  maximum  elevation  in  the  month  of 
July.  The  level  of  Fort  Brown  is  two  feel  above  high-water  mark.  The  fort  and  town  are 
built  upon  an  alluvial  soil.  The  formation  of  the  soil  is  in  slight  elevations  and  depressions; 
the  fort  and  a  portion  of  the  town  are  situated  on  one  of  these  elevations,  a  depression  existing 
above  the  town,  in  which  is  a  part  of  the  suburbs;  there  is  also  another  below  the  garrison. 
When  the  river  is  high,  these  depressions  are  submerged,  the  water  roniaining  for  some  time. 
After  heavy  rains  the  water  settles  around  the  town.  When  this  happens,  what  is  called  Wash- 
ington square  is  nothing  but  a  pond,  where  ducks  abound  in  winter;  this  square  is  situated  on 
the  northwest  border  of  the  town.  A  lagoon  is  immediately  below  the  fort;  a  ditch  connects  it 
s.  96 45 


35 4  REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

with  the  river;  so  that  when  the  latter  is  high,  a  free  communication  is  established  through  the 
ahove  means.     When  tliis  condition  of  the  river  docs  not  exist,  there  is  no  communication. 

A  majoritj'  of  the  inhabitants  of  Brownsville  are  Mexicans,  living  in  miserable  hovels,  called 
"jacales;"  the  streets  are  not  very  cleanly,  and  but  partially  paved;  the  town  contains  about 
3,500  inhabitants.  There  is  no  system  of  drainage  in  the  town;  the  water  runs  off  as  well  as 
it  can,  or  remains  on  the  ground.  The  Mexicans,  without  an  exception,  and  many  of  the  Amer- 
icans, use  the  river-water  for  all  purposes.  The  Mexicans  are  not  particular ;  for  it  is  not  un- 
common to  see  the  women,  after  a  rain,  collecting  it  from  the  little  puddles  around  their  houses. 
Some  of  the  dwellings  of  the  whites  have  cisterns,  and  to  them  and  tlieir  iriends  tlie  rain-water 
is  a  great  luxury.  Three  small  cisterns  have  recently  been  constructed  in  the  garrison.  The 
men  use  the  river-water.  At  those  seasons  when  the  river  is  low,  the  water  is  so  extremely 
unpalatable  as  to  render  it  almost  impossible  to  drink  it,  being  strongly  impregnated  with 
sulphur. 

This  fort  was  established  in  1848.  The  town  of  Brownsville  came  rapidly  into  existence  in 
the  same  j-ear ;  since  which  period  there  have  been  no  improvem.ents  of  anj'  consequence,  and  no 
clearings,  around  the  two'  places. 

The  Mexicans  are  a  miserable  race  of  beings — I  speak  more  particularly  of  those  in  our  neigh- 
borhood— existing  in  squalid  wretchedness  in  their  foul  cabins,  very  ignorant  and  superstitious. 
As  an  instance  of  ignorance,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  English  were  supposed  to  be  supplied 
with  long  tails,  and,  during  the  late  war,  those  appendages  were  transferred  to  the  Yankees. 
Morality  is  in  a  very  low  state,  with  no  sign  of  improvement. 

Previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  yellow  fever,  the  town  and  fort  were  decidedly  healthy. 
During  April,  the  maximum  of  the  thermometer  was  90°,  the  minimum  67°,  and  daily  mean 
for  the  month  was  79.25;  winds  principally  from  the  S.E.;  quantity  of  rain,  2.20  inches.  The 
principal  disease  in  this  month  was  intermittent  fever,  and  all  of  the  cases  were  relapses;  only 
two  cases  of  diarrhcea. 

In  May,  the  maximum  temperature  was  89°,  the  minimum  was  58°,  the  daily  mean  for  the 
month  was  78.83;  winds  principally  from  the  S.E.;  quantity  of  rain,  10  inches.  The  principal 
diseases  the  same  as  in  the  month  of  April. 

During  the  month  of  June,  the  maximum  temperature  was  92°,  the  minimum  was  70°,  the 
daily  mean  for  the  month  was  81.28;  winds  principally  from  the  S.E.;  quantity  of  rain,  1.7 
inches.     Kelapses  from  intermittents  still  continue. 

In  July,  commenced  barometrical  observations;  maximum  of  barometer  30.29,  the  minimum 
30.00;  the  maximum  temperature  94°,  the  minimum  75°,  the  daily  mean  for  the  month  was 
84.18;  winds  principally  from  the  S.W.;  no  rain;  ver}''  disagreeable  weather  during  the  month  ; 
days  and  nights  oppressive;  the  thermometer  often  as  high  as  90°,  91°,  and  92°.  Fewer  cases 
of  relapses  this  month  than  any  month  in  the  last  quarter;  post  very  healthy. 

In  August,  the  maximum  of  barometer  was  30.24,  the  minimum  was  30.07;  the  maximum 
temperature  was  94°,  the  minimum  70°,  the  daily  mean  fof 'the  month  was  82.48.  Kain,  3.10 
inches;  thunder,  and  light  showers;  winds  principally  from  S.S.E.  On  the  28th,  a  norther 
sprang  up,  which  lasted  two  days.  A  norther  in  this  month  is  a  very  uncommon  occurrence;  they 
usually  commence  in  October  and  November,  and  continue  until  March.  Heat  very  oppressive 
after  showers ;  nights  hot  and  disagreeable.  A  few  more  cases  of  intermittents  than  last  month ; 
our  Ibrce  in  garrison  was  increased  by  one  company  of  4th  artillery,  recently  arrived  from  New 
York. 

In  September  the  maximum  of  the  barometer  was  30.26,  the  minimum  was  29.07;  the  max- 
imum of  thermometer  was  90°,  the  minimum  was  62",  the  daily  mean  for  the  month  was  78.41. 
The  fall  of  rain  8  inches.  The  prevailing  winds  were  from  the  N.W.  and  S.E.  The  month 
was  quite  unpleasant,  cold  and  hot  alternating ;  showers  throughout  the  month,  equal  to  an  April 
day.  There  were  four  or  five  northers  during  the  month — a  very  unusual  thing.  These  winds 
are  a  peculiarity  of  this  climate;  they  blow  so  violently  as  to  cut  off  all  communication  between 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    TEXAS.  355 

Poiut  Isaliel,  the  Brazos,  and  the  shipping.  These  winds  blow  for  four  or  five  days.  The  Mex- 
ican inhabitants  view  these  northers  much  in  the  same  light  that  the  southern  people  regard  a 
frost — that  is,  having  the  same  tendency  to  check  bilious  and  other  fevers.  In  the  latter  end 
of  the  month  tliere  were  some  severe  cases  of  fever  among  the  Mexicans;  the  physicians,  at 
first,  (lid  not  know  what  name  to  give  it ;  it  was  commonly  called  the  dengue.  On  the  23d  I 
was  called  to  a  man,  in  town,  with  fever;  pronounced  it  j'ellow  fever.  From  this  date  it  grad- 
ually extended  itself  in  Brownsville;  the  type,  at  this  time,  was  not  malignant.  In  the  first 
part  of  the  month,  and  before  the  appearance  of  the  epidemic  in  town,  a  good  deal  of  fever 
existed  among  the  crew  of  the  steamer  Comanche,  undergoing  repairs  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kio 
Grande;  this  fever  was  called  the  dengue;  some  deaths  occurred.  I  do  not  know  what  physi- 
cian attended  these  cases.  No  river  communication  existed  between  the  steamer  and  the  town ; 
some  two  or  three  well  persons  came  up  to  town  by  land. 

In  October  the  maximum  of  the  barometer  was  30.52,  the  minimum  was  29.72;  the  highest 
degree  of  the  thermometer  was  84,  the  lowest  degree  was  50 ;  the  daily  mean  for  the  month 
was  71.72.  Quantity  of  rain,  7.75  inches;  showery  weather ;  thunder  and  lightning.  The 
prevailing  winds  were  S.W.  and  N.W.  The  weather  disagreeable  and  raw.  Two  companies 
of  the  7th  infantry  arrived  at  this  post  from  Ringgold  Barracks,  to  constitute  a  part  of  the  gar- 
rison. The  yellow  fever  made  its  appearance  in  the  garrison  in  the  first  week  of  the  month; 
the  cases  exceedingly  well  marked,  and  of  a  more  malignant  type  than  it  had  previously  shown. 
From  the  lateness  of  the  season,  it  was  hoped  the  epidemic  would  not  continue  long  with  us. 

In  November  the  height  of  the  barometer  was  30.47,  the  lowest  was  29.96;  the  height  of 
the  thermometer  was  79°,  the  lowest  was  45°;  the  daily  mean  for  the  month  was  68.91 ;  quan- 
tity of  rain  1.30  inches.  The  prevailing  winds  were  N.W.  and  S.E.  Northers  were  frequent 
during  the  month.  The  Mexican  idea  of  these  northers  checking  the  epidemic,  and  purifying 
the  atmosphere,  is  not  correct — the  epidemic  being  evidently  worse  during  and  after  the  preva- 
lence of  these  winds  ;  the  sudden  changes  of  temperature  operating  very  injuriously  upon  the 
sick,  and  not  checking  the  progress  of  the  disease  in  the  least.  The  disease  on  the  increase  in 
the  garrison.     During  the  month  the  epidemic  ajipeared  at  Point  Isabel. 

In  December  the  maximum  of  the  barometer  was  30.46,  the  minimum  was  29.86;  the  max- 
imum of  the  thermometer  was  76°,  the  minimum  was  42°;  the  daily  mean  for  the  month  was 
62.45;  quantity  of  rain  0.65  inch.  The  prevailing  winds  were  N.W.  and  S.E.  The  epidemic 
on  the  decline  in  the  second  week,  possibly  from  the  want  of  subjects;  for  nearly  every  person 
in  garrison  has  been  sick  with  the  fever.  There  was  a  frost  on  the  18th,  weather  cool  and 
pleasant ;  the  frost  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the  fortunate  few  who  had  escaped ;  the  cases  that 
occurred  after  the  change  in  the  weather  were  much  milder  in  type.  The  last  case  was  on 
the  23d. 

Since  the  establishment  of  this  post,  and  the  building  of  the  town,  they  were  visited  in  1849 
by  the  cholera,  with  a  good  deal  of  severity;  the  dengue  prevailed  in  both  places  in  1850,  and 
again  in  1851.  Matamoras  was  at  the  same  periods  afllicted  with  these  diseases.  From  infor- 
mation that  may  be  relied  on,  this  Mexican  town  was  first  visited  by  the  yellow  fever  in  1841, 
1845,  and  1853 ;  at  the  Brazos  and  Point  Isabel  in  1848 ;  at  the  same  time  the  cholei'a  prevailed 
here,  it  was  also  at  the  Brazos,  and  proved  extremel}'  fatal. 

It  has  been  remarked  by  various  authors,  that  an  uncommon  abundance  of  insects  has  been 
noticed  to  portend  disease.  This  was  not  the  case  here ;  indeed,  the  flies  and  mosquitoes  were 
fewer  than  usual ;  my  experience  is  quite  the  reverse.  I  have  noticed  elsewhere  that  an  absence 
of  these  insects  portended  disease,  or  rather  that  the  climate  was  unliealthy.  Fort  Mellon, 
Florida,  was  remarkably  free  from  insects,  and  yet  bilious  fever  in  all  its  grades  was  very  rife. 

The  epidemic  constitution  of  the  atmosphere  must  be  attributed  to  a  departure  from  the  usual 
winds  which  2irevail  here,  as  those  coming  from  the  north  lower  the  healthy  tone  of  the  body. 
These  winds  uniformly  exasperated  the  late  epidemic ;  they  might,  therefore,  have  had  some- 
thing to  do  in  producing  it,  together  with  animal  and  vegetable  decomposition,  by  means  of 


356  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

solar  heat.     The  meteorological  register  is  not  complete  for  the  years  in  wliich  the  cholera  and 
dengue  prevailed,  so  that  any  dejiartiire  from  the  usnal  winds  cannot  be  ascertained. 

The  epidemic  c<mimenced  its  ravages  in  the  garrison  in  the  first  week  of  October;  was  at  its 
acme  towards  the  end  of  November,  and  ceased  soon  after  the  ajipearance  of  frost.  The 
first  case  of  the  late  epidemic  in  Matamoras  occurred  on  the  1st  October;  the  last  on  the  20th 
December. 

Apart  from  the  epidemic  influence  on  man,  nothing  was  observed  remarkable  in  the  animal 
or  vegetable  kingdoms. 

It  may  be  asked  if  tlie  yellow  fever  of  the  United  States  is  the  same  disease  as  the  Jiebre 
amarilla,  or,  as  it  is  more  frequently  called,  vomito  pneto,  of  the  Mexicans?  There  can  be  no 
doubt  of  it.  It  is  tlie  same  disease  as  the  yellow  fever  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  of  New 
Orleans,  and  of  Pensacola,  I  having  seen  the  disease  in  these  cities;  in  the  late  epidemic  that 
prevailed  here  and  in  Matamoras,  the  symptoms  were  too  evident  to  admit  of  doubt. 

It  lias  been  suggested  at  Washington  that  the  recent  wide-sjiread  epidemic,  which  has  devas- 
tated the  southwestern  States,  began  in  Eio  Janeiro  in  1850,  and  has  been  creeping  northward 
each  successive  year;  in  other  words,  that  it  is  a  new  disease.  It  is  probable  that  in  almost 
every  country  in  which  this  disease  has  committed  its  ravages,  it  has  received  a  new  name. 
From  its  depredations  in  tlie  West  Indies^  it  has  been  called  the  St.  Domingo,  Barbadoes,  and 
Jamaica  fevers;  on  the  Guinea  coast,  and  adjacent  parts,  the  Bulam  fever;  in  British  India,  it 
is  distinguished  by  the  name  of  jungle  fever,  the  Hoogly  fever;  and  still  further  east,  by  that 
of  mal  de  Slam ;  and  in  the  south  of  Spain,  the  Andalusian  pestilence.  In  the  present  day  its 
more  common  name  is  yellow  fever,  and,  when  the  attack  upon  new-comers  is  slight,  accli- 
mating. 

From  its  appearing  in  diftcrent  parts  of  the  world,  and  under  different  circumstances,  it  is  not 
surprising  tliat  it  should  often  be  accompanied  with  a  diversity  of  symptoms.  These  distinctions 
may  be  accounted  for  by  the  origin  and  laws  of  febrile  miasm,  partly  upon  the  condition  of  the 
body  at  the  time  of  attack,  and  on  some  modification  in  the  powers  of  the  febrile  miasm 
itself. 

It  is  supposed  by  some  writers  that  the  causes  of  yellow  and  bilious  fevers  are  the  same — that 
is,  it  proceeds  from  marsh  miasmata.  The  assertion  can  be  refuted  by  several  reasons;  and, 
among  them,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  last  year  the  garrison,  Brownsville,  Matamoras,  and  all 
the  ranches  up  and  down  the  Eio  Grande,  and  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  suifered  terribly 
from  bilious  fever  in  all  its  grades;  not  a  case  of  yellow  fever  presented  itself.  During  the 
prevalence  of  the  late  epidemic  at  Fort  Brown,  Brownsville,  and  Matamoras,  all  the  ranches 
were  remarkably  exempt  from  disease  of  any  kind.  Then,  again,  the  symptoms  of  the  two 
diseases  are  not  the  same ;  in  all  cases  of  these  diseases,  the  characteristic  symptoms  are  observ- 
able.    It  is  evident  that  these  diseases  are  quite  distinct,  and  arise  from  different  causes. 

The  question  of  contagion  is  a  very  important  one,  and  has  occupied  the  attention  of  physi- 
cians and  philanthropists  for  a  long  period,  without  definitely  settling  it;  there  can  be  no  hesi- 
tation in  giving  a  decided  opinion  that  it  is  not.  The  disease  is  of  domestic  origin.  The 
arguments  for  contagion  are  opposed  by  facts;  these  are  well  known,  and  need  not  be  stated. 
I  may  mention  one  instance:  in  1842  or  1843,  while  stationed  at  the  Barrancas,  Fa.,  the  French 
steam-frigate  Gomer  arrived  in  the  harbor  of  Pensacola,  from  a  West  India  cruise,  with  the 
yellow  fever  on  board.  Permission  was  granted  to  the  surgeon  of  the  ship  to  occupy  one  end 
of  the  naval  hospital.  All  the  sick  and  convalescent  were  transferred  to  the  hospital,  and  the 
other  cases  as  they  occurred  on  ship-board.  The  disease  went  through  the  ship's  crew ;  yet  not  a 
single  case  appeared  on  land^  although  the  hospital  contained  many  patients  from  the  home 
squadron.  Our  troops  were  encamped  within  100  yards  of  these  sick,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Barrancas  living  within  striking  distance.  No  effort  was  made  to  establish  a  system  of 
quarantine  with  the  sick  or  the  ship.  Frequent  communication  took  place  between  the  sailors 
and  the  landsmen. 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN    TEXAS.  *  357 

Setting  aside  the  vexed  question  of  quarantine,  hospitals  should  be  established  in  healthy 
situations ;  all  sources  of  noxious  effluvia  should  be  removed ;  and  by  correcting  such  effluvia, 
when  known  to  exist,  by  appropriate  fumigations,  and  by  excluding  persons  not  exempt  from 
the  disease  from  the  infected  district.  These  and  such  eflbrts  should  be  made  upon  the  first 
appearance  of  any  epidemic. 

Recent  microscopic  observations  of  the  blood  might  have  led  to  important  discoveries,  so  as  to 
throw  more  light  on  the  nature  of  this  disease.  My  time  was  so  much  occupied  during  the 
prevalence  of  the  ejiidemic,  that  no  post-mortem  examinations  were  made.  Gastritis  is  sup- 
posed by  some  to  be  the  princijial  part  of  the  disease.  I  think  yellow  fever  a  peculiar  and  dis- 
tinct disease,  and  the  precise  pathological  conditions  essential  to  it  are  at  present  unknown. 

There  were  245  cases  of  yellow  fever  treated  in  garrison  during  the  recent  epidemic,  and  50 
deaths — nearly  one-fifth.  The  amount  of  mortality  should,  liowever,  be  diminished;  for  it 
will  be  perceived,  by  a  reference  to  the  remarks  opposite  the  names  of  the  deceased  men  in  the 
quarterly  report  of  sick  and  wounded^  that  many  of  the  patients  were  of  very  intemperate  habits, 
others  had  broken-down  constitutions,  and  some  had  relapses  from  imj^rudence  in  eating,  &c. 

Two  companies  constituted  the  garrison  of  the  post  until  the  latter  part  of  August,  when  the 
force  was  increased  by  the  arrival  of  one  company  from  New  York.  In  October,  just  before  the 
appearance  of  the  epidemic,  this  force  was  still  further  increased  by  the  addition  of  two  infantry 
companies  from  Ringgold  Barracks.  All  of  these  men  were  strangers,  and,  of  course,  unac- 
climated  ;  hence,  the  mortality  was  greater  among  these  new-comers.  It  is  said  that  the  Irish 
and  Germans  afford  the  worst  cases;  the  remark  is  correct.  Our  army  is  principally  composed 
of  the  inhabitants  of  these  countries,  and  this  holds  good  with  the  men  here.  Other  causes 
operated  to  swell  the  mortality,  and,  under  all  the  attendant  circumstances,  it  was  surprising 
the  mortality  was  not  even  greater.  The  principal  was  intemperance ;  almost  all  the  men 
indulged  in  drink  to  excess ;  some  apparently  driven  to  it  by  fear^  but  by  far  the  greater  number 
from  pure  love  of  strong  drink.  Nothing  could  stay  this  drinking  propensity ;  the  men  appeared 
determined  to  make  true  the  saying:  ."Let  us  eat  and  drink  :  for  to-morrow  we  shall  die."  I 
can  certainly  say  I  never  saw  so  many  drunkards  congregated  together  before.  Fear  was  another 
cause.  As  soon  as  a  man  was  detailed  to  act  as  a  hospital  attendant,  (in  a  large  majority  of 
these  details,)  the  first  thing  for  the  man  to  do  was  to  slip  off  into  town,  and  the  next  was  to 
find  him  drunk.  It  is  remarked  that  the  drunkard  is  almost  sure  to  die.  This  saying  was 
realized  here ;  for  nearly  every  intemperate  man,  seized  with  the  fever,  died.  This  may  be  a 
fitting  place  to  remark,  that  soldiers  make  very  bad  nurses  and  cooks ;  which  is  very  annoying. 

The  general  treatment  may  be  summed  up  in  a  few  words:  general  and  local  blood-letting; 
calomel,  combined  with  quinine ;  sinapisms,  mustard  pediluvia,  enemata,  &c.  General  bleeding 
was  not  often  necessary;  this  depended  on  the  condition  of  the  pulse,  degree  of  fever,  &c. 
Calomel  was  always  combined  with  quinine  in  several  of  the  first  doses ;  repeated  every  third 
hour,  at  discretion;  at  the  same  time,  free  cupping  to  the  epigastrium,  back  of  the  neck,  and 
lumbar  regions ;  cathartic  enemata,  so  as  to  produce  free  evacuations  from  the  bowels ;  a  warm 
mustard-bath  was  always  used  without  delay,  and  pediluvia  repeated  every  third  hour.  The 
combination  of  calomel  and  quinine  acts  upon  the  whole  system.  I  regard  this  combination  of 
the  utmost  importance  in  the  treatment  of  all  southern  fevers.  Great  difficulty  was  experi- 
enced in  relieving  the  extreme  irritability  of  the  stomach:  ol:  terebinth:  succeeded  better  than 
any  other  remedy ;  its  use  was  not,  however,  wholly  satisfactory. 

In  the  weakened  state,  not  much  medicine  was  necessary :  quinine  in  small  doses,  camphor 
mixture,  carbonate  of  ammonia,  and  a  little  nourishment  every  second  or  third  hour. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  RINGGOLD  BARRACKS. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Israel  Moses :  1834. 

Ringgold  Barracks  is  situated  immediately  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Kio  Grande,  or  Bravo. 
This  stream  is  about  two  hundred  yards  wide,  shallow,  and  impeded  by  sand-bars;  navigable 


368  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

for  twenty  miles  further  up,  as  far  as  the  village  of  Roma,  and  of  an  exceedingly  tortuous  course. 
The  water,  ordinarily,  is  good  for  drinking;  but  during  and  immediately  after  the  spring 
freshets  is  thick,  muddy,  and  offensive  to  the  taste  and  smell.  The  surrounding  country  is 
miserably  poor,  covered  with  cactus  and  dwarf  mesquite^  and  a  few  ebony-trees.  Vegetation 
scanty,  and  gardens  cultivated  by  the  extrcmest  care  in  a  few  sheltered  and  richer  spots.  The 
site  of  the  post  seems  to  have  been  selected  from  being  opposite  the  small  Mexican  town  of  Ca- 
margo,  four  miles  interiorly  from  the  river,  occupied  by  our  forces  during  the  operations  on  the 
Rio  Grande  in  1846 ;  and  immediately  on  the  right,  a  few  hundred  yards  distant,  is  the  Rio 
Grande  City,  or  Davis's  Ranche,  containing  about  six  hundred  souls — Mexicans,  Americans, 
Germans,  Italians,  and,  I  might  safely  say,  representatives  from  all  nations.  With  few  excep- 
tions, the  inhabitants  are  miserably  poor.  The  men  work  in  the  fields,  tend  cattle  and  goats, 
and  hunt  wild  horses.  As  in  all  Mexican  towns,  gambling  is  a  vice  indulged  in  by  all  classes. 
The  females  are  generallj^  comely,  but  not  handsome;  neglectful  of  their  persons,  and  loose  in 
morals,  but  far  superior  to  the  men.  The  foreign  residents,  Americans  and  others,  are  store- 
keepers, horse-traders,  and  gamblers.  Some  few  years  ago,  Rio  Grande  City  contained  the 
worst  population  in  Texas,  but  now  has  among  its  citizens  several  intelligent  and  respectable 
men.  A  large  trade  was  done  in  smuggling  across  the  river  into  Mexico  by  Americans  and 
Mexicans;  but  since  the  revolution  and  complete  discomfiture  of  the  filibusters,  all  intercourse 
has  been  interdicted,  and  military  law  prevails.  The  foreign  and  better  class  of  native  in- 
habitants enjoy  comparative  comfort  and  cleanliness ;  but  the  majority  live  in  miserable  jaca- 
les,  crowded  together  with  dogs,  pigs,  and  chickens,  having  a  goatskin  for  a  couch,  sitting  on 
the  floor,  and  living,  for  the  most  part,  on  tortillas  and  chili.  The  complexion  of  the  females 
is  generally  very  dark;  hair  fine,  and  black;  good  teeth;  rather  stout,  but  well  proportioned; 
polite,  and  agreeable  in  manners.  The  usual  passion  for  dress  and  ornaments  prevails,  and 
they  are  skilful  and  tasteful  in  making  articles  of  dress.  The  Mexicans  are  remarkably  healthy, 
owing  to  their  simple  diet,  and  being  much  in  the  open  air.  The  females  attain  the  age  of 
puberty  at  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  childbirth  is  the  same  in  character  as  among 
other  females  in  the  same  social  condition.  Children  are  very  healthy  and  well  formed,  and 
run  about  naked  until  eight  or  nine  years  of  age. 

Ringgold  Barracks  is  a  small  military  post,  built  to  accommodate  two  companies,  but  at  tliis 
time  was  garrisoned  by  eight  companies  and  band.  Tlie  commanding  officer's  house  occujDies 
a  knoll  about  eighty  yards  from  the  river-bank,  and  the  officers'  and  soldiers'  quarters,  on  the 
right  and  left  facing  the  parade,  are  framed  and  plastered,  and  comparatively  good.  Latitude 
26°  23'  11",  longitude  99°  2'  46".     Height  above  the  Gulf,  121.9  feet. 

The  Meteorological  Register  for  1854  shows  less  excessive  temperature  than  usual  of  both 
heat  and  cold ;  for,  on  reference  to  the  record  of  observations  of  other  years,  I  find  the  ther- 
mometer note'd  as  high  as  108°,  though  it  did  not  reach  higher  in  1854  than  102°  on  the  16th 
May.  The  minimum  was  29°,  when  a  very  thin  sheet  of  ice  was  formed  during  the  night. 
The  northers  were  very  mild,  and  less  frequent  than  usual. 

This  is  considered  the  hottest  post  in  Texas.  The  winters  are  very  mild,  except  when  a 
norther  blows.  I  have  sat  during  the  month  of  January,  1855,  with  windows  and  doors  open 
until  9  o'clock,  p.  M.;  and  on  the  first  of  March  it  was  hot  enough  to  dispense  with  flannels, 
and  put  on  light  linen  clothing.  The  heat  is  constant  for  nine  months  of  the  year,  and  is  ex- 
cessively prostrating  to  the  mental  and  physical  energies. 

The  mean  annual  temperature  is  '73.66°,  nearly  the  same  as  that  of  Fort  Merrill. 

Rain  fell  every  month  of  the  year,  except  April — in  greatest  quantity  in  June — and  pro- 
duced here  the  same  unhappy  effects  as  at  Merrill,  swelling  the  Rio  Grande,  and  overflowing  a 
vast  extent  of  country  on  both  sides  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  causing  unusual  sick- 
ness. 

On  my  arrival  at  this  post  (September  30),  I  found  the  same  disease  jirevailing  which  had 
existed  at  Fort  Merrill — a  malarial  fever  of  unusual  severity.     The  disease,  soon  after  my  ar- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS.  '  359 

rival,  increased  in  intensity,  and  attacked  a  large  majority  of  the  garrison,  and  nearly  every 
soul  in  the  adjoining  village  ;  appearing  in  the  different  degrees  from  ordinary  fever  and  ague 
to  a  low  congestive  form  of  remittent,  closely  approaching  yellow  fever.  At  Camargo,  on  the 
Mexican  side,  four  or  five  miles  distant,  nearly  one-third  of  the  population  died ;  more  than 
thirty  died  at  Rio  Grande  City.  Along  the  banks  of  the  Nueces  and  Eio  Grande,  few  escaped 
between  Laredo  and  Brownsville ;  while  at  Monterey,  Saltillo,  and  Mier,  in  the  interior,  the 
disease  was  comparatively  mild ;  at  Corpus  Christi,  on  the  other  hand,  it  w^as  of  greater  se- 
verity, and  assumed  the  form  of  hlack  vomit,  or  true  yellow  fever.  Cholera  prevailed  in  mid- 
dle and  northern  Texas.  The  summer  and  autumn  have  been  unusually  hot  and  dry,  and  the 
winter  exceedingly  mild,  frost  having  formed  but  twice  or  three  times  early  in  the  day.  During 
the  month  of  June,  an  unusual  quantity  of  rain  fell.  By  reference  to  the  hospital  register,  it 
is  ascertained  that  no  less  than  three  hundred  and  ten  cases  of  malarial  fever  occurred  among 
the  troops,  which,  with  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  sixty-six  cases,  go  to  form  the  great  bulk  of 
the  sickness.  Out  of  fifty-two  women  and  children,  there  were  twenty-seven  cases  of  fever,  and 
fourteen  of  bowel  complaint.  Out  of  a  population  of  some  five  hundred  in  Rio  Grande  City,  I 
attended  about  two  hundred,  of  whom  six  died.  Scarcely  a  man,  woman,  or  cliild  can  be  found 
who  has  not  had  some  form  of  the  disease.  The  symptoms,  in  all  cases,  were  marked  by  great 
severity — the  headache,  pain  in  the  limbs  and  back,  were  excruciating;  there  was  complete 
anorexia  and  insomnia,  with  prostration  of  the  mental  faculties  and  physical  strength ;  a  pale, 
bloodless  hue  of  the  face,  often  tinged  with  a  dull  yellow,  attended  even  the  milder  forms;  while, 
in  the  severer  types,  all  these  were  intensified — the  head  hot;  face  either  perfectly  exsanguine 
or  of  a  mahogany  color;  conjunctiva  injected,  and  of  a  deep  yellow;  tongue  covered  with  a 
thick  yellow  fur ;  lips  dry ;  sunken  expression  of  the  countenance ;  brain  sometimes  dull  and 
oppressed,  so  that  the  patient  could  not  utter  his  wants ;  in  others,  clear  and  active ;  and  again, 
in  a  state  of  raging  delirium,  with  constant  crying  out  in  loud  tones  and  shrieks.  In  females, 
a  severe  paroxysm  of  hysteria,  and  in  infants  convulsions,  frequently  ushered  in  the  disease. 
The  bowels  rather  disposed  to  be  inactive  ;  but  towards  the  close  of  the  epidemic  diarrhoea  pre- 
vailed, the  dejections  being  thin  and  yellowish.  Vomiting  of  thin,  greenish-yellow  matter  oc- 
curred in  nearly  all  cases,  and  in  some  was  extremely  obstinate.  In  fatal  cases,  esj^ecially  of 
the  congestive  fever,  the  surface  is  pale,  cold,  and  clammy ;  skin  rugose,  as  if  soaked  in  water ; 
face  pale,  of  a  muddy  or  dull-yellow  hue;  eye  dull;  conjunctiva  yellow;  pulse  very  rapid,  and 
so  feeble  as  scarcely  to  be  felt ;  voice  thick  and  inarticulate,  and  mind  wandering.  Patients 
who  were  apparently  doing  well  at  my  ordinary  visit  at  8  a.  m.,  in  two  or  three  hours  after 
have  been  found  in  a  state  of  collapse,  from  which  the  most  active  remedies  could  not  revive 
them.  Tlie  disease  readily  yielded  to  remedial  agents,  but  the  convalescence  was  tedious;  com- 
plete lassitude  and  feebleness  follow,  irritability  of  temper,  capricious  appetite,  irregular  sleep 
and  indisposition  to  mental  exertion.  The  complexion  retains  the  dull-yellow, -and  the  lips 
their  bluish  exsanguine  hue.  Relapses  are  very  frequent,  recurring  every  seven  or  fourteen  days, 
and,  in  some  cases,  it  is  impossible  to  break  up  the  disease;  fever  and  chill  attacking  the  pa- 
tient, without  regularity,  every  two  or  three  days,  especiallj'  after  the  slightest  fatigue. 

I  regret  that  my  own  illness  i:)revented  the  post-mortem  examination  of  all  but  two  out  of 
the  five  fatal  cases  in  garrison.  In  both  of  these,  however,  I  found  the  congested  venous  sys- 
tem and  the  bronzed  liver;  enlarged  and  softened  condition  of  the  spleen,  first  noticed  by  Dr. 
Stewardson,  and  confirmed  by  a  large  number  of  examinations  at  which  I  assisted  while  at- 
tached to  the  New  York  Ho.spital.  This  condition  of  the  liver  appears  to  result  from  the 
engorgement  of  the  biliary  and  venous  systems,  while  the  contact  of  the  intestines  allows  the 
gases  secreted  in  them  to  come  in  contact  with  the  exterior  surface  of  the  liver,  and  give  it  a 
dark-bluish  tinge.  Dr.  Alonzo  Clark  thinks  this  is  a  peculiar  dej^osit  in  the  shape  of  small 
scales,  and  is  now  engaged  in  its  examination  by  the  microscope.  In  neither  case  were  the 
stomach  or  glands  of  the  intestines  the  seat  of  lesion. 

In  the  treatment  of  the  disease,  I  placed  my  chief  reliance  on  quinia,  aided  by  wine,  brandy. 


360  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

and  other  stimulants.  I  never  had  occasion  to  take  blood,  except  locally,  to  relieve  the  pain 
and  sense  of  fullness  about  the  head.  Cathartics  were  only  used  to  relieve  constipation,  and 
these  were  of  the  mildest  character — a  simple  pill,  castor-oil,  or  laxative  enemata.  Not  as 
much  as  a  dr&chm  of  calomel  was  used  in  all  the  cases.  When  the  skin  was  hot  and  dry,  fre- 
quent sponging  with  vinegar  and  water;  and,  in  cases  of  fullness  and  heat  of  head,  a  cloth  wet 
with  the  same,  or  evaporating  lotion,  were  used,  and  proved  agreeable  to  the  patient.  Full 
doses  of  morphine  were  given  to  induce  sleep,  often  without  eifect ;  this  insomnia  being  one  of 
the  most  constant  and  exhausting  symptoms  in  many  cases. 

Quinia  was  used  in  full  doses,  and  without  any  regard  to  the  fever ;  in  the  remittent  form, 
according  to  severity,  fromjive  grains  every  four  hours  to  ten  grains  every  two  hours.  In  inter- 
mittents,  I  gave  it  every  way,  and  found  all  equally  efficacious  in  divided  doses  between  the  pa- 
roxysms: in  a  tu'cnty-fivc  or  thirty  grain  dose  an  hour  before  the  paroxysm,  or  a  single  thirty 
grain  dose  as  the  sweating  stage  is  subsiding,  as  recommended  by  an  English  army  surgeon.  I 
am  inclined  to  prefer  the  last  mode,  for  several  reasons — it  saves  the  medicine;  it  is  least 
troublesome  both  to  the  patient  and  apotliecary ;  the  time  is  more  marked ;  and  it  is  successful. 
A  single  dose,  in  many  cases,  is  sufficient  to  check  the  disease.  Brandy,  wine,  carbonate  of 
ammonia,  beef-tea,  &c.,  &c.,  are  necessary  adjuvants  in  the  different  stages  of  fever. 

At  a  period  when  I  was  almost  without  quinia,  I  resorted  to  other  remedies, — arsenic  in  pill, 
as  recommended  by  M.  Andral ;  Fowler's  solution ;  nitric  acid,  as  recommended  by  Dr.  Bailey, 
of  Indiana,  and  which  was  of  decided  benefit,  and  a  cheap  article  for  the  poor.  Both  at  this 
post  and  Fort  Merrill,  during  a  period  when  they  had  been  stripped  of  their  supplies,  I  em- 
ployed a  solution  of  salt  in  about  fifty  cases,  and  with  success  in  about  half  the  number ;  but  I 
can  regard  it  only  as  a  dernier  ressort.  There  is  great  repugnance  to  its  use  on  the  part  of  pa- 
tients; it  produces  nausea;  is  very  uncertain;  requires  to  be  used  for  a  week  or  more,  and,  in 
many  cases,  is  rejected  as  soon  as  taken  into  the  stomach.  Hereafter,  I  propose  giving  a  more 
detailed  account  of  the  remedy. 

The  most  extraordinary  feature  of  the  report  is  the  complete  absence  of  syphilitic  disease  ; 
the  single  case  of  gonorrhoea  was  contracted  in  the  vicinity  of  Laredo.  Not  a  ca.se  exists  in 
town,  nor  among  the  troops — a  fact  without  a  precedent !  That  a  Mexican  town,  in  which  there 
are  about  two  hundred  women,  and  mostly  of  Mexican  morals,  should  exist- without  syphilis 
among  them,  is  a  wonder. 

From  the  entire  absence  of  vegetable  food,  scorbutus  manifested  itself  in  many  cases;  although 
only  fifteen  are  reported,  of  whom  one  died.  The  remedy  made  use  of  was  the  bicarbonate  of 
potassa,  in  twenty-grain  doses,  three  times  a  day;  opium  grs.  ij  every  four  hours,  and  a  wash 
of  tinct:  cinchonfe  et  myrrhiB.  Two  cases  were  treated  with  the  juice  of  the  maguey  with  bene- 
fit ;  but  in  others  I  was  obliged  to  discontinue  its  use,  on  account  of  its  cathartic  action  on  the 
bowels.     Vegetables,  oranges,  and  limes  (whenever  they  could  be  procured),  were  given  freely. 

Four  surgical  operations  have  been  performed,  under  tlie  influence  of  cliloroform,  without 
unpleasant  effects,  and  with  success,  viz :  amputation  of  the  arm  near  the  shoulder-joint ;  for 
strabismus;  amputation  of  the  fore-finger,  for  deformity  consequent  upon  gunshot  wound;  am- 
putation or  disarticulation  of  the  knee-joint,  a  history  of  which  will  be  reported  elsewhere. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  McINTOSH. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Glover  Perin  :   1852. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  in  latitude  27°  31'  N.;  longitude 
99°  21'  W.  The  plain  upon  which  it  is  placed  has  about  50  feet  elevation  above  low  water  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  extends  back  from  the  river,  at  this  point,  about  two  miles,  where  it  is 
interrupted  by  a  low  range  of  hills  running  parallel  with  the  same.  The  soil  is  of  a  loose, 
sandy  character,  containing  a  small  portion  of  clay  ;  it  has  a  depth  of  from  15  to  30  feet,  resting 
upon  a  basis  of  cretaceous  limestone. 


AMONG  THE   TROOPS   IN    TEXAS.  361 

Coal  of  a  very  bituminous  character  is  found  in  small  quantities  in  the  bank  of  the  river,  a 
few  miles  above  the  post. 

Owing  to  a  variety  of  causes,  such  as  the  bad  character  of  the  soil,  the  small  quantity  of 
rain,  great  solar  heat,  and  the  constant  prevalence  of  S.E.  winds,  causing  rapid  evaporation, 
the  flora  of  this  vicinity  is  very  limited. 

Only  such  trees  and  plants  are  to  be  found  as  can  best  resist  the  combined  action  of  the  causes 
above  named.  Tlie  principal,  and  almost  the  only,  tree  to  be  seen,  is  the  "  mesquite,"  a 
species  of  the  numerous  family  of  the  acacia.  Along  the  river-banks  may  occasionally  be 
observed  the  willow  (salix),  ash  (fraxinus),  mulberry  (morus  nigra). 

A  great  variety  of  the  family  of  the  cadi  grows  here;  the  most  common  is  the  prickly-pear 
(cactus  opuntia). 

The  more  important  plants  of  the  family  of  the  gramina,  such  as  wheat  (triticum),  oats  (ave- 
na),  rye  (secale),  sugar-cane  {saccharum  officinarum),  do  not  grow  here.  Zea-mays,  or  Indian 
corn,  is  cultivated  in  small  quantities ;  it  requires  a  soil,  however,  which  is  made  by  deposits 
from  the  river,  and  which  is  annually  irrigated  by  the  same. 

The  grasses  under  this  head  are  very  limited  in  number.  The  cri/jytogamia,  usunlly  so  nu- 
merous, here  compose  a  small  family. 

The  animals  found  wild  in  this  vicinity  are  the  leopard,  American  lion,  or  puma,  antelope, 
wild  horse,  deer,  wolf,  &c. 

The  climate  is  mild.  The  seasons  may  be  considered  as  but  two — summer  and  winter.  The 
summer  usually  commences  in  March,  and  ends  in  November  ;  a  high  temperature  usually  pre- 
vails during  this  period,  the  thermometer  ranging  between  75°  and  107°  in  the  shade.  The 
winters  are  very  mild,  except  during  the  prevalence  of  what  are  here  called  "northers." 
These  are  violent  north  winds,  accompanied  usually  with  rain ;  they  continue  from  three  to  six 
or  eight  days. 

The  mean  annual  quantity  of  rain,  on  an  average  of  three  years,  is  16.63  inches. 

The  tabular  statement  which  accompanies  this  report  cannot  be  considered  as  a  fair  exponent 
of  the  amount  of  true  sickness  that  has  prevailed  at  this  post.  I  would  state  that  it  includes 
all  the  cases  reported  sick,  many  of  which  were  of  a  light  or  trifling  character. 

The  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  reported  did  not  have  their  origin  at  this  post.  I 
have  not  encountered  a  disease  of  malarial  origin  among  the  troops  of  this  command,  during  a 
period  of  three  years,  which  did  not  have  its  rise  while  the  soldier  was  on  detached  service. 
The  citizens  of  the  town  of  Laredo,  which  is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post,  have  a  like  freedom  from 
malarial  diseases. 

The  diseases  most  prevalent  here  are  those  aiiecting  the  digestive  organs.  Among  the  prin- 
cipal causes  of  them,  inebriety  may  be  considered  the  most  prominent.  There  is  nothing  new 
or  peculiar  in  their  character  to  elicit  comment. 

Of  the  class  "  all  other  diseases,"  the  most  common  is  scurvy.  Owing  to  the  great  drought 
which  prevails  here,  succulent  vegetables  cannot  be  procured  for  the  command,  and  scorbutus 
is  of  frequent  occurrence.  In  its  treatment,  I  now  use  exclusively  the  expressed  juice  of  the 
agave  Americana,  and  it  is  not  usual  for  soldiers  to  go  upon  the  sick-report. 

[The  use  of  the  expressed  juice  of  the  agave  Americana  was  first  suggested  by  Assistant  Sur- 
geon Perin,  in  the  following  communication.  The  preparation,  by  direction  of  the  Surgeon 
General,  has  been  tried  at  several  stations  in  Texas,  and  the  reports  are  such  as  to  establish  the 
fact  of  its  being  a  valuable  remedy  in  scorbutus.  The  recently  prepared  juice  is  preferable  to 
the  extract,  which  seems  to  lose  strength  by  time.] 

Fort  McIntosu,  Laredo,  (Tex.^s,)  May  7,  1851. 
Sir:  A  few  days  after  my  communication  to  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  9th  ult.,  finding,  as  I 
had  anticipated,  that  the  number  of  cases  of  scorbutus  was  still  increasing,  and  that  the  lime- 
juice  (the  only  efl'ectual  remedy)  could  be  procured  in  but  limited  quantity,  I  was  induced  to 
s.  96 tc 


362  BEPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

look  for  relief  in  some  other  way.  Tlio  imiuiry  presented  itself,  whether  the  citizens  of  the  town 
of  Laredo,  wlio  are  alike  destitute  of  vegetables,  had  not  been  aflucted  witli  tliis  disease;  and,  if 
80,  what  domestic  remedies  liad  tliey  used? 

I  was  informed  by  a  curate  of  the  town,  an  intelligent  Catholic  priest,  that  a  few  cases  had 
come  to  his  knowledge,  and  tiiat  he  once  sii tiered  from  an  attack  of  scorbutus  in  liisowu  person. 
He  gave  me  an  account  of  his  own  case,  and  of  the  domestic  remedies  resorted  to. 

He  stated  further,  that  he  left  his  bed  on  the  ninth  day  from  the  time  he  commenced  the  use  of 
his  remedies,  and  that  by  the  fifteenth  he  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  resume  his  parochial  duties. 
He  did  not  know  to  what  agent  lie  should  attribute  his  rapid  recovery,  but  expressed  his  belief 
in  the  superior  efficacy  of  warm  bathing,  which  he  used  daily. 

Among  the  domestic  remedies  which  he  used,  and  the  one  which  ajipeared  at  once  to  my  mind 
as  the  chief,  was  the  maguey,  or  agave  Americana.  This  ]dant  is  mentioned,  among  the  unof- 
ficiual  articles  in  the  U.  S.  Dispensatory,  as  the  American  aloe,  and  "is  said  to  be  laxative,  diu- 
retic, and  emmenagogue." 

As  officinally  described,  it  is  the  agave  Americana;  nat.  order,  Bromeliaccxe ;  sext.  syst.,  Rex- 
andria  Monogijnia. 

As  the  maguey  appeared  to  be  the  remedial  agent  in  the  curate's  case,  I  determined  to  make 
a  trial  of  its  effects  upon  some  of  the  patients  suffering  from  the  scurvy  in  this  command.  The 
following  cases  were  selected: 

Private  Turby,  of  company  "G,"  1st  U.  S.  infantry,  was  admitted  into  hospital  March  25th, 
in  the  following  state:  countenance  pale  and  dejected;  gums  swollen  and  bleeding;  left  leg, 
from  ankle-joint  to  groin,  covered  with  dark,  jjurple  blotches ;  leg  swollen,  painful,  and  of  stony 
hardness  ;  \m\se  small,  feeble ;  appetite  poor ;  bowels  constipated.  He  was  placed  upon  lime- 
juice,  diluted  and  sweetened  so  as  to  make  an  agreeable  drink,  in  as  large  quantities  as  his 
stomach  would  bear  ;  diet  generous  as  could  be  procured,  consisting  of  fresh  meat,  milk,  eggs, 
&c.;  vegetables  could  not  be  procured.  April  11th.  His  condition  was  but  slightly  improved  ; 
he  was  then  placed  upon  tlie  expressed  juice  of  the  maguey,  in  doses  of  f.  §  ij,  three  times  daily  ; 
same  diet  continued.  April  17th.  General  state  very  much  improved ;  countenance  no  longer 
dejected,  but  bright  and  cheerful ;  purple  spots  almost  entirely  disappeared;  arose  from  his  bed 
and  walked  across  the  hospital  unassisted  ;  medicine  continued.  May  4th.  So  much  improved 
as  to  be  able  to  return  to  his  company  quarters,  where  he  is  accordingly  sent ;  medicine  con- 
tinued.    May  7th.  Almost  entirely  well ;  continue  medicine. 

Private  Flood,  company  "  G,"  1st  U.  S.  infantry,  was  admitted  into  hospital  April  10th. 
His  general  condition  did  not  differ  much  from  Private  Turby's.  He  had  been  on  the  sick-re- 
port for  eight  days;  had  been  taking  citric  acid  drinks,  but  grew  gradually  worse  up  to  the 
time  of  his  admission,  when  he  was  placed  upon  lime-juice  until  the  13th',  at  which  no  percepti- 
ble change  had  taken  place.  On  that  date  he  commenced  the  use  of  the  exjiressed  juice  of 
maguey;  same  diet  as  the  case  above  described.  April  21st.  General  state  so  much  improved 
that  he  was  sent  to  his  company  quarters.     May  2d.  Well ;  returned  to  duty. 

Eleven  cases,  all  milder  in  form  than  the  two  just  related,  were  continued  upon  the  lime-juice; 
diet  the  same.  On  the  21st  of  April  they  exhibited  evidences  of  improvement,  but  it  was 
nothing  when  compared  with  the  cases  under  the  use  of  the  maguey. 

Seven  cases  were  under  treatment  during  the  same  time,  making  use  of  citric  acid.  On  the 
21st  April  no  one  had  improved,  and  three  were  growing  worse. 

At  this  time,  so  convinced  was  I  of  the  great  superiority  of  the  maguey  over  either  of  the 
other  remedies  employed,  that  I  determined  to  place  all  the  patients  upon  that  medicine.  The 
result  has  proved  exceedingly  gratifying — every  case  has  improved  rapidly  from  that  date. 
The  countenance,  so  universally  dejected  and  despairing  in  the  patients  affected  with  scurvy,  is 
brightened  up  by  contentment  and  hope  in  two  days  from  the  time  of  its  introduction ;  the  most 
marked  evidences  of  improvement  were  observable  at  every  successive  visit. 

From  observing  the  effects  of  the  maguey  in  the  cases  which  liave  occurred  in  this  command, 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS    IN    TEXAS.  363 

I  am  compelled  to  jilace  it  far  above  that  remedy  which,  till  now,  lias  stood  above  every  other 
— tlie  lime-juice. 

This,  no  doubt,  will  appear  strong  language,  hut  further  experience  will  verify  it.  The  juice 
of  the  maguey  contains  a  large  amount  of  vegetable  and  saccharine  matter,  and  of  itself  is  suffi- 
ciently nutritious  to  sustain  a  patient  for  days. 

Tills  succulent  jdant  grows  indigenous  in  most  parts  of  this  State,  and,  if  I  am  correctly  in- 
formed, in  New  Mexico  and  California.  In  Mexico,  it  is  well  known  as  the  plant  from  which 
they  manufacture  their  favorite  drink,  the  "pulque,"  and  grows  in  great  abundance.  As  it 
delights  in  a  dry  sandy  soil,  it  can  be  cultivated  where  nothing  but  the  cacti  will  grow;  for 
this  reason,  it  will  be  found  invaluable  to  the  army  at  many  of  the  western  posts  where  vege- 
tables cannot  be  procured. 

The  manner  in  which  it  is  used  is  as  follows — viz:  the  leaves  are  cut  off  close  to  the  root; 
they  are  placed  in  hot  ashes  until  thoroughly  cooked,  when  they  are  removed,  and  the  juice 
exjjressed  from  them.  The  expressed  juice  is  then  strained,  and  may  be  used  thus,  or  may  be 
sweetened.  It  may  be  given  in  doses  of  from  two  to  eight  ounces,  three  times  daily.  It  is  not 
disagreeable  to  take,  and  in  every  instance  it  has  proved  to  agree  well  with  the  stomach  and 
bowels. 

After  the  leaves  have  been  cooked,  the  cortical  portion  near  the  root  may  be  removed,  and 
the  white  internal  portion  may  be  eaten.  It  appears  to  be  a  wholesome  and  nutritious  food.  I 
have  seen  muleteers  use  it  in  this  way,  and  they  seem  to  be  very  fond  of  it.  I  have  been  in- 
formed, upon  good  authority,  that  several  tribes  of  Indians  in  Xew  Mexico  make  use  of  it  in  the 
same  manner.  The  use  of  the  leaf  in  this  way,  I  believe,  will  ward  off  most  effectually  incip- 
ient scorbutus. 

Tlie  great  benefit  I  feel  confident  will  accrue  to  the  army,  by  the  introduction  of  the  maguey 
as  a  remedial  agent  in  the  treatment  of  scorbutus,  has  induced  me  to  address  you  at  some  length 
ujion  this  subject ;  its  importance,  therefore,  is  my  apology  for  the  length  of  this  communi- 
cation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfull}^,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  PERIN, 
Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A. 

Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Th.  Lawson, 

Surgeon  General  U.  S.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Fort  McIntosh,  Laredo,  (Texas,)  July  3,  1851. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  forward,  herewith  enclosed,  the  quarterly  report  of  sick  and  wound- 
ed at  this  post  for  the  quarter  ending  June  30,  1851  ;  also,  the  meteorological  registers  for  the 
month  of  June,  1851. 

It  will  be  observed,  by  an  inspection  of  the  report  of  sick,  that  scorbutus  has  been  the  princi- 
pal disease  which  has  occurred  at  the  post  during  the  quarter.  It  is  with  no  ordinary  feelings 
of  pleasure  that  I  can  state  that  the  report  which  I  made  to  the  Surgeon  General,  under  date  of 
May  7th,  ujjon  the  successful  use  of  the  agave  Americana  in  this  disease,  has  been  fully  verified 
hy  subsequent  experience. 

There  has  not  been  a  single  case  which  has  not  yielded  in  the  readiest  manner  to  its  curative 
effects.  As  soon  as  the  patients  that  were  upon  the  sick-report  (at  the  time  this  remedy  was 
introduced)  had  convalesced,  it  was  not  found  necessary  to  admit  others  ;  the  soldiers  continued 
upon  duty,  recurring  to  the  hospital  daily  for  their  medicine.  There  are  no  cases  of  scurvy 
now  in  the  command. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  PERIN,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A. 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Th.  Lawsox, 

Surgeon  General  TJ.  S.  A.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


364 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


FORT    DITNCAN. 

According  to  the  remarks  appended  to  the  (quarterly  rejjort  of  Assistant  Surgeon  George  E. 
Cooper,  Fort  Duncan  is  situated  on  the  Rio  Grande,  near  Eagle  Pass,  Texas.  The  immediate 
site  is  upon  a  phiteau,  covered  with  fine  grass  and  mesquite  trees,  elevated  some  fifty  or  sixty 
feet  ahove  the  river,  protected  on  the  N.  and  E.  by  a  ridge  of  hills,  from  the  northers,  which 
prevail  in  the  winter  months,  hut  open  on  the  S.,  S.E.,  and  S.W.,  and  partially  on  the  N.W., 
from  which  quarters  the  summer  winds  blow.  The  fort  is  some  500  yards  from  the  river; 
having  in  the  interspace  a  flat,  some  twenty  or  thirty  feet  lower  than  the  site  of  the  fort,  cov- 
ered with  hushes  and  grass.  The  soil  is  aluminous,  until  it  reaches  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
river,  when  it  becomes  sandy.  The  post  occupies  the  most  eligible  position  within  a  distance 
of  fifteen  miles  above,  or  forty  miles  below  the  Presidio  crossing  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  troops 
suffered  much  from  alternate  exposure  to  drenching  rains  and  excessive  heat.  Assistant  Surgeon 
Cooper  expresses  the  belief  that  "when  good  and  comfortable  quarters  shall  have  been  erected, 
this  post  will  be  the  most  healthy,  as  it  is  now  the  most  beautiful,  post  on  the  Rio  Grande." 
The  principal  diseases  are  remittent  fever  and  diarrhoea,  the  latter  probably  attributable  to  the 
saline  waters  of  the  Rio  Grande. 


DISEASES. 


Having  passed  in  review  the  several  positions  in  this  region  occupied  by  troops,  we  proceed 
to  the  consideration  of  the  principal  diseases,  as  shown  by  the  consolidated  abstract  herewith 
presented;  and  first  in  order  comes  the  following: 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO  PER  1,000  OF  ME4NSTRENHTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  fiiiarter.          

5,179 
4,031 
3,783 
4,806 

3,578 
3,452 
3,810 
4,929 

78 

53 

40 

108 

690 

856 

1,008 

1,025 

15+ 

13 

10.6 

22.5 

4,450 

15,769 

279 

3,543 

62.6 

15,693 

235 

3,526 

52.8 

According  to  this  table,  the  relative  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  sickness  to  the  strength  of 
the  command  was  3.54  to  1,  and  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  1  to  15.95,  or  6.2  per  cent. 
It  follows  also,  from  the  foregoing  data,  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  cases 
treated  was  1  to  56.52,  or  1.'76  per  cent.  Exclusive  of  yellow  fever  and  cholera,  the  proportion 
of  deaths  to  the  number  of  troops  was  1  in  24.05,  or  4.1  per  cent.,  and  the  mortality  to  cases 
treated  1  to  83.58,  or  1.19  per  cent. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    TEXAS. 


365 


FEVERS. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIBD. 

FOCBTH. 

TEAR. 

o 

o 

ii 

c 

1 

i 

•^  Ul 

Strength  .   . 

5, 

179 

4,031 

3,783 

4, 

806 

4, 

450 

ii 

^i 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases.    Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

o  S 

S  o 

e 

Febris  continua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana.. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana... 
Febris  remittens 

38 

279 

266 

2 

46 

33 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

1 
4 
0 

25 
303 
346 

18 

128 

28 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
2 

7 
0 

15            0 

623            1 

554         0 

10         0 

277         2 

7          2 

0          0 

7 
989 
608 

8 

222 

14 

230 

0 
1 
1 
0 
6 
3 
50 

85 

2194 

1774 

38 

673 

82 

230 

0 

2 

1 

0 

11 

16 

50 

0  in      85 

1  in  1097 
1  in  1774 
Oin      38 
1  in      61 
1  in        5 
1  in      4.6 

19 

493 

399 

8 

151 

Febris  typhus.       - .. 

184 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

51 

Total 

664 

5 

848 

9 

1486         5 

1 

2078 

61 

5076 

80 

1  in      63 

1141 

With  regard  to  this  class  of  diseases,  there  is  little  to  add  to  the  details  given  in  the  special 
reports  from  the  separate  posts,  if  we  excejit  the  following  remarks  respecting  "dengue,"  at 
Fort  Brown,  by  Surgeon  N.  S.  Jarvis.  In  transmitting  his  report  of  sick  for  the  third  quarter 
1850,  that  officer  makes  this  statement :  "Under  the  head  of  'bilious  remittent  fever,'  it  will 
be  observed  that  the  number  of  cases  constitute  more  than  one-half  of  all  the  diseases  reported 
during  the  quarter  (38  cases,  total  reported  07).  This  complaint  was  that  which  is  familiarly 
known  as  the  'dengue,  or  break-bone  fever,'  which  last  appellation  is  very  characteristic  of  one 
of  its  most  prominent  symptoms.  It  appeared  here  as  an  epidemic  in  the  early  part  of  October, 
having  previously  travelled  along  the  line  of  coast  from  New  Orleans  to  Galveston,  Matagorda, 
and  Lavacca,  to  this  place.  In  this  respect,  it  seems  to  have  differed  somewhat  in  its  line  of  march 
from  its  great  predecessor,  and  perhaps  progenitor  in  epidemic  influences — the  cholera — which 
took  a  direct  course  from  New  Orleans  to  this  place ;  thus  boldly  leaping  at  one  bound  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  as  it  had  before  wide  and  expanded  oceans,  in  its  mysterious  and  desolating  career.  The 
dengue  continued  to  prevail  during  the  whole  month  of  November,  and  a  few  cases  have  occasion- 
ally made  their  appearance  up  to  the  present  time.  Few  of  the  adult  male  population  escaped  an 
attack;  whereas  among  women  and  children  there  was  a  remarkable  exemption.  *  *  *  * 
The  attack  rarely  consisted  of  more  than  one  j^aroxysm,  lasting  about  twelve  hours,  and  fol- 
lowed by  a  remission  or  cessation  of  all  the  symptoms  that  marked  the  approach  and  presence  of 
the  fever.  Notwithstanding  the  shortness  of  the  paroxysm,  the  debility  that  followed  was  very 
great^  and  it  was  frequently  several  weeks  before  the  patient  recovered  his  former  strength  and 


The  fevers  at  Fort  Brown  appear  to  have  partaken  of  the  character  of  dengue  during  the  fol- 
lowing year  (1851),  particularly  in  the  third  and  fourth  quarters. 


366 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  . 


StreiiRth  , 


5,179 


Cases.    Deaths. 


SECOND.  THIBD, 


4,031 


Coses.    Deaths. 


3,783 


Cases.    Deaths. 


4,806 


Cases.    Deaths. 


4,450 


Deatlis. 


^1. 


Cholera  A.siati('a 60 

I 

Diiirrli(i» 567 

Dysenteria  acuta 172 


Dysenteiia  chronica 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obst  ipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system. . 


11 
4 
1 
0 

88 
123 


35 
U 
2 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 


16 

433 

194 

16 

2 

8 

1 

120 

120 


9 
12 
2 
4 
0 
1 
0 
0 
2 


0 

357 

181 

14 

3 

3 

0 

69 

92 


0 

0 

535 

9 

270 

3 

9 

3 

6 

1 

2 

0 

1 

0 

95 

0 

84 

1 

76 

1892 

817 

50 

15 

14 

2 

372 

419 


44 
38 
9 
14 
1 
2 
0 
0 
6 


Total 1026 


53 


910 


30 


719 


14 


1002 


17 


3657 


114 


11  in  19 

1  in  50 

lin  91 
1  in      3.  5 

lin  15 
lin  7 
0  in  2 
0  in  372 

lin  70 


425 

183 

11 

3.3 

3.1 

0.4 

83 

94 


lin    32 


Exclusive  of  cholera. 


3581 


70 


lin    51 


822 


804 


It  will  be  seen  by  thi.s  table  that  this  region  was  visited  by  the  Asiatic  cholera;  and,  by  re- 
ferring to  the  consolidated  abstract,  it  will  be  perceived  that  that  disease  was  confined  to  the 
first  and  second  quarters  of  1849.  Commencing  with  the  post  at  the  nioutli  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
we  proceed  to  give  the  remarks  of  the  medical  ofiicers  in  relation  to  this  epidemic. 

A.ssistant  Surgeon  E.  H.  Abadie,  in  transmitting  his  report  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  1848, 
from  Fort  Polk,  mouth  of  Rio  Grande,  although  no  cholera  had  occurred  among  the  troops, 
makes  the  following  remarks: 

"Toward  the  end  of  December,  a  schooner  arrived  from  New  Orleans,  having  on  board  forty 
Mexican  soldiers  with  their  families.  The  soldiers  had  served  as  allies  to  the  United  States 
forces  between  Vera  Cruz  and  the  city  of  Mexico.  The  vessel,  having  arrived  during  a  'norther,' 
was  detained  at  the  Brazos  bar ;  and  whilst  lying  at  anchor  a  number  of  cases  of  spasmodic 
cholera  occurred  on  board,  one  of  which  died  in  a  few  hours,  before  medical  aid  could  be  afford- 
ed. I  received  three  of  the  cases  in  hospital;  two  of  which  recovered,  the  third  died.  No  new 
cases  of  cholera  have  appeared." 

In  his  report  for  the  ensuing  quarter  (March,  1849),  Assistant  Surgeon  Abadie  makes  the 
following  statement  respecting  the  progress  of  this  disease : 

"In  my  last  quarterly  rejjort,  I  reported  the  ajjpearance  of  spasmodic  cholera  among  some 
Mexicans  arrived  at  Brazos  direct  from  New  Orleans.  Since  that  period,  the  disease  has  ap- 
peared in  a  very  fatal  form  at  Brownsville  (opposite  Matamoras),  about  the  20th  of  February. 
At  Brazos  Island  and  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  the  first  well-marked  and  fatal  cases 
occurred  on  the  27th  February.  Although  a  case  of  cholera  proved  fatal  at  this  post  on  the 
10th  February,  after  four  days'  treatment,  it  was  not  characterized  by  the  collajise,  clammy 
sweat,  sunken  features,  cold  tongue,  violent  cramps,  and  peculiar  rice-water  discharges  with 
intense  thirst,  that  attend  this  epidemic.  The  first  case  thus  marked  occurred  March  5th,  in  a 
man  who  had  not  been  out  of  the  place  for  months,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  garrison ; 
he  died  in  about  nine  hours.  Since  that  date,  every  few  days  similar  violent  cases  have  been 
seen  and  treated;  four,  out  of  eleven  attacked,  died — treatment  having  been  resorted  to;  two 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN  TEXAS.  367 

more  of  the  11  died,  who  did  not  call  upon  me  for  aid;  5  out  of  the  number  recovered.  The 
cause  of  the  disease  has  manifestly  been  present  in  and  about  the  garrison  for  the  last  month ; 
precursors  of  attacks,  such  as  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  bilious  colic,  having  come  under  notice  for 
treatment,  as  well  as  attacks  of  cholera;  tlie  treating  of  which  in  the  early  stages  has,  doubtless, 
l)revented  the  fatal  termination  of  the  disease  in  the  garrison.  In  all  the  cases  of  diarrhcea 
treated,  the  discharges  were  white,  like  rice-water  or  unboiled  starch.  The  treatment  pursued 
has  been  the  usual  one — mercurials,  local  depletions,  and  counter-irritation  being  the  basis  of  it. 
Calomel  and  opium,  diffusible  stimuli,  sinapisms,  frictions,  hot  applications  by  hot  water  in 
bottles,  or  heated  bricks  ;  the  sinapiscd  hot  bath,  when  practicable,  in  the  collapse  ;  a  good  combi- 
nation of  stimuli  in  that  stage  being  tiuct:  opii,  et  tiuct:  camphor :  each  one  ounce;  tinct:  assafet: , 
ess:  menth:  pip:,  each  two  drachms;  a  teaspoonful  of  the  mixture  given  every  half  hour.  Local 
depletion  by  cups  from  the  abdomen  and  epigastrium,  drawing  from  twelve  to  fifteen  ounces  of 
blood,  in  the  commencement  of  the  collapse,  has  invariably  promoted  reaction,  arresting  the 
vomiting.  In  some  cases,  suljihuric  ether  added  to  the  above  combination  has  been  very  useful. 
The  aqua  ammonife  in  one-drachm  doses,  diluted  in  a  few  ounces  of  brandy  toddy,  with  sulphu- 
ric ether,  has  proved  advantageous.  ******  it  appears  unquestionable  that  the 
cholera  was  introduced  into  the  Kio  Grande  by  the  company  of  Mexican  allies  already  alluded 
to;  their  arrival  at  Brownsville,  about  the  24th  January  (at  which  place  their  baggage  was 
opened  preparatory  to  dispersing),  being  followed  shortly  afterwards  by  the  appearance  of 
cholera  in  its  most  aggravated  lorm,  no  one  attacked  recovering.  After  raging  with  great 
mortality,  instead  of  pursuing  its  course  westwardly,  it  retrograded,  and  appeared  at  Brazos, 
the  mouth  of  the  Kio  Grande,  and  this  point,  as  already  stated,  where  it  rages  at  this  date  with 
unabated  violence,  apparently." 

Surgeon  N.  S.  Jarvis,  in  transmitting  his  report  of  sick  at  Fort  Brown,  for  the  first  quarter 
of  1849,  makes  the  following  remarks  respecting  cholera: 

"By  the  above  report,  it  will  be  observed  that  the  two  principal  diseases  enumerated  are 
cholera  and  diarrhoea.  The  former  was  Asiatic  or  malignant  cholera,  which  broke  out  in  the 
town  of  Brownsville  about  the  22d  of  February,  and  in  the  garrison  four  days  afterward.  The 
latter  is  only  separated  from  the  former  by  a  high  board-fence ;  and  its  delay  in  attacking  the 
troops  may  appear  somewhat  strange,  considering  the  rapidity  with  which  it  spread  in  every 
part  of  the  town  within  a  few  hours  of  its  first  appearance.  It  is  true,  a  case  occurred  simulta- 
neously in  the  garrison  with  the  first  case  in  town ;  but  the  subject,  a  clerk  in  the  quarter- 
master's department,  boarded  and  slept  in  the  latter  place,  and  may  be  fairly  supposed  to  have 
contracted  the  disease  there.  It  may  be  said  to  have  reached  its  greatest  severity  about  the 
tenth  day  from  the  period  of  its  first  breaking  out,  when  the  deaths  averaged  from  ten  to  twelve 
a  day,  in  a  population  not  exceeding  600  souls.  It  continued  to  prevail  as  an  epidemic  for  a 
period  of  thirty  days,  and  in  that  space  carried  off  120  persons,  or  more  than  one-sixth  of  all 
the  inhabitants.  Among  the  victims,  were  two  out  of  three  of  the  physicians  located  in  the 
place.  The  third  was  attacked,  but  fortunately  recovered.  The  profession  suffered  equally  on 
the  other  side,  two  having  died  from  the  same  disease — one  .a  Mexican,  the  other  an  American. 
It  broke  out  in  Matamoras  about  the  same  time  it  invaded  our  garrison,  and  for  a  period  of 
twenty  days  raged  with  frightful  severity.  The  deaths  at  one  time  amounted  to  over  sixty  a 
day  in  a  population  of  not  over  5,000  souls;  and  the  whole  number  up  to  this  period  is  said  to 
exceed  1,000  in  the  town  and  its  suburbs,  or  one-fifth  of  the  inhabitants.  Many  who  were 
seized  by  the  malady,  were  left  to  their  fate,  their  friends  supposing  all  human  efforts  unavail- 
ing, having  fled  to  avoid  a  similar  infliction.  This  neglect,  and  an  absolute  want  of  medical  aid 
in  a  majority  of  the  cases,  or  proper  attendance,  may,  in  some  measure,  account  for  this  fearful 
mortality.  In  the  garrison,  the  whole  number  of  cases  up  to  the  31st  of  March,  from  the 
disease,  as  shown  by  my  report,  is  eighteen,  and  ten  deaths — a  fraction  over  one-half.  Three 
cases  broke  out  subsequent  to  this  date,  two  of  which  proved  fatal  within  a  few  hours.     The 


368  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITT 

subjects  were  a  sergeant  and  his  wife,  who  were  attacked  within  twenty-four  hours  of  each  other, 
and  died  within  tlie  same  period.  These  are  the  last  cases  of  the  disease  that  have  made  their 
appearance  cither  in  tlic  town  or  garrison.  The  sergeant  had  recently  arrived  from  San  Antonio, 
and  had  been  drinking  freely  up  to  the  period  of  his  attack.  Although  an  interval  of  several 
days  had  occurred  since  the  last  case  in  the  garrison  and  the  recurrence  of  it  in  the  case  of  the 
sergeant  and  his  wife,  it  was  characterized  by  the  same  severity  and  malignancy  as  in  the  earlier 
progress  of  the  disease,  and  with  equal  rapidity  towards  a  i'atal  termination.  We  may,  there- 
fore, presume  that  the  specific  causes  productive  of  the  disease  still  existed,  and  required  only 
an  exciting  spark  to  liglit  up  its  full  force  and  virulence.  Its  ravages  have  proved  equally 
fatal  along  the  whole  valley  of  the  Eio  Grande,  passing  witli  iearful  and  fatal  strides  from  one 
town  to  another,  some  of  which  it  nearly  depopulated,  and  making  sad  ravages  in  the  different 
ranches  that  extend  along  the  banks  of  that  river.  At  Camargo,  it  is  supposed  to  have  carried 
off  one-third  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  town  of  Koma  was  nearly  abandoned  by  the  inhabitants 
to  escape  a  similar  fate.  Its  transmission  along  that  river  may  be  easily  accounted  for  by  the 
number  of  emigrants  passing  up  on  their  way  to  California,  and  who  suffered  severely  at  different 
points  from  the  same  pestilence.  In  regard  to  the  state  of  the  weather  during  the  whole  period 
of  the  prevalence  of  the  disease,  I  would  observe  that  it  had  been  invariably  mild  and  uniform, 
and  remarkably  dry  for  the  season  of  the  year.  The  prevailing  wind,  southeast,  had  continued 
steadily  blowing  during  the  whole  period,  with  the  exception  of  twenty-fotir  hours,  when  it 
changed  to  a  'norther.'  No  rain,  of  any  consequence,  fell;  and,  in  fact,  I  recollect  of  but  one 
shower  during  the  whole  period.  No  atmospheric  causes  could  be  said  to  exist  here,  to  account 
for  its  peculiar  severity  and  mortality.  Tlie  history  of  it  here  strongly  corroborates  the  opinion 
tliat  alluvial  rivers  and  malarial  regions  are  favorable  localities  for  its  jn-ojiagation  and  exten- 
sion." 

Assistant  Surgeon  N.  L.  Campbell  makes  the  following  statement  respecting  the  appearance 
of  this  disease  at  Kinggold  Barracks,  the  first  post  above  Fort  Brown: 

"On  the  2Tth  February,  1849,  the  United  States  steamer  Corvette  arrived  at  the  post  from 
Fort  Brown,  or  Brownsville,  at  which  latter  place  the  cholera  was  raging.  On  her  passage  up 
the  river,  one  passenger,  an  emigrant  to  California,  died  of  cholera;  another  passenger  was 
attacked,  but  recovered;  and  the  mate  of  the  boat  was  attacked  by  the  same  disease,  and  died 
soon  after  her  arrival.  Despite  all  remonstrances,  the  boat  was  permitted  to  come  to  the  usual 
landing-place  for  the  United  States  boats,  near  the  centre  of  the  garrison;  and  on  the  28th, 
immediately  after  muster,  the  whole  command  was  ordered  to  unload  the  boat.  They  did  so, 
and  the  boat  left  on  the  morning  of  March  2d.  At  10,  A.  M.,  on  that  day,  a  private  of  company 
Gr,  2d  dragoons,  was  seized  with  vomiting,  purging,  and  cramps ;  all  indicating  a  genuine  case 
of  Asiatic  cholera;  collapse  in  this  case  went  so  far  as  to  cause  all  hope  (though  not  all  exer- 
tions) to  be  abandoned;  this  man  recovered." 

This  disease  continued  throughout  the  month  of  March,  during  which  time  twenty-three  cases 
occurred  in  the  command  proper,  of  207  officers  and  men;  fourteen  terminating  in  death.  Of 
diarrhoea,  forty  (severe?)  cases  are  Reported  in  the  same  period. 

Tracing  the  progress  of  cholera  in  its  course  up  the  Rio  Grande,  it  is  found  that  on  the  lltli 
of  March,  1849,  a  squadron  of  dragoons  left  Ringgold  Barracks,  where  that  disease  was  raging, 
and  arrived  at  Laredo,  the  present  site  of  Fort  Mcintosh,  on  the  16th  of  that  month.  Assist- 
ant Surgeon  Glover  Perin  reports  that  in  this  command  of  100,  there  occurred  fourteen  cases 
of  cholera,  and  thirty  of  diarrhcea,  on  that  march  of  five  days.  Ten  cholera  cases  were  fatal. 
In  the  next  month  (April)  twelve  cases  are  reported,  and  eight  deaths ;  of  these  last,  four 
occurred  in  a  detachment  of  troops  on  a  temporary  scout. 

The  cholera  did  not  reach  Fort  Duncan,  higher  up  on  the  Rio  Grande.  Forts  Ewell  and 
Merrill  were  not  then  established. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    TEXAS. 


369 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EESPIHATORY  SYSTEM. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

TUIKD. 

FOCKTH. 

TEAR. 

Proportion  of  dcntlis  to 

i. 

^  = 

Strenjjtli 

5,179 

4,031 

3,783 

4,806 

4,450 

Diseases. 

Cases.    Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases.  1  Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths 

Cpses. 

Dealli3. 

Broncliitis  acuta  etclironica 
Catarrlius            - 

54 

312 

6 

2G 

14 

9 

0 
0 

4 
0 

2 

0 

2G 

104 

2 

22 

11 

7 

1 
0 
0 

1 
1 

0 

26 

123 

7 

9 

3 

10 

0 
0 
2 
0 
1 

0 

61 

305 

3 

16 

10 

9 

2 
0 
5 

0 
4 

0 

157 

844 

18 

73 

38 

35 

3 

0 
11 

1 
8 

0 

I  in     52 

0  in  844 

II  ill     18 

1  in     73 
1  in      5 

0  in     35 

35 
189 

riithisis  piilmonalis 

4 
16 

Pneuiuoniii.          

8.5 

All  other  diseases  of  this 

8 

421 

6 

172 

3 

178     1       3 

394 

11 

1165       23 

1  in     50 

261 

211 

2 

157            0 

108      :        0 

!     171           0 

647  ;       2 

1  in  323 

145 

1 

1 

Scurvy. — The  troops  on  the  southern  frontier  of  Texas  have  heen,  to  a  very  considerable 
extent,  affected  with  scurvy  ;  the  usual  and  well-known  causes  of  that  disease  having  obtained 
to  a  great  degree.  In  the  frequent  movements  of  the  troops,  and  in  the  sandy  and  sterile 
nature  of  the  soil  in  the  vicinity  of  some  of  the  posts,  were  found  almost  insuperable  obstacles 
to  the  cultivation  of  gardens;  while  the  long  line  of  land  transportation  made  it  very  inconve- 
nient to  keep  up  the  necessary  supply  of  potatoes  and  other  vegetables  from  the  principal 
depots.  Of  a  command  numbering  in  the  aggregate  4,450,  510  cases  of  scorbutus  occurred,  of 
which  three  proved  fatal. 


WESTERN  FRONTIER. 

The  military  posts  established  for  the  protection  of  the  western  frontier  of  Texas,  extend  in 
a  line,  running  north  and  east,  from  Fort  Duncan,  on  the  Rio  Grande,  to  the  northern  limits 
of  the  State.  Although  a  very  brief  ^jeriod  has  elapsed  since  the  first  occupation  of  this  cordon, 
it  has  already  been  found  necessary  to  advance  the  line  further  west,  and  consequently  to 
abandon  those  first  established.  At  present,  not  more  than  eight  posts  on  this  frontier  are 
garrisoned ;  but  the  general  abstract  for  this  region,  which  accompanies  this  report,  embraces 
the  statistics  of  twenty  separate  posts  or  encampments,  which  have  been  more  or  less  jjerma- 
nently  occupied.  The  positions  which  have  been  most  permanently  occupied  on  the  fii;st  line, 
commencing  at  the  north,  and  going  soutli,  are  Forts  Worth,  Graham,  Gates,  Croghan,  Mason, 
Martin  Scott,  Lincoln,  and  Inge,  with  the  towns  of  Austin  and  San  Antonio.  On  the  second 
line,  further  west,  following  the  same  order,  the  positions  are  Fort  Belknap,  Phantom  Hill, 
Fort  Chadbourne,  Camp  Johnston,  Fort  McKavctt,  Fort  Tcrrett,  Fort  Clark,  and  Fort  Davis. 

Special  reports  respecting  the  diseases  and  topiography  of  Forts  Belknai),  Worth,  McKavett, 
and  Terrett,  and  of  the  post  on  the  Clear  Fork  of  the  Brazos,  and  Camp  Johnston,  have  been 
received,  which  will  follow  in  due  order,  after  a  brief  notice  of  the  localities  of  the  remaining 
posts  in  this  region,  so  far  as  the  records  afford  the  necessary  material. 
s.  96 47 


370  EEPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

FORT    GRAHAM. 

Fort  Graham  is  sitiiateil  ou  the  east  bank  of  tlie  Brazos,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  a  small 
valley,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  river,  which  at  this  point  forms  a  curve,  bounding  the 
valley  on  the  south  and  west.  To  the  east  is  a  small  creek,  and  immediately  beyond  a  range  of 
hills.  On  the  north,  at  a  distance  of  four  hundred  yards,  is  an  elevated  ridge,  the  commence- 
ment of  the  high  prairie.  The  Brazos,  at  this  point,  owing  to  the  elevation  of  its  banks,  rarely 
overflows.  There  is  a  belt  of  timber  on  the  east  and  south  banks,  so  dense  as  to  form  an  effec- 
tual barrier  against  the  extension  of  the  miasm  generated  in  the  warm  months.  The  small 
creek  on  the  east  dries  up  in  midsummer,  but  the  post  is  equally  protected  on  that  side  by  a 
narrow  strip  of  timber. 

FORT   GATES. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Leon  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Brazos,  fifty-five 
miles  south  of  Fort  Graham.  The  immediate  site  is  on  the  northern  edge  of  a  post-oak  woods, 
which  extends  from  the  garrison  to  the  river.  Between  the  post  and  the  river,  which  overflows 
its  banks,  are  marshy  strips  of  land,  over  which  the  prevailing  southerly  winds  of  summer  blow. 
Assistant  Surgeon  Johns  (from  whose  reports  the  above  facts  have  been  obtained)  remarks  that 
the  post  oak  woods  are  so  situated  as  to  afford  no  adequate  protection  from  the  "northers"  in 
winter,  and  to  obstruct  the  southerly  breeze  in  summer,  without  protecting  the  troops  from  the 
malaria  arising  from  the  river-bottom.  He  adds:  "It  would  seem,  from  information  derived 
from  the  citizens  of  Texas,  and,  at  least,  from  the  experience  at  this  post,  that,  with  a  view  to 
health,  all  locations  should  be  made  on  the  southern  banks  of  rivers,  in  order  that  the  prevail- 
ing winds  may  be  obtained  blowing  towards,  and  not  from,  rivers  and  river-bottoms."  The 
forces  at  this  station  suffered  severely  with  fevers  of  the  intermittent  type. 

FORT  CROGHAN. 

This  post  is  situated  on  the  north  side  of  a  small  tributary  of  the  Colorado,  about  ten  miles 
from  that  river.  The  immediate  site  is  in  a  small  valley,  sloping  gradually  to  the  creek. 
Assistant  Surgeon  Crawford  remarks,  that  in  1851  the  portion  of  the  command  quartered  near 
the  creek  had  remittent  fever,  while  that  quartered  higher  up  the  slope  escaped. 

AUSTIN. 

The  town  of  Austin  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Colorado  river,  about  400  miles  from 
its  mouth,  though,  in  a  direct  line,  not  more  than  140  miles  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Its  ele- 
vation above  the  sea  is,  probably,  800  feet.  The  face  of  the  country  is  undulating,  not  heavily 
timbered,  but  abounding  in  prairies  and  savannas  agreeably  diversified  by  groves  of  oaks,  elms, 
pecan  trees,  &c.,  &c.,  and  is  unsurpassed  in  fertility  and  beauty.  The  south  and  southeast 
winds,  which,  during  the  summer  months,  sweep  over  the  country  with  almost  the  uniformity  of 
trade  winds,  constitute  a  remarkable  feature  in  this  climate,  and  one  of  vital  importance  on  the 
score  of  health  and  comfort,  under  a  temperature  which  would  be  otherwise  extremely  oppress- 
ive and  enervating.  Another  peculiarity  is  the  decided  coolness  of  the  nights  of  summer, 
which- are  uniformly  of  a  refreshing  temperature  after  9,  p.  m.,  agreeably  compensating  for  the 
heat  of  the  days.     {From  quarterly  report  of  Surgeon  George  F.  Turner,  June,  1851.) 

SAN   ANTONIO. 

The  precise  location  of  the  buildings  for  military  occupation  is  not  known.  It  is  believed 
that,  in  its  general  features,  the  locality  may  be  compared  with  that  of  Austin.  As  a  military 
post,  it  is  on  the  highway  to  most  of  the  forts  on  the  western  frontier  of  Texas,  and  to  those  in 
the  southern  portion  of  New  Mexico.  It  is,  at  present,  the  seat  of  the  headquarters  of  the  military 
department  of  Texas. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    TEXAS.  371 

FORTS   MASON,    MARTIN   SCOTT,    LINCOLN,  INGE,    AND   CLAiRK. 

Fort  Mason  :  oa  the  Llano  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Colorado.  It  is  in  a  hilly  district,  though 
not  locally  confined  in  its  exposure.  Its  astronomical  position  is  latitude  30°  48',  longitude 
99°  15';  the  altitude  above  the  level  of  the  .sea  is  1,200  feet. 

Fort  Martin  Scott  :  at  Fredericksburg,  on  the  Rio  Pedernales,  a  branch  of  the  Colorado. 
It  is  two  miles  from  Fredericksburg,  and  seventy-five  northwest  from  San  Antonio.  Its  astro- 
nomical position  is  latitude  30°  10',  longitude  99°  5';  altitude  1,300  feet. 

Fort  Lincoln:  on  the  Kio  Seco,  a  branch  of  the  Nueces  river,  fifty-five  miles  west  of  San 
Antonio.  Tlie  district  is  quite  open  and  arid,  and  the  locality  elevated,  with  free  exposure 
south  and  east,  and  some  protecting  hills  to  the  northwest.  Latitude  29°  22',  longitude  99°  33'; 
altitude  about  900  feet  above  the  sea. 

Fort  Inge:  on  the  Leona  river,  about  seventy-five  miles  southwest  of  San  Antonio,  and  forty- 
five  miles  northeast  of  Fort  Duncan.  The  district  is  moderately  hilly,  and  generally  wooded. 
Its  astronomical  position  and  altitude  have  been  very  accurately  determined  by  Miijor  W.  H. 
Emory,  of  the  Mexican  Boundary  Survey,  to  be  latitude  29°  9',  longitude  99°  7';  altitude  845 
feet  above  the  sea. 

Fort  Clark  :  on  the  Las  Moras,  a  small  tributary  to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  about  thirty  miles 
north  of  Fort  Duncan.  Its  immediate  site  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  on  an  elevation  fifty 
feet  above  it.     Latitude  29°  17',  longitude  100°  25'. 

FORT   DAVIS. 

Assistant  Surgeon  A.  J.  Foard,  in  a  sanitary  report  of  recent  date,  states:  "Fort  Davis  is  in 
latitude  30°  36'  23",  longitude  103°  36'  45";  altitude  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  4,700  feet. 
The  post  is  situated  in  a  canon  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  long,  filled  with  small  oak  trees. 
At  the  entrance,  the  caiion  is  about  four  hundred  yards  wide,  gradually  narrowing  until  at  its 
termination  it  is  only  about  twenty  feet  wide.  The  mountains  on  each  side  are  of  primary 
rocks,  about  250  feet  high,  and  very  precipitous;  their  tops  are  slightly  rolling,  and  covered 
with  grass  and  a  few  oak  trees,  with  boulders  of  various  sizes  scattered  here  and  there.  The 
source  from  which  the  troops  are  supplied  with  water  is  the  Limpia — a  small  stream  about  a 
mile  from  the  post.  This  water  is  very  pure,  and  the  stream  is  always  cool,  even  in  the 
hottest  days.  The  climate  is  pleasant  and  salubrious.  Sudden  changes  in  the  weather  are  not 
so  common  as  in  other  parts  of  Texas,  and,  in  consequence  of  the  mountainous  nature  of  the 
country,  northers  are  very  rare.  The  hottest  month  of  the  year  is  June ;  the  monthly  mean 
temperature  of  which  was,  last  year,  78.73,  and  for  this  year,  79.65.  The  mean  temperature 
lor  the  three  summer  months  of  last  year  was  76.97.  The  coldest  month  is  January,  the  mean 
temperature  of  which  this  year  was  36.73.  The  mean  temperature  for  the  three  winter  months 
■was  42.78.  Snow  falls  frequently,  but  not  in  large  quantities.  During  the  last  si.xteen  months 
it  has  rained  eighty-eight  times,  with  a  fall  of  only  30.12  inches  of  water.  The  prevailing 
■winds  during  the  summer  months  are  S.S.W,  and  in  winter  N.N.W.  There  are  no  local  causes 
of  sickness  at  this  place." 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  BELKNAP. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  E.  J.  Baily  :  1852. 

Fort  Belknap  is  situated  on  the  northwestern  frontier  of  Texas,  in  north  latitude  33°  8'  45", 
and  longitude  98°  45'  west,  nearly.  It  is  situated  from  Fort  Washita,  Chickasaw  nation,  south- 
■west  186  miles ;  from  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  a  little  north  of  ■west,  125  miles ;  and  from  Fort 


372  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

Graham,  northwest  110  miles.  Tlie  post  is  on  the  nortli  )>!uik  of  the  Eed  Fork  of  tlie  Brazos 
river,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant.  Tlie  site  of  tlie  post  is  on  the  eiltce  of  a  rolling 
prairie,  which  extends  to  the  northwest  and  east  many  miles.  To  the  south  of  the  post,  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  river,  is  a  low  range  of  mountains  extending  up  and  down  the  river  some 
distance.  At  a  short  distance  from  the  post,  the  prairie  terminates  rather  abruptly,  and  the 
river-bottom  commences,  which  is  between  a  quarter  and  a  half  mile  wide ;  and,  I  should  judge 
from  its  appearance,  that  it  is  seldom  subject  to  overflow. 

The  river  at  this  place  is  very  brackish,  and  derives  its  name  (Red  Fork)  from  the  color  of  its 
water.  During  the  greater  part  of  the  year  it  is  scarcely  entitled  to  the  rank  of  a  river,  and 
only  presents  such  an  appearance  during  the  wet  season. 

The  face  of  the  country  between  this  post  and  Fort  Washita  is  a  high,  rolling,  and  beauti- 
ful prairie,  presenting  many  views  that  cannot  be  surpassed  in  beauty;  and  I  am  told  that  such 
is  the  general  character  of  the  principal  part  of  this  country. 

As  yet,  suflicient  observations  have  not  been  made  to  determine  its  geological  formations ;  but 
I  may  state  that  coal,  iron,  and  lime  are  found  in  considerable  abundance.  The  soil,  to  a  con- 
siilerable  depth,  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  a  light  sand,  which  renders  it  unable  to  with- 
stand drought  of  any  duration  whatever.  So  much  is  this  the  character  of  the  soil,  that  our 
gardens  cease  to  produce  to  any  extent  after  the  close  of  what  may  be  termed  the  wet  season. 

The  flora  is  numerous,  and  of  great  variety;  but  I  have  seen  nothing,  as  yet,  of  any  known 
medicinal  virtues.     Many  varieties  of  cacti  are  to  be  found,  and  many  of  them  beautiful. 

Among  the  animals  that  are  to  be  found  here,  may  be  mentioned  the  white-tailed  deer,  and 
antelope;  thelober;  grey,  black,  and  ])rairie  wolves;  the  tiger;  wild  and  civet  cats ;  raccoon; 
oj)ossum;  the  common  American  rabbit;  anc^a  much  larger  one,  known  as  the  mustang  or 
jackass  rabbit.     The  black  bear  is  also  found  liere. 

Among  the  birds,  maybe  mentioned  the  following,  viz:  wild  goose,  summer  duck,  quail, 
wild  turkey,  mocking-bird,  chapparal  cock,  raven,  common  crow,  red-winged  blackbird,  buz- 
zard, blue  bird,  martin,  &c.,  &c. 

In  most  of  the  rivers  are  to  be  found  the  catfish,  gar,  and  soft-shell  turtle ;  the  latter  is  of 
very  fine  quality,  and  does  well  for  the  table. 

Among  the  reptiles,  are  the  rattle-snake — three  varieties,  the  diamond,  black,  and  ground  ; 
the  cotton-mouthed  moccasin,  said  to  be  more  poisonous  than  the  rattle-snake;  the  adder,  the 
copper-head,  the  tarantula,  centi]tcde,  lizard,  pond  frog,  toad,  and  horned  frog. 

The  dift'erent  varieties  of  trees  found  here  are  the  following,  viz:  live-oak,  post-oak,  red  elm, 
hackbcrry,  cottonwood,  and  mesquite.     The  live-oak  is  very  small,  and  of  no  account. 

Among  the  shrubs,  are  the  sumach,  and  wild-plum  bush ;  the  latter  bearing  a  very  good 
fruit,  and  used  a  great  deal  among  the  Indians  as  an  article  of  food  ;  they  also  dry  it  for  winter 
use,  and  this  may  be  tlie  cause  the  scurvy  is  less  frequent  among  them. 

Of  the  difierent  varieties  of  grass  found  here,  the  principal  are  the  common  prairie,  the  mes- 
quite, (of  which  there  are  said  to  be  seven  or  eight  distinct  varieties,)  and  the  gramma.  Wild 
rye  is  found  on  the  prairies,  and  wild  oats  on  the  tributaries  of  the  Brazos  river. 

The  water  is  limestone,  containing  much  chloride  of  sodium  and  sulphur,  either  free  or  com- 
bined. 

There  is  nothing  peculiar  in  regard  to  the  climate;  the  rain  is  confined  principally  to  the 
winter,  and  early  months  of  spring.  From  the  middle  o£  May  until  October,  1851,  there  was 
not  a  drop  of  rain,  and  during  the  last  winter  there  was  not  much.  From  the  middle  of  April 
until  the  latter  part  of  June,  of  the  present  year,  more  rain  fell  than  did  during  the  whole  of 
last  year. 

Northers,  which  constitute  the  most  disagreeable  feature  of  this  climate,  generally  commence 
about  the  last  of  October,  and  cease  about  the  first  of  May. 

The  thermometer  during  the  past  winter,  for  one  night  only,  fell  to  zero ;  and  98°  has  been 
the  highest  during  the  present  summer. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    TEXAS.  373 

There  is  no  appreciable  existing  cause  of  disease  here;  and  if  any  causes  do  exist,  they  are  of 
an  atmospherical  character,  combined  with  certain  geological  formations,  which  may  aid  in  the 
production  of  disease. 

The  whole  country  is  a  high  and  rolling  prairie,  and  there  are  no  marshes  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  post ;  much  of  the  present  disease,,  however,  may  be  attributable  to  the  manner  in  which 
the  troops  are  quartered. 

Our  intercourse  with  the  Indians  has  been  rather  limited,  and  we  have  learned  little  in  re- 
gard to  them ;  they  are,  however,  affected  with  the  principal  diseases  of  the  country,  which 
may  be  put  down  in  the  following  order  of  occurrence:  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  and  intermittent 
fever  ;  and  in  many  instances  these  prove  fatal.     They  appear  to  have  no  remedies. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AXD  DISEASES  OF  FORT  WORTH. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Thos.  H.  Williams  :  1S52. 

Fort  Worth  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  west  fork  of  Trinity  river,  Texas,  latitude 
32°  40'  11"  N.,  longitude  21°  2.5'  W.,  and  was  established  about  the  I'st  of  June,  1849.  It  is 
built  upon  the  northern  extremity  of  an  extensive  high  prairie,  with  a  southern  exposure,  and 
at  an  elevation  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  ordinary  low-water  mark  of  the  Trinity. 
Immediately  above  the  fort,  the  "Clear  Fork"  of  Trinity  empties  into  the  "  West  Fork;"  the 
former  running  west  by  south,  and  the  latter  northwest  by  west.  These  streams  form  at  their 
junction  an  extensive  bottom,  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  trees  and  underwood.  This 
bottom,  following  the  course  of  "West  Fork,"  extends  from  west  to  north,  and  from  thence 
east  of  the  post. 

Southeast  of  the  fort  lies  "Sycamore  creek/'  a  small  tributary  of  the  Trinity.  On  the  south 
and  southwest  there  is  an  extended  prairie. 

The  general  character  of  the  country  is  high,  undulating  prairie,  alternating  with  the  rich 
and  fertile  bottoms  along  the  water-courses.  The  soil  of  the  prairie  is  argillo-arenaceous,  with 
a  substratum  of  limestone;  that  of  the  bottoms,  sandy  alluvion.  The  most  remarkable  features 
of  this  portion  of  country  are  the  two  great  belts  of  forest,  known  as  the  Cross  Timbers.  The 
upj^er  is  about  thirty-five  miles  north,  and  the  lower  five  miles  south  of  Fort  Worth,  and 
are  composed  entirely  of  post-oak.  They  extend  from  the  Brazos  across  Eed  river,  and  are 
separated  by  a  prairie,  which,  with  the  exception  of  clumps  of  mesquite  trees,  is  entirely  desti- 
tute of  wood. 

Settlements  are  rapidly  increasing  along  the  borders  of  the  lower  Cross  Timbers,  below  the 
fort,  on  account  of  the  convenience  of  timber  for  building,  fencing,  &c.,  and  the  abundant  sup- 
ply of  water. 

Scattered  upon  the  surface  of  the  prairie,  near  the  fort,  there  is  to  be  found  a  species  of  marble 
of  the  lumachella  variety ;  along  the  ravines,  and  in  the  beds  of  the  small  streams  that  are  dry 
in  the  summer  season,  are  to  be  found  a  great  variety  of  marine  deposits.  The  animals  that  in- 
habit this  section  of  country  are:  the  antelope,  red  deer,  black  wolf,  grey  wolf,  prairie  wolf, 
foxes  (grey  and  red),  black  bear,  panther,  tiger-cat,  wild  cat,  lynx,  polecat,  opossum,  squirrels 
(grey  and  red),  hare,  and  Mexican  hog.  The  buflalo  have  entirely  disappeared,  and  but  few 
droves  of  wild  horses  are  now  to  be  found  near  the  post.  Among  the  birds,  we  have  the  wild 
turkey,  pinnated  grouse,  quail,  turtle-dove,  meadow-lark,  mocking-bird,  red  bird,  blue-jay, 
blackbird,  red-headed  woodpecker,  flicker,  prairie  bird  of  Paradise,  sparrow,  turkey-buzzard, 
raven,  crow,  hawks,  and  owls,  of  different  varieties. 

The  fish  that  are   afforded  by  the  streams  are :  catfish,  buffalo,  trout,  perch, .  and  sunfish. 

The  trees  that  appertain  to  the  country  are:  red  oak,  burr  oak,  post  oak,  live  oak,  black-jack 
oak,  elm,  ash,  pecan,  sycamore,  black  walnut,  box-elder,  hackberry,  cottonwood,  and  mulberry. 


374  REPORT    ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Of  the  plants  growing  in  the  vicinity,  I  have  noticed  the  redhud,  buckeye,  flowering  dogwood, 
woodbine,  stag-liorn  sunaach,  smooth  sumach,  sweet-brier,  blackberry,  common  elder,  milk- 
weed, wild  morning  glory,  Indian  turnip,  black  snakeroot,  yellow  ladies'  slipper,  red  mul- 
berry, wild  ])hnn,  honey-locust,  red  root,  two-leaved  Solomon's  seal,  common  sunflower,  and 
dandelion. 

The  climate  of  Fort  Worth  is  extremely  variable  ;  the  summers  intensely  hot,  and  the  winters, 
though  generally  mild,  are  subject  to  sudden  changes  of  intense  cold;  for,  from  the  elevated 
position  of  the  garrison,  we  are  exposed  to  the  severe  northers  and  sleets  of  the  country. 
Tlie  [irevailing  winds  during  the  summer  are  from  the  S.  and  S.E.;  the  temperature  of  which, 
during  the  dry  weather  of  the  months  of  July  and  August,  becomes  very  ranch  elevated  in 
passing  over  the  lieated  surface  of  the  prairie  ;  occasionally  the  wind  changes  to  the  N.  and  < 
N.E.,  blowing  over  the  extensive  bottom  of  the  Trinity,  which  change  is  always  followed  by 
an  increase  of  intermittent  fever. 

The  records  of  the  hospital  show  that  fever  of  an  intermittent  type  is  the  prevailing  disease 
of  the  post.  The  essential  cause  of  the  disease  is  the  malaria  arising  from  the  Trinity  river- 
bottom.  This  stream,  during  the  heavy  rains  of  the  spring,  attains  a  great  height,  overflowing 
all  of  its  bottom,  and,  upon  subsiding,  leaves  the  washings  of  the  soil  loaded  with  vegetable 
remains  reeking  in  the  hot  sun ;  to  the  miasmatic  emanation  of  which  the  troops  are  not  only 
exposed  by  the  close  proximity  of  the  post,  but  have  had  to  labor  in  the  bottom  every  summer 
and  fall,  getting  out  timber  for  building  purposes.  Tlie  symptoms  that  characterized  the  dis- 
ease were  those  usually  presented,  viz:  the  cold,  the  hot,  and  the  sweating  stages;  the  paroxysm 
being  preceded  by  the  ordinary  preliminary  symptoms  of  fever.  In  several  cases  the  cold  stage 
was  entirely  wanting,  a  profuse  diarrhoja  supplying  its  place,  and  which  ceased  as  soon  as  the 
febrile  symptoms  came  on  ;  tlie  diarrlioea  not  appearing  again  until  the  time  for  the  next  par- 
oxysm. The  course  of  treatment  pursued  was,  where  it  was  indicated,  a  purgative  dose  of 
calomel,  rhubarb,  and  aloes,  or  compound  extract  of  colocynth,  followed  by  castor-oil  or 
Epsom  salts,  to  cleanse  the  alimentary  canal  and  excite  the  functions  of  the  liver.  Two  liours 
previous  to  the  paroxysm,  from  ten  to  fifteen  grains  of  quinine  were  given,  which  very  seldom 
failed  to  arrest  it;  the  first  paroxysm  being  checked,  the  quinine  was  continued  in  doses  of  from 
three  to  five  grains,  three  times  daily,  until  the  time  for  the  recurrence  of  the  next  paroxysm 
had  passed.  Under  this  mode  of  treatment,  no  case  ever  terminated  fatally.  Of  the  1,037  cases 
of  intermittent  treated,  720  were  quotidian,  313  tertian,  and  4  quartan. 

An  unusual  number  of  cases  of  remittent  fever  occurred  during  the  third  quarter  of  1851,  at- 
tributable to  the  exposure  of  the  troops  on  the  weekly  scouts  to  Ked  river  during  that  period. . 
The  fever  first  made  its  ajipearance  as  intermittent,  and  afterwards  assumed  the  remittent  form 
before  reaching  the  post,  for  the  want  of  medical  treatment.  This  tendency  of  intermittent 
fever  to  become  remittent,  if  not  promptly  treated  witli  large  doses  of  quinine,  I  have  noticed  in 
a  great  many  cases.  There  was  nothing  peculiar  in  the  nature  of  these  remittent  cases;  they 
were  characterized  by  the  usual  symptoms  of  that  disease. 

Diseases  of  the  organs  of  the  digestive  system  have  been  produced  by  different  causes — as 
unwholesome  food,  exposure  to  extreme  heat  and  moisture,  sudden  changes  of  temperature,  and 
dissolute  habits.  The  troops  at  Fort  Worth  have  been  so  often  changed,  that  a  great  many  of 
the  diseases  reported  originated  jirior  to  tlie  arrival  of  the  patients  at  this  post.  Nine  deaths 
have  occurred  since  October  1st,  1849 ;  of  these,  two  were  from  typhoid  fever,  one  chronic  diar- 
rhoea, one  phthisis  pulmonalis,  one  obesity  of  the  heart,  one  melicna,  one  (edematous  laryngi- 
tis, one  chronic  dysentery,  and  one  scorbutus. 

Fort  Worth  being  a  frontier  station,  and  the  country  in  the  immediate  vicinity  but  thinly 
settled,  no  "vital  statistics"  worth  relating  can  be  collected. 

No  "statistics  of  Indian  tribes"  can  be  given,  as  there  are  none  living  nearer  the  jiost  than 
the  upper  Brazos  river. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS.     •  375 

MEDICAL  TOrOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OP  POST  ON  CLEAR  FORK  OF  BRAZOS  RIVER,  (PHANTOM  Hn.L.) 

By  Assistant  Surgeon  Alexander  B.  Hasson  :  1852. 

The  latitude  of  this  post  is  about  32°  30'  north,  and  the  longitude  99°  45'  west  of  Greenwich, 
or  22°  45'  west  of  Washington.  These  numbers  are  approximate  merely,  as  no  observations 
have  been  taken  upon  this  immediate  spot.  Nor  have  any  barometrical  observations  been  made 
here ;  consequently,  the  height  above  the  level  of  the  sea  is  not  yet  determined. 

Fort  Belknap,  on  the  Red  Fork  of  the  Brazos,  is  about  seventy-five  miles  from  this  station, 
in  a  northeasterly  direction ;  and  Preston,  the  most  western  town  on  Bed  river,  containing 
about  200  inhabitants,  is  probably  160  miles  further,  in  the  same  general  direction.  This 
route,  by  the  Red  river,  Preston,  and  Fort  Belknap,  is  the  one  by  which  our  supplies  are  at 
present  received. 

Austin,  a  town  on  the  Colorado  river,  is  about  250  miles  distant  to  the  south  and  east;  and 
it  is  probable  that  ultimately  a  more  accessible  route  for  our  supplies  than  the  present  one  will 
be  found  in  that  direction,  connecting  this  post  directly  with  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

This  post  is  situated  between  the  Clear  and  Elm  Forks  of  Brazos  river,  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  above  the  point  where  they  unite  to  form  the  main  Clear  Fork.  At  this  point,  the  distance 
between  the  two  streams  is  about  a  mile.  Their  average  width  is  thirty  feet;  and,  usually, 
they  can  be  forded  by  a  man  on  horseback  without  wetting  his  feet ;  but  holes  are  numerous, 
where  the  water  is  mucli  deeper.  At  high  water,  during  a  rainy  season,  it  is  sometimes  impos- 
sible to  ford  them ;  but,  usually,  they  soon  subside. 

The  general  character  of  the  neighboring  country  is  prairie.  A  few  miles  to  the  west,  is  a 
thicket  several  miles  in  extent,  which  consists  of  a  low  scrubby  species  of  oak  called  black-jack, 
and  multitudes  of  green  briers,  which  render  it  almost  impenetrable. 

About  thirty  miles  to  the  south  is  a  small  range  of  mountains,  and  also  a  few  groves  of  small 
timber,  mostly  post  oak  and  black-jack.  Stunted  mesquite  trees  are  thinly  scattered  over  the 
prairies,  and  a  little  timber  grows  iipon  the  very  verge  of  the  streams,  which  consists  principally 
of  elm,  pecan,  and  hackberry. 

The  post  itself  is  situated  in  a  grove  of  scrub  oak,  about  five  acres  in  extent,  and  surrounded 
by  prairie.  The  scarcity  and  character  of  the  timber  offer  many  obstacles  to  the  erection  of 
quarters,  and  they  are  necessarily  of  a  very  temporary  character.  On  the  ridges  and  high- 
grounds,  the  soil  is  poor  and  thin ;  but  in  the  bottoms,  it  is  probable  that  fair  crops  of  corn  may 
be  made  by  irrigation,  or  even  without  it  when  the  season  is  favorable  with  regard  to  raiu' 
this,  however,  will  always  be  very  precarious  in  this  country. 

This  season,  owing  to  the  excessive  drought,  our  gardening  operations  have  failed;  and  even 
our  melons,  cucumbers,  and  other  vines,  are  dying ;  yet,  we  are  told  by  jiersons  who  reside  in 
a  neighboring  portion  of  tliis  State,  that  more  rain  has  fallen  this  year  than  usual. 

In  tlie  bottoms,  is  a  deep  bed  of  alluvium,  composed  principally  of  sand,  red  clay,  and,  more 
deeply,  of  blue  clay.     On  the  higher  grounds  the  subjacent  rock  comes  very  near  the  surface,  and 
consists  of  strata  of  soft  sandstone  and  limestone — the  latter  containing  ammonites.     Coal 
although  found  at  Fort  Belknap,  has  not  yet  been  discovered  here.     There  are  no  marshes  nor 
ponds  of  standing  water  in  this  vicinity. 

Our  animals  subsisted  here  last  winter  on  grass  alone;  but  they  were  in  a  very  poor  condi- 
tion, and  unable  to  perform  much  labor.  The  young  mesquite  grass  began  to  show  itself  in 
February;  in  March,  the  trees  were  assuming  a  verdant  hue;  and  in  April,  many  flowers  were 
adorning  the  prairies. 

Trees. — As  before  stated,  the  principal  trees  which  have  been  noticed  here,  are  the  post  oak, 
black-jack,  red  elm,  pecan,  hackberry,  and  mesquite. 

Floivers. — There  have  been  noticed,  of  the  natural  orders:  Asphodelc;u,  Scrophularife,  Ona- 
grea3.  Cacti,  Solanea3,  Labiatas,  Malvaceje,  and  Compositic.     The  individuals  of  the  latter  order 


376  REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

are  very  numerous,  and  bloom  comparatively  early.  Species  of  lieliantlms  and  aster  were  in 
iuU  flower  by  the  first  of  June.  Wild  plum  buslics,  about  four  feet  in  height,  are  numerous; 
the  fruit  ripens  early  in  June.  A  diminutive  species  of  allium,  which  the  men  call  "wild 
onion,"  was  abundant  early  in  March,  but  did  not  last  long ;  and,  as  the  men  had  been  many 
months  without  fresh  vegetables,  they  availed  themselves  freely  of  this  luxury.  The  poison 
ivy  (lines  toxicodendron)  abounds  in  the  thickets,  and  the  men  frequently  sufler  from  its  efifects. 
There  has  been  one  instance  of  poisoning  from  eating  a  species  of  mushroom.  The  case,  which 
in  many  respects  resembled  the  symptoms  of  cholera,  recovered. 

Maimnalia. — Those  as  yet  noticed  are  the  black  bear,  panther,  big  white  or  greyish  wolf, 
prairie  wolf,  grey  fox,  fox  squirrel,  prairie  dog,  raccoon,  skunk,  hare,  or  jackass  rabbit_,  fallow 
deer,  antelope,  field  mouse,  and  bat. 

Birds. — Tiiese  are  the  bald  eagle  (haliaefus  leucocejjlialus) ,  turkey  buzzard  (catJinrfes  aura), 
carrion  crow  (cathartes  atratus),  common  buzzard  (huteo  vulgaris),  common  American  crow  (cor- 
vus  Americanus),  a  species  of  goose,  crane,  and  heron,  great-horned  owl  (bubo  Virginianus) , 
little-horned  owl  (hibo  asio),  mallard  duck  (a7ias  Bosclias),  green-winged  teal  (anas  Carolinensis), 
blue-winged  teal  (anas  discors),  long-billed  curlew  (nicmenius  longiros(ris),  belted  kingfisher 
(alcedo  alcyon),  night  hawk  (cliordeiles  Virginianus),  wild  turkey  (mealeagris  Gallopavo),  Ameri- 
can partridge  (ortix  Virginiana),  pinnated  grouse  (tetrao  cupido),  kildeer  plover  (charadrius 
■voci/erus),  other  species  of  plover,  meadow  lark  (sturnella  Ludoviciana),  chuck-will's  widow  (cap- 
rimulgus  Carolinensis),  swallow-tailed  fly-catcher  (milvulus  forjicatus),  common  crow,  blackbird 
(quiscalus  versicolor),  summer  red  bird  (pijranga  (estiva),  common  mocking-bird  (Orplieus  puhj- 
glotlus),  American  robin  (tardus  migratorius),  several  species  of  woodpecker  (picus),  dove  (col- 
umba),  bunting  (emberiza),  finch  (fringilla),  and  other  small  birds. 

Reptiles. — The  rattlesnake  (very  abundant),  small  ground  rattlesnake,  a  long  yellow  snake 
called  here  the  prairie  racer,  and  one  or  two  other  undetermined  species ;  the  toad,  tree  frog, 
bull  i'rog,  horned  frog,  lizard,  tortoise,  turtles  (bard  and  soft  shell). 

Insects. — These  are  numerous;  among  them  we  may  mention  the  tarantula,  scorpion,  locusts, 
crickets,  grasshoppers,  butterflies,  house  flies,  horse  flies,  mosquitoes,  fleas,  ants,  and  numerous 
bugs,  worms,  and  flies  that  infest  the  gardens.     The  honey-bee  was  seen  a  few  days  since. 

Fish. — Those  as  yet  noticed  are  the  catfish^  mud  cat,  gar,  sunfish,  eel,  minnows,  bass,  and  a 
fish  called  here  the  "drum." 

Indians. — Small  bands  of  Caddoes  and  Wakoes  live  about  seventy-five  miles  below,  on  the 
main  Brazos.  They  have  permanent  villages  composed  of  grass  wigwams,  of  a  conical  shape, 
with  a  bole  in  the  top  for  the  escape  of  the  smoke.  They  cultivate  small  patches  of  corn  and 
melons. 

The  Witchetas  are  occasionally  seen  here ;  but  the  Indians  who  principally  range  in  this  vicinity 
are  the  southern  Comanches.  This  tribe  is  purely  nomadic.  Their  frail  lodges  are  speedily 
erected  wherever  they  stop,  and  are  made  of  a  few  twigs  or  poles  cut  upon  the  spot,  and  scantily 
covered  with  skins,  or,  more  frequently,  with  blankets  and  pieces  of  muslin  procured  from  the 
whites. 

Very  few  buffalo  have  been  seen  so  far  south  as  this  place  since  the  year  1837,  and,  as  the 
Indians  raise  no  corn  nor  melons,  they  are  frequently  much  distressed  for  food.  Besides  the 
ordinary  beasts  of  the  chase,  they  subsist  on  mules  and  mustangs,  or  wild  horses,  which  they 
catch  on  the  waters  of  the  Colorado,  and  south  of  that  river.  They  also  depend  greatly  on  war, 
begging  and  stealing  animals.  Several  bands  of  them  came  to  this  post  last  winter,  and  were 
furnished  with  jirovisions.  They  consumed  all  the  soft  parts  of  a  beef,  and  readily  devoured 
the  entrails,  without  even  placing  them  on  a  fire. 

Mexicans,  both  adults  and  children,  are  frequently  seen  among  them,  who  are,  for  the  most 
part,  prisoners  taken  in  war ;  they  appear  to  mingle  on  terms  of  perfect  equality  with  their 
captors.  This  tribe  is  fond  of  carrying  off  children,  for  the  purpose  of  recruiting  their  fast 
waning  numbers,  and  for  which  the  natural  process  seems  inadequate. 


AMONG    IHE    TROOPS    IN    TEXAS.  377 

In  spite  of  all  that  is  sometimes  said  about  the  effects  of  exposure  in  hardening  the  In- 
dian's corporeal  frame,  it  is  probahly  true,  as  a  general  rule,  that  only  the  hardier  constitutions 
survive  the  process,  and  many  lives  are  lost  during  infancy,  which,  in  a  civilized  community, 
would  have  been  reared  to  useful  manhood.  Our  interpreter  tells  me  that  among  the  Comanche 
women  he  has  frequently  known  and  heard  of  cases  of  death  in  child-birth,  and  that  he  has  seen 
in  the  tribe  many  cases  which  he  called  rheumatism  and  consumption. 

Venereal  diseases,  also,  are  very  common  among  them.  They  have  medicine-men,  whose  prac- 
tice consists  in  the  administration  of  herbs,  and  the  performance  of  superstitious  ceremonies. 
They  are  said  to  possess  the  knowledge  of  a  plant  which  is  an  infallible  cure  for  the  bite  of  a 
rattle-snake,  a  very  numerous  reptile  in  this  country  ;  but  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  procure 
any  satisfactory  information  on  this  point. 

I  am  not  aware  that  the  customs  of  the  Comanches  differ  much  from  those  of  the  wild  prairie 
tribes  generally.  The  dress  of  the  men  consists  of  buckskin  moccasins  and  leggings,  extending 
from  the  upper  portion  of  the  thigh  down  to  the  foot,  which  are  sewed  so  as  to  fit  tolerably  close 
to  the  skin,  and  leave  a  wide  margin  of  buckskin  flapping  loosely  beyond  the  seam  ;  a  cloth  is 
tied  around  their  middle,  and  over  their  shoulders  hangs  a  robe  of  skins  or  a  blanket.  The  head 
is  generally  naked,  and  adorned  with  feathers ;  the  hair  is  worn  long  ;  trinkets  hang  pendent 
from  their  ears,  and  their  faces  are  daubed  with  paint.  They  pull  out  the  hair  which  grows 
upon  their  faces,  and  even  their  eye-brows  ;  but,  in  a  few  instances,  where  this  practice  is 
omitted,  they  have  less  hair  upon  their  faces  than  the  whites.  The  women  wear  tight-fitting 
leggings,  like  stockings,  which  extend  only  to  the  knee;  a  cloth  around  their  middle,  and  over 
their  shoulders  a  blanket  which  is  strapped  round  the  waist.  They  wear  their  hair  short,  and 
use  fewer  ornaments  and  less  paint  than  the  men.  It  is  their  duty  to  pitch  the  lodges,  take  care 
of  the  animals,  and  perform  all  the  menial  duties  for  the  men. 

In  this  tribe,  as  among  Indians  generally,  polygamy  is  common. 

The  youngest  children  are  carried  about  in  a  sack  made  of  skins,  with  an  oi^ening  for  the 
head,  which  is  suspended  from  the  shoulders  of  the  mother  and  hangs  upon  her  back.  On  ar- 
riving in  camp,  this  is  frequently  suspended  from  the  limb  of  a  tree,  and  the  mother  swings  it 
occasionally  as  she  performs  her  work. 

The  Tonkiways  are  a  small  band  who  live  to  the  south  of  this  post,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort 
Graham,  and  on  the  borders  of  the  settlements.  They  are  sometimes  employed  by  the  settlers  to 
work  upon  their  farms.  I  have  been  told  by  a  respectable  Texan  that  they  are  cannibals,  and 
that  their  pregnant  women  have  been  known  to  cut  the  feet  from  dead  bodies  and  eat  them, 
under  the  belief  that  their  children  would  thus  be  rendered  great  walkers. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  they  will  eat  almost  anything,  and  that  no  carcass  can  be  so  old 
nor  meat  so  putrid  as  to  repel  their  appetite.* 

Diseases. — The  mean  strength  of  the  command,  for  the  whole  period  of  seven  months,  is  231; 
total  number  of  cases  for  the  same  time  is  293;  consequently,  every  man  has  been  reported  sick 
once  in  every  five  months  and  a  half. 

There  have  been  two  deaths  since  the  first  of  December — one  from  scorbutus,  and  one  from 
pulmonary  apoplexy. 

The  men  have  been  kept  at  work  all  winter  on  fatigue  and  extra  duty,  and  lived  in  camp  ;  yet 
the  diseases  have  been  generally  mild  and  readily  amenable  to  treatment. 

As  the  atmosphere  of  this  place  is  uncommonly  dry  and  free  from  paludal  exhalations,  it  is 
probable  that  the  number  of  intermittent  cases  would  not  have  been  so  large  had  not  our  men, 
many  of  whom  suffered  from  this  disease  while  in  camp  during  the  summer  near  Fort  Washita, 
been  compelled  to  remain  in  camjJ  at  this  place  all  winter. 

After  a  rain,  the  evaporation  is  extremely  rapid  in  this  country;  to  which  cause  some  writers 
have  occasionally  attributed  this  disease. 

-  Several  meteorological  tables  and  au  abstrucl  ol  sick  aud  wouDdcd  are  oniittod. — C. 
S.  96 48 


378  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

There  have  been  eighteen  cases  of  scorbutus  in  this  command  since  its  arrival  here,  but  there 
are  none  at  present.  Our  gardens  are  yielding  us  little  or  nothing,  and  offer  no  prospect  of 
vegetables  for  the  winter.  This  is  owing  to  the  extreme  drought,  although  persons  from  the 
country  below  us  say  that  more  rain  has  fallen  this  year  than  usual.  Gardening  operations  in 
this  country  must  always  be  very  precarious. 

Water  from  the  creek  was  used  by  the  men  all  winter;  it  is  brackish,  and  when  the  weather 
became  warm  it  grew  offensive  after  standing  a  short  time.  A  spring  was  then  discovered, 
which  has  furnished  us  with  sufficient  water  ibr  the  purposes  of  drinking  and  cooking;  but  it 
seems  to  be  failing  fast  as  the  season  grows  dryer.  If  we  can  procure  an  adequate  supply  of 
good  water,  and  make  our  gardens  productive,  I  think  this  will  prove  a  healthy  post. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  CAMP  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Ebenezer  Swift  :  1852. 

Camp  J.  E.  Johnston,  Texas,  lies  in  latitude  31°  30'  N.;  longitude  100°  51'  W.,  and  is  ele- 
vated 2,100  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

It  is  distant  about  110  miles  northwesterly  from  Fort  Mason,  70  north  from  Camp  McKavett, 
and  100  southwesterly  from  Thantom  Hill,  (S.W.  by  W.  ^  W.) 

The  camp  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  North  Concho  river,  on  slightly  undulating 
ground,  rising  12  or  15  feet  above  the  alluvial  banks,  in  a  valley  commencing  with  the  source  of 
the  river,  and  bounded  on  each  side  by  ranges  of  high  hills  or  mountains,  which,  diverging, 
give  to  it  at  this  place  a  width  of  five  miles,  and  lower  down  the  stream  much  more. 

The  river  rises  in  the  mountains,  runs  S.E.  50  miles,  and  unites  with  the  main  Concho,  a 
tributary  of  the  Colorado,  18  miles  from  the  camp.  It  is  forded  with  facility,  being  in  many 
places  not  exceeding  12  or  15  feet  in  width,  and  less  than  a  foot  in  depth.  Pools  and  rapids 
alternate  with  each  other  throughout  its  entire  course.  The  water  is  rendered  turbid  by  the 
alluvial  nature  of  its  banks,  contains  a  slight  trace  of  chloride  of  sodium,  and  is  sometimes  per- 
ceptibly brackish. 

The  banks  of  the  river  are  in  some  places  two  or  three  feet  higher  than  at  a  distance  of  two 
or  three  hundred  yards,  where  the  ground  again  rises  and  becomes  undulating.  These  low 
places  are  converted  by  heavy  rains  into  ponds  of  considerable  extent,  which,  however,  are  soon 
drained  by  the  porous  nature  of  the  soil,  or  evaporated  by  the  uninterrupted  rays  of  the  sun. 
There  are  evidences  of  the  river  having  overflowed  its  banks  two  or  three  years  ago. 

The  soil  of  the  valley,  composed  of  alluvium,  clay,  lime,  sand,  and  vegetable  mould,  is  very 
fertile,  and  capable  of  supporting  a  luxuriant  vegetation,  while  the  hills  are  rocky  and  barren. 
Forest-trees  are  almost  wholly  confined  to  a  narrow  belt  along  the  river.  Rains  are  abundant 
for  purposes  of  agriculture,  and  are  not  productive  of  disease.  Winds  are  variable,  and  often 
high,  from  the  open  nature  of  the  country. 

Geolofftccd  character. — In  many  respects  this  resembles  in  geological  character  all  other  por- 
tions of  the  high  land  of  Texas,  commencing  with  a  chain  of  hills  which,  rising  abruptly  from 
the  undulating  prairie  which  comprises  the  middle  portion  of  the  State,  extends  westward  and 
northw.ard  from  near  Fort  Inge,  San  Antonio,  Austin,  and  Fort  Gates,  having  a  horizontal 
stratification  abounding  in  lime,  quartz,  sand,  and  clay,  and  containing  fossil  tesfacea.  At 
Forts  Crogban  and  Gates  I  found  quantities  of  oyster-shells  {pstrea  deltoidea),  in  beds  of  marl 
and  pebble,  or  in  consolidated  masses,  which  are  found  here,  though  not  so  numerous,  and  im- 
bedded in  strata  of  compact  limestone.  At  the  above-mentioned  places  I  found  also  specimens 
of  ostrea  carinata,  cytherea  exoleta,  and  ammonites  of  large  size. 

The  masses  of  granitic  rock  near  the  Colorado  and  in  the  Llano,  between  Fort  Croghan,  Fort 
Mason,  and  Fort  Martin  Scott,  give  evidence  of  recent  igneous  origin  invading  secondary  forma- 
tions, as  does  also  the  crystalline  limestone. 

That  portion  of  the  State  bordering  the  coast  is  low,  flat,  and  alluvial,  resting  on  beds  of 
hardened  argillaceous  marl  and  gravel.     I  was  favored  with  specimens  of  the  former  more  than 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS.  379 

a  year  ago,  by  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Cooper,  then  engaged  in  boring  an  artesian  well  at  Corpus 

Christi.  The  immediate  neigliborhood  of  the  Gulf  gives  evidence  of  very  recent  formation ; 
and  many  places  of  having  been  reclaimed  from  the  sca^  as  it  were,  by  an  upheaving  power. 

I  liave  made  the  above  digression  with  reference  to  the  relative  age  of  this  and  other  portions 
of  the  State. 

Geological  observations. — In  a  district  comprising  60  or  70  square  miles,  extending  from  six 
miles  above  to  six  or  seven  miles  below  the  camp,  and  of  the  width  of  the  valley,  I  have  made 
the  following  observations  of  the  banks  of  the  river  and  gullies,  and  the  stratified  rock  cropping 
out  from  the  hill-sides.  Commencing  with  the  top  of  the  most  prominent  hill,  and  descending, 
I  found  as  follows: 

Summit — Large  fragments  of  broken  limestone,  containing  flints,  vegetable  mould,  and 
finally  broken  stone.  1.  Shelly  limestone,  invaded  by  a  vein  of  flint,  as  if  cooled  from  a  state 
of  fusion,  an  inch  thick,  superimposed  upon  and  covering  a  stratum  of  shelly  limestone  ;  2.  Com- 
pact grey  limestone,  eight  inches  thick,  with  limestone  abounding  in  shells  some  six  inches  in 
diameter  ;  3.  Compact  grey  limestone,  containing  sand,  pebble,  and  limestone  containing  shells ; 
4.  Coarse  yellow  sandstone;  5.  Fine  yellow  sand,  with  felspathic  encrustation;  6.  Coarse  yel- 
low sand,  compact  and  hardened;  7.  Reddish  clay,  sand,  and  loam;  8.  Arenaceous  or  gritty 
marl;  9.  Coarse  reddish  sandstone,  or  grit,  with  sand  quartz,  and  a  trace  of  oxide  of  iron  and 
manganese.  The  base  composed  of  broken  rock,  sand,  clay,  loam,  pebble,  peroxide  of  iron, 
and  manganese. 

Following  the  same  course  with  hill  No.  2,  I  found — 

The  hill-top  composed  of  conglomerate.  1.  Compact  grey  limestone,  very  thick;  2.  Yellow 
sandstone,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet;  3.  Conglomerate,  abounding  in  flints;  4.  Clay,  loam,  and 
pebble;  5.  Yellow  sandstone;  6.  Indurated  sand,  clay,  and  pebble;  7.  Clay,  lime,  sand,  and 
peroxide  of  iron,  and  nickel;  8.  Coarse  red  sandstone;  9.  Fragments  of  lime,  sandstone,  &c. 

In  hill  No.  3,  nearly  opposite  the  camp,  distant  about  three  miles: 

Summit — 1.  A  mass  of  grey  limestone ;  2.  Coarse  yellow  sandstone,  twenty  feet;  3.  Arena- 
ceous limestone;  4.  Conglomerate,  flints,  &c.,  fifteen  feet;  5.  Coarse  red  sandstone;  6.  Clay, 
sand,  and  loam;  7.  Coarse  red  sandstone;  8.  Grey  quartzose  stone;  9.  Broken  limestone  and 
flints. 

In  hill  No.  4,  the  top  consisted  of — 

1.  Hardened  marl,  with  shells  and  pebble,  invaded  by  continuous  veins  of  flint;  2.  Con- 
glomerate, very  thick;  3.  Compact  grey  limestone;  4.  Sandy  grey  limestone;  5.  Quartzose 
rock;  6.  Fine  bluish-grey  compact  limestone;  7.  Conglomerate;  8.  Dark  grey  sandstone; 
9.  Compact  reddish  limestone;  10.  Coarse  grey  sandstone,  lime,  and  pebble;  11.  Compact  grey 
limestone,  containing  snaall  shells  and  crystallized  sulphate  of  lime ;  12.  Conglomerate,  very 
thick;  13.  Vegetable  mould,  broken  limestone,  sand,  and  pebble. 

The  bottoms  of  the  rivers,  creeks,  and  gullies  are  formed  of  conglomerate,  and  their  banks 
chiefly  alluvium,  loam,  and  pebble;  the  alluvium  containing  shells  of  existing  species  deeply 
imbedded.  On  Grape  creek,  about  eight  miles  from  camp,  I  found  the  east  bank,  for  several 
hundred  yards,  composed  of  yellow  sandstone  more  than  thirty  feet  thick,  and  higher  up  the 
stream  a  large  mass  of  pure  white  clay. 

Botanical  features. — The  botanical  expression  of  the  country  is  plain  and  simple,  undergoing 
but  few  changes.  During  the  month  of  April  the  earth  is  clothed  with  verdure,  and  in  May 
the  hard-l'eatured  hills  and  the  prairies  are  covered  with  flowers.  The  blue  gentianas,  bright- 
yellow  crysantha,  and  the  snow-white,  palm-like  blossom  of  the  tall-stemmed  bear-grass  mingle 
their  bright  colors  with  a  carpet  of  dark  green,  here  and  there  diversified  by  a  miniature  forest  of 
pine-like  acacite-form  mesquite,  and  the  taller  pecan  marking  the  river  in  its  course.  Other 
months  are  represented  by  the  sunflower,  jioke-weed,  cardinalis,  thistle,  and  evening  prim- 
roses, solidago  and  asters,  and  some  members  of  the  families  Liliaceai,  Labiatae,  Solaneae,  Big- 
nonea3,  Umbelliferaj,  and  Typhaj. 


380  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

Pecan,  (carya  olrvcef&rmis,)  the  most  common  forest-like  tree,  and  attaining  a  large  size, 
some  measuring  twelve  and  fourteen  feet  in  girth  six  feet  from  the  ground,  skirts  the  river- 
banks,  and  grows  upon  some  of  the  gullies  and  tributary  creeks. 

Live  oak  (querciis  virens)  abounds  as  a  shrub  in  many  places  throughout  the  valley,  from  a 
season's  growth — the  most  common,  to  five  or  six  feet  in  height.  Some  small  groves  and 
insulated  trees,  which  have  been  protected  from  the  fires  of  the  prairie,  have  attained  a  larger 
size ;  one  near  the  camp  measures  thirteen  feet  in  circumference  four  feet  from  the  ground, 
another  ten  feet;  the  former  being  about  forty  feet  high,  the  largest  tree  of  the  kind  I  have 
seen  in  Texas. 

Mesquite,  a  variety  of  acacia,  is  more  common,  and  seems  to  make  greater  resistance  to  the 
prairie  fires  than  any  other  arborescent  vegetation.  Many  places  several  hundred  acres  in  extent 
are  sparsely  covered  with  trees  having  attained  their  ordinary  growth,  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in 
height,  affording  the  camp  a  supply  of  most  excellent  fire-wood.  A  small  shrubby  variety 
grows  everywhere. 

Black  willow  {salix  nigra)  is  confined  to  the  river,  attaining  sometimes  a  height  of  twenty 
or  thirty  feet. 

Ked  mulberry,  a  small  variety,  we  found  in  May  bearing  fruit. 

I  have  seen  a  few  isolated  scrubby  red  cedars,  and  also  a  few  stunted  river  elms. 

Primits  Americana  furnished  us  with  some  very  good  fruit  in  August. 

A  variety  of  grape,  called  in  Texas  post-oak  grape,  (I  don't  know  why,)  grows  in  the  sand  and 
silt  along  the  gullies  and  creeks — more  like  a  shrub  than  a  vine,  two  or  three  feet  high,  and 
produces  excellent  fruit,  from  which  I  made  very  good  wine. 

The  Cactus,  or  prickly-pear  family,  is  represented  by  four  varieties,  the  chief  of  which  is  the 
cactus  opuntia;  of  the  other  varieties  I  have  seen  but  few  specimens. 

Fauna. — The  principal  animals  inhabiting  this  section  of  country,  we  may  say  are  white- 
tailed  deer  and  antelope;  bears  and  buffalo  are  seldom  seen.  This  valley  is  not,  and  does  not 
appear  to  have  been,  their  favorite  range;  but  one  of  the  latter,  half-grown,  and  a  very  old 
skeleton  of  another,  are  all  the  evidences  we  have  seen  of  them.  Prairie  wolves  are  numerous, 
and  the  large  black  and  grey  are  sometimes  seen,  as  also  red  and  grey  foxes  and  raccoons. 
Beavers  have  been  scmietimes  trapped  along  the  stream  by  the  Delawares.  Panthers,  civet  cats, 
wild  cats,  and  long  and  short-tailed  tiger  cats,  it  is  said,  inhabit  the  river-bottoms. 

The  country,  for  more  than  thirty  miles  on  every  side,  is -dotted  over  with  prairie-dog  towns, 
mimerously  peopled — a  district  very  probably  destined  to  have  no  other  population — presenting 
a  picture  of  desolation  the  imagination  can  with  difficulty  conceive ;  their  forsaken  underground 
habitations  become  the  dwellings  of  rats,  squirrels  and  moles,  mice,  bats  and  hawks,  owls,  lizards 
and  rattlesnakes ;  the  latter  in  great  numbers.  Rabbits  and  hares  are  often  seen ;  land  tortoise 
are  occasionally  met  with. 

Characteristics  of  climate. — Meteorological  observations  have  been  made  at  this  place  during 
a  period  of  six  months  (April  to  October,  1852).  The  thermometer  was  suspended  from  a  tent- 
pole,  and  protected  by  two  thicknesses  of  ordinary  tent-cloth  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun. 
The  mercury  attained  the  highest  points  on  the  10th,  11th,  and  12th  of  July.  On  the  latter 
day,  at  3|,  p.  m.,  it  rose  to  102°. 

Habits,  diet,  and  condition  of  men. — The  soldiers  occupy  small  or  "common"  tents,  placed 
in  the  usual  form  of  a  camp ;  from  two  to  four  men  in  each.  They  have  generally  made  for 
themselves  bunks  of  grass  and  the  branches  and  leaves  of  trees,  which,  raised  a  little  from  the 
ground,  protected  them  from  wet  and  damp ;  they  also  protected  themselves  from  the  sun  by 
means  of  bowers  made  of  bushes,  supported  by  a  kind  of  frame-work  above  their  tents.  Not- 
withstanding this,  they  were  much  warmer  than  those  of  the  hospital,  where  the  thermometri- 
cal  observations  were  made. 

During  the  summer  the  men  wore  their  undress  ivoolen  uniform,  having  no  other;  and  upon 
all  military  dress  duty,  the  ordinary  forage-cap  and  belts;  many  of  the  men  were  employed  as 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN  TEXAS.  381 

teamsters,  in  supplying  the  camp  and  the  general  depot  with  subsistence  and  quartermaster 
stores  from  the  coast  to  San  Antonio,  and  from  the  latter  place  here — a  distance  of  more  than 
350  miles. 

On  account  of  an  insufficient  supply  of  timber,  the  troops  were  not  employed  in  building 
houses  and  a  fort ;  and  as  it  was  daily  expected  during  the  six  months  that  the  camp  would  be 
moved,  the  soldiers  were  not  employed  in  "field-culture;"  and  the  country  being  at  peace  and 
quiet,  they  were  not  sent  on  scouts. 

The  men  have  subsisted  on  fresh  beef,  pork,  and  bacon — the  former  being  issued  once  in  five 
days — hard  bread,  beans  and  rice,  sugar  and  coffee ;  they  have  eaten  no  vegetables  but  prickly 
jiear  and  poke-weed.  In  September,  molasses,  pickles,  and  dried  apples  were  received,  and 
issued  in  lieu  of  some  portion  of  the  ordinary  ration. 

The  water  used  by  the  camp,  from  a  small  well  near  the  bank  of  the  river,  contained  a  slight 
trace  of  iron,  and  in  June  had  a  temperature  of  68°.  The  men,  or  some  of  them,  drank  whisky 
to  excess,  being  somewhat  of  intemperate  habits. 

In  June  sevei'al  men  were  relieved  from  their  posts  as  sentinels,  on  account  of  the  heat ;  but 
none  in  July  or  August. 

The  mean  strength  of  the  camp,  consisting  of  five  companies,  the  headquarters,  and  non- 
commission  staff  of  the  8th  infantry,  averaged  9  officers  and  159  men;  total  168.  There  were 
also  five  families  of  officers  and  their  servants — 11  women  and  20  children. 

On  the  30th  of  April  there  were  on  the  sick-report  nine  men.  From  the  1st  May  to  30th 
September,  142  cases  of  disease  were  treated;  of  which  135  returned  to  duty,  and  7  remained 
on  sick-report — averaging  one-sixth  of  the  command  sick  each  month. 

During  the  period  of  nearly  seven  months,  commencing  March  20th  (Assistant  Surgeon 
Johns  being  in  charge  of  the  hospital),  and  ending  October  13th,  182  men  were  returned  to 
duty,  averaging  61  days'  sickness;  febris  intermittens  quotidiana,  9 j^ days;  febris  intermittens 
tertiana,  2|  days;  diarrhoea,  3  days;  scorbutus,  ITyy  days. 

Many  cases  of  a  scorbutic  taint,  with  livid  spots  and  spongy  gums,  were  not  received  into 
hospital  or  relieved  from  duty,  but  recommended  to  cleanliness  and  a  vegetable  diet — prickly 
pear  and  poke-weed.     They  got  well. 

Diarrhcea  usually  resulted  from  imprudence  of  diet  or  drink,  and  was  easily  managed, 
requiring  little  else  than  a  mild  cathartic. 

Some  temporary  ailments  were  prescribed  for;  the  men,  not  being  relieved  from  duty,  were 
not  put  on  my  sick-report. 

Intermittent  fever  has  been  the  most  prevalent  disease  of  the  command,  arising  from  no  appa- 
rent local  cause,  but  rather  from  predisposition.  Companies  "K"  and  '''Gr"  came  here  from 
Fort  Martin  Scott  in  better  health  than  the  other  three,  "A,"  "C,"  and  "I."  In  the  latter 
company  there  have  been  21  cases  quotidian  and  tertian — half  of  the  entire  number  reported. 
This  company  came  here  from  Fort  Gates,  where  intermittents  had  prevailed  to  a  greater  extent 
than  at  any  other  post  in  Texas. 

The  men  comprising  it  were  seized  with  a  paroxysm  from  slight  causes — exposure  on  guard 
or  fatigue  duty,  atmospheric  changes,  wet  and  cold,  eating  prickly  pear,  or  any  slight  impru- 
dence of  any  kind. 

A  corporal  and  three  men  of  company  "I "  were  brought  to  liospital  by  their  orderly  ser- 
geant, who  reported  the  men  as  having  been  engaged  the  day  before  on  fatigue  duty — getting 
fire-wood  for  the  camp;  while  out,  they  ate  prickly  pear,  and  on  their  return  they  had  a  chill. 
I  have  had  similar  reports  from  others. 

Lieutenant  C had  been  stationed  at  Fort  Gates  about  a  year ;  had  had  an  intermittent 

eight  months  of  the  time,  and  was  confined  about  two  months  to  his  bed  with  daily  paroxysms, 
and  which  subsequently  recurred  at  irregular  periods  of  from  five  to  ten  days,  continuing  about 
the  same  period.  These  paroxysms  occurred  whenever  exposed  on  detached  service,  or  upon 
exposure  of  any  kind.     He  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  eight  grains  of  quinine  almost  daily,  as  a 


382  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

preventive,  and  applied  to  me  for  a  new  supply  of  pills.  I  discontinued  the  quinine,  and  gave 
him  guttae  xx  three  times  a  day  of  the  following:  R  hyd:  potass:  9j,  iodine  gr.  j,  aqua  font:  |  j. 
M. — and  blistered  the  region  of  the  spleen.  He  had,  after  commencing  the  above  treatment, 
but  one  paroxysm,  induced,  as  he  informed  me,  by  bathing  in  the  river.  Other  cases  I  treated 
in  a  similar  manner,  with  the  same  results.  My  success,  however,  I  attribute  more  to  rest, 
cliange  of  diet,  and  climate,  than  to  any  medical  treatment. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers  do  well ;  the  sixteen  cases  treated  averaged  seven  days.  Fresh  wounds 
require  daily  dressing  to  protect  them  from  maggots,  when  there  is  no  other  necessity. 

Sergeant  W ,  bit  in  the  right  hand  by  a  rattlesnake,  had  his  wound  dressed  constantly 

with  lint  saturated  with  liquor  ammoniie;  notwithstanding  which,  the  maggots  got  into  it; 
they  were,  however,  speedily  removed  by  a  dressing  of  calomel — a  never-failing  remedy. 

In  a  case  of  idiopathic  trismus,  arising  from  exposure  to  cold,  which  terminated  favorably,  I 
think  I  was  greatly  aided  by  the  administration  of  the  fumes  of  chloroform.  I  have  used  this 
remedy  in  many  cases,  externally  and  internally,  and  with  favorable  results.  In  the  case  of  a 
German  laborer,  of  Fredericksburg,  of  intemperate  habits,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  knee 
by  a  rifle-ball,  breaking  to  pieces  the  patella,  shattering  the  condyles,  and  fracturing  the  femur 
above  the  middle,  I  took  off  the  limb  at  the  upper  third  of  the  thigh  about  36  hours  after  tlie 
accident,  under  the  influence  of  chloroform,  and  never  had  an  amputation  to  do  better.  This 
was  done  in  December  last,  and  the  patient  has  long  ago  recovered.  He  had  lost  much  blood, 
was  exceedingly  irritable,  and,  but  for  the  aid  of  chloroform  or  a  narcotic,  I  should  have  had 
trouble  in  controlling  him. 

Indian  tribes. — The  Indians  which  occupy  this  section  of  country  belong  to  the  class  called 
prairie  or  wild  Indians,  which,  including  the  northern  tribes,  number  about  20,000,  and  are 
known  by  different  names. 

Tlie  Comanches  proper  are  supposed  not  to  exceed  9,000 ;  of  this  number,  about  500  have 
been  present  at  councils,  and  visit  the  military  posts.  During  the  last  six  months,  they  have 
been  almost  constantly  with  us,  a  band  remaining  two  or  three  days,  and  then  giving  place  to 
another.  I  recognize  among  them  the  same  familiar  faces  I  have  known  three  years.  Their 
numbers  do  not  increase,  but  perceptibly  diminish.  Two  hundred  warriors  is  the  greatest 
number  I  have  seen  together,  and  but  once. 

Origin*  and  history. — They  have  a  tradition,  that  they  emigrated  about  the  middle  of  the 
fourteenth  century  from  South  America,  and  were  called  Pa-to-kahs ;  crossing  the  isthmus, 
they  saw  the  "big  water"  on  both  sides;  and  pursuing  slowly  their  progress  nortliward,  they 
met  with  many  hostile  tribes;  among  the  number,  they  recognize  the  Lipans,  who  prevented 
them  from  making  any  permanent  settlement  till  they  arrived  on  the  Rio  Grande,  where  they 
remained  in  one  place  severiil  years — they  don"t  know  how  many;  it  may  be  fifteen,  or  fifty; 
the  former  of  which  is  most  probable.  They  settled  again,  and  remained  about  the  same  time 
at  Presidio  del  Norte ;  after  which,  they  proceeded  northward  to  the  San  Saba,  and  the  head- 
waters of  the  Colorado  and  Brazos.  Here  they  found  an  excellent  country — wood,  good  water, 
and  luxuriant  grass ;  game  abundant,  and  the  hunting-grounds  unoccupied.  They  say  the 
Great  Spirit  brought  them  here  from  the  persecution  of  their  enemies,  and  gave  them  this  coun- 
try for  their  possession  and  that  of  their  children  forever.  They  brought  with  them  horses  and 
mules.  Had  never  seen  whites,  and  were  armed  with  knives  made  of  buffalo  ribs,  clubs,  bows, 
and  arrows  headed  with  flint  and  obsidian.  They  boast  of  being  the  peculiarly  favored  people 
born  of  the  earth,  assuming  rank  and  precedence  over  all  other  tribes,  whom  they  call  strangers, 
and  say  to  them  "What  riglit  have  you  to  talk?"  "Did  you  come  out  of  the  ground?" 
They  were  prosperous  and  happy,  were  increasing  in  numbers  and  strength,  and  had  enjoyed 
many  years  of  ])cace  ;  when  the  Spaniards,  tlie  first  white  people  they  had  seen,  came  among 
them  and  built  torts  and  churches.     They  received  them  as  friends,  and  made  a  treaty,  which 

"  There  are  strong  evidences  of  their  originating  from  tlie  southern  tribes  of  Africa. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS.  383 

the  whites  soon  broke,  bv  enslaving  some  of  their  tribe,  whose  descendants,  they  affirm,  are  still 
held  by  the  Mexicans  as  jieons.  War  was  declared  in  their  councils,  which  resulted  in  the 
massacre  of  the  garrison  on  the  San  Saba,  but  three  or  four  escaping,  and  the  breaking  up  of 
the  settlements  north  of  San  Antonio.  Since  which  time,  till  1845,  the  Comanches  held  a  very 
peaceable  possession  of  their  country,  save  some  little  annoyance  from  Texans. 

To  retaliate  on  the  Indians  for  this  act  of  savage  inhumanity,  the  Spaniards  invited  all  their 
chief  men  to  Monclovia,  to  a  great  council  of  peace  and  amity.  They  caused  them  to  be  seated 
in  a  circle  on  the  ground,  which  had  been  previously  mined  with  gunpowder,  which  was  then 
fired,  killing  many;  the  remainder  were  shot  or  otherwise  put  to  death.  Since  then,  war  on 
the  Spaniards  and  Mexicans  has  been  interminable;  they  consider  them  their  natural  foes.  The 
mounds  or  earth-works  found  about  the  country  were  built  a  long  time  ago  by  the  Comanches 
as  places  of  defence. 

Traditions. — They  have  a  tradition  of  a  monster  serpent — the  cause  of  earthquakes  and  vol- 
canoes— that  devoured  herds  of  bufi"alo  and  deer,  and  drank  up  rivers :  and  also  of  a  raven,  that 
talked  to  one  of  their  tribe;  since  when,  they  have  been  unfortunate.  Thunder,  they  believe 
to  be  the  voice  of  a  big  eagle;  and  lightning,  his  breath,  that  changes  the  wind  and  makes  it 
rain,  the  source  of^the  tempest  and  tornado.*  Like  other  races  and  tribes  of  men,  they  have 
traditions  of  jiestilence  and  flood,  of  fire-balls  and  dark  days.  The  earth,  they  believe  to  be  a 
great  flat  island,  which  they  call  so-co-vie-ha-te,  surrounded  by  the  "big  waters,"  which,  when 
they  terminate,  change  into  clouds  and  mists  that  are  constantly  rising  up  to  the  sky,  thereby 
preventing  the  sea  from  filling  the  rivers  and  rising  upon  the  land. 

When  the  earth  becomes  filled  with  one  tribe  speaking  the  same  language,  when  wars  are 
at  an  end,  and  there  are  not  hunting-grounds  for  all,  they  believe  the  Great  Spirit  will  destroy 
it  by  fire. 

The  moon,  they  believe  to  be  a  man  who  is  periodically  fat  and  lean ;  and  the  stars,  some 
think,  are  good  Indians  who  long  ago  died. 

Beligion. — They  believe  in  a  kind  of  trinity,  composed  of  the  earth,  sun,  and  the  Great  Spirit ; 
and  include  them  all  in  their  simple  mode  of  worship.  The  earth  is  their  steward,  or  imme- 
diate dispenser  of  all  good  and  evil,  (save  the  spiritual  interposition ;)  gives  them  food,  health 
and  happiness,  famine  and  disease.  The  sun  is  their  mediator,  through  which  they  appeal  to 
the  Great  Spirit,  who  dwells  far  beyond  mortal  vision  or  conception,  and  cannot  be  seen  or  heard. 
The  Divine  interjiosition  may  be  felt  for  good  or  evil ;  directing  the  fatal  shaft  which  kills  their 
enemy;  guiding  the  arrow  or  bullet  harmless  from  their  person;  and,  unknown,  protecting 
them  in  hours  of  danger;  or,  withholding  the  rain,  the  grass  withers;  making  their  medi- 
cine-men and  their  charms  and  amulets  powerless ;  bringing  death  to  a  favorite  chief,  squaw, 
or  horse.  They  believe,  while  they  are  virtuous  and  good,  according  to  their  ideas  of  virtue 
and  goodness,  they  will  be  prosperous  and  happy ;  and  otherwise,  with  other  results. 

Tlieir  ancestors  believed  in  a  future  state  or  condition,  as  do  some  of  their  oldest  men  ;  the 
general  belief,  however,  is,  that  they  die  and  there  is  no  more  of  them.  Their  religious  observ- 
ances are  simple  and  various,  and  connected  with  their  daily  pursuits.  After  a  day's  march, 
they  pour  water  on  their  heads — a  kind  of  libation  or  health  ofi'ering;  and  whenever  they 
smoke — two  or  three  times  a  day,  or  oftener — they  observe  the  following  ceremony:  One  of  a 
group  of  three  or  four  takes  from  his  bag  tobacco  and  pipe ;  the  latter  being  filled  and  lighted, 
he  takes  three  or  four  whifl's,  and,  with  much  gravity,  passes  it  to  his  chief,  who  does  the  same, 
and  passes  it  on  to  his  neighbor;  and  thus  it  circulates  round  till  exhausted — each,  in  his  turn, 
observing  to  pufi"  the  first  smoke  upward,  as  an  oblation  to  the  Great  Spirit,  and  for  the  sky  to 
give  them  rain;  next,  to  the  earth,  to  give  them  health,  and  grass  to  feed  their  horses  and 
fatten  the  game;  and,  finally,  they  blow  it  over  themselves,  to  protect  their  bodies  from  disease 

<*  The  Ki-au-ways  telieve  the  bear  to  he  allied  to  the  human  family,  and  will   not  kill  or  injure  one,  and  they  cannot  he 
induced  to  sit  on  or  touch  a  hear  skin. 


384  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

and  wounds;  this  repeated,  they  continue  smoking,  after  the  manner  of  Mexicans,  retaining  the 
smoke  for  an  instant  in  the  fauces  and  air-passages,  then  letting  it  escape  through  the  nose. 

Death  and  hurial. — Wlien  a  Comanche  dies,  they  burn  his  clothes  and  kill  his  best  horse  and 
dog,  which,  together  with  his  implements  of  war  and  hunting,  they  bury  in  the  ground  with 
him.  At  night  they  run  howling  about  camp,  beating  the  tents  with  a  bush.  As  soon  as  he 
is  buried  (tliey  liave  no  observance  of  position),  they  leave  the  place  and  do  not  encamp  there 
again  for  at  least  six  months.  The  Lipans,  who  plant  corn  and  have  villages,  abandon  them 
when  one  of  their  number  dies,  and  never  occupy  the  place  again.  They  say  the  Great  Spirit 
is  angry  ;  he  has  given  us  plenty  of  land;  if  we  stay  here,  more  will  die;  we  must  go. 

The  wife,  relatives,  and  friends,  mourn  the  departed  by  cropping  their  hair,  and.cutting  the 
manes  and  tails  of  their  horses,  painting  and  otherwise  disfiguring  them ;  wailing  or  crying, 
and  scarifying  their  bodies  for  several  days. 

Marriage. — To  get  a  wife,  an  Indian  has  only  to  make  a  few  presents  to  the  father,  brother, 
or  nearest  relative,  who  makes  the  proposal  to  the  maid,  and,  if  satisfactory,  he  takes  her  to  his 
lodge  or  tent,  and  she  becomes  his  spouse.  Polygamy  being  allowed,  he  can  have  another  if  he 
desires,  or,  in  fact,  as  many  as  he  is  able  to  buy.  They  are  usually  faithful,  though  we  some- 
times see  women  without  noses,  cut  off  for  being  otherwise.  These  Indians  do  not  inhabit  vil- 
lages, plant  corn,  or  herd  cattle,  but  live  a  wandering  life,  almost  daily  in  the  saddle  from  their 
infancy ;  and,  at  the  age  of  three  or  four  years,  will  manage  their  horses  on  a  march  unaided. 
They  seldom  remain  longer  than  two  or  three  days  in  one  place,  on  account  of  grass  or  the 
scarcity  of  game.  In  camp  they  live  in  tents  made  of  dressed  buffalo-skins,  thin  cloth,  or 
bowers  of  bushes.  They  usually  sleep  in  their  blankets  or  buffalo-robes  on  the  ground,  except 
in  wet  weather,  when  they  make  bunks  of  bark  and  bushes.  They  use  but  little  clothing,  and, 
in  fact,  in  summer  some  of  them  go  quite  naked,  while  others  wear  a  blanket  loosely  wrapped 
about  them,  or  tied  with  a  thong  to  their  waists,  which,  when  on  horseback,  falls  over  the  sad- 
dle, and  partially  covers  their  legs.  In  winter  they  wear,  in  addition  to  the  blanket  or  buffalo- 
robe,  buckskin  leggings  and  moccasins,  and  some  a  "hickory"  or  buckskin  shirt.  I  have  seen 
children  in  their  mother's  arms  naked,  save  what  covering  they  got  from  her  blanket,  and  some- 
times entirely  exposed  to  the  air  when  the  thermometer  was  below  30°. 

They  wear  huge  ear-rings,  and  wristlets,  breast  ornaments  of  bones  and  pearl-muscle,  and 
silver  plaies  attached  to  a  braid  of  hair  extending  from  the  top  of  the  head  to  the  heels.  They 
may  be  seen  sometimes  in  very  ridiculous  costumes,  the  cast-off  garments  of  officers,  soldiers, 
and  citizens.  To  her  usual  costume,  I  have  seen  a  woman  add  the  full-dress  cap  and  ornaments 
of  an  infantry  sergeant,  while  her  lord  stood  erect  with  conscious  greatness,  grave  and  digni- 
fied, in  the  undress  coat  and  epaulettes  of  a  dragoon-major,  moccasins  and  spurs  ;  some  in  a 
wool  hat,  shirt,  and  shoes  ;  others  in  a  vest,  leggings,  and  spurs.  They  wear  their  hair  long, 
loose,  and  flowing  over  their  shoulders — except  the  old  women,  and  apparently  with  them  the 
older  the  shorter. 

They  subsist  very  poorly  on  such  game  as  the  prairies  afford,  the  condemned  provisions  of 
military  posts,  roots,  prickly  pear,  and  wild  fruits  in  their  season.  They  frequently  go  three 
or  four  days  without  eating — not  from  choice,  however,  but  from  necessity.  In  the  spring  of 
1850,  a  party  of  about  200  warriors  arrived  at  Fort  Martin  Scott,  on  their  way  to  San  Antonio, 

to  see  General  Brooke.     Col.  S ,  in  command  of  the  post,  had  orders  to  issue  rations  only 

to  chiefs  and  their  families,  which  was  ^\  holly  inadequate  to  their  necessities,  having  fasted  three 
days.  Two  horses,  which  had  died  several  days  before  in  the  stables  of  the  garrison,  were 
found  in  a  ravine,  and,  cutting  off  the  flesh  (in  a  state  of  decomposition)  from  the  bones,  they  pre- 
pared it  for  food  for  supper  and  breakfost,  and  proceeded  on  their  way.  They  eat  a  great  deal 
when  they  have  an  opportunity,  drink  freely  of  water,  and  are  learning  to  drink  whisky  ;  many 
drink  it  now,  who  would  not  three  years  ago.  The  Comanches  are  large  and  well  formed. 
The  following  statistics  of  twenty  men  gives  a  fair  representation  of  the  tribe : 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    TEXAS. 


385 


Key-tum-sah . 

Kai-se- va-do 

Quin-ah-cho-co-pe  . 

No-vat-sac 

Pe-ze-yeo-ko 

Wo-va-na-ti-ka 

No  name . 

No  name 

No  name 


Age. 


Years. 
35 
40 
34 
33 
25 
19 
34 
25 
20 
No  name 30 


Girth. 

Height. 

Weight. 

Inches. 

Ft.  In. 

Pounds. 

36 

5  lOJ 

158 

39J 

5  10| 

202 

35 

5  115 

166 

34 

5     5i 

134 

34i 

6     6i 

125 

34J 

5     6J 

153 

35 

5     9J 

148 

37 

5  10 

163 

37J 

5     7J 

156 

36| 

5   n 

160 

Names. 


San-ah-co  

Ka-kar-ra-way  . . 

Pe-an-et-same 

Se-to-vai-te 

Po-ta 

No  name 

No  name 

No  name 

No  name 

No  name 


Age. 

Girth. 

Height. 

Tears. 

Inches. 

Ft.  In. 

40 

35J 

5     7J 

38 

38} 

5  11 

40 

401 

5     6} 

55 

37J 

5     9 

26 

36J 

5  10 

33 

37 

5  10} 

26 

38J 

5     9i 

20 

36 

5     8} 

23 

37i 

5     6^ 

25 

36} 

5     9} 

Weight. 


Pounds. 
143 
187 
187 
152 
155 
158 
153 
161 
153 
160 


Key-tum-sah  and  San-ah-co  are  chiefs  of  hands  ;  that  of  the  former  numbering  about  300,  the 
latter  150.  Tlie  ages  above  are  the  supposed  ages  of  the  Indians;  they  never  know  positively 
how  old  they  are.  Their  hands  and  arms  are  comparatively  small,  and  they  have  not  great  mus- 
cular strength ;  the  women  are  short,  thick-set,  and  proportionally  stronger  and  more  muscular 
than  the  men.  They  do  all  the  drudgery,  dress  their  food  and  skins,  cook,  pitch  tents,  take 
care  of  the  horses,  etc. 

Diseases  and  their  treatment. — Eheumatism  and  diseases  of  the  lungs  are  the  most  common. 
For  the  former,  thsy  take  a  cold  bath  morning  and  evening ;  and  local  pains  being  severe,  they 
scarify  and  cup.  Of  the  latter  class  of  diseases,  pneumonia  is  the  most  fatal.  Pleurisy  may 
probably  rank  next,  and  many  die  of  phthisis.  For  pneumonia  and  pleurisy  they  cup  and 
scarify  the  chest,  vomit  and  purge.  For  phthisis  they  do  nothing  when  they  consider  the  case 
as  confirmed,  beyond  charms  and  amulets;  and  by  these  means  I  have  never  heard  of  a  well 
authenticated  cure.  Intermittent  and  other  fevers  are  not  uncommon,  though  generally  of  a 
mild  type.  For  these  they  vomit  and  purge,  bathe  in  cold  water,  and  cup  for  local  pain. 
Children  die  of  intermittent,  sometimes  al.so  adults.  ErujJtive  fevers  are  often  fatal.  When 
an  individual  gets  smallpox,  measles,  or  any  contagious  disease,  he  leaves,  or  is  sent  out  of 
camp.  They  have  no  medical  treatment.  Diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  are  rare,  for  which 
they  use  purgatives.  They  contract  syphilis  and  gonorrhoea  in  their  intercourse  with  their 
Mexican  neighbors,  in  the  treatment  of  which  they  are  not  very  successful ;  and  I  have  not  dis- 
covered that  they  have  any  active  anti-syphilitic  or  anti-gonorrhoeal  remedies.  I  have  seen 
them  badly  mutilated  from  the  former,  and  have  treated  them  for  both.  Cholera  visited  them 
in  1849,  and  killed  many.  For  this  they  purge,  and  their  patients  die.  I  have  seen  two  cases 
of  almost  total  blindness  from  gutta  serena,  and  no  other  diseases  of  the  eye.  They  pluck  their 
eyebrows  as  they  do  their  beard.  Notwithstanding  their  violent  exercise  on  horseback,  they 
do  not  seem  to  be  subject  to  hernia  or  piles.  I  have  seldom  seen  wild  Indians  with  sores,  car- 
buncles, and  boils,  and  do  not  think  they  are  common. 

They  pretend  to  have  a  certain  cure  for  rattle-snake  bite ;  but  as  their  patients  sometimes 
die,  I  have  not  taken  the  trouble  to  learn  all  the  mystery.  They  suck  the  wound,  and  apply  to 
it  a  kind  of  poultice,  made  by  chewing  to  a  proper  consistence  a  root  possessing  mucilaginous 
properties,  previously  prepared  by  some  cabalistic  power.  The  patient  is  made  to  drink  water 
in  which  a  fire-coal  lias  been  quenched,  as  an  antidote  to  the  poison  of  the  snake — as  fire  is 
life,  and  the  virus  death. 

Gun-shot  wounds  they  treat  skilfully  and  with  success.     Props-na-qua-iss,  or  Buflalo-hump, 
about  ten  years  ago,  in  a  skirmish  with  a  large  body  of  Texans  and  their  Lipan  allies,  was  shot 
in  three  places — one  with  a  rifle-ball  through  the  shoulder,  which  broke  the  scapula;  his  squaw 
S.  96 49 


386  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Slicked  the  wound  night  and  morning  for  many  days,  and  filled  it  with  pith  of  weeds  chewed  to 
a  soft  pulp.     He  recovered  with  hut  slight  deformity. 

Qua-ha-ra-po-hip,  or  Antulo2)e-trail  or  trailer,  was  one  of  the  great  many  carried  off  hy  the 
very  few  who  escaped  being  massacred  hy  the  Texans  in  one  of  their  great  fights,  in  which  "no 
killed  and  wounded  were  left  on  the  ground."  He  had  his  leg  broken  by  a  rifle-ball;  it  was 
dressed  as  in  the  lormer  case,  and  supported  in  position  by  means  of  pieces  of  bark  bouiid  on 
with  dressed  deer-skin,  which  also  served  for  bandage.  He  recovered  witli  a  straight  leg,  and, 
therefore,  the  surgery  may  be  called  good.  They  never  amputate.  Several  similar  cases  I  have 
known.  They  heal  flesh-wounds  by  granulation.  They  mostly  die  in  iiifaucy,  though  many 
live  to  great  age.     Medicines  affect  them  promptly. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPH  y  AND  DISEASES  OF  FOKT  irKAVETT. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  S.  Wylie  Crawford  :   1853. 

Position. — Fort  McKavett  is  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river  San  Saba,  Texas,  about 
two  miles  from  its  source,  in  latitude  30°  50',  longitude  100°  20';  altitude  above  sea-level  2,060 
feet.  A  small  stream  arises  upon  the  western  side  of  the  hill,  and,  interposing  between  the  post 
and  the  river,  ex])ands  into  a  large  lagoon,  and  finally  discharges  its  waters  by  a  narrow  irregu- 
lar channel  into  the  river  below.  The  fort,  which  is  about  300  yards  from  the  lagoon,  and  500 
from  the  river,  is  elevated  100  feet  or  more  above  its  level,  and  is  situated  nearly  north  and 
south. 

The  river  flows  through  several  lagoons,  or  bodies  of  sluggish  water,  filled  with  aquatic  plants, 
and  lies  in  a  valley  about  a  mile  in  width.  The  position  of  the  lagoons  and  course  of  the  river 
will  be  better  understood  from  the  accompanying  topographical  sketch.* 

The  prevailing  winds  during  the  hot  months  are  from  the  south  and  southwest,  across  a  dry 
and  arid  country.  The  period  of  the  greatest  rains  is  in  the  spring,  during  the  months  of  Feb- 
ruary and  March.     To  this,  however,  there  are  exceptions. 

Geology,  etc. — The  country  around  the  post  is  highly  calcareous,  consisting  of  limestone, 
partly  crystalline  and  partly  magnesian.  The  face  of  the  country  below  becomes,  hy  degrees, 
irregularly  hilly,  until  in  the  vicinity  of  the  head  of  the  river  this  constitutes  its  entire  aspect. 
Stretching  from  north  to  south,  in  general  length,  these  hills  continue  in  broken  and  inter- 
rupted chains,  and  extend  to  the  west  until  they  reach  the  "Llano  Estacado,"  or  high  staked 
plains,  where,  losing  their  irregularity,  they  end  in  a  gradual  slope  which  extends  to  the  Rio 
Puercos  and  Piio  Grande.  Valleys  exist  here  and  there  between  the  hills;  and  broken  ravines, 
extending  for  miles,  attest  the  existence  of  former  water-courses.  Above  the  present  source  of 
the  river,  the  valley  extends  for  twent}'  miles;  and  a  dry  bed  continuous  with  the  river  shows 
evidently  that  the  river  at  one  time  arose  from  the  head  of  the  valley. 

Geologically  speaking,  the  region  consists  of  the  upper  secondary,  or  the  substitute  for  the 
chalk  formation  in  this  country,  and  the  lower  tertiary.  Here  and  there  the  secondary  appears 
in  small  patches,  and  continues  superficial.  No  evidences  of  primary  formation  or  of  volcanic 
rocks  exist.  These  hills  have  been  evidently  upheaved  by  some  cause  too  deep  to  affect  powerfully 
the  surface,  and  has,  no  doubt,  occurred  while  covered  by  water.  The  hills  have  no  regularity, 
are  low,  of  almost  uniform  size,  and  composed  entirely  of  limestone.  Towards  the  southwest, 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Llano  river,  these  hills  become  higher,  and  of  a  rougher  and  more 
broken  character;  the  upheaval  was  more  extensive  at  that  point.  Without  exception,  these 
hills  are  barren  and  stony,  and  covered  towards  the  south  and  southwest  with  thick  growths 
of  cedar. 

Tbe  magnesian  limestone,  or  dolomite,  having  the  crystalline  form  of  calc:  spar,  and  mixed 
with  calcareous  flints,  covers  the  surface  of  the  hills,  and  occasionally  the  granular  limestone  is 
met  with  in  large  masses.     I  have  also  met  with  another  variety,  viz :  a  shell  limestone,  com- 

o  This  sketch  is  necessarily  omitted. — C. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    TEJAS.  387 

posed  entirely  of  marine  shells,  from  one  to  two  inches  in  length.  This,  in  many  instances, 
is  soft  and  friable,  but  again  hard  and  compact,  and  breaking  with  a  shining  coarse  fracture. 
The  action  of  water  containing  C  0^  upon  the  magnesian  limestone,  is  everywhere  evident; 
the  carbonate  of  lime  is  dissolved,  and  the  carbonate  of  magnesia  left,  giving  the  peculiar  honey- 
combed appearance  to  the  rocks. 

There  is  no  sandstone  formation  in  the  vicinity,  nor  any  arenaceous  deposits^  that  have  yet 
been  discovered,  nearer  than  35  or  40  miles,  where  there  is  a  belt  running  from  north  to  south. 
From  the  regular  outline  of  the  hills,  there  are  no  faults  existing  where  an  opportunity  is 
presented  to  examine  the  succession  of  strata.  The  dry  beds  of  former  water-courses,  and  espe- 
cially where  the  stream  has  passed  between  the  hills  and  worn  away  the  sides,  present  the  only 
means  for  an  examination.  From  an  observation  made  upon  a  number  of  these,  the  succession 
seems  to  be  as  follows: 

1.  Superficial  deposits ;  magnesian  limestone;  broken  and  disintegrated  carbonate  of  lime  ; 
flints,  entire  and  broken.  2.  Boulders  of  limestone — principally  the  carbonate.  3.  Clay,  min- 
gled with  limestone  and  flints.  4.  Blue  and  yellow  clays ;  soft  marls.  5.  Marls,  soft  and 
hard ;  marine  shells. 

The  stratum  containing  the  fossils  is  the  lowest  point  I  have  been  able  to  reach.  The  organic 
remains  are  exclusively  marine,  and  are  highly  characteristic  of  the  chalk  formation,  viz: 
oolites,  scaphites,  hamites,  as  well  as  ammonites,  belemnites,  and  nautilites  ;  and  also  organic 
remains  in  the  state  of  flint.  In  some  situations  the  tertiary  strata  appear  to  rest  conformably 
on  this  stratum  containing  the  fossils. 

Water  (for  ages,  probably)  covered  the  surface  of  this  whole  region.  During  that  period,  the 
alluvial  deposits  took  place  that  now  form  the  valleys,  aided  by  the  continued  washings  of  the 
hills.  A  gradual  subsidence  took  place,  and  the  waters  were  drained  ofl"  by  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
Dry  beds  of  former  water-courses  are  everywhere  abundant. 

The  soil  is  highly  calcareous,  and  in  the  valleys  and  on  the  flats  highly  arable,  but  super- 
ficial.    The  hills  are  nowhere  susceptible  of  cultivation. 

There  are  three  distinct  varieties  of  limestone,  and  of  each  of  these  we  shall  briefly  treat. 

They  are:  1st.  The  carbonate  of  lime ;  2d.  The  magnesian  limestone ;  3d.  The  shell  limestone. 

1st.  The  carbonate  of  lime. — This  is  found  superficial,  and  also  constituting  the  great  mass 
of  the  hills.  It  is  everywhere  abundant,  and  is  by  far  the  most  numerous  of  the  varieties  of 
limestone.  It  constitutes  the  majority  of  the  tertiary  formation.  Occasionally  crystals  of  the 
carbonate  appear ;  among  the  fossils  of  the  marl,  these  are  very  abundant. 

2d.  The  magnesian  limestone. — This  is  also  superficial.  It  consists  of  carbonate  of  lime  and 
carbonate  of  magnesia,  intermixed  with  silicious  grains.  It  varies  in  color;  sometimes  it  is 
found  of  a  light-grey  color,  and  again  approaching  to  a  yellow.  It  is  finely  laminated  occa- 
sionally. There  are  some  bluish  and  slaty  beds  containing  fossils,  that  probably  belong  to  this 
limestone. 

3d.  The  shell  limestone  is  peculiar.  Sometimes  it  occurs  in  masses — the  shells  composing  the 
entire  rock;  again,  the  shells  seem  to  have  been  deposited  after  the  formation  of  the  rock,  and 
cover  thickly  its  whole  surface.  Where  exposed  to  the  atmosphere,  these  rocks  are  soft  and 
friable;  others,  again,  solid  and  compact.  It  forms  no  continuous  strata,  but  exists  in  separate 
masses,  and  is  found  principally  along  the  water-courses. 

The  general  surface  of  the  country  is  composed  of  the  above  varieties  of  limestone.  Wliat 
we  infer  to  be  of  secondary  formation,  crops  out  here  and  there.  It  is  sometimes  superficial. 
Along  the  river  is  an  extensive  tract  composed  of  rock  marl,  and  filled  with  marine  fossils,  pos. 
sessing  great  interest.  The  same  formation  exists  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  above  and 
below,  and  again  is  found  cropping  out  of  the  side  of  one  of  the  hills  in  the  banks  of  the  river. 
It  is  all,  doubtless,  the  same  formation,  and  was  deposited  at  the  same  period. 

The  flinty  formation  is  scattered  over  the  whole  face  of  the  country,  and  is  found,  also,  deeply 
imbedded.     The  flints  occur  in  nodular  masses  of  irregular  forms — rarely  in  contact.     At  the 


388  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

head  of  the  Llano  river,  where  tlie  side  of  a  large  hill  had  heen  washed  so  as  to  expose  the 
strata  to  the  depth  of  200  feet  or  more,  I  observed  a  continued  layer  of  flint  underlying  marl 
and  marly  limestone.  In  the  vicinity  of  this  post,  at  the  base  of  a  large  blutf,  1  have  again 
observed  this  flinty  formation  overlying  the  fossiliferous  rocks.  Externally,  the  flints  consist 
of  a  white  cherty  consistency,  and  are  variously  colored.  They  are  often  imbedded  in  a  tliin 
crust  of  limestone.  They  are  solid,  and  without  crystals — sometimes  hollow  in  the  centre,  from 
the  decomi)osition  of  the  organic  nucleus.     They  consist  of  pure  silex,  oxide  of  iron,  and  lime. 

The  physical  aspect  of  the  country  evidently  points  to  the  chalk  formation,  or  its  substitute, 
as  its  basis.  There  are  no  rocky  eminences;  no  broken  or  precipitous  hills;  no  volcanic  or 
igneous  rocks;  everywhere  the  same  gradual  slopes — the  same  regularity  of  outline. 

What  we  have  denominated  the  secondary  formation,  crops  out,  as  we  have  stated,  in  various 
places.  From  the  following  description,  it  will  be  seen  that  this  is  referrible  to  no  period  but 
the  secondary  ;  though  the  marine  fossils,  upon  which  the  inference  is  based,  may  be  identical 
with  those  of  the  lower  marine  formation  of  the  tertiary.  Among  these  fossils,  however,  the 
ammonite  and  belemnite,  with  a  variety  of  scaphite,  are  very  abundant.  The  ammonite  is 
found  from  the  size  of  a  nummiilite  to  nine  and  sometimes  twelve  inches  in  diameter.  This 
chambered  mollusc,  as  well  as  the  belemnite,  is  highly  characteristic  of  secondary  formation. 
Both  of  these  shells,  with  many  other  varieties,  especially  the  "flagiostoma  spinosum,"  the 
"hamites  intermedins,"  the  "belemnites  mucronatus,"  and  some  species  of  scaphite,  constitute 
large  masses  of  rock.  The  cementing  matter  is  a  dark-blue  marl,  occasionally  soft  and  pul- 
verulent, but  when  exposed  becoming  hard  and  brittle.  The  rocks  containing  these  fossils  are 
found  in  some  instances  sujjerficial.  Huge  boulders  lie  scattered  upon  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
composed  entirely  of  aggregations  of  these  fossils.  Covering  the  surface  of  the  rocks  are  deep 
depressions  filled  with  beautiful  crystals  of  the  carbonate  of  lime,  where  the  organism  has 
crystallized  oiit  of  the  rock.  There  are  but  few  flints  connected  with  these.  The  ammonite 
exists  as  the  "ammonites  catenae,"  as  but  few  entire  shells  exist. 

The  list  of  these  shells  appears  to  be  as  follows: 

1.  The  ammonites  obtusus  (most  abundant);  2.  The  ammonites  nodosns;  3.  The  belemnites 
mucronatus;  4.  The  flagiostoma  spinosum;  5.  The  hamites  intermedins ;  6.  The  gryphfea  in- 
curva,  of  the  oolite  system;  7.  Many  sjiecies  of  productte;  8.  Inoceramus  vetustus,  of  the  moun- 
tain limestone;  9.  Spiruloe;  10.  Hamites,  surrilites;  11.  Reteposaj.  There  are,  also,  immense 
numbers  of  other  shells  of  diflerent  species. 

As  has  been  stated,  this  fossiliferous  bed  is  the  lowest  point  we  have  been  able  to  reach. 
Subsequent  investigation  may  bring  to  light  new  and  important  facts  relative  to  the  geology  of 
this  region.  From  the  premises  we  have  laid  down,  however,  we  believe  this  region  to  be  the 
upper  secondary,  with  the  substitute  for  the  chalk,  as  proved  by  the  organic  remains  it  contains, 
and  upon  which  the  limited  tertiary  deposits  were  laid  down.  Among  all  the  fossils  that 
abound  in  this  formation,  I  have  as  yet  discovered  no  evidence  of  vegetable  life;  though  I  have 
no  doubt  that  further  investigation  will  be  rewarded  by  such  discovery.  My  own  researches 
have  not  been  sufficiently  extensive  to  draw  any  positive  conclusions. 

There  are  no  evidences  of  the  existence  of  any  of  the  precious  minerals  in  this  region ;  and, 
from  the  description  given  of  it,  this  may  readily  be  inferred.  I  would  state,  however,  that  in 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Croghan,  near  the  Colorado,  there  are  indisputable  evidences  of  the  exist- 
ence of  gold — in  fact,  I  obtained  some  specimens  proving  this — as  well  as  indisputable  proofs  of 
the  fact  that  coal',  probably  in  large  quantities,  is  also  to  be  found  at  that  place. 

Soil. — The  soil  of  this  region  is  highly  calcareous,  composed  of  lime  with  an  admixture  of 
decomposed  vegetable  and  animal  matter.  It  is  in  the  valleys  and  along  the  water-courses  only 
that  the  soil  in  this  region  is  susceptible  of  cultivation ;  there,  however,  it  is  rich,  and  produces 
abundantly.  No  country  in  the  world,  probably,  is  superior  to  many  parts  of  Texas  in  advan- 
tages afforded  for  raising  stock.  The  grazing  is  everywhere  abundant.  Large  plains  covered 
with  rich  grasses  stretch  across  the  country  in  every  direction,  in  the  southern  part;  toward 


AMONG  THE  TROOPS  IN   TEXAS.  389 

the  north  these  plains  become  smaller,  and  tlie  face  of  the  country  more  undulating ;  the  hills 
dry,  stony,  and  arid ;  and  it  is  only  in  small  patches  that  the  ground  can  he  cultivated.  The 
great  scarcity  of  water  renders  large  tracts,  that  would  otherwise  he  valuable,  utterly  uninhab- 
itable ;  and  this  fact,  joined  to  tliat  of  the  want  of  timbered  tracts,  must  prevent  the  country  from 
ever  being  thickly  settled.  The  soil  of  the  bottoms,  however,  yields  abundantly  to  cultivation. 
Near  the  head  of  the  river  is  a  small  tract  that  was  cultivated  for  the  first  time  by  the  whites 
in  1852.  The  yield  was  abundant,  especially  in  leguminous  plants,  the  cucurbitaceaj,  the  cru- 
ciform, and  labiate  families. 

Flora. — Tlie  flora  of  this  region  is  that  whicli  characterizes  the  south  generally  below  30°, 
modified  by  elevation  and  the  character  of  the  soil.  There  are  but  few  luxuriant  vegetable 
growths.  The  hills  are  scattered  over  with  the  stunted  live  oak  (quercus  virens)  and  water  oak 
(quercus  aquatica).  To  the  south,  about  midway  between  the  headwaters  of  the  San  Saba  and 
Llano,  thick  growths  of  cedar  cover  the  hills  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  trees.  There  is  no 
cedar  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this  post.  Immense  numbers  of  wild  flowers  cover  the  hills 
and  prairies  in  every  direction,  among  which  are  very  many  entirely  unknown  to  science.  I 
am  now  engaged  in  forming  an  herbarium,  which  will  embrace  the  majority  of  these.  As  far 
as  possible,  I  have  ascertained  the  trees  and  plants  peculiar  to  this  region.  There  are  a  vast 
many  others,  however,  that  grow  abundantly  on  the  waters  of  the  Colorado  and  Guadalupe, 
whicli  do  not  appear  upon  the  San  Saba.  Others,  again,  occur  from  the  mouth  of  the  San  Saba 
to  a  considerable  distance  up  the  river,  being  found  on  its  banks  alone,  but  do  not  appear  at  its 
head-waters.  The  trees  and  plants  in  the  subjoined  list  all  occur  in  this  vicinity,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, which  are  specified.  They  have  been  arranged  according  to  the  "natural  system"  of 
classification. 

There  are  some  of  the  trees  as  well  as  plants,  for  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  the 
botanical  title,  and  among  these  there  is  one  deserving  especial  notice.  It  is  called  by  the 
Mexican  inhabitants  the  "mesquite  tree."  It  is  peculiar  to  this  latitude,  and  grows  abundantly 
in  every  part  of  Texas.  It  varies  in  height;  in  this  vicinity  it  is,  on  an  average,  from  14  to  16 
feet  in  height,  and  thinly  scattered.  It  is  always  found  upon  flats  and  in  bottoms,  and  is  in- 
variably characteristic  of  rich  laud.  The  mesquite  grass,  described  below,  grows  uiion  tlie  same 
soils.  Cattle  are  exceedingly  fond  of  it,  and  soon  grow  fat  if  sufi'ered  to  graze  steadily  upon  it. 
The  fruit  is  a  slender  pod,  ripe  about  July,  containing  several  seeds,  and  filled  with  a  sweet 
mucilaginous  pulp.  Horses  can  subsist  on  this  pod.  The  leaves  of  the  tree  are  bitter,  slightly 
astringent,  and  tonic.  Though  this  tree  may  be  considered  diminutive  in  size,  the  roots  extend 
deeper  into  the  earth  than  any  other  plant.  Instances  are  known  where  the  root  has  reached 
to  the  depth  of  30  or  40  feet.  This  tree  lives  to  a  great  age.  It  is  not  adapted  to  building 
purposes,  but  aifords  the  very  best  fire-wood.     It  admits  of  a  beautiful  polish. 

The  following  list  has  been  drawn  up  under  the  two  heads  of— I.  Exogenous  or  Dicotyledo- 
nous plants;  II.  Endogenous  or  Monocotylcdonous  ^ilants. 

The  1st  is  divided  into  three  orders:  1.  the  Apetalous  orders ;  2.  the  Monopetalous  orders; 
3.  the  Polypetalous  orders.     The  2d  is  followed  by  the  Cryptogamous  or  flowerless  plants. 

I. — Exogenous,  or  Dicotyledonous  Plants. 

(a)  Apetalous  Ordebs. 

Order  Cupuliferm  {oak  family).— I.  Live  oak  (que^-cm  virens);  2.  Post  oak  (Q.  ohtmiloha); 
3.  Water  oak  {Q.  aquatica);  4.  Black-jack  {Q.  nigra);  5.  Black  oak  {Q.  tinctoria);  6.  Pin  oak 
{Q.  palusiris);  7.  Scrub  oak  (Q.  bannisteri);  8.  Red  oak  (Q.  rubra);  9.  Overcup  oak  (Q.  mao-u- 
carjm);  10.  Spanish  oak;  11.  An  oak  peculiar  to  tlie  Cross  Timbers,  and  called  tlie  Texas  white  oak. 

Order  Jiujlandacea:,  (ivalnut  famili/.)—!.  Black  walnut  (Juqlans  «i>m),  bottoms;  2.  Butter- 
nut (J.  cinerea),  on  the  Guadalupe;  3.  Pecan-nut  {carya  olivceformis). 

Order  Conifera'  (2nne  family).— 8nh-ovdei  Cupressinece  (cypress family).— 1.  Cypress  (ciipressus 
disticha);  2.  White  cedar  (Juniperus). 


890  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

Order  Platanacece  {plane-tree  family). — 1.  Buttonwood,  false  sycamore  (plantanus  occiden- 
talis);  some  of  the  sub-order  Blorece. 

Order  Ulmacea:  (elm  family). — 1.  Wliite  elm  (ulmus  Americana);  2.  Slippery-elm,  (U.  fulva) 
oa  Guadalupe;  3.  U.  alata.     Huh-order (a)  Celtidece. — 1.  Hackherry  (celtis  crassifolia). 

Order  Salieacece  {willow  family). — 1.  Several  varieties. 

Order  Phytolaccacea'  (jwke-iceed  family). — 1.  Common  poke  {pTiytolacca  decandra). 

Order  Lauracew  (laurel  family). — 1.  Spice-bush  (laurus  benzoin). 

(6)  MoNOPEiALOCs  Orders. 

Order  Oleacece  (olive family), — 1.  Black  ash  (fraximis  samhucifolia);  2.  Swamp-ash  (F.  juglan- 
difolia). 

Order  Asdepiadacece  (milk-tueed  family). — 1.  Common  milk-weed  (ascZepi'as  corau^!");  2.  Some 
of  the  order  Apocynacece  (dog-bane  family). 

Order  Valerianaceie  (valerian  family). — 1.  Wild  lamb-lettuce  (fedia  radiata). 

Order  Composite  (sunfoiver  family). — Sub-order  Tubulijlorce. — 1.  Sunflower  (helianthus  an- 
nuus).     Sub-order  Ligulcefora. — 1.   Dandelion  (leontodon  taraxacum). 

Order  Labiatce  (mint  family). — 1.  Wild  sage  (salvia  lyrata);  and  many  other  species. 

(c)  POLTPETALOUS  ORDERS. 

Order  Zanfhoxylacece  (pricldy-asli  family). — 1.  Prickly-ash  (zantlioxylum  fraxineum). 

Order  Rosacea!  (rose  family) . — Sub-order  Amygdalece  (plum  family). — 1.  Wild  cherry  (pru- 
nus  Virginiana),  Colorado. 

Order  Vitacece  (vine  family) . — 1.  Summer  grape  (vitis  (estivalis);  other  species  of  vilis. 

Order  Ranuncidaceoe  (crowfoot  family). — 1.   Celery  crowfoot  (ranunculus  sceleratus). 

Order  Umhellifcrcc  (parsley  family). — 1.   Parsley  (apium  petroselinum) . 

Order  Anacardiaceai  (cashew  family). — 1.  Poison  ivy  (rkus  toxicodendron);  2.  sumach  (i?. 
glabi-a). 

Order  Sapindacea;  (soapberry  family). — Sub-order  Hippocastancece. — 1.  Buckeye,  flowers  in 
April  (a'scidus  glabra). 

Order  Leguminosce  (pulse  family). — 1.  Eed-bud  (cercis  Canadensis). 

Order  Cucurbitacece  (gourd  family). — 1.  Gourd  (cucurbita  lagenaria). 

Order  Cacteai  (cactus family) . — 1.  Prickly  pear  (cactus  opuntia);  many  other  varieties;  cotton 
thistle  (onopordon  acanthium). 

II. — EndogenouSj  or  Monocotyledonous. 

Order  Naiadaceoi  (pond-weed  family). — Many  varieties  of  this  order. 

Order  Smilacece  (smilax  family). — 1.  Sarsaparilla  (smilax  sarsaparilla). 

Order  Cyperacece  (sedge  family). — Many  varieties  of  this  order. 

Order  Graminece  (grass  family). — 1.  Mesquite  grass;  (a)curly  mesquite;  (b)wire  mesquite 
(blue  when  in  bloom);  (c)rye  mesquite  (red  when  in  bloom).  Also  another  grass,  called  the 
gamma  grass.  This  grass  is  the  best  in  all  seasons.  Cattle  are  very  fond  of  it,  and  some  fatten 
on  its  use.  2.  Blue-eyed  grass  (sisyrinchium anceps);  3.  Broom  sage-grass  (grows  high;  covers 
the  hills  in  summer;  blooms  in  July)  4.  Tula  grass  (peculiar;  culm  thick  and  hard;  panicled; 
grows  in  rich  bottoms,  and  near  water-courses). 

The  above  list  includes  most  of  the  trees  and  plants  growing  in  this  vicinity.  There  are, 
however,  a  great  variety  I  have  not  been  able  to  trace  to  any  particular  order^  and  which  are, 
I  have  no  doubt,  new  to  science.     A  great  many  of  these  are  peculiar  to  this  region. 

Animals,  etc. — This  region  docs  not  abound  in  animals.  The  sterility  of  the  surrounding 
country  will  account  for  this,  in  a  measure.  There  are  no  herds  of  wild  cattle,  nor  any  game  in 
large  quantities,  with  the  exception  of  the  wild  turkey.     They  consist  of — 1.  The  deer,  viz  : 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    TEXAS.  391 

the  common  deer,  the  hlack-tailed  deer  (to  the  north).  2.  The  black  bear.  3.  The  buffalo. 
4.  The  antelope.  5.  The  wolf,  viz:  the  black  wolf,  the  grey  wolf,  the  boyote  wolf,  the  lobos 
wolf,  (to  the  south).  6.  The  peccary,  or  wild  hog.  7.  The  wild  cat,  viz:  large  yellow  wild 
cat,  small  wild  cat.  8.  The  fox — red  and  grey.  9.  The  mule  deer.  10.  Prairie  dog.  11. 
Civet  cat,  so  called — most  probably  the  genet.  I  have  dissected  one  of  the  animals,  and  find 
what  is  called  the  civet  to  be  contained  in  two  small  circular  bags  lying  upon  each  side  of  the 
genitals.  12.  The  raccoon.  13.  The  beaver.  14.  The  mole.  15.  The  gopher.  16.  Field- 
mice — large  and  small.      17.   Red  and  grey  squirrels.      18.   Panther,  or  Mexican  lion. 

Reptiles. — 1.  Lizards,  viz  :  sand  lizard,  small  wood  lizard,  large  grey  lizard,  chamelion,  and 
salamander.  2.  Snakes,  viz:  rattle-snake,  black  snake,  moccasin,  water-snake,  spotted  snake, 
garden  and  chicken  snake;  and  also  a  variety  of  other  species.  3.  Toads  and  frogs  (common), 
horned  toad. 

Birds. — 1.  The  rapacious  kind,  viz  :  the  buzzard,  the  common  owl,  several  varieties  of  the 
hawk,  the  ivy  or  screech-owl,  an  owl  that  inhabits  the  holes  of  the  prairie-dog.  2.  The  galli- 
naceous or  poultry  kind,  viz:  the  wild  turkey,  the  quail  (common  quail,  Mexican  quail,  mount- 
ain quail).  3.  The  pie  kind,  viz:  the  raven,  the  carrion  crow.  4.  The  blackbird.  5.  The 
field  and  meadow-lark.  6.  The  robin.  7.  The  snipe  (several  varieties).  8.  The  plover,  (up- 
land). 9.  The  dove.  10.  The  mocking-bird.  11.  The  red  bird.  12.  The  humming-bird. 
13.  The  prairie  bird,  or  bird  of  Paradise.  14.  The  cow  bunting  (several  varieties).  Water- 
fowl, viz  :  1.  The  common  crane.  2.  The  heron.  3.  The  goose.  4.  The  swan.  5.  The 
diver.     6.  The  duck  (several  varieties.) 

Climate,  etc. — The  climate  is  mild,  but  subject  to  great  extremes  of  temperature  in  the  twen- 
ty-four hours,  during  the  winter  months,  when  differences  of  30°  and  35°  occur  frequently. 
Such  changes  are  always  felt  acutely  by  convalescents.  The  period  of  the  greatest  rains  is 
during  the  spring  months.  Through  the  summer,  from  the  1st  of  April  until  October,  the 
heats  are  severe  and  continued,  relaxing  the  system  to  a  great  degree,  stimulating  the  organic 
functions,  but  depressing  and  sedative  to  the  nervous  system  generally.  From  the  stimulant 
influence  upon  the  liver,  and  the  increased  call  upon  its  function,  bilious  diseases  are  by  far  the 
most  prevalent,  and  nearly  all  affections  of  an  inflammatory  character. 

Miasmatic  diseases  have  been  very  prevalent  during  the  summer  and  fall  months.  The  recent 
occupation  of  a  new  country,  the  exposure  at  night  in  tents,  the  exposure  to  the  night  air,  and 
the  existence  of  large  bodies  of  standing  water  in  the  vicinity,  have,  no  doubt,  contributed  to  the 
existence  of  these  affections.  The  command  are  now  well  quartered,  and  the  observations  of 
another  year  may  show  a  great  difference  in  the  number  reported.  Tliese  fevers  were  of  an  ex- 
ceedingly aggravated  tj'pe.  The  impression  upon  the  brain  and  nervous  system  was  universally 
severe;  the  stomach  and  alimentary  canal  highly  irritable;  bilious  vomiting  and  purging  a 
constant  attendant.  There  was  in  almost  all  the  cases  vigorous  reaction.  Convalescence  was 
slow  and  protracted.  The  ordinary  treatment  of  intermittents  was  adopted ;  arsenic  especially, 
joined  with  quin:  sulph:  proved  highly  efficacious. 

During  the  winter  months  pulmonary  diseases  have  been  most  frequent.  The  system  becomes 
so  much  relaxed  through  the  summer,  that  a  predisposition  to  colds  and  pulmonary  affections 
is  always  excited  upon  the  appearance  of  cold  weather.  As  before  observed,  the  changes  of 
temperature  are  often  extreme,  and  the  men,  when  exposed,  suffered  more  from  cold  than  those 
living  in  a  more  northern  latitude.  During  the  whole  summer  the  men  were  engaged  in  build- 
ing the  post;  they  were  exposed  all  day  to  the  heat  of  the  sun;  at  night  they  slept  in  tents — 
many  of  them  upon  the  ground ;  and  many  of  them  used  alcoholic  liquors  in  excess.  Under 
these  circumstances,  it  might  naturally  be  expected  that  diseases  would  be  i^revalent,  and  fevers 
especially  so  ;  and  such  has  been  found  to  be  the  case.  I  am  inclined  to  regard  these  causes  as 
exciting  to  i'ebrile  diseases  to  a  much  greater  degree  than  the  presence  of  any  bodies  of  water  in 
the  vicinity. 

The  cases  of  scurvy,  reported  in  the  second  quarter,  were  (many  of  them)  convalescents  from 


392  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

the  epidemic  that  occurred  at  Fort  Crogban,  and  who  were  sent  to  this  post  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticahle. 

Tlie  scurvy,  however,  appeared  at  this  place  also,  in  March  and  April;  but,  as  I  discovered 
the  fedia  raiUnta,  or  wild  lamh  lettuce,  and  the  j)]iijtolacca  decandra,  or  poke-weed,  growing 
abundantly  in  the  vicinity,  the  patients  were  put  upon  the  use  of  these  vegetables  ;  the  disease 
was  checked,  and  soon  eradicated.    There  have  been  no  cases  of  scurvy  reported  since. 

The  cases  of  dysentery  reported,  were  (most  of  them)  produced  by  exposure  to  cold  and  damp- 
ness, and  the  use  of  alcoholic  drinks.  Among  the  number  treated,  two  only  proved  fatal. 
These  will  be  noticed  subsequently.  From  the  regularity  enforced  upon  the  soldier — his  hours, 
his  diet,  his  employment,  as  well  as  tlie  attention  given  to  the  laws  of  hygeine — it  is  but  rea- 
sonable to  expect  sound  and  continued  health ;  but,  in  our  country,  the  rules  of  the  service  im- 
pose upon  him  other  and  more  laborious  duties  than  those  belonging  to  the  mere  soldier.  The 
consequence  of  this  is,  that  he  loses  any  interest  he  may  have  had  in  his  profession,  which 
finally  becomes  distasteful  to  him,  and  he  falls,  in  many  instances,  the  easy  victim  of  the 
liquor-sellers  that  crowd  around  the  frontier  posts  in  this  country.  It  is  this  that  so  often  crowds 
tlie  hospitals  and  fills  the  sick-list.     I  regard  liquor  as  the  chief  source  of  the  diseases  reported. 

The  military  barracks  consist  of  five  large  stone  buildings,  eighty  by  twenty  feet ;  walls  ten 
feet  high.  The  hospital  was  completed  in  July.  The  command  were  in  quarters  by  the  end 
of  December. 

Indian  tribes. — There  are  no  Indian  tribes  located  permanently  in  this  vicinity.  During  the 
summer  months,  however,  a  small  band  of  Comanches  remained  near  us,  and,  from  my  ob- 
servations of  their  diseases,  I  believe  the  following  to  constitute  the  principal  number  of  affec- 
tions among  them  :  llheumatism  (acute  and  chronic),  intermittent  fever  (rare),  syphilis  (secon- 
dary principally),  pneumonia  and  pulmonary  afi'ections.  The  great  majority  die  from  pneumo- 
nia and  affections  of  the  chest.  The  lungs  are,  no  doubt,  weakened  by  the  universal  habit  of 
drawing  tobacco-smoke  into  them  ;  it  renders  the  lungs  weak  and  susceptible  to  disease.  Their 
low  houses  are  heated  to  excess,  and  they  lie  upon  the  ground ;  and  this,  often  when  the  body 
is  relaxed  and  profusely  perspiring.  They  are  indolent,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  they  are 
physically  weak.  I  believe  the  majority  of  the  men  die  before  forty.  The  women  live  longer. 
Their  food  is  often  insufficient.  They  sometimes  live  for  days  upon  the  fruit  of  the  carya 
olivcefonnis ,  and  frequently  come  into  the  post  in  an  almost  starving  condition. 

Dk^ths. — There  have  been  five  deaths  during  the  year  ending  March  31,  1853.  Of  these,  one 
occurred  soon  after  the  patient  arrived  at  the  post.  He  had  been  ill  with  scurvy,  and,  not  being 
sufficiently  recovered,  died  from  the  effects  of  the  journey.  One,  that  occurred  during  the  last 
quarter  of  1852,  was  from  suicide.  The  two  that  occurred  during  the  third  quarter  of  1852 
were  the  result  of  dysentery.  In  one,  the  typhoid  elements  were  chiefly  conspicuous^  and  there 
was  but  little  or  no  reaction  of  the  system  from  the  commencement  of  the  attack.  In  the  other, 
the  disease  had  been  checked,  but  was  immediately  succeeded  by  an  alarming  anasarca,  which 
only  disappeared  upon  the  renewal  of  the  disease  under  an  aggravation  of  all  the  symptoms, 
and  under  which  the  patient  at  once  sank. 

The  remaining  case  was  that  of  rapid  phthisis  pulmonalis,  which  arose  from  a  neglected 
bronchitis ;  the  patient  being  then  on  detached  duty,  and  removed  from  medical  aid. 

Births. — There  have  been  five  births  at  the  post  during  the  year.  Every  labor  has  been 
difficult  and  protracted.  Many  were  first  children.  With  the  exception  of  two  cases,  the  head 
presented;  but  the  position  was  invariably  bad.  Add  to  this,  that  the  waters  were  discharged, 
and  the  uterus  always  strongly  contracting. 

In  one  case  of  footling  presentation,  I  had  difficulty  in  saving  the  mother;  but  I  at  length 
succeeded  in  making  version  by  the  head,  and  the  child  was  born.     It  weighed  ten  pounds. 

I  would  draw  attention  to  the  fact,  that,  in  every  case  of  labor  here,  the  placenta  has  been  re- 
tained eight,  and  sometimes  twenty-four  hours  ;  and  I  find,  upon  inquiry,  that  this  is  frequently 
the  case  in  this  country.     The  uterus  relaxes  after  labor,  and,  unless  carefully  watched,  danger- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS.  393 

Oils  hemorrhage  may  occur.  By  careful  handaging,  and  exciting  the  uterus  hy  frictions,  cold 
water,  and  the  internal  use  of  ergot  in  small  doses,  frequently  rei)eated,  I  have  generally  suc- 
ceeded in  preventing  inordinate  hemorrhage,  and  in  delivering  the  placenta  in  the  course  of 
eight  or  fourteen  hours. 

•     MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  l-ERRETT. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  W.  Anderson  :  1852. 

'  This  new  post,  on  the  North  fork  of  the  Llano  river,  is  situated  only  a  few  hundred  yards 
below  the  first  jjermanent  water  of  this  stream,  which  is  a  large  pond  or  2)ool  having  an  eleva- 
tion of  thirteen  hundred  and  twenty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  is  in  north  latitude  30° 
28',  and  west  longitude  100°  21'.  These  items  have  been  furnished  me  by  Lieutenant  Colonel 
J.  E.  Johnston,  corps  of  topographical  engineers,  who  some  time  ago  made  a  tour  through,  and 
examined  different  points  of,  this  region  of  country. 

There  are  several  pools  of  water  about  a  mile  above  the  camp ;  but  these,  I  have  been  informed 
by  persons  who  appeared  to  be  familiar  with  the  country,  become  perfectly  dry  during  seasons 
of  long-continued  drought.  The  first  permanent  pool  lies  on  the  east  side  of  a  high  hill,  which 
is,  on  this  side,  exceedingly  steep  and  craggy,  in  several  places  having  a  perpendicular  ascent 
of  tliirty  or  forty  feet,  and  in  such  places  presents  a  naked  surface  of  limestone  rock.  The  height 
of  the  hill  is  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  it  rises  by  a  succession  of  precipices  with 
intermediate  spaces  of  rapid  slope,  which  give  it,  at  a  little  distance,  the  appearance  of  having 
been  artificially  shaped  into  terraces.  There  is  sufficient  soil  on  the  slopes,  and  here  and  there 
among  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  for  a  scrubby  growth  of  cedar,  cactus,  weeds,  and  some  of  the 
flowering  plants  of  the  country.  The  several  strata  of  limestone  lie  very  nearly  horizontally, 
and  differ  considerably  in  hardness;  the  hardest,  principally,  I  think,  contains  a  good  deal  of 
silica  embedded  in  it  in  small  lumps.  The  pond  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  is  about  three  hundred 
yards  long  by  sixty  or  eighty  broad,  and  has  no  visible  source  or  outlet,  except  after  some  days 
of  rain,  at  which  times  springs  gush  out  from  the  holes  and  crevices  of  the  flat  stratum  of  lime- 
stone rock  forming  the  bottom  of  the  pond  at  its  head.  The  water  has  always  a  turbid  appear- 
ance. About  a  hundred  yards  below  the  lower  end  of  this  pond  the  water  again  appears  in  a 
small  pool,  from  which  it  flows  in  a  considerable  clear  stream,  and  docs  not  sink  any  more 
under  ground,  though  it  continues  to  form  popls  at  short  intervals,  of  various  dimensions,  and 
from  three  to  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  depth.  The  course  of  the  river  for  several  miles  is  north- 
easterly. 

The  i)Ost  is  being  built  upon  a  plain,  some  two  hundred  yards  from  the  river,  and  on  the  east 
or  southeast  side.  This  plain  extends  in  an  almost  uninterrupted  level,  perhaps  a  mile,  down 
the  river,  and  is  from  a  hundred  yards  to  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  widtl\,  and  bordered  on  one 
side  by  steep  rocky  hills.  On  the  opposite  side,  about  ten  feet  below  this  plain,  and  between 
it  and  tlie  river,  is  another  rough  uneven  flat,  covered  with  smooth  rounded  stones — some  flint, 
but  most  of  them  limestone.  This  flat  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  wide  at  the  post, 
and  extends  at  least  three-quarters  of  a  mile  down  the  river,  but  it  becomes  much  narrower 
below,  and  the  descent  to  it  from  the  plain  is  not  nearly  so  abrupt  as  it  is  at  the  upper  part. 
During  seasons  of  heavy  and  continued  rain  the  flat  is  overflowed,  as  I  have  been  told  by  a 
citizen  of  Fredericksburg,  who  said  he  liad  seen  it  under  water;  and  there  are  evident  traces  of 
its  occasional  submersion,  such  as  drift-wood  and  brush  lodged  among  the  green  branches  of 
trees  growing  on  it ;  and  the  smooth  rounded  character  of  the  stones  arises,  undoubtedly,  from 
the  action  of  water  upon  them.  The  plain  upon  which  the  post  is  located  is  covered  with  cedar 
thickets  and  clumps  of  live  oak,  with  more  open  sj^aces  here  and  there,  having  upon  them  a 
scattered  growth  of  small  mesquite.  A  montli  ago  these  open  patches  were  literally  covered 
with  innumerable  flowers  of  various  kinds  and  colors,  some  of  them  very  pretty.     A  bed  of 

S.  9ti 50 


894  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

yellow  clay  has  been  found,  a  few  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  plain,  mixed  with  a  good  deal  of 
limestone  and  flint-gravel. 

The  water  of  the  river  is  clear  and  cool,  hnt  holds  in  solution  quite  an  appreciable  amount  of 
the  carbonate  of  lime — jjcrhaps  as  much  as  water,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  is  capable  of 
dissolving.  Upon  the  surface  of  the  pools,  where  there  is  little  or  no  current,  a  thick  scum  of 
grcenisli  moss  ibrms  several  inches  in  thickness.  The  fibres  of  it  are  small,  long,  and  tliickly 
interlaced,  so  that  a  portion  of  it,  when  dry,  looks  very  mucli  like  a  piece  of  cotton  wadding. 
The  growth  of  this  moss  begins  at  the  bottom  of  the  water,  where  it  is  a  brownish  slimy  mass 
with  the  sediment  tliere;  tlie  specific  gravity  of  this  becoming  in  due  time  less  than  that  of  the 
water,  it  rises  and  floats  on  tlie  surface,  ex[)ands,  spreads  out  its  fibres,  and  finally  assumes  a 
yellowish-green  hue.  I  cannot  say,  decidedly,  whether  this  moss  imparts  any  deleterious  prop- 
erties to  the  water  or  not;  when  disturbed,  it  gives  off'  an  offensive  smell.  Numerous  bubbles 
of  gas  are  set  free  when  the  sediment  at  the  bottom  is  stirred  up  or  loosened,  and  in  some  of  the 
pools  this  gas  has  a  decided  odor  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen.  The  common  yellow  water-lily 
also  grows  abundantly  in  the  pools. 

Tlie  surface  of  the  surrounding  country  is  extremely  hilly  and  broken.  The  hills  are  all 
more  or  less  stony,  with  rougli  cliffs  jutting  out  here  and  there  along  tlieir  sides.  Sometimes 
a  bare  level  tract  of  rock  is  seen  partly  surrounding  a  liill,  and  frequently  twelve  or  fifteen  feet 
wide.  Upon  the  top  of  a  bill  just  back  of  the  post,  I  have  observed  one  such  tract  forming  a 
complete  circle,  with  a  low  mound  of  earth  in  the  centre,  upon  which  are  cedar  trees,  slirubs, 
and  flowering  plants.  The  liills  are  frequently  intersected  by  deep  precipitous  ravines,  and  the 
large  valleys  leading  to  tlie  river  are  generally  of  the  same  rough  precipitous  character,  being 
in  many  places  impassable  even  to  a  footman.  A  few  small  oyster-shells  are  found  on  the  tops 
of  tlie  liills  mixed  with  the  rock. 

The  cedar  is  almost  tlie  only  tree  which  grows  off  from  the  river,  and  some  of  the  hills  and 
dry  valleys  are  covered  with  dense  thickets  of  it.  The  pecan,  one  species  of  oak — the  chestnut 
oak,  I  tliink — hackberry,  elm,  and  live  oak  grow  along  the  borders  of  the  river,  and  are  rarely 
found  except  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  jjermanent  j^ool  or  running  stream.  They  seldom  grow 
to  a  large  size,  and  are  mostly  crooked  and  knotty,  and  afford  but  indiflerent  timber  for  building 
purposes. 

The  hills  approach  the  river  very  closely,  and  in  no  place,  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the 
post,  is  the  river-bottom  much  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide.  This  bottom,  or  strip  of 
ricli  soil,  generally  lies  only  on  one  side  of  the  river,  the  otlier  bank  being  much  higher  and 
steeper,  presenting  a  })erpendicular  bluff  varying  in  height  from  ten  to  forty  or  fifty  feet.  The 
soil  of  this  narrow  bottom  is,  without  doubt,  very  fertile,  and  it  is  more  or  less  free  from  the 
rocks  and  stones  wiiicli  are  thickly  strewed  over  tlie  surface  of  tiie  groiuid  elsewhere;  but  there 
is  so  large  a  proportion  of  lime  in  it,  that  small  plants  are  very  soon  affected  by  a  drought ;  the 
hardy  weeds  of  the  country  even  droop  and  wither  under  the  scorching  sun  after  a  few  weeks  of 
dry  weather. 

There  are  many  varieties  of  flowering  plants  and  shrubs,  some  of  which  are  new  to  me;  and 
I  regret  that  my  knowledge  of  botany  is  too  imperfect  for  me  to  attempt  to  classify  them,  or  to 
give  their  proper  botanical  names. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  and  fragrant  of  the  flowering  shrubs  is  called  by  the  Mexicans 
frijoli  or  frioVio.  It  is  an  evergreen,  having  a  bean-shaped  blue  flower  in  clusters,  and  its  seed 
is  a  red  bean,  contained  in  a  hard  round  or  cylindrical  undivided  pod.  I  have  been  told  by  a 
Mexican  guide,  employed  at  Fort  Merrill,  that  the  Indians  make  an  intoxicating  liquor  out  of 
the  beans  before  they  become  ripe  and  hard. 

Tiiere  are  several  varieties  of  cactus,  one  of  which,  the  petalunja,  bears  a  very  pleasant  fruit, 
which  has  the  taste  of  a  fully-ripe  strawberry,  with  a  slight  pine-apple  flavor. 

The  wild  rye  and  oats  are  almost  the  only  species  of  the  grass  order  which  are  to  be  found. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS,  395 

and  there  is  no  great  abimdance  of  them.     Of  such  plants  as  in  common  language  are  called 
grasses,  scarcely  a  spear  is  to  be  seen. 

Of  wild  beasts,  and  different  kinds  of  mammalia,  there  are  several  species;  but  none  exist  in 
large  numliers.  The  pantlier,  leopard,  wild  and  tiger  cat,  beaver,  common  red  deer,  and  ante- 
lope, are  occasionally  seen.  The  black  bear  and  wild  hog  (or  peccary)  are  met  with  a  little  more 
frequently.  There  are  two  species  of  the  hare,  and  the  common  (cat  or  grey)  squirrel.  The 
large  hare  (or  jackass  rabbit)  is  rather  scarce  ;  the  common  hare  and  squirrel  are  more  abund- 
ant.    The  skunk  (or  polecat),  rat,  mouse,  and  bat,  are  also  found. 

Of  birds,  there  are  several  varieties  of  the  hawk,  owl,  crane,  sparrow,  and  fly-catcher; 
one  species  of  the  eagle,  the  buzzard,  common  crow  (or  raven),  the  wild  turkey,  two  species  of 
quail,  the  dove,  wren,  rain-crow,  red  bird,  and  chapparal  cock  (or  paisano).  The  last  is  a 
solitary  bird,  living  in  the  thickets  of  small  brushwood,  and  is  not  often  seen.  It  runs  very 
swiftly,  but  flies  slowly,  and  only  for  a  short  distance;  and,  in  open  ground,  might,  I  think,  be 
easily  captured  by  a  dog.  The  crow  has  several  notes,  or  cries,  difiierent  from  those  of  the  same 
bird  of  the  Atlantic  States,  and  diff"ers  from  it  in  other  respects.  It  seems  to  approach,  in  its 
liabits,  more  nearly  to  the  buzzard  tribe;  is  frequently  seen  with  them,  and  never  in  large 
flocks.  It  also  ascends  to  considerable  elevations  by  wheeling  in  rapid  circles,  with  motionless, 
outstretched  wings,  in  a  manner  similar  to  the  buzzard.  Wild  turkeys  are  quite  abundant; 
but  neither  of  the  two  kinds  of  quail  is  often  met  witli.  The  humming-bird,  and  chuck-will's 
widow,  besides  two  other  species  of  night  birds,  which  I  have  never  been  able  to  see,  ajipear 
during  the  spring  and  summer.  During  the  winter,  numbers  of  robins  are  found  among  the 
cedar  thickets,  upon  the  berries  of  which  they  feed  chiefly.  The  river  and  ponds  are  also, 
during  the  same  season,  frequented  by  several  varieties  of  the  duck — in  considerable  numbers, 
I  believe. 

Of  reptiles  and  insects,  there  are  numerous  kinds:  Snakes,  lizards,  terrapins,  tarantulas,  scor- 
pions, centiijedes,  spiders,  beetles^  bugs,  flies,  mosquitoes,  fleas,  grasslioppers,  bees,  &c. 
Grasshoppers,  bugs,  and  flies  swarm  in  immense  numbers.  The  gardens  have  suflered  serious 
injury  from  the  ravages  of  the  grasshoppers  and  several  kinds  of  worms. 

Of  fish,  there  are  not  many  kinds:  those  which  I  have  observed  are  the  bass,  perch,  cat, 
sucker,  gar,  and  minnow. 

The  climate,  during  most  of  the  time  that  I  have  been  here,  has  been  mild  and  pleasant. 
March  was  rather  a  disagreeable  month;  there  were  frequent  mists,  with  damp,  chilly  north 
winds.  During  the  remainder  of  the  spring,  and  the  summer  so  far,  the  air  has  continued  dry, 
except  for  a  few  days  after  a  spell  of  rainy  weather.  The  thermometer  has  seldom  risen  higher 
than  90  or  95°  in  the  shade;  and,  during  the  day,  there  has  been  usually  a  sufficient  breeze 
stirring  to  moderate  considerably  the  sensible  efl'ect  of  the  temperature  upon  the  body.  The 
nights  have  been  quite  cool,  and  without  much  dampness  generally.  Kain  has  been  in  mod- 
erate quantities,  and  tolerably  frequent,  so  that  there  has  been  no  long-continued  season  either 
of  dry  or  of  wet  weather.  I  have  been  very  much  disappointed  with  regard  to  the  health  of 
the  place.  Dr.  Wills,  who  was  emjiloyed  as  medical  officer  to  a  company  of  Te.xas  volunteers, 
and  was  stationed  with  it  last  summer  some  thirty  miles  below  this  point,  gave  (juite  a  glowing 
account  of  the  health  of  the  country.  He  stated  that  there  had  been  scarcely  a  case  of  sickness 
during  the  whole  time  (several  months)  that  the  company  was  at  that  place.  There  have 
been  a  number  of  cases  at  this  post,  during  the  last  two  months,  of  intermittent  fever  and 
diarrhoea,  and  a  few  cases  of  dysentery  and  mild  remittent  fever.  I  cannot  discover  that  there 
is  any  undoubted  source  of  malarious  or  miasmatic  effluvia.  The  ponds  are  all  filled  with  fresh 
cool  water,  which  is  constantly  flowing  to  and  from  them,  with  the  exception  of  the  head  pond, 
which  has  none  of  the  moss  upon  it;  and  there  has  not  been,  at  any  time,  sufficient  rain  to 
form  standing  pools  in  the  hollows  among  the  hills.  The  wind  prevails  almost  constantly 
from  the  southeast,  in  which  direction  not  one  drop  of  water  can  be  found  nearer  than  the  South 
fork,  some  eight  miles  ofl';  and  the  decay  of  the  shrubs,  weeds,  cactus,  &c.,  growing  upon  the 


396  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

hills  and  in  the  valleys,  is  not  of  that  rapid  character  which  is  usually  considered  as  necessary 
to  tlie  production  of  miasma.  Tlicy  witlipr  and  die,  losing  all  their  watery  parts  by  evapora- 
tion, and  the  woody  portion  is  all  that  remains  to  i'all  and  decay  upon  the  ground.  It  may  be 
that  the  weeds  and  moss  growing  in  the  pools,  although  they  are  supplied  by  a  constant  stream 
of  fresh  water,  are  a  source  of  disease,  either  ])y  giving  rise  to  a  miasma  from  the  decomposi- 
tion of  decaying  portions,  or  by  diffusing  tlirough  the  water  some  deleterious  properties  from 
their  living  parts.     A  fact,  somewhat  in  favor  of  this  opinion,  is  as  follows: 

Three  men  were  detailed  as  gardeners  early  in  May,  and  ordered  to  remain  in  the  gardens  at 
night  after  working  in  them  during  the  day.  The  gardens  are  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the 
head  pond,  opposite  to  the  high  rocky  blulF  which  I  have  described.  One  of  these  men  had 
had  several  attacks  of  intermittent  fever  before  going  to  the  gardens,  and  continued  to  be  sub- 
ject to  them  for  about  a  fortnight  afterwards,  when  the  rains  caused  a  fresh  cool  spring  of  clear 
water  to  gush  out  of  the  rocks  at  the  head  of  the  pond.  The  three  then  used  the  water  from 
this  spring  entirely,  and  the  man  who  had  been  subject  to  the  ague  has,  since  that  time,  been 
no  more  troiabled  with  it.  The  other  two  have  been  free  from  all  fevers  since  they  first  went 
to  the  gardens.  I  have  been  attacked  with  intermittent  fever  twice  during  the  last  five  or  six 
weeks,  although  I  escaped  entirely  at  Fort  Merrill,  where,  I  think,  I  exposed  myself  much 
more  than  I  have  done  here,  in  hunting  and  fishing,  at  all  seasons  and  times  of  the  day. 

The  position  of  the  post  is  rather  low,  and  tliough  the  nights  cannot  generally  be  considered 
damp,  still  I  think  that  the  atmosphere  would  be  more  dry,  and  there  would,  undoubtedly,  be 
a  freer  circulation  at  all  times  of  the  southeast  wind,  at  a  little  greater  elevation.  The  stony, 
rough  character  of  the  hills,  and  distance  from  water,  I  believe,  were  the  chief  objections  to  the 
selection  of  a  more  elevated  position.  The  climate,  mode  of  life,  diet,  &c.,  have  also  some  share 
as  piedisposing  and  exciting  causes  of  disease.  At  least  one-half  of  the  command  is  composed 
of  recruits  lately  arrived,  a  large  majority  of  whom,  I  have  no  doubt,  are  unaccustomed  to  this 
climate. 

A  large  number  of  the  men  have  been  on  extra  duty,  engaged  in  hard  labor,  during  which 
they  have  been  necessarily  exposed  to  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun  for  several  hours  of  tlie  day. 
After  the  fatigue  of  the  day,  they  retire  to  sleep  with  weary  bodies,  and  under  garments  more  or 
less  saturated  with  perspiration  ;  which  conditions  render  them  peculiarly  liable  to  be  affected 
by  changes  of  temjjerature — and  there  is  a  decided  difference  between  the  days  and  nights. 
For  several  hours  before  sunrise  it  is  very  cool,  sufficiently  so  to  render  a  blanket  necessary  for 
comfort.  A  ijlentiful  supply  of  fresh  beef,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  vegetables  from  the 
gardens,  have  been  furnished  to  the  companies,  but  not  enough  of  the  latter  to  render  the  diet 
suitable  to  the  climate,  in  my  opinion ;  and  therefore  I  think  the  diet  may  be  regarded  as  hav- 
ing been,  in  some  measure,  a  predisposing  cause  of  inflammatory  and  febrile  diseases. 

The  Indians,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  enjoy  good  health  during  the  warm  sea- 
sons, and  are  then  subject  to  but  few  diseases.  On  my  arrival  here,  in  March,  I  learned  from 
some  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Lipans,  who  live  more  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post  and  visit  it  more  fre- 
quently than  any  other  tribe,  that  during  the  winter  they  are  subject  to  a  disease  which  is  quite 
serious  and  fatal  among  them.  They  are  attacked  with  cough  and  spitting  of  blood,  and  fre- 
quently die  in  a  few  days.  From  their  accounts,  I  suspect  the  disease  to  be  pneumonia.  There 
are  no  white  settlements  between  here  and  Fredericksburg,  or  in  any  direction,  that  I  am  aware 
of,  within  eighty  or  a  hundred  miles,  with  the  exception  of  military  posts. 

About  a  month  or  six  weeks  ago,  a  whisky-dealer  from  Fredericksburg  squatted  within  two 
or  three  miles  of  us,  and  has  disturbed  very  much  the  quiet,  orderly  condition  of  the  jiost,  by 
retailing  liquor  to  the  soldiers;  and  not  a  few  of  the  cases  of  sickness  may  be  traced  to  an  ex- 
cess in  drinking  since  his  arrival.  The  traffic  has  also  been  extended  to  the  Indians,  and  num- 
bers of  them  have  been  seen  around  the  post  and  along  the  road  leading  to  the  whisky-shanty 
in  almost  every  stage  of  intoxication.  If  continued,  this  state  of  things  may  lead  to  some  un- 
pleasant or  fatal  consequences ;  and  there  is  no  law  in  the  State  by  which  this  nefarious  traffic 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS. 


397 


can  be  stopijecl.  The  Indians  were  of  the  Lipan  tribe,  who,  as  I  have  mentioned  before,  visit 
the  post  in  small  parties  every  now  and  then,  and  have  always  shown  a  desire  to  keep  upon 
friendly  terms.  I  have  not  heard  of  any  marauding  excursion  having  been  made  by  any  party 
of  them  upon  the  settlements  since  our  arrival  here. 


DISEASES. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  EATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO   PER  1,000  or  MEAN  STRENSTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  quarter.  .  . 

6,233 
6,560 
6,277 
6,225 

4,229 
5,626 
6,990 
6.486 

57 

89 

24 

177 

678 

857 

1,113 

1,041 

9 

Second  quarter.  . 

13.5 

3.8 

Fourth  Quarter.   -   .....   - 

28.4 

Annual  ratio ....-.---.. 

6,324 

23,331 

347 

3,689 

54.8 

23,051 

174 

3,645 

27.5 

The  preceding  table,  compiled,  as  usual,  from  the  general  abstract  for  this  region,  shows 
that  the  relative  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the  number  of  officers  and  enlisted  men  was 
3.68  to  1;  and  that  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  was  1  in  18.22,  or  5.4  per  cent.  It  fol- 
lows, from  the  same  data,  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  was  1  to  67.23,  or  1.48  per 
cent.  Exclusive  of  cholera,  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  aggregate  mean  strength  was  1  to 
36.34,  or  2.7  per  cent. ;  and  to  cases  of  sickness,  1  to  132.48,  or  0.75  per  cent. 

FEVERS. 


Quarters           ..... ---- 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOCRTH. 

TEAR. 

o 

§ 

*~  s> 

Strength 

t 

6,233        1         6,560 

1 

6,277 

6,225 

6,324 

It 
1 

n 

i  i 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases.  1  Deaiiis. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

^    o 

a 

2 

1 

434 

475 

43 

38 

3 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 

0 

28 

680 

904 

80 

62 

2 

0 

0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 

0 

109 

1375 

1353 

29 

314 

1 

0 

0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

1 

0 
0 

0 

30 

1264 

1260 

63 

93 

8 

1 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

2 

168 

3753 

3992 

215 

507 

14 

1 

0 
2 
1 
0 
0 
4 

1 
0  in        2          OR 

Febris  continua  communis 

Fehris  intermitteus  qiiotitUana 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana  . 
Febris  intermittens  quartana. 
Febris  remittcns  .......... 

1  in      84 
1  in  3753 
0  in  3992 
Oin    215 
lin     127 

26 

593 

631 

34 

81 

2        lin         7 

2 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0       Oin        1          0.1 

Total 

996 

2 

1756 

1 

4 

3181 

2 

2719 

1 

8652 

9 

1  in    961     l.tfia 

398 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


DISEASES  OF  TUE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  -n-ITn  THE  DIGESTI\T;  SYSTEM. 


FIRST. 

SKCOND. 

THIRD. 

FOORTlf. 

O 

■5 

t3      • 

o  a 

o 
o. 

2 

O 

s  . 

t  a 

Strength 

6,233 

6,560 

6,277 

6,225 

6,324 

S  S 

•So 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Dcalhs. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cholera  Asiatica 

0 

439 

138 

58 

10 

12 

10 

100 

89 

5 
10 
5 
3 
0 
0 

1 

0 
3 

84 

731 

142 

26 

3 

6 

5 

243 

166 

35 
13 

1 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 

2 

0 

598 

208 

16 

5 

8 

2 

213 

164 

0 
2 
3 

1 
1 
0 
0 
0 

1 

196 

688 

265 

51 

11 

5 

3 

121 

99 

133 
3 

5 
4 
2 
0 

1 
0 

2 

280 
2456 

753 

151 
29 
31 
20 

677 

518 

173 
28 
14 
9 
4 
0 
2 
0 

8 

1  in      1.6 
lin    87 
1  in    54 
1  in    17 
1  in      7 
Oin    31 
1  in    10 

0  in  677 

1  in    65 

Diarrhoea. .   , .,.- 

388 

119 

Dysenturia  chronica 

24 

4  5 

5 

Hepatitis  chronica ...___ 

3 

Obstipatio   --- --_  --- 

107 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 

82 

Total  *. 

856 

27 

1406 

53 

1214 

8 

1439 

150         491. S 

238 

1  in    20.6 

777 

Exclusive  of  cholera -__ 

1 

4635 

65 

lin    71 

733 

1 

It  will  be  perceived,  from  the  foregoing  table,  tli.at  cholera  has  prevailed  to  some  extent  on 
this  frontier.  The  disease  appears  to  have  been  confined  to  the  8th  infantry,  on  its  march  to 
San  Antonio  from  New  Orleans;  to  the  troops  encamped  at  or  near  San  Antonio,  and  particu- 
larly to  the  3d  infantry  at  Camp  Salado.  The  disease  made  its  appearance  in  some  of  the  vil- 
lages between  San  Antonio  and  Fort  Inge,  but  did  not  reach  that  post,  nor  does  it  seem  to  have 
affected  the  troops  at  any  of  the  forts  proper  on  this  frontier.  The  following  history  of  this 
epidemic,  as  it  affected  the  8th  infantry,  is  from  the  oflficial  report  of  Surgeon  Madison  Mills, 
for  the  quarter  ending  December  31,  1848: 

"The  8th  regiment  of  infantry  left  Jefferson  Barracks  on  the  24th  of  November,  and  reached 
New  Orleans  on  the  1st  of  December;  remained  there  under  slieds  till  the  r2t]i  of  the  same 
month,  when  it  embarked  on  steamships  (New  Orleans  and  Telegraph)  for  Lavacca,  Texas, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  15th.  The  troops  were  not  all  disembarked  till  the  19th.  A  camp 
was  established  one  mile  and  a  half  from  Lavacca,  on  the  borders  of  a  brackish  bayou.  On 
the  21st,  the  right  wing  was  advanced  twelve  miles,  for  better  water,  wood,  and  shelter.  On 
the  night  of  the  21st,  the  cholera  showed  itself  in  both  camps;  and  by  the  morning  of  the  22d, 
had  attacked  more  than  one-eighth  of  both  commands.  I  had  no  assistant;  and  the  command- 
ing officer  having  sent  in  for  medical  aid,  the  sick  at  Lavacca  were  put  under  charge  of  Drs. 
Johnson  and  Dallam,  and  I  was  ordered  to  the  camp,  twelve  miles  distant.  The  disease  con- 
tinued with  great  violence  during  the  22d,  23d,  24tli,  and  25th,  when  it  began  to  abate  ;  by  the 
30th,  it  had  entirely  subsided.  The  mortality  has  been  frightful.  There  liave  been  133  deaths 
out  of  196  cases.  The  symptoms  were  more  like  those  produced  by  an  over-dose  of  tartrate  of 
antimony  than  anything  I  can  compare  them  to.  I  observed  one  symptom  which  I  have  not 
seen  mentioned  by  any  writer  on  this  subject — that  is,  swelling,  and  in  some  cases  paralysis  of 
the  tongue.  This  symptom  appeared  in  a  great  many  cases.  The  usual  premonitory  symptom 
(diarrhoea)  did  not  show  itself  generally  as  a  first  symptom  in  those  attacked  during  the  first  48 
hours ;  after  this,  it  was  usually  observed  first,  though  not  in  all  cases.     On  its  first  appear- 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS,  399 

ance,  the  order  of  symptoms  was  generally  as  follows :  Severe  cramps  in  the  stomach ;  cold- 
ness of  the  surface ;  vomiting ;  cramps  in  the  extremities  ;  and  diarrhcea  last.  Various  modes 
of  treatment  were  tried — as  calomel,  camphor,  and  opium;  calomel  and  Cayenne  pepper  and 
opium ;  assafoctida,  opium,  and  quinine  in  various  combinations,  with  sinapisms  and  vesications. 
Injections  of  tinct:  assafuetidse  and  tinct:  opii  et  camphorje ;  and  in  the  latter  stages,  brandy  and 
quinine,  in  liberal  doses  ;  all  of  which  appeared  of  little  benefit.  The  only  thing  that  appeared 
to  do  much  good,  was  external  warmth.  From  the  unfavorable  circumstances  under  which  we 
were  placed,  it  was  difficult  to  apply  this  remedy.  The  command  at  Lavacca  was  in  tents  till 
the  23d,  exposed  to  one  of  the  severest  ''nwthers"  known  in  Texas,  with  but  little  wood,  and 
nothing  to  break  the  force  of  the  winds  which  swept  over  the  prairie  most  furiously.  The  other 
command  was  in  tents  throughout  the  whole  prevalence  of  the  disease.  From  the  morning  of 
the  22d  to  the  evening  of  the  24rth,  the  tents  were  covered  with  sleet,  and  the  whole  country 
was  enveloped  in  a  dense  fog.  From  the  first  landing  of  the  troops  till  the  breaking  out  of  the 
epidemic,  an  influenza  prevailed  generally  in  the  regiment ;  few  escaped  it,  though  there  were 
not  many  who  came  under  treatment." 

The  troops  which  thus  terribly  suffered  arrived  at  Camp  Worth,  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  San  Antonio,  on  the  —  day  of  February,  1849.  The  time  when  this  disease  appeared  among 
the  citizens  of  San  Antonio  is  not  stated  in  the  official  records ;  though  on  the  Tth  of  May, 
Surgeon  J.  J.  B.  Wright,  in  reporting  the  death  of  General  Worth  by  this  disease,  mentions 
its  having  been  prevalent  there  since  the  11th  of  April;  and  adds:  "This  town  suffered  in  an 
extraordinary  degree  from  the  cholera  which  prevailed  in  1833.  Its  ravages  are  fresh  in  the 
recollection  of  the  Mexican  portion  of  the  population,  a  great  majority  of  whom  fled  from  the 
place  at  its  approach.  A  large  proportion  of  those  whose  courage  permitted  them  to  remain^  or 
whose  inability  prevented  their  leaving,  have  become  victims  of  the  epidemic." 

The  appearance  and  cour.so  of  this  epidemic  at  the  encampment  of  the  3d  regiment  of  infan- 
try, are  fully  described  in  the  following  letter  from  Assistant  Surgeon  L.  H.  Stone  to  the  Sur- 
geon General: 

"Camp  Sal.^do,  near  Sak  Antonio,  May  25,  1849. 

"Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  this  command,  composed  of  six  companies  of  the  3d 
infantry,  has  been  visited  the  present  month  by  cholera,  with  nearly  the  usual  results  of  that 
disease. 

"  The  first  case  occurred  on  the  first  day  of  this  month.  The  formal  onset  of  the  disease  was 
preceded  some  twenty  hours  by  a  diarrhcea,  when  profuse  vomiting  and  purging  of  the  charac- 
teristic discharge  (having  the  appearance  of  water  in  which  rice  has  been  washed)  commenced, 
attended  by  painful  cramps  in  the  stomach,  calves  of  the  legs,  thighs,  and  arms — especially  the 
flexor  muscles  of  the  fore-arms.  The  eyes  had  a  dull,  watery,  and  muddy  appearance,  with  a 
contracted,  ill-defined  pupil.  The  features  became  sharpened,  and  the  entire  bodj-  was  blue, 
shrunken,  shrivelled,  cold,  and  clammy.  The  hands  and  fingers  shrunken  and  sodden.  Tlie 
tongue  gave  to  the  finger  a  cold  and  disagreeable  sensation.  Tlie  patient  complained  of  severe 
pain  in  the  stomach,  loins,  and  limbs;  of  insatiable  thirst ;  and  a  burning  heat  in  the  stomach, 
and  distressing  heat  of  the  surface  of  the  body ;  although  to  the  liand  it  had  the  cold  feeling  of 
a  dead  body. 

"  This  case  will  serve  as  a  general  type  of  the  cases  which  followed,  although  many  diflered 
from  it  in  many  particulars.  In  some,  the  perspiration  was  more  profuse ;  in  otliers,  the  vomit- 
ing;  and  in  others,  the  purging;  but  in  all,  the  strife  seemed  to  be  to  force  the  luatery jyortion 
of  the  blood  from  the  body;  and  in  this,  every  organ,  except  the  kidneys,  capable  of  throwing  it 
out,  was  actively  employed.  There  was  in  this  case  an  entire  suppression  of  urine  for  thirty- 
six  hours,  commencing  with  the  attack. 

"The  treatment  ordered  was:  internally,  one  grain  of  calomel,  one  of  ojiium,  and  one  of  ace- 
tate of  lead,  repeated  every  hour.    Assafietida  was  also  given  freely.    Externally,  a  large  warm 


400  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS  AND   MORTALITY 

sinapism  was  applied  to  the  cpigastriiini,  and  diligent  friction  to  the  limbs  with  the  palm  of  the 
hand.     The  patient  was  allowed  to  drink  small  (|niintities  of  cold  water  frequently. 

"  The  pulse  at  the  wrist  was  at  no  time  impercejitible,  though,  for  about  two  hours,  it  required 
considerable  care  to  detect  it. 

"On  the  third  day  the  patient  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  walk  about  the  door  of  the 
hospital. 

"  On  the  evening  of  that  day,  the  stream  on  which  the  camp  is  situated  suddenly  rose  about 
twenty  feet,  and  flooded  the  camp.  Most  of  the  command  were  obliged  to  swim  in  escaping 
from  cam])  to  the  higher  ground  on  the  prairie.  All  were  wet,  and  lay  all  night  on  the  prairie, 
witluiut  tents  or  other  covering,  during  a  heavy  rain.  The  next  day  was  one  of  great  fatigue 
for  the  men.  On  the  second  day  after,  three  cases  of  cholera  occurred;  on  the  third,  five  ;  on  the 
fourth,  eight;  and  so  on.     The  last  case  oocurred  on  the  15th. 

"  Among  the  enlisted  men  there  were  seventy-five  cases,  of  which  twenty-eight  died,  and  forty- 
seven  recovered.  No  officer  had  the  disease,  although  most  of  them,  and  nearly  every  soldier  in 
the  command,  were  more  or  less  affected  by  the  epidemic  condition.  Probably  one-half  of  those 
who  escaped  an  attack  would  have  had  the  disease  but  for  prompt  treatment,  as  scarcely  a  man 
escaped  an  attack  of  diarrhoea  during  the  prevalence  of  the  disease. 

"Most  of  the  cases  presented  the  usual  symptoms,  viz:  vomiting,  purging,  cramps,  profuse 
perspiration,  and  collapse.  Some  few,  however,  differed  in  one  or  more  particulars.  Two 
cases  occurred  in  which  there  was  no  diarrhoea ;  and  in  these  the  stage  of  collapse  was  of  shorter 
duration  than  in  most  of  the  others,  and  the  perspiration  soon  became  warm. 

"In  two,  the  cramps  were  attended  with  violent  general  convulsions,  so  as  to  require  the 
united  strength  of  four  or  five  men  to  hold  the  patient.  Both  of  these  patients  were  temperate, 
vigorous,  and,  previously,  healthy  men. 

"The  suppression  of  urine  was  a  uniform  symptom.  The  treatment  jjursued  in  the  disease  has 
been  pretty  uniform,  except  that,  in  a  portion  of  the  cases,  it  has  been  commenced  by  a  large 
dose  (twenty  or  thirty  grains)  of  calomel,  and  a  full  dose  (one  or  two  grains)  of  opium.  It  has 
consisted  of  cupping  to  the  epigastrium  ;  one  grain  of  opium,  one  of  camphor,  and  one  of  acetate 
of  lead,  every  hour  or  half  hour,  according  to  the  urgency  of  the  vomiting  and  purging.  In 
those  cases  in  which  the  calomel  was  not  given  at  first,  one  grain  of  that  article  has  usually 
taken  the  place  of  the  camphor. 

"Dry  rubbing  with  the  palm  of  the  hand  over  the  seat  of  the  cramps  was  used,  in  all  cases  with 
great  apparent  benefit. 

"With  regard  to  the  effect  of  ])articular  articles  upon  particular  symptoms,  it  differed  very 
much  in  different  cases.  Tlie  vomiting  was  controlled,  in  many,  by  creosote.  I  usiuilly  gave 
two  drops  of  that  article,  with  a  little  cinnamon-water,  in  half  an  ounce  of  thick  mucilage  of  gum- 
Arabic.  In  other  cases,  where  the  vomiting  was  obstinate  and  long  continued,  it  has  been 
frequently  checked  (greatly  to  the  relief  of  the  patient)  by  a  simple  soda-jiowder ;  besides  re- 
lieving the  vomiting,  this  is  extremely  agreeable  to  the  patient,  and  allays,  better  than  anything 
else,  the  tormenting  thirst. 

"  In  some  few  cases  the  cramps  have  apparently  been  relieved  by  assafcetida ;  but  in  most  cases 
it  has  done  little  good.  But  the  cramps  in  the  stomach  have  in  many  cases  been  quickly  relieved 
by  cups  applied  to  the  epigastrium. 

"Stimulants,  such  as  brandy,  ammonia,  &c.,  I  have  never  seen  do  any  good,  either  in  jirevent- 
ing  the  collapse,  or  in  rousing  the  patient  while  in  that  state.  I  have  used  them  faithfully  and 
freely,  and  cannot  call  to  mind  one  case  in  which  I  was  satisfied  that  any  good  resulted  from 
their  use. 

"  In  regard  to  some  points  connected  with  the  prognosis,  my  observations  do  not  accord  with 
the  generally  received  notions.  The  vomiting  of  bile,  and  the  reappearance  of  bile  in  the  dis- 
charges from  the  bowels,  have  frequently  occurred  in  cases  which  terminated  fatally. 

"A  majority  of  the  fatal  cases  have  lived  forty-eight  hours;  and  but  three  or  four  have  died 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   TEXAS. 


401 


within  twenty-four  hours  after  the  attack.  The  first  case,  which  occurred  on  the  1st  inst.,  died 
on  the  7th,  with  symptoms  of  effusion  into  the  ventricles  of  the  brain,  having  relapsed  after  the 
exposure  on  the  od  and  4th  inst. 

"Since  the  15th  a  few  cases  of  diarrhoea  have  occurred,  attended  with  cramps  in  the  stomach 
and  lirahs." 

DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters . 


Strength  . 


Broncliitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

Catarrhus 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

Pleuritis 

Pneumonia 

All  other  diseases  of  this  system 

Total - 

Elic'umatismus 


6,233 


Cases.  I  Deaths. 


88 
330 
6 
17 
33 
19 


493 


208 


l^.'SCO 


6,277 


6,225 


Cases.    Deaths. 


25 

175 

6 

9 

14 

22 


251 


189 


Cases.    Deaths.  I  Cases.    Deaths. 


32 

119 

3 

19 

3 

17 


193 


152 


38 
335 
10 
21 
19 
16 


439 


183 


6,324 


Cases.      Deaths. 


183 
959 
25 
66 
69 
74 


1376 


732 


0 

0 

12 

0 

7 
4 


0  in 
0  in 
lin 

0  in 

1  in 
1  in 


183 

959 

2 

66 

10 

18 


23 


1  in   60 


lin  146 


28 
151 
3.9 
10 
11 
11.7 

217 

115 


Scorbutus. — A  glance  at  the  general  abstract  for  this  frontier  will  show  that  the  troops,  like 
those  stationed  on  the  southern,  or  Eio  Grande  frontier,  have  suffered  from  scurvy  to  a  very 
great  degree.  Assistant  Surgeon  Crawford,  in  reporting  upon  this  disease  as  it  appeared  at 
Fort  Croghan  in  1852,  observes  that  "the  aifection  of  the  mouth  and  muscles  constituted  its 
chief  feature.  The  tendons  of  the  vasti  were  exceedingly  rigid ;  the  popliteal  space  occupied  by 
a  hard,  large  tumor,  of  a  bluish-black  color.  Often  the  thigh  was  black  and  hard,  and  tumors 
would  appear  in  the  calves  of  the  legs."  Having  been  disappointed  in  the  effects  of  citric  acid, 
Assistant  Surgeon  Crawford  came  to  the  conclusion,  that  as  the  maguey  plant  had  been  highly 
spoken  of,  the  same  virtues  might  be  found  iu  a  greater  or  less  degree  in  the  whole  family  of 
the  cacti;  and  he  was  therefore  induced  to  try  the  common  prickly  jiear  (cactus  opuntia),  which 
was  abundant  near  the  fort.  The  result  was  highly  satisfactory.  It  was  prepared  "by  remov- 
ing the  thin  epidermis  from  the  thick  succulent  leaves,  and,  after  cutting  them  into  slices, 
macerating  them  in  water.  This  furnished  a  thick  solution,  which  was  given  as  a  drink  to  the 
patients." 

Assistant  Surgeon  Anderson  writes  very  favorably  of  the  nitrate  of  potash  in  the  treatment 
of  scurvy,  as  it  affected  the  command  ?it  Fort  Terrett. 


s.  96- 


-51 


ABSTKACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCUEKING  AMONG  THE    TKOOPS 


IN  TEXAS. 


404 


REPORT. ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

AOOB 
8TRE 

1S49. 

1850.           1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

SOTU. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Meas  strksoth 

578. 

6K. 

917. 

757. 

819. 

1,476. 

5,179. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Tiilal 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

! 

I  Febris  eontlnua  communis.. 

.  Fehris  inter,  quoiidiana.... 

:  Fehris  iniennittiMis  tertiana. 

Febris  intcnnittcns  quartana 

4 
13 

7 

8 

1 

3 

17 
21 

7 

9 

40 

7 
12 
9 

3 

72 
75 

14 
157 
114 

38 
279 
266 
2 
46 
33 

1 

3 

•11 

as 

1 
2 

6 

15 



3     

4  1 

1 

4 

I 



1 

1 

1 

1 

60 

567 

172 

11 

4 

1 

Eruptive  fevers i 

1 

1 

Cholera  Asiatica 

60 
120 
12 

35 
2 

35 

87 
9 

2 


106 

49 

7 

1 

2 

83 
17 
2 



53 
36 
2 

1 

1 
2 

118 
49 

4 
2 

n 

2 

Diseases   of  the   organs 
connected  with  tlie  di- 
gestive system. 

1    1 

3 



2 
1 

V" 

■ 

6 
15 
19 

17 
1 
1 
1 

2 

4 

24 
10 
42 



11 
33 
IS 
45 



7 
5 

a 

26 
1 
3 

2 

1 





1 
1 

23 
15 
4 
71 
3 
4 
7 
1 
2 
4 

3 

37 

31 

4 

111 

1 

4 

.3 

4 

7 

2 

2 

7 

1 


88 
123 
54 
312 

6 
26 
14 

9 
30 
16 

6 

8 
10 
28 

1 
16 
12 
11 

AH  other  diseases 

1  Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

2 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

i  Phthi-sis  pulmonalis 

'  Pleuriiis 

10 

4 
1 
1 
7 
2 
2 

] 

2 

2 
11 
3 



3    1 

'  Delirium  tremens 

.•> 

3 
1 

Disease!)  of  the  brain  and 

Epilepsia 

1 
1 

nervous  system. 

I 

6 
1 
1 
2 
3 

3 

3 

1 

1 
11 

4 

1      

6    1 

5    i 

4 

Diseases  of  the  urinarj- 

2 
5 
3 

8 

3 

1 
4 



1 
2 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

Syphihs  consecutiva 

1     

Diseases   of  the   serous^ 

2 

2 

2 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 



nmsculur  structures. 

16 

1 

42 

52    1 

19 

1 

26    1 - 

56 

211 

1 

176 

103 

18 

3 

214 

17 

7 

2 

61 

40 

45 

24 

10 

12 

42 

20 

4 

19 

60 

84 

152 

2 

f 

Abscesses  and  ulcere  —  { 

[ 

1 

rblegmon  ct  abscessus 

Ulcus d 

19 

U 

2 

1 

24 

5 

■    3 

43 
14 
3 

30 
22 

4 



23 
4 
4 







as 

16 

■     4 

38 
36 
1 
2 
65 
4 

Amputatio 

Contu^io 

39 

36 

4 
1 
2 

ao 

8 
g 

21 
2 
1 

...... 

29 
2 

1 

1 

'    1 

1      



Wounds  and  injuries 

1    ' 

6 
4 

lU 

1 

1 

5 
3 
5 
3 



9 

7 
1 
5 
2 
2 
8 
5 

...... 



20 
18 
13 
7 

1 

7 

1 

4           1 

5    ; 

1 

'  Vulnus  sclopeticum 

3 

3  1,2 

4  ! 1      2 

2 

2 
3 

2 

19 

7 

1 

4 

18 

20 

44 

1 

Ehrict.is t 

Z 
1 

7      3 

4      3 

2 

1  ::;;:. 

4      

12     

Mieccllancous 

2 
8 
8 

1      1      1     1 

15      5      

29      14      

3     

1      

^    t 

12 
23 

15    , i    31    j 16    1      1 

2 

Total 

436    1    44 

467    1      6 

680          6    1  340    1      4 

535           0 

1,060 

9 

3,578 

78 



AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   TEXAS. 
AMONG  l-HE  TROOrS  AT  POSTS  IN  TEXAS— SOUTHERN  FRONTIEU. 


405 


SECOND  QUARTER. 

AOGI 
SIR 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASEri. 

Years 

lSt9.           1850.            1851.            1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

£>'GTH. 

Mkas  strekoth 

389. 

502. 

78a. 

792. 

648. 

918. 

4,031. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

[           1 
Cases.!  Died.  iCases 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases 

1             1 
Died.  jCases.:  Died 

Cases 

.  Died.  Tota 

cases 

Total 
.  died. 

1 
■    Febris  continua  communis 

Fehris  inter,  quotidiana  ... 

Febris  interniitlens  lertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartans 

1    6    ". 6 

1       ! 

13 
156 
186 
16 
19 

1 

25 
303 
346 

18 
128 

28 

Fevers 

4 

8 

'    11 

1    16 

13 

1    45 

57 
32 

2 
38 

6 

1 
3 

60 
59 

3 

14 

1 

1 

16 

38 

3 

2 

1          7 

j  Febris  typhus 

hi- 

1 

EnjpUve  fevers 

5 

....   1 

2 

7 

Varioloid 

1             1" 

14 
57 
13 

9 

1      3 

2 
109 

16 

433 

194 

16 

2 

8 

1 

120 

120 

26 

104 

2 

22 

11 

7 

50 

16 

6 

12 

12 

43 

1 

8 

13 

9 

1 

1 

1 

9 
13 
2 
4 

4<S 

2 

1 

25 
45 

46 

5 

1 
1    [      S 

1    9B 

M     1        1 

11    1      1          a    i      o 

Diseases   of  tbe   organs 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

i      1 

!      2 

1 

14 

'    1      " 

connected  with  the  di- 

Hepatitis acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

4 

1 

'        1 

i 

i          1 

gestive  system. 

Obstipatio 

7 
21 

1 
13 

7 
16 

5 
23 

1 

3 

nn     

17 

42 

27 
6 
12 

1 

■ 

All  other  diseases 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

Catarrhus 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

1 


i    ^' 

1      « 
30 

1 
1         28 

2 

10 

7 
4 
17 
1 
3 

S 

2 
I 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

4 
3 

1 

la 
1 

6 
3 
2 
13 
3 
1 

1 



6 

1 

1 

tory  system. 

.1 

I 

AJl  other  diseases 



1 

12 
3 

2 

4 

6 

2 



2 

5 

:     1 



Cephalalgia 

4 

a 

S 

I 

nervous  system. 

Epilepsia 

3      



3 
2 

1 

."i         ■■ 

5 

1 

\ 
2    1 

1 
8 

1 
1 
3 
2 

...J... 

'  Gonorrhcpa 

6     IS 

i 

11 

1 

.1 

3. 

1 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

7 

3      

4  ... 

All  other  diseases 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  ( 
exbalent  vessels.           ' 

1 

1 

1 

Pernio 

1- 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

Podagra 

muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus 

37 

2 
19 

6 

1 
1 



27 



29 

1 
31 
11 

6 

::::::  27" 

12 

ot: 

157 

3 
18S 
77 
21 

2 

4 
167 

5 

4 
48 
5! 
38 
19 
11 
10 
42 

04   ! 

Fistula 

~    1 

Abscesses  and  ulcers , ... ' 

Phlegmon  et  absccssus 

Ulcus 

40 
19 

1 

40 

15 

24 
11 



=»      

11;    1 

^ 

'^      i 

8                      1     ' 

' 

1 

:::;■■  "  \ 

1        

28   i ; 

2     ' ! 

1 

29 

1 

Conlusio 

Fractura 

12 

27      

1      

26 

1 

1     45      

Wounds  and  injuries 

2 

1 

1 

1 
8 
4 
9 
1 
2 
3 
8 
2 

1 

Sub-lux.itio 

4 

1 
3 

1 

5 
14 
4 
1 

2 

1 
1 

15 
13 
14 

8 
1 

10 
9 
3 
.1 

1 

6 
13 
6 
5 
S 
4 
16 
6 

I 

1 

V'uliius  incisum 

Vulnus  laceraluni 

S 

a 

■"■■■  1 1 

4 

Dcbilitas 

1 

I 

1  ...:    0  1 

3    1 
5 

3          1 
o      

2      

4      

10 
5 

Mi-^crllancous 

Mnrhi  cutis 

6      6      2      ! 

7      8    1 U      1 

10    1 

9      

2 

16 

28 

61     [ 

'251     ' 

158 

Scorbutus 

4      43    ' 81 

14      25      :    54 

26     ! 19      78 

18      '"     1       1         * 

Total 

310    1    14    1 

429 

8 

696 

9 

614         10    1 

444 

3 

959 

9     13.4^9    i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

406 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


VBAftS 

THIRD  aUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENGTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean-  strength    

434. 

470. 

657. 

l> 

047. 

661. 

514. 

3,783. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

Febris  continua  communis.. 

Febris  inter,  quniidiana.. .. 
Febris  intermittens  terliana. 
Febris  inlermitlens  quartana 

17 
11 

3 

54 

38 

4 

83 

6 
45 

50 

3 

101 

70 

3 
54 

1 

1 
270 
231 

3 
19 

1 

15 
623 
554 

10 

277 

7 

Peveri ■ 

136 
154 

1 

31 

68 
2 

1 
1 

1 

22 
4 

1 

2 

2 

'  ■  •  •  •  • 

1 

1 

'                    I 



( 



66 
20 

1 

38 
9 

83 

38 

3 

3 
1 

80 

58 

9 

1 

3 

40 
19 

50 
37 

1 

2 
2 

357 

181 

14 

3 

3 

6 

2 

Diseases    of  the   organs 

1    ' 

4 

1 
2 

1 

gestive  ByRtem. 

1 

1 

1 

I 

10 
H 
3 
15 

10 
14 
2 
7 
2 
2 

15 

22 

9 

39 

1 

11 

16 

15 
16 
6 
13 

1 



"T" :::::; 

69 
92 
26 
123 

9 

3 

10 

57 

12 

6 

8 

11 

27 

3 

8 

8 

12 

1 

1 

10 
6 

41 

1 

I 

nronchiiis,  acuta  et  chronica 

8 
4 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 
1 
5 
10 
2 

1 

1 
3 
6 
2 

1 

All  other  diseases 

Cephalalgia 

13 

1 

13 
2 

1 
4 
3 

I 



U 
3 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 

1 

1 

Diseases  ofthe  brain  and' 

Epilepsia 

4 

nervous  system. 

6 
1 
3 
1 

1 
5 

:.:::: 

2 
9 

2 

1 

1 

3 

7 

2 

3 

r 

Diseases  of  the  urinary. 

4 
1 
3 

1 
3 

1 

3 
2 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

S 
4 

1 

1 

All  otiier  diseases 

1 

1 

Diseases    of  the    serous  ( 
and  exhalent  vessels,    i 

1 

All  other  diseases 

1 

' 

■■ 

Diseases  ofthe  fibrous  fit  J 

Podagra 

1 
13 

1 
108 

muscular  structures.      ] 

20 

23 

15 

24 

13 

f 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Fistula  

Phlegmon  et  abscessus* 

Ulcus 

39 
4 
1 

49 
19 
2 

50 
8 
9 

90 
11 
4 

65 

/ 

1 

1 

43 

1 
1 

30 
10 

323 
59 
17 

2 
166 

7 

5 

,3' 
57 
43- 
36 
IS 
12 
29 
50 

Amputatio 

1 
24 
2 

Contusio 

10 
1 

24 
2 
1 
1 

11 
7 
5 
4 
1 
4 
2 
4 

35 

30 
1 
2 

Fractura 

1 
2 
6 

10 
6 
S 

1 

A 

WoUDds  and  injuries 

Punilio 

Sub-luxatio 

9 
4 
2 

4 
1 
3 
3 

1 

1 

16 
12 
13 

13 

8 

2 
S 

r> 

4 
4 
6 
10 

7 
1 
5 
6 
10 
14 

2 

1 

1 

Vulnus  laeeratum 

Vulnus  punctum 

1     1 

1     1      1 
6      

27    ' 

2 

1 

Vulnus  sclopcticura 

6 

1 
1 

o 

5 

Ebrietas 

1          9 

a 

3 

1 
5 
9 
9 
36 



1 

18    ' 

Hernia 

1 

a 

3      

5 
10 
8 
9 

1 

8 

6 

4 

20 

1 

6 
13 
34 
25 

1 

38 
53 
73 
149 

1       9 

■      8 

'    45 

4 

Total 

353 

1 

9 

747 

12 

714 

5 

854 

9 

3,810 

40 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN   TEXAS. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POST'S  IN  TEXAS,  SOUTHERN  FRONTIER. 


407 


Years                

FOURTH  QUARTER. 

AGORE 

STREK 

1849.           1850.            1851. 

; 

1852. 

1853.     ' 

1854. 

OTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mejln  strenotb 

511. 

556.                  560. 

926. 

1,352. 

901. 

4,806. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.' 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died,  leases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

Febris  continua  communis  , 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

1 

18 
27 

• 

4 

at 

53 

1     1 

7 
969 
608 

8 

232 

14 

230 

9 
9 
8 
15 

151 
141 

265 
143 

1 

512 
235 

1 

1 

^ 

1 

71 

1 

«. 

30 

7 

13 

^29 

2 
50 

54 

5 

6 

1 

3 



1 

::::::::::::;::::: 

50 

^ 

1 

1 

2 

r 

89 
12 

3 

71 
12 

1 
2 

44 

21 

1 

1 

36 

1 

181 
167 

3 

2 
1 

1 
1 

114 
38 

2 

535 

270 

9 

6 

3 

1 

95 

84 

51 

305 

3 

16 

10 

9 

36 

31 

5 

6 

6 

38 

3 

19 

5 

11 

1 

3 

9 

20     

3 

3      

5 

1 

1 

3 

Diseases    of  llie    organs 

I 

1 
1 

1 

connected  witli  the  di-' 

I 

gestive  system. 



1 

49 

28 

33 

110 

2 

3 

3 

1 

2 

4 

1 

4 

5 
9 
4 
17 

6      

11 

' 

1 
1 

3 

17 
12 
16 

74 

1 
4 
5 
5 
6 

1 

1 
2 

15 
4 
46 

11 

..::::  9  ...... 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

1 
35 

3 

23 

2          1 

1 
1 

1 

2 

5 

Diseases  of  tlie  respira- 

Pleuritis 

2 

1 

2 

3 
2 

5 

1 

tor>'  system. 

4 

3 
4 
5 
1 

^ 

6 
3 
1 

8 
4 

1 

3 

nervous  system. 



2 

1 
4 

1 
3 
2 
3 

1 

1 
3 

1 

23 



1 
1 

4 







Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

2 
2 
3 



::::::  "v 

1 
3 



4 



Syphilis  consecutiva 

1 

3 

4 

Diseases    of  the    serous  r 
and  exhalent  vessels.     * 

1 

1 

2 

1 
SB 

1 
171 

3 
185 
93 

as 

5 

209 

14 

6 

2 
58 
39 
27 
25 
17 
30 
48 
28 

4 
30 
33 
102 
155 

muscular  structures.       [ 

21 
2 

29 
8 

1 



23 

26 

20 

1 
17 
10 

23 

Abscesses  and  ulcers....  . 

'   Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

1 

26 

23 

3 

24 
11 
3 

54 

34 

3 

a 

78 
2 

1 

35 

8 
2 
41 
2 
1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

20 

2 

1 

31 
2 

1 

21 
2 
2 

1 

18 

4 

1 

1 
3 
4 
5 
1 
4 
3 
4 
1 
1 
2 
4 
19 
13 

Wounds  and  injuries....  ^ 

9 
5 
3 

1 
1 
4 
2 
5 

1 
1 

9    ! 

1 

6 
4 
3 
6 

15 
8 
9 
6 
4 
28 
11 
3 
11 
18 
4 
81 

1 

9 
5 
4 
1 
3 
19 
12 
6 

2 

2 

Vulnus  incisum 

6 
4 

7 

1 

Vulnus  punctum 

1 

Vulnus  sclopeticum 

3      

3 

1 

9 

Ebrietas 

1 

2 
2 

1 
2 
7 
11 

1 
1 

a 

3 

Miscellaneous • 

12 
1 

1 
10 

1 

I 

41 
16 

1 

3 
26 
17 

1 

3 

a 

Total 

' 

330 

9     :  47-3           6 

437 

5 

603    1      6 

1,733 

64 

'l,344 

1 

18 

4,SB9 

108 

408 


REPORT    ON    TUE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITT 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


FinST  aUAUTER. 

AGGRE 
STKEf 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

OTU. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

.Mean  strenoth.. 

1,095. 

699. 

1,0B0. 

1,348. 

1,540. 

571. 

6,933. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total 
died. 

Total 
cases. 

Fehris  coiige*;liva 

Febris  contiiiua  coniiiiinii^.. 

Frbris  inter.  qiinti(li.ina 

Febris  intermittens  tcrliana. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

3 

3 

1 

434 

475 

43 

38 

3 

3 

1 

1 
23 
39 

Fevera 

1 

146 
89 
4 
6 
2 
1 
1 

45 

60 

3 

3 

1 
1 

IDS 
94 

1 
8 



76 

137 

32 

6 



37 

56 
3 



IS, 

2 

o 

Eruptive  levers I 

1 

f 

Cliolera  Asiatica 

5 
6 

2 

5 

149 
16 
30 
2 
8 
10 
16 
29 
2 
17 

60 
11 
4 

1 
1 

49 
17 
13 
8 
3 

114 

44 

3 

2 
4 

57 
31 
3 

1 

10 
19 

7 

d.1Q 

10 

Dysentena  acuta 

1 

138 
58 
10 
13 
10 
100 
89 
88 
330 

6 
17 
33 
19 
13 
13 

7 
25 
14 
22 

7 

4 

9 
20 

3 
17 

1 

1 
208 

1 
224 
155 
26 

5 

235 

23 

13 

r 

46 

97 

44 

14 

19 

9 

21 

24 

2 

41 

79 

^3 

215 

5 

Diseases    of  ihe    organs 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Enteritis 

3 

connected  wiih  the  di- 

1 



1 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  clironiea 

Obstipatio 

1 
2 

1 

14 
12 
IS 
15 
1 
2 
1 
3 

30 
8 
10 
43 
3 
4 
1 
3 
4 
3 

2 

1 

22 
16 
7 
85 
1 
1 
3 
7 
5 
3 
1 
5 
2 
3 
2 
1 

1 
2 

14 
15 

141 

1 
4 
14 
3 

1 

14 

9 

23 

29 

1 

3 

r 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

4 

Pleurilis 

3 

13 
4 
3 

1 
2 
4 
2 
7 

3 
1 

1 
2 

2 

All  other  diseases 

Cephalalgia 

1 
1 
8 
2 

4 
3 
4 
7 
4 

1 

nervous  system. 

2 
1 

5 
3 
1 

1 
3 

1 

2 

All  other  diseases 

1 

3 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  tJie  urinary- 
and  genital  organt<. 

1 
6 

4 

1 
11 



1 

1 
5 

Syphihs  consecutiva 

All  other  diseases 

1 

Diseases   of  the    serous  j 

3 

5 
2 

a 

1 

1 

3 

4 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  ) 
muscular  structures.      1 

1 

1 

35 

Rheumati^mus 

45 

23 

1 

43 

45 

1 

69 

28 

6 

1 

61 

9 

3 



17 

, 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ■ 

i 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus  

16 

29 

4 

39 

23 

4 

1 

29 

5 

1 

62 
28 
5 
3 
58 
2 
3 

31 
38 
5 

1 

17 
9 
2 

Concussio  cerebri . . . 

1 

26 

1 
2 
7 
8 
23 
7 
2 
4 

39 
4 
1 

22 
2 
3 

....    . 

Fractura 

Woiuidsand  injuries.... ' 

Punitio 

3 

33 

4 

3 

7 

13 
5 
9 
6 
2 
3 
5 
4 
1 
3 
7 
7 

63 

1 

n 

17 
11 
1 
2 
3 
7 
8 

12 
23 
11 

8 
2 
2 

1 

Vulnus  laccraluni 

Vulnijs  selopetieuin 

Debilitas 

3 
4 
3 
6 

1 

2 

3 
5 
1 
4 

10 
6 

22 

1 

3 

1 

1 

Hiemorrhois 

1 

S 

3 

37 

25 

18 

126 

41 

8 

9 
37 
72 
52 

1 

1 

5 
9 
10 

Scorbutus 

8 

All  otlier  diseases 

Total 

1 

643 

22 

6oa 

3 

640 

6 

973 

18 

1,041 

5 

330 

3 

4,229 

57 

AMONG   THE   TKOOPS   IN    TEXAS. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  TEXAS— WESTERN  FRONITER. 


409 


SECOND  QUARTER. 


CLASSED  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 


1849. 


1850. 


1851. 


1852. 


1853. 


1854. 


~     AGOREG&TK 
BTBEXGTB. 


Mean  strength  . 


939. 


1,061. 


1,603. 


1,659. 


537. 


6.560. 


SPECIFIC  DISEASES.     ,Cases.,  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died    "^"'^  '''°'"' 
'  I  I  cases,  died. 


Fevers  . 


10 

29 

14 

1 


Eruptive  fevers . 


Diseases  of  the  organs 
connected  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 


Diseases  of  the  respira- 


Febris  contiima  communis.. 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

Fcbris  intermittens  tcrljana. 
Febris  intermittens  quarlana 

Febris  remiltens 7 

Febris  typhus I 

Erysipelas 2 

Variola 

Cholera  Asiatica 84 

Diarrhoea j  221 

Dysenteria  acuta 6      23 

Dyscnteria  chronica i      2      2 

Enteritis i 2 

Hepalilis  acuta '      2     

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obsllpalio 13      48 

All  other  diseases 25      21 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

Catarrbus 11 


99 

139 

I 

11 
1 
3 


2 
120 
197 

3 

24 


373 


88 
1 
1 


35 

12 


150 
37 


1       124 


...  I  153 

....!    35 
1         12 


680 
904 
80 
63 


lory  system. 


Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
ner\'0us  system. 


Phthisis  pulmonalis  , 

Pleuritis 

Pneumonia 

.\11  other  diseases  . . . 

t'ephalalgia 

Delirium  tremens  . . . 


1 
1 
2 
9 
1 
1 

Epilepsia 2 

1 
2 
4 


Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  < 
ezhalent  vessels.  ' 

Disea-'es  of  the  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 


Abscesses  and  ulcers....  * 


Neuralgia 

All  other  diseases 

Gonorrhcpa 

Strictura  urethrje 

Syphilis  primitiva 2 

Syphilis  consecutiva 1 

.•Ul  other  diseases 3 

Ascites 1 

All  other  diseases 6 

Pernio 

Podagra 

Rheumatismus 20 

Fistula 

Phlegmon  et  absccssus 57 

Ulcus 17 

Ambustio 1 

Amputatio  


4 
11 
1 
5 
7 
o 

7 
1 
3 
6 


3 

5 
65 
23 

9 
32 

1 


56 

47 

3 

71 


32 
30 

8 


38 
33 
8 
37 
3 
3 


24 

3 

13 

1 
13 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 
3 

Wounds  and  injuries. . . .  ■ 


BUscelliuieous i 


Concussio  cerebri 

Conlusio 

Fractura 

Luxatio 

?ub  luxatio 

Vulnus  incisum 

Vulnus  laccratum 

Vulnus  punctum 

Vulnus  sclopeticum . . . . 

Debilitas 

Ebrietas 

Hxniorrhois 

Hernia , .. 

Morbi  cutis 

Morbi  oculi 

Scorbutus  

Suicidiuni 

All  other  diseases 2:2 


S 

38 

3 

3 


37 


55 
39 
6 


90 

3S 

4 


3 
13 


5 
10 
10 


75 
I 
1 
9 

20 
9 
3 

12 
S 

a 

4 
3 
6 
10 

as 


3 

4 
10 
13 

4 
4 
3 
8 
6 
3 
29 


94 
4 

1 

15 

16 

12 

9 

1 

3 

12 

9 

1 

10 

31 

51 

1 

87 




•2 

1 



2 



1 

5 



8 

1 

3 

1     1 

2 

1 

4 

'  189 

I    37 

294 

154 

29 

3 
360 
18 
14 
39 
90 
54 
36 


42 
19 
U 
58 

143 
1 


^ 


Total . 


698 


9     1,155         9     1,362 


403 


4     5,626 


84 

731 

143 

36 

3 

6 

5 

243 

166 

35 

175 

6 

9 

14 

28 

18 

7 

36 

15 

I     18 

10 

7 

9 

25 

3 

9 

•2 


35 

13 

1 

I 

1 


S.  96- 


410 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  FIUNCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Years 

THIKD  ClUAKTEU. 

AOOREOATB 
6TR£N0TU. 

1849.     '      1850.      '      1851.            1852.           1853.     I      1854. 

1                    : 

CLASSKS  OF  DIS- 

E\SES. 

Mean  strenotu 

641.         '         817.         1       1,279.       j       1,621. 

1,319. 

600. 

6,277. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Casus. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died. 

1 

Cases 

Died.  Cases  1  Died 

Toliil :  Total 
ca^es.  died. 

1  Febris  coniinua  otmniunis  . 
!  Febris  inter.  f]Uo[idiana  .... 

Febris  inlorniittens  lertiana. 

Febris  intorniillens  quartana 

11      QO 

1{1 

68 

393 

377 

1 

109 

Fevers ■ 

191 

74 

120 
156 
16 
85 



350 

291 

11 

45 

1       241 
315 



77 
140 

...... 

1,375 

1,333 

29 

314 

1 

77 

■ 

60     '       1          19 

8 

1 

1      1 

Erysipelas 

2 

1 

1 

3I 

1 

80 
2 

49 

40 

1 
1 

117 

56 

S 

1       168     

1    I    78          1 
2          1 

132 

52 

598 

3 

16    \ 1    10 

4     3 

t  208 

1R 

3 

Dyscnlcria  chronica 

Diseases  of  the    organs 
connected  with  the  di-' 

3 

5 

3 

1 

> 

5 

1 



1 

1 

1 

31 

21 

S 

27 

1 

3 

8 

3 

213 

gestive  system. 

1 

1    61 

20 

20 

2 

4 
1 
2 

SB 

1         25 

4 

17 

1     !       1 

2 

;  .'50 

1    29 

11 

[ 

'  ^  i ! '' 

11     ' 10 

30      i    32 

164    j          1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

32    i 

j      9    ! 

119      

3    '          1 

Diseases  ol  the  respira-. 

IMcuritis 

1      

11 

I 
6 
6 
1 

R 

1 i 

19    '.. 

toiy  system. 

2 

1 

..;:..--. 

L 

1 

2 

7 
1 
5 
4 
8 
7 
1 
9 

5      

4 
4 
5 
1 
1 
3 
4 

17     1 

1 
7 

6 
3 

1 

10 

3 

1 

6 



34 

20 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

Diseases  of  the   urinary 

2 

1 

3    1 

...."!     .5 

30 
2! 

1  1 :   2' 

3     2 

3      

5    1      2 

3 

2 

1 
6 
2 

19    1 

7  1 

8  i- 



1 

3 

....            3 



and  ijcnital  organs. 

SypliiUs  consecutiva 

All  other  diseases 

2 
6 

1 
3 

5 
31 

Diseases  of  the    serous  ( 

3 

11 

1 

5      

3 

3 

1 



3 

1      2 

2      

1 

11 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  ] 

::::::::::::  :::::;:":l:::: 

::::::r:;::i;:;::.r-v- 

muscular  structures. 
Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . .  j 

17 

64 

25 

3 

1 

21 

1     14 

110 

41 

7 

50     1 

124     

52     

7    < 



37      13 

,..9       

Phlegmon  ct  abscessus 

Ulcus 

55 
17 

99      

43     

37 
29 
2 

4S9 

207 

28 

3 

3 

317 

17 

16 

1 



2      

29 
3 
3 

1 

35 
4 

i    63 

59      

102      1     99     1 

3 



6 
11 

!  1 

1 

....           1 

Wounds  and  injuries ^ 

1 

g 

... 

10. 

14 

7 

6 

3 

19    j 

:::::;  "  !:::::: 

8    ' 

:::::.  'l  !;::::: 



18    1   -        '     11 



67 

16 
4 
1 
3 
2 
S 
2 

6 
4 

5 

30 
9 
8 
2 
4 

12 
8 
3 

....    1        9 

93       -- 

Vulnus  laceratum 

Vulnus  puneiuni 

3 
3 
2 
4 
3 

38 
31 
20 
.■)l 

Vulnus  gclopriienin 

5      10 

2      1      8 

2     1 

1     a 

:; 

J 

39 

7 

RR 

7 

38    j 

28    1 

15    1 

I 

5 

6     1 4     1 17 

1    ! 1     a   1 fi 

35 

13 

1 

...... 

ur, 

2 

42     <          3 

1 

1 
59 

1 

1 

1 

2              2 

All  other  diseases 

28 

91 

1         98 

1 

86      

29 

391     j          2 

1 

1           Total 

742 

3      H.17         i    '1  a<ir. 

4     1,892 

7 

' 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    TEXAS. 


411 


AWONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  TEXAS— WESTERN  J-'KONTIKK. 

FOURTH  aUARTER.                                                              ' 

Years 

1848. 

1849.            1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

18S3. 

1854. 

•TKeKOTH. 

CLASSES  OF 

DISEASES. 

Mean  STRENGTH 398. 

683. 

SOS. 

1,263. 

1,634. 

720. 

619. 

6,235. 

IsPECIFIC  DISEASES.  Cases.  Died,  'cases. 

1                                         •                      1 

Died.  Cases.'  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Total 

cas*-*. 

Total 
died. 

4 
202 
263 

^ 



2     

355     

154     

52     

36 

15 

419 

454 

2 

4 

30 

1  Febrisint.  quotidiana  ..        5 

1  Febris  int.  lertiana 11 

34 
113 

7 

122 

188 

2 

127     

~     

1,264 

1,360 

63 

93 

8 

1 

5 

1 

4 

196 

688 

265 

51 

11 

5 

3 

121 

99 

38 

335 

10 

1 

Febris  remittens 3      

19 
1 

30 

4 

I 

I 

2      

1 

Febris  typhus  icterodcB. 

1 

1      

Eruptive  fevers- 

1 

4 
1 

:    1 

1 

4 

1 

IS6 

77 

133 
1 

■■■■| 

133 

76 
17 
4 
4 

78 

31 

24 

1       1        4 

1 
2 
1 

58 
8 

a 

3 

1 

131 
75 

4 

1 
1 

48 
46 
7 
2 
2 

54      

3 

Dysentena  acuta 

4 

M 

4 
1 

5 
4 

2 

1 

I 

2 
I 

15 

19 

9 

115 

1 
17 
14 

1 
38 

10 

3 

1 
1 

1 

f 

Respiraiorj-  sys- 

Obstipatio 

1  All  other  diseases 

'      

12      

27      

e   ! 

1 

32 

30 

4 

64 

1 

1 
1 

_ 

16 
9 
10 
31 
2 
3 

1 
6 

1 

3 

2 

Catarrhus 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

■fO      



13      *     37 

4            1     I       .1 

35     

5 

7 

e 

7 

3 
2 
10 
2 
4 
2 
2 

' 

1     

21      

2 

2 

Q 

14 

1 

2 

1 

1       IK 

o 

Brsin  and  ncr-. 
i-ous  system. 

f 

1       1 

1         1    1     a 

6      

i      3     

20 

Delirium  tremens 

1             3 

3 
3 

4 
1 
4 

14               2 

1      

lo 

1 

1     

6               3 

•i 



3 

23      

I    

10 

1      o 

4      

1     

9      

12 

34 

5 

j  Gonorrhoea 

8    : 

1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
3 

SS 
3 

68 

68 

3 

2 

7 
3 
1 

2 
1 

.  •<>> 

1 
3 

4 

1 

11 
13 

19 
1 

10 
2 

3      

1  ' 

2      

Serous  and  ex- 1 

halent  vessels.  ( 

Fibrous  &  iiius-  i 

cularstruct's.  I 

f 
Abscesses    and! 

ulcers. 

■  All  other  diseases 

i      3     i      4 

4 

I 

1 

a        1        I 

1 

3 



30 

1 
46 
43 

8 





1     j 

1 

; 

1 

I 
24 

1 

11 

22 

1         Ift    1 . 

183               1 

....!...:.."  ::"■■ 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus. . 

Ulcus    

AmbusUo 

6 
6 

4 

27 

26 

2 

40 
1 

^ 

14      

3      

30 
14 
S 

I 



343 

184 

30 

3 

9 

S99 

8 

1 

28 

1     j       1 
33    ' 

1 

16    

,     49 

60  :    1 

3      

1      

'3    i 

12      

79 
3 

35    j 

1      

1 

1 

1      1 

Wounds  and  in- 

1      .....|..... 

3 

juries. 

I 

13 

20    ! 

14      

9      

7 

1       1     lO      !A       

20      

4      

1.... 

13      

8      

3    L         . 

11       8.T       

Vulnus  laccratuni 

1      

9      

5      

3    i  

3 

4 
5 
8 
12 
9 

I 

1 

11        

45      

19      

Vulnus  sclupeticum 

1      

■1      

5 
3 

2 
1 

2 

S 
1 

2 

18               S 

4 
4 



T     

1      

7      

27 
31 

a    

2      

1 

6     

9 

34      

'  Hernia    

1 

! 

I 

2      

Miscellaneous..  -, 

2 

9 

7 

23 

1 

3    ' 

19    I   

9           1 
65           1 

11 

S6 

2      

4      

7      

20          I 

19 

Morbi  oculi 

1  Scorbutus 

All  other  diseases 

Total 

3 

.     15     

8 

84 

71 

57 

6 

44            1 
72      

1      

19     

a 
a 

423 

136 

888 

8       681 

1 

1,402   1     17 

1,835  j       3 

672           4 

S85 

3 

6,486         177 

NEW  MEXICO. 


Since  the  occupation  of  this  Territory  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  the  troops  have  been 
kept  very  constantly  employed,  either  in  suppressing  Indian  difficulties,  or  in  carrying  on  active 
operations  against  hostile  tribes.  The  peculiar  nature  of  the  service,  and  the  inadequacy  of  the 
force  to  meet  the  numerous  demands  for  military  aid  and  protection,  rendered  frequent  changes 
of  position  necessary:  and,  accordingly,  it  is  found  that  quarterly  reports  of  sick  have  been  re- 
ceived from  twenty-four  posts  in  this  Territory,  within  the  six  years  embraced  in  the  accompa- 
nying abstract,  although,  on  an  average,  not  more  than  ten  positions  have  been  garrisoned  at 
one  time. 

To  the  frequent  movement  of  troops  from  one  point  to  another,  and  the  almost  constant  field 
service  of  a  majority  of  the  medical  officers,  is  attributed  the  absence  of  medico-topographical 
reports  from  the  military  stations  in  New  Mexico.  From  the  few  brief  notes  furnished  with 
the  quarterly  reports,  the  following  statements  respecting  the  geographical  positions  of  the  seve- 
ral posts  have  been  mainly  compiled. 

FOKT  MASSACHUSETTS,  CANTONMENT  BURG  WIN,  TAOS,  ABIQUIU,  AND  FORT  UNION. 

Fort  Massachusetts  :  The  most  northern  post  in  this  Territory  is  located  in  a  sheltered  val- 
ley on  Utah  creek,  opening  into  the  great  valley  of  San  Luis.  Lofty  mountains  rise  abruptly 
on  the  east,  and  surround  San  Luis  valley  on  all  sides. 

Cantonment  Burgwin  :  Near  the  source  of  the  Kio  Grande,  nine  miles  north  of  Taos,  in  a 
rough,  mountainous  district. 

Taos  :  The  town  of  Taos  is  situated  on  an  elevated  plateau  north  of  Santa  Fe,  and  near  a 
tributary  of  the  Eio  Grande  from  the  east. 

Abiquiu  :  On  the  Eio  de  Chama,  a  tributary  of  the  Kio  Grande  from  the  west,  in  a  narrow 
valley  in  the  vicinity  of  very  high  mountains. 

Fort  Union  :  Northeastward  from  Santa  Fe  about  fifty  miles,  on  the  Moro  river,  a  branch  of 
the  Canadian.     Locality  in  a  mountainous  region  opening  eastward  to  the  Great  Plains. 

SANTA  Ft,  LAS  VEGAS.  CEBOLLETA  AND  LAGUNA,  ALBUQUERQUE,  AND  FORT  CRAIG. 

Santa  Fe  :  On  an  elevated  plateau,  near  forty  miles  eastward  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  local 
exposure  is  very  free  and  open,  but  lofty  mountain  ranges  enclose  the  plateau  and  immediate 
valley  of  the  river. 

Las  Vegas  :  The  town  of  Las  Vegas  is  on  the  first  slope  of  those  gradually  increasing  hills, 
forming  an  offset  or  dividing  spur  between  the  Eaton  range  and  the  Eocky  Mountains.  An 
extensive  and  somewhat  iertile  valley,  which  furnishes  the  basis  of  support  to  the  town,  inter- 
venes between  the  plains  in  front  and  the  hills,  whence  a  mountain-stream,  the  Eio  Vegas,  flows 
with  a  rapid  current,  and,  by  irrigation,  is  made  to  water  tlie  valley  in  the  singularly  dry  sea- 
sons common  to  that  locality.     The  soil  is  argillaceous,  with  so  great  an  intermixture  of  mica 


414  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

as  to  be  in  many  places  highly  reflective  of  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The  natural  slope  of  the  sur- 
face, the  absence  of  marshes,  the  usually  dry  atmosphere,  and  the  great  elevation  above  the  sea 
(about  6,000  feet),  combine  to  render  the  position  a  healthy  one. — (From  quarterly  report  of 
Assistant  Surgeon  Thos.  A.  McParUn. 

Cebolleta  and  Laguna  :  At  the  sources  of  a  branch  of  the  Puerco  river,  west  of  the  Eio 
Grande,  and  southwest  of  Santa  Fe.  At  Cebolleta,  the  post  was  in  a  narrow  valley  or  glen, 
facing  eastward,  with  a  very  defective  and  local  exposure.  Subsequently  (in  October,  1851)  the 
post  was  removed  twenty  miles  southward  to  Laguna,  an  o^jen  valley  of  tlie  San  Jose  river,  a 
tributary  of  the  Rio  Puerco. 

Albuquerque  :  A  town  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  about  midway  between  Santa  Fe 
and  Socorro. 

Fort  Craig  :  Following  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande  southward,  we  come  successively  to  the 
military  station  at  Socorro,  and  to  Fort  Conrad,  respecting  which  special  reports  will  be  given. 
Next  in  order  is  Fort  Craig,  at  the  northern  terminus  of  the  Jornada  del  Muerto,  nine  miles 
below  Fort  Conrad  and  southward  on  the  river. 

FORT  THORN,  FORT  WEBSTER,  DONA  ANA,  FORT  FILLMORE,  AND  FORT  BLISS. 

Fort  Thorn  :  In  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  opposite  the  centre  of  the  Jornada,  sixty 
miles  below  Fort  Conrad. 

Fort  Webster  :  At  the  copper  mines,  near  the  sources  of  the  Rio  Mimbres  and  of  the  Gila, 
Sierra  Madre,  in  a  caiion  among  abrupt  mountains.  In  October,  1852,  this  post  was  removed 
to  a  point  on  the  Rio  Mimbres,  eight  miles  E.N.E.  of  the  copper  mines. 

Dona  Ana  :  In  the  Rio  Grande  valley,  about  fifty  miles  above  El  Paso,  and  seven  miles  below 
the  terminus  of  the  Jornada  del  Muerto.  The  locality  is  a  wide  valley,  with  high  protecting 
mountains  at  several  miles'  distance. 

Fort  Fillmore  :  Near  Mesilla,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  about  forty  miles  north  of 
El  Paso.  The  locality  is  a  wide  valley,  with  high  mountains  to  the  east,  distant  from  ten  to 
fifteen  miles. 

Fort  Bliss  :  Nearly  opposite  the  town  of  El  Paso,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande. 

MEDICAL  topography  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  CONRAD. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  E.  P.  Langworthy  :  1853. 

Fort  Conrad  lies  in  the  county  of  Socorro,  New  Mexico,  25  miles  below  the  county  seat, 
(Socorro,)  on  the  Rio  Grande  del  Norte.  It  is  situated  on  a  sandy,  gravelly  mesa,  or  table-land, 
which  rises  abruptly  from  the  grassy  bottoms  of  the  river  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  This  table-land  becomes  exceedingly  broken  as  you  proceed  west  from  the  stream, 
rising  by  successive  rude  steps  or  grades,  till  the  formation  is  lost  among  the  range  of  high 
mountains  that  bound  the  fort  on  the  west,  southwest,  and  northwest.  The  brokenness  of  the 
mesa  depends  in  a  great  degree  upon  the  washings  of  rains,  and  the  drifting  of  the  light  sand 
that  is  almost  constantly  in  motion,  on  account  of  the  high  winds  that  prevail  here  almost  with- 
out cessation.  The  alluvial  low  lands,  or  bottoms  of  the  river,  consist,  for  the  most  part,  of  a 
light-yellowish  sand,  incorporated  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  with  a  saline  matter,  that  covers 
the  surface  of  the  groimd  in  patches  like  snow,  and  presents  precisely  the  same  appearance. 
Where  the  ground  is  lower,  the  soil  differs  materially,  and  is  rendered  very  fertile  by  admix- 
ture with  humus,  and  other  rich  deposits  of  matter.  With  the  exception  of  an  occasional  brack- 
ish, saline  cesspool,  in  the  flat  low  lands,  there  is  never  stagnant  water,  for  any  length  of  time, 
in  this  vicinity. 

The  latitude  of  Fort  Conrad  is  about  33°  34'  19"  N.,  and  the  longitude  107°  9'  39"  W.;  the 
altitude  above  the  ocean  4,576  feet.     Between  this  post  and  Santa  Fe  there  is  a  difference  of 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS    IN  NEW   MEXICO.  415 

altitude,  in  favor  of  the  latter,  of  considerably  over  2,400  feet,  althougli  there  is  but  a  little 
over  two  degrees  difFerence  in  the  respective  latitudes  of  the  places.  While  at  this  point  we  are 
enjoying  the  balmy,  invigorating  atniospliere  of  spring,  so  materially  the  climate  differs,  the 
residents  of  Santa  Fe  are  wrapped  up  in  their  great-coats,  and  shivering  over  the  blazing  fagots 
of  pinon  and  cedar. 

This  post  is  to  a  great  extent  environed  and  encompassed  by  mountains,  remote  and  near, 
but  particularly  in  a  westerly  direction.  Eight  or  ten  miles  east  of  us,  the  San  Pasqual  rears 
its  huge  head;  at  the  south,  and  overlooking  the  murky  waters  of  the  Kio  Grande,  stands  the 
rugged  Fra  Cristobal,  twenty  miles  distant ;  at  the  west  and  northwest  looms  up  the  extensive 
and  lofty  range  known  as  the  Sierra  San  Mateo  and  Sierra  Ilalin.  The  Saline  mountain,  near 
the  foot  of  which  lies  the  Salt  Lake,  from  which  the  Mexicans  procure  large  quantities  of  cornmon 
salt  for  domestic  purposes,  is  seen,  of  a  deep-blue  color,  in  the  southeast;  and  to  the  right  the 
northern  terminus  of  the  long  chain  that  extends  across  the  Jornada  del  3Iuerto,  parallel  with 
the  wagon  trail,  ycleped  Sierra  de  Cahallo — so  called  from  the  northern  extremity  of  the  range 
resembling  somewhat  a  horse,  as  the  name  indicates.  Socorro  mountain,  and  the  Sierra  de  las 
Ladrones  (Thieves  mountain)  25  and  50  miles  distant  (above),  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  Eio 
Grande;  and  Manzana  mountain  on  the  cast  side,  opposite  the  Ladrones  mount,  and  numerous 
others,  great  and  small,  in  various  directions,  that  are  nameless,  present  no  peculiar  or  very 
interesting  feature.  They  are  mainly  basaltic,  traversed  bj^  dikes  of  trap.  These  mountains 
are  clothed  more  or  less  with  timber,  and  stunted  scrub  bushes,  that  relieves  their  barrenness 
in  a  great  measure  to  the  eye  of  the  beholder.  Unfortunately,  I  have  never  been  enabled  to 
examine  and  thoroughly  explore  the  mountainous  districts. '  The  physical  aspect  of  the  sur- 
rounding country  is  anything  but  interesting,  and  I  trust  I  shall  not  incur  the  charge  of 
monstrously  exaggerating  the  true  facts  when  I  remark  that  the  whole  Territory  of  New  Mex- 
ico is  little  else  than  a  great  sterile  mountainous  desert,  not  calculated  for  the  residence  of 
man  in  a  state  of  civilization.  There  are  oases,  however,  in  nearly  all  deserts ;  and  New  Mexico 
does  not  prove  an  exception  to  the  general  rule. 

This  post  has  been  established  but  eighteen  months,  and  therefore  its  "medical  statistics" 
must  necessarily  present  little  that  would  be  satisfactory  to  an  inquiring  mind. 

Diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  have  been  more  frequent  than  any  other.  The  cause  of  this  I 
am  compelled  to  attribute,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  adulterated,  poisonous  liquor,  both  Ameri- 
can and  Mexican,  that  is  vended  to,  and  drank  by,  the  soldiers  in  this  Territory  in  great  quan- 
tities; and,  indeed,  I  may  truthfully  remark,  that  many  other  of  the  diseases  of  this  command 
acknowledge,  and  can  be  traced  to  the  same  immoral  source.  The  whole  number  of  diseases 
treated  in  eighteen  months,  in  a  command  averaging  479,  was  562,  as  follows:  140  in  the  last 
quarter  of  1851.  In  1852,  first  quarter,  111;  second  quarter,  131;  third  quarter,  91;  fourth 
quarter,  50.  In  1853,  first  quarter,  39.  Quarterly  mean  of  1852,  127.  Mean  of  the  six 
quarters,  93.  This  post  is  a  very  healthy  one,  and  comparatively  few  are  sick.  In  fact,  there 
is  no  country  on  the  face  of  the  globe,  perhaps,  that  surpasses  New  Mexico  for  salubrity  and 
purity  of  atmosphere,  and  general  freedom  from  disease.  Five  deaths  only  have  occurred  here, 
to  wit:  three  from  diarrhoea  (chronic),  one  from  empyema,  and  one  from  acute  pneumonia.  Six 
liave  been  discharged  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  ordinary  disability,  for  injuries  received,  &c. 

The  principal  maladies  of  the  country  are  syphilis,  gonorrhoea,  rheumatism,  and  erysipelas. 
The  two  first-named,  from  the  shockingly  low  state  of  morals  here,  are  very  prevalent  in 
both  sexes;  and,  from  what  I  have  seen  of  these  diseases,  I  am  of  opinion  that  they  are  of  a 
more  malignant  form,  and  less  tractable  under  treatment,  than  the  same  in  the  States.  Ery- 
sipelas occurs  epidemically  oftentimes,  and  is  said  to  be  very  fatal  in  its  effects.  I  have  not  seen 
a  single  case  of  this  disease,  and  therefore  cannot  speak  ex  cathedra  or  advisedly  concerning  it. 
The  same  remedies,  with  slight  modifications,  are  employed  in  the  two  first  named  maladies 

Santa  /¥,  latitude  35°  44' 6"  N  ;  elevation  of  same  above  the  sea  7,000  feet. 


416  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

that  are  elsewhere.  As  far  as  I  can  loam,  this  will  equally  ap])!}'  to  the  treatment  of  rheuma- 
tism and  erysipelas.  To  the  simple  diet  of  the  Mexican  population,  much  of  the  health  they 
enjoy  can  he  attrihuted.  This  diet  is  composed  of  little  else  than  chile  Colorado  (red  pepper), 
atoli  or  atolc  (parched  corn,  sugar,  and  water),  ^jcJioZa,  frijoles,  ])arched  corn  (per  se)  tortillas, 
with  corn  stalk  molasses  and  chocolate  nd  libitum.  In  consequence  of  the  abject  poverty  of  the 
great  mass,  animal  Ibod  is  seldom  a  constituent  of  their  diet.  They  are  ipso  facto  from  neces- 
sity, herlm-orous  or  p/njlivorons  in  a  great  degree.  But  a  few  weeks  since,  I  treated  two  cases  of 
bilious  fever,  both  of  which  had  degenerated  into  the  typhoid  stage  before  I  was  called.  One, 
a  Mexican  woman,  died,  as  might  be  expected  under  the  existing  circumstances;  but  the  other, 
an  American,  whose  excess  in  strong  drink  had  lowered  the  tone  of  his  system,  I  effectually 
cural,  principally  by  the  exhibition  of  large  doses  of  sulph:  quinine,  as  practised,  and  so 
strongly  recommended  by  Dr.  Eobert  Dundas,  physician  to  the  Northern  Hospital,  Liver- 
pool, &c. 

On  account  of  the  dryness  of  this  climate,  koino  miasmata  is  not  a  fruitful  source  of  disease, 
as  in  most  countries;  and  I  have  met  with  very  few  fevers  the  causation  of  which  could  bo 
traced  to  malarious  exhalations  or  sources.  Americans,  who  are  subject  to  that  troublesome 
complaint,  ague  and  fever,  in  this  Territory,  I  am  led  to  believe  have  more  often  brought  the 
germs,  the  hlastemce  of  the  malady,  in  their  systems  from  the  States,  and  some  exposure  here  has 
excited  into  action,  and  developed  or  redeveloped  the  dormant  occult  poison. 

The  tvaters  of  the  Territory  of  Neto  Mexico  are  of  a  healthy  character,  generally  speaking, 
although  the  waters  of  the  Rio  Puerco,  Rio  de  Galisteo,  and  other  small  streams  that  debouch 
into  the  Kio  Grande,  are  said  to  be  deleterious  to  health  during  a  high  stage  of  water.  More 
than  60,000  persons  annually  drink  the  water  of  the  Rio  Grande  and  its  tributaries;  and,  from 
personal  experience,  I  can  bear  testimony  that  it  is  not  exceeded  by  the  famed  Missouri  water 
for  excellence  and  freedom  from  insipidity.  The  Rio  Grande  at  this  point  wends  its  way  nearly 
north  and  south;  it  is  about  300  yards  wide,  often  more,  with  low  banks,  which  the  "oldest 
inhabitant"  has  rarely  known  to  be  overflown  during  the  great  rises,  which  annually  occur  in 
the  months  of  April,  May,  and  June,  and  which  depend  upon  the  melting  of  the  snow  in  the 
northern  mountains  near  the  source  of  the  stream.  This  flood,  which  is  at  its  maximum  in  May, 
is  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  snow  that  has  fallen  in  the  mountains  during  the  j)receding 
winter.  Like  the  Missouri,  and  western  rivers  generally,  the  Rio  Grande  is,  at  all  stages  of 
water,  more  or  less  muddy. 

The  "vital  statistics"  of  the  Indian  tribes  are  little  known.  The  chief  bands  that  infest 
this  section  of  country  are  the  Gila  Apaches,  Apaches  of  the  Sacramento  and  White  Moun- 
tains, and  Mezcalero  Apaches,  and  the  Navajoes.  The  Apaches  are  subdivided  into  several 
bands,  and  perhaps  cannot  muster,  all  told,  over  600  warriors.  The  White  Mountain  and 
Sacramento  Apaches  inhabit  the  valleys  and  mountain  fastnesses  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  as 
well  as  the  Mezcaleros;  and  the  Apaches  of  the  Rio  Gila  the  western  mountains.  The  Navajoes 
live  in  the  country  northwest  from  this  point.  This  tribe  is  quite  numerous ;  but  its  exact 
number  is  a  matter  that  still  remains  sub  Judice.  The  Jicarrilla  Apaches,  living  in  the  east- 
ern portion  of  New  Mexico,  are  not  very  numerous,  and  the  governor  of  this  Territory  informed 
me  that  they  had  recently  entered  into  a  treaty  with  him  to  emigrate  west  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  Chacon's  band  has  already  gone.  When  Mangus  Colorado,  and  kindred  spirits  of  the 
Apache  nation,  have  been  sent  to  their  home  in  the  upper  hunting-grounds,  and  not  till  then, 
will  the  efforts  to  colonize  them  prove  at  all  successful.  One  hundred  and  fifty  Apache  war- 
riors have  been  killed  during  the  past  year  in  the  State  of  Sonora,  in  forays  with  the  Mexicans; 
at  least  I  have  the  authority  of  an  officer  of  the  army  who  has  been  stationed  among  the 
Apaches  at  the  "  Cobres"  (Fort  Webster)  for  making  the  statement.  Nearly  all  the  Indians 
in  this  country  speak  Spanish;  a  very  few,  who  have  been  raised  with  the  ^Mexicans,  read,  and 
even  write  it. 

The  nearest  settlement  here  is  San  Antonita,  12  miles  up  the  rivei-.      In  TOO  miles  around 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    NEW   MKXICO.  417 

there  are  not  over  10,000  Mexicans  ;  and  that  may  exceed  the  numher,  for  I  have  no  reliable 
data  to  direct  my  judgment.  The  Kio  Abajo,  from  here  down,  for  a  hundred  miles,  is  not 
populated  at  all,  or  the  land  cultivated. 

The  mountain  Indians  of  New  Mexico  are  seldom  sick.  The  healthfulness  of  this  branch  of 
the  genus  homo  is  most  enviable.  Venereal  diseases  are  sometimes  found  among  them,  and  are 
often  contracted  from  Mexican  women,  many  of  whom  are  never  free  from  this  disgusting 
malady,  and  are  taken  into  the  tribes,  often  willingly,  more  often  vi  et  armis,  and  adopted  as 
wives  and  serfs  by  the  band,  thus  disseminating  the  seeds  of  the  disease.  These  savages  are 
subject  to  opthalmia,  which  I  judge  is  often  the  gonorrhceal  variety.  Gun-shot  and  incised 
wounds  are  more  frequent  among  them  than  any  other  form  of  injury,  as  might  be  supposed 
from  their  marauding,  belligerent  disposition ;  and  indeed,  what  illness  they  are  subject  to  prin- 
cipally arises  from  this  cause.  Lues  venerea  and  gonorrhoea  are  about  all  the  diseases  that 
seriously  effect  the  Mexican  populace,  with  the  exceptions  stated  in  a  previous  part  of  this 
paper.     I  regret  I  can  add  nothing  more  satisfactory  on  this  subject. 

With  the  geological  formations  and  peculiarities  of  this  country,  in  detail,  none  are  familiar. 
The  rocks  "crop  out"  but  seldom  in  this  vicinity,  and  where  they  do  are  mainly  basaltic,  with 
trap  and  metamorpliic  sandstone,  the  latter  of  various  colors.  There  are  some  calcareous 
deposits  occasionally  met  with,  and  seams  of  porphyritic  lava  traverse  the  mountains,  which 
are  basaltic  in  character,  and  of  volcanic  origin.  Fragments  of  lava,  both  felspathic  and  augi- 
tic  (scoriw),  strew  the  earth  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  mountains,  as  well  as  the  debris  of 
basaltic,  amygdaloid,  and  trap  rock,  which  is  everywhere  found  on  the  table-lands  of  the  Ter- 
ritory. Gold,  mercury,  copper,  silver,  and  galena,  are  found  in  greater  or  less  quantities  in 
many  of  the  mountainous  elevations ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  a  little  Yankee  enterprise  in  this 
region  would  develop  something  important.  Extensive  beds  of  copper  are  known  to  exist  at  the 
Mimbres  Mountains  (the  location  of  Fort  Webster),  and  were  formerly  worked;  but  owing  to 
the  depredations  of  the  Indians,  active  operations  were  abandoned.  The  surface  of  the  eleva- 
tion, where  shafts  were  sunk,  is  covered  with  hi  sulphuret  of  iron  (iron  pyrites),  and  sub-oxide 
of  copper  (red  oxide).  The  silver  mines  of  the  Sierras  de  los  Organos,  near  Fort  Fillmore,  are 
at  the  present  writing  being  worked,  and  yield  a  fair  amount  of  the  metal.  The  silver  is  found 
in  the  form  of  a  sulphuret  (vitreous  silver  of  mineralogists),  united  with  galena.  Granitic 
formations  are  common  in  the  country. 

New  Mexico  can  boast  of  nothing  on  a  ve7-i/  extensive  scale;  unless  it  be,  indeed,  its  sterility 
and  actual  worthlessness ;  and  the  number,  variety,  and  voraciousness  of  the  "  insect ce" — a  great 
portion  of  which,  I  presume,  have  never  been  described.  The  larger  animals  of  this  Territory 
live  in  the  mountains  and  intermediate  valleys  and  caiions. 

Of  the  class  carnaria,  or  butchering  animals,  are  the  grizzly  and  black  bear,  panther,  wild  cat, 
pole-cat,  weasel,  and  the  large  and  small  wolf,  the  lobo  and  coyote.  The  two  former  animals 
seldom  stray  fir  from  their  natural  habitat — the  rugged  mountain  fastnesses.  They  are  very 
large  and  fearfully  voracious. 

Of  the  rodentia,  I  am  cognizant  of  only  the  prairie  dog,  a  small  burrowing  squirrel,  the 
mouse,  rat,  a  large  hare  (known  as  the  burro  or  jackass  rabbit),  and  the  ordinary  rabbit  (Jepiis 
cmiiculus).    The  two  latter  are  found  in  great  numbers  all  over  the  country. 

Of  the  stilted  or  long-legged  birds,  I  have  seen  but  the  sand-hill  crane.  They  are  here  es- 
teemed as  one  of  the  luxuries  of  the  mesa. 

Palmipedes. — All  the  streams  and  ponds  in  the  country  are  usually  frequented  by  geese, 
brant,  and  ducks  of  many  varieties.  The  avocet,  classed  under  this  head,  is  also  found  here 
occasionally. 

Accipitres. — The  turkey-buzzard,  eagle,  hawk,  and  raven,  are  all  the  birds  of  prey  the  coun- 
try affords,  as  I  am  informed,  and  believe.  The  former  and  latter  are  very  numerous,  espe- 
cially the  last  named,  and  are  invaluable  as  scavengers  around  the  post. 

Chelonia. — Several  varieties  of  tortoise — small  and  insignificant. 
«.  96 53 


418  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

Ophidia. — Eattle-snakes — many  huge  and  fearfully  venomous.  There  are  other  serpents  in- 
habiting land  and  water  that  are  liarniless. 

Sauria. — Chameleon,  and  a  small  swift  lizard,  the  speed  of  whicli  on  the  hot  sand  in  mid- 
summer would  put  to  blush  the  fastest  locomotive. 

Passerince. — Sparrows,  meadow-lark,  blackbird  (two  species),  martin,  chapparal-swallow, 
and,  I  have  lately  observed,  the  red-breast  robin. 

GalUnacca. — Tlie  bluish,  lod-colored  quail,  or  partridge,  {ortix  squamosa,)  inhabits  this  coun- 
try. I  think  the  pisano  or  chapparal-cock,  which  I  have  often  met  with  here  in  my  rambles, 
also  comes  under  the  head  of  gallinacea. 

Batradiea. — Ordinary  toad,  and  amphibious  frog.  I  have  seen  no  horned  frogs  in  the  valley 
of  the  Rio  Grande.     They  are  common  on  the  plains,  particularly  near  the  Cimarone  river. 

Pisces. — The  buffalo  fish  and  cat,  of  gigantic  dimensions,  are  the  only  fish  I  have  seen.  In 
the  mountain  streams  trout  are  found. 

The  mountains  and  wooded  valleys  of  the  streams  are  inhabited  to  a  considerable  extent  by 
wild  turkeys  and  the  brilliant-plumaged  2)arroquet.  Antelope,  and  the  common  and  black- 
tail  deer,  are  comparatively  plentiful  in  the  mountainous  parts  of  the  country,  where  they  al- 
most exclusively  roam.  They  are  killed  principally  for  their  skins,  from  which  garments  are 
manufactured  by  the  Indians  and  Mexicans. 

The  site  of  Fort  Conrad  (Yalverde)  has  long  been  famous  among  the  Mexicans  for  its  veno- 
mous animals.  Here,  as  elsewhere  in  Mexico,  the  centipede,  tarantula,  scorpion,  et  id  orime 
genus,  live  and  flourish.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  meet  the  two  first  filing  athwart  the  parade, 
or  crawling  on  the  jcrga  around  our  quarters.  I  was  surprised  when  I  saw  the  length  and 
acuteness  of  the  tarantula's  teeth;  they  are  uncovered,  and  fold  under  the  anterior  portion  of 
his  body.  I  have  seen,  as  yet,  no  one  of  the  command  bitten.  Each  leg  of  the  centipede  is 
armed,  and  terminated  by  an  acute  point,  horny  in  character,  which  penetrates  and  poisons  the 
flesh  when  they  crawl  on  an  animal. 

The  vegetable  kingdom  in  this,  as  in  most  parts  of  the  country,  is  uninteresting  in  kind,  nor 
is  it  extensive  in  variety.  Everytliing  in  the  vegetable  world  is  stunted  and  deformed — the  re- 
sult of  the  want  of  water.  I  will  proceed  to  present  all  the  information  on  this  subject  that  I 
am  in  possession  of. 

The  Rio  Grande  is  skirted  on  both  sides  by  Cottonwood  {populus  canadensis),  generally  grow- 
ing sparsely,  very  crooked,  and  dwarfish.  There  appears  to  be  two  varieties,  that  differ  only 
in  the  color  of  the  blossom — one  being  white,  the  other  red.  In  the  bottom  land,  we  find  the 
willow  struggling  for  existence ;  and  in  the  land  lower  still,  especially  where  there  is  standing 
water,  the  reed-grass  or  cane.  The  grass  in  the  bottoms  springs  up  in  patches  or  clumps,  and 
does  not  grow  very  luxuriantly.  Immediately  here,  and  in  the  adjacent  region,  are  found  the 
obioue  canescens,  franseria  acanthocarpa,  yerba  del  sapa,  of  the  Mexicans ;  scrub  white  cedar ; 
a  kind  of  wild  potato,  or  solanum ;  but  not,  I  think,  the  original  solanum  tuberosum;  wild 
salvia,  salicornia,  atriplex,  iodeodonda  (Zajrea  J/e.rica?!a);  a  species  of  acacia  ;  salt  grass  {Uniola 
distichojihylla),  cacti  of  considerable  variety,  in  shape,  size,  and  kind;  tessaria  borealis,  diotis 
lanata,  dalea  formosa,  and  varieties  of  mesquite.  An  evergreen  of  the  genus  quercus  has  been 
spoken  of  by  some  adventurer,  and  also  a  new  kind  of  ash  and  black-walnut;  the  three  latter  I 
have  not  seen.  The  summer  and  winter  grama  grass  furnishes  grazing  for  the  herds  during  the 
respective  seasons,  and  both  varieties  are  jironounced  remarkably  nutritious.  Among  the  sand- 
hills may  be  seen  the  prosopis  glandulosa,  riddellia  tagetina,  pagapaga,  and  chamisa.  Several 
species  of  the  genus  pinus,  cedar,  and  oak  cover  the  mountains,  interspersed  by  black- walnut, 
and  a  few  other  varieties  of  trees.  These  trees  are  not  tall  or  large,  as  a  general  thing,  and 
make  indifferent  lumber  in  consequence ;  but  a  virtue  is  made  of  necessity  in  all  things  in  tliis 
desolate  jDOi's.  Wild  timothy,  oats,  clover,  and  a  plant  much  resembling  wheat,  have  recently 
been  seen  in  the  mountain  canons  and  valleys. 

Rain  seldom  falls  in  this  country  in  any  quantities  compared  with  rain  in  the  States.    The  year 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    NEW    MEXICO.  419 

1852  was  an  extraordinary  one  for  showers  in  New  Mexico,  and  perhaps  more  rain  fell  during  the 
last  year  than  tlie  two  previous  seasons.  The  whole  amount  of  water  that  has  fallen  since  the 
estahlisliment  of  this  post  (18  months)  is  only  9.8G  inches!  8.62  inches  of  this  amount  fell  in 
1852;  the  monthly  mean  of  the  same  year  was  a  little  over  0.71  inches;  the  mean  of  the  six 
quarters  ahove  mentioned,  1.64  inch.  The  prevailing  winds  are  from  the  W.,  S.W.,  and  N. 
W.,  and  the  atmosphere  is  seldom  in  a  state  of  quietude.  In  consequence  of  the  absence  of 
rain  here,  artificial  irrigation  has  to  he  resorted  to  by  means  of  acequias,  factitious  canals,  or 
ducts  running  from  the  river  to  the  cultivated  ground.  The  acequia  is  taken  out  of  the  river 
high  enough  to  give  the  water  sufficient  elevation  to  overflow  and  inundate  the  land  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  ranchero  who  cultivates  the  soil.  Rain  is  not  at  all  depended  uj^on.  Very 
little  dew  falls  here;  the  atmosphere  is  exceedingly  dry.  Occasionally,  during  the  winter 
months,  a  slight  fall  of  snow  occurs ;  but  this  is  rare,  and  what  falls  immediately  disappears. 

I  have  now  stated  all  facts  that  I  am  in  possession  of  relating  to  this  2)ost  and  the  adjacent 
country  that  could  be  of  interest  to  the  medical  department  of  the  army.  This  post  has  had 
existence  so  brief  a  period,  that  the  sickness  and  mortality  that  has  occurred  here  furnishes  no 
field  for  speculation  or  the  deduction  of  important  facts.  I  have  to  express  mj'  sincere  regret 
that  the  report  is  not  more  elaborate,  more  instructive,  and  more  comprehensive;  but  circum- 
stances, over  which  I  have  no  control,  elfectually  preclude  the  possibility  of  its  being  so  at 
present. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  SOCORRO. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  F.  Hammond :   1852. 

The  surface  of  New  Mexico  is  formed  into  a  succession  of  mountain  ridges  and  narrow  valleys 
running  from  the  N.W.  by  N. — the  result  of  volcanic  action  ;  as  the  quantities  of  granite,  por- 
phyry, and  trachyte  upon  the  loftiest  summits  evince,  it  has  been  scathed  to  barrenness,  its 
streams  dried  up,  generally,  the  soil  scorched  to  powder  by  volcanic  fires.  The  craters  of  ex- 
tinct volcanoes,  and  beds  of  scoriae,  are  observed  in  places,  and  basalt  almost  everywhere.  The 
whole  yields  a  sparse  growth  of  stunted  cedars  and  artcmesia,  and,  on  some  of  the  mountain 
ridges,  the  short-leaf  pine,  walnut,  and  small  trees  of  white  oak;  and  a  few  groves  of  cotton- 
wood  are  in  the  valleys  here  and  there. 

Running  down  one  of  the  valleys,  distinguishable  from  the  others  only  by  its  watercourse,  its 
scattered  thin  grove.s  of  cottonwood,  and  the  greater  number  of  inhabitants,  is  the  Rio  Grande 
del  Norte,  skirted,  a  few  hundred  yards  from  its  banks,  by  a  range  of  naked,  yellow  pebbly  hills, 
relieved  by  a  succession  of  ranges  beyond,  which  increase  in  height  as  they  rise  successively, 
until  the  view  is  boimded  by  a  bare  ridge  of  low,  dark,  rugged  mountains.  On  the  west  side 
of  this  river,  in  latitude  about  35°  41'  N.,  longitude  106°  2'  W.*  from  Greenwich,  and  in  altitude 
6,846  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  is  the  village  of  Socorro. 

In  the  revolution  by  the  Pueblo  Indians,  in  1680 — excited  by  the  cupidity  and  tyranny  of  the 
priests,  that  even  to  the  present  day  have  kept  the  inhabitants  in  slavery  and  the  most  blind 
ignorance  and  corruption — which  expelled  the  Spaniards  from  New  Mexico,  the  latter,  under 
Otermin,  the  governor,  in  their  retreat  to  Mexico,  had  reached  this  point  in  a  state  of  starvation 
and  desjiair,  when  they  were  relieved  by  a  supply  of  provisions  sent  them  by  the  lieutenant 
governor,  who  was  in  advance  of  tliem.  On  the  return  of  the  Spaniards  to  New  Mexico,  ten 
years  afterwards,  the  agricultural  and  other  advantages  of  the  location  induced  them  to  make  a 
settlement  at  this  place,  and  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  succor  they  had  met  here,  they 
named  the  settlement  Socorro. 

Socorro  is  situated  in  a  recess  of  the  hills  and  mountains,  which  apparently  form  a  grand 
amphitheatre  here  on  its  north,  west,  and  south  sides.  On  the  N.N.W.  a  chain  of  mountains 
has  been  pierced  by  the  river,  and  its  soutli  wing,  rising  into  scattered  and  gloomy  j)eaks, 
descends  southwardly  in  two  broken  ridges,  the  nearest  of  which,  about  four  miles  off,  rises,  in 

"  Position  and  altitude  is  given  as  recently  determined  by  Major  Emory. — C. 


420  REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITT 

a  rugged  cone,  to  the  altitude  of  2,800  feet,  directly  west  of  the  village;  whilst  the  farther, 
twelve  miles  distant,  with  a  regular  pyramid,  apparently  of  smooth  stone,  ujion  its  hack, 
reaches  the  height  of  4,500  feet,  or  more,  ahove  tlie  2)lain,  and  is  juirtially  covered  with  snow 
from  November  until  June.  They  run  toward  the  south,  and  are  in  view  for  twenty  miles 
below,  when  they  arc  hid  behind  an  angle  of  the  chain.  Between  them  is  a  smooth,  pretty 
valley,  opening  at  each  extremity  on  the  river,  and  covered  with  short  grass  which  gives 
sustenance  to  herds  of  antelope.  Four  miles  off,  on  the  north,  a  range  of  barren  gravel-hills 
spring  suddenly,  in  a  bluff,  from  the  river,  and,  sweeping  around  westward  and  toward  the 
south,  and  spreading  out  into  small  flat  spurs  toward  the  east,  terminates  laterally  in  that 
direction  by  an  abrupt  fall  of  fifteen  feet  or  more,  and  forms  the  first  extent  of  inclined  plateaux, 
reaching  from  the  base  of  the  mountains  to  the  river,  eastward.  On  the  west  side  of  the  range, 
it  is  continuous  with  the  mountains.  From  the  foot  of  this  first  plateau  extends  a  second 
inclined  plain,  which,  at  the  distance  of  a  mile,  toward  the  east,  from  its  commencement,  expe- 
riences a  less  marked  fall  than  the  first;  and,  stretching  onward  for  a  mile  toward  the  east, 
falls  into  the  Rio  Grande.  Beyond — east  of  the  river — parallel  with,  and  five  hundred  yards 
from  it,  is  a  range  of  sand-hills,  rising,  as  they  retire  toward  the  east,  gradually  into  a  low 
range  of  mountains,  fifteen  miles  distant,  and  send  a  spur  to  form  a  high  sand-bluff  on  tlie 
river,  opposite  to  the  village.  Tliis  latter  lies  directly  across  the  road  from  the  lower  country, 
and,  irregular  on  the  top,  obtains  the  name  of  "The  High  Hills  of  La  Parida."  This  range 
of  mountains,  running  toward  the  south,  for  many  miles  in  view,  is  overtopped,  here  and  there, 
in  the  southeast,  by  distant,  rugged,  sombre  mountains ;  and  on  the  north  is  covered  from 
view  by  the  gravel-hills  sjjoken  of  as  rising  west  of  the  river.  The  river,  flowing  from  tlie 
north,  makes  a  large  bend  eastward,  six  miles  above  the  village,  in  the  concavity  of  which 
is  a  heavy  grove  of  cottonwood,  in  view  from  Socorro,  overshadowing  a  flat  damp  bottom. 
Changing  its  direction  to  the  west,  it  suddenly  turns  to  the  east,  leaving  the  convexity  at  the 
foot  of  the  blufl"  of  the  gravel  hills,  and,  winding  on  westward  for  some  distance,  it  turns  to 
the  south,  and  laves,  four  miles  below,  the  base  of  "the  sand-hills  of  Parida;"  flowing  on, 
it  is  lost  to  view  amid  the  low  blufi's  of  the  first  plateau,  which  stretch  out  to  meet  it,  two  miles 
below  the  village.  Along  the  last  concavity,  is  another  grove  of  cottonwood,  nearer  than  the 
other  to  the  village,  upon  a  dry,  sandy  soil ;  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  above  and  below 
"the  hills  of  Parida,"  are  extensive  and  beautiful  groves  of  the  same,  covering  a  low,  damp 
surface.  The  valley  of  the  river  is  well  marked  in  the  distance  toward  botli  the  north  and 
the  south.  From  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  on  the  west,  to  the  river,  is  a  distance  of  three 
miles;  and  the  slope,  extending  between  those  two  points,  is  formed  into  three  plateaux,  of 
about  equal  breadth,  and  of  diflerent  elevations — dipping  toward  the  river.  Tlie  upjjer  one 
has  been  described.  It  takes  the  name  of  plain,  only  in  a  very  general  sense.  Between  its 
spurs  of  flattened  hills,  with  precipitous  sides,  are  small  flat-bottomed  valleys,  of  the  same 
extent.  All  is  covered  with  grama  grass — the  chondrosium  foeneum — a  sparse  growth  of 
stunted  cedar,  the  jedeonda,  the  cactus,  and  yucca ;  and  it  is  the  general  pasture  for  the  cattle 
of  Socorro  and  its  neighborhood,  from  the  month  of  June  until  March.  It  seems  to  be  formed 
of  drift,  from  the  mountains;  and  its  extension  to  have  been  limited  by  the  river,  which,  in 
earlier  ages  of  the  world,  when,  perhaps,  in  greater  volume,  must  have  rolled  its  waves  at  the 
base  of  it.  The  second,  is  a  more  regular  and  inclined  plain.  Formed,  by  deposition  from  the 
river,  and  afterwards  by  detritus  from  the  mountains,  it  consists  of  a  dry,  gravelly  loam,  and 
yields,  in  addition  to  the  grass — of  which  there  is  very  little — a  heavy  growth  of  artemisia. 
Its  upper  edge  is  skirted  by  grist-mills;  and  upon  its  lower  third  and  the  upper  fourth  of  the 
plain  below,  is  found  the  arable  land.  Upon  its  lower  third  stands  the  village  of  Socorro. 
The  third  plateau  is  of  alluvium,  more  recently  from  the  river,  contains  a  large  proportion  of 
sand,  and  yields  a  rank  growth  of  succulent  grass.  Its  surface,  in  greater  part,  furrowed  with 
sluggish  a^equias,  and  pools  of  stagnant  water,  is  so  marshy,  during  a  very  wet  season,  as  not 
to  support  the  weight  of  a  loaded  wagon.     It  contains  a  large  amount  of  chloride  of  sodium 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   NEW   MEXICO.  421 

and  nitrate  of  potassa,  and  salts  of  magnesium  and  calcium,  all  of  wliicli,  mechanically  mixed, 
encrust  the  surface  at  dry  spots,  so  that  they  may  he  collected  with  a  spoon.  The  mountain 
nearest  on  the  west,  is  a  rough-brown  mass  of  basalt  and  trap-rock,  with  which  is  mingled 
granite,  porphyry,  red  sandstone,  carboniferous  limestone,  andselenite;  and  it  is  said  that 
copper  ore,  and  auriferous  quartz-rock  are  found  in  it.  A  few  stunted  cedars  grow  upon  it  where 
soil  obtains;  and  green  grass,  seeded,  and  most  luxuriant,  may  be  seen  on  its  east  side  two- 
thirds  of  the  way  up  to  its  summit,  as  early  as  the  month  of  March.  Along  its  base,  on  the 
east  side,  are  springs  of  warm  and  cold  water,  which,  collected  into  agequias,  traverse  the  first 
plateau,  turn  the  grist-mills  at  the  summit  of  the  second,  furnish  water  for  all  domestic  pur- 
poses in  the  village,  irrigate  the  fields  and  vineyards,  and,  tinally,  are  discharged  upon  the 
third  plateau,  which,  more  nearly  level  than  the  others,  too  damp  to  cultivate,  spreads  out  a 
beautiful  meadow,  now  throwing  off  its  summer  tinge,  clear  to  the  river's  edge.  As  it  now  is, 
dotted  over  with  flocks  of  sheejj,  goats,  cattle,  horses,  shepherd  boys,  and  clumps  of  trees,  the 
river  glimmering  here  and  there,  through  the  autumn  foliage,  and  all  bathed  in  a  rich  light  of 
the  setting  sun,  the  scene  is  picturesque  indeed. 

The  village  of  Socorro  is  formed  by  a  congeries  of  plazas,  of  which,  no  less  than  six  may  be 
counted,  illy  defined,  but  bounded  on  some  of  their  sides  by  mud  hovels,  containing  each  a 
parcel  of  squallid  wretches  who  do  not  "dare  to  be  poor,"  as  inhabitants,  and  who  number,  in 
the  aggregate,  about  five  hundred  persons.  An  irregular  lane  runs  in  one  part  of  the  place, 
and  it  is  pointed  to  as  a  street,  but  without  a  name;  and  fronting  toward  this  space,  and  about 
in  various  directions  are  some  stores.  The  only  prominent  object  seen  at  a  little  distance — be- 
yond a  little  distance  nothing  is  to  be  seen — is  the  adobe  church,  with  its  two  turrets  and  belfry, 
which  reminds  one  forcibly  of  a  large-sized  Mississippi  steamboat,  though  not  so  variegated. 

Close  around  the  village,  in  every  direction,  are  vineyards,  and  beyond  them  are  fields  of 
wheat  and  Indian  corn,  and  orchards  of  peach.  The  houses  are  built  of  ac?o&e  (sun-baked  bricks 
of  mud  and  straw,  16  inches  long,  8  inches  wide,  and  3  inches  thick),  and,  among  the  better 
classes,  consist  of  several  rooms  built  on  the  four  sides  of  a  small  square,  the  patio.  The  doors 
open  on  the  interior  of  the  square,  to  which  there  is  access  from  without  by  a  broad  entrance 
with  folding  doors,  called  the  saguan.  The  thickness  of  the  walls  is  the  length  of  one,  some- 
times two,  adobes.  Plastered  externally  and  within  with  mud  laid  on  and  made  smooth  by  the 
hands;  interiorly  they  are  dazzlingly  white,  made  so  by  a  whitewash  of  gypsum,  which  is 
burned  in  earthen  ovens,  and  ground  to  powder  by  the  women,  on  the  metate.  The  latter  is 
renewed  every  two  or  three  months,  and  renders  sweet  the  atmosphere,  prevents  the  breeding  of 
vermin,  and  gives  an  air  of  comfort  that  would  not  be  even  guessed  at  by  one  without.  The 
houses  have  never  more  than  one  story,  which  is  rarely  more  than  ten  feet  high.  The  rooms 
are  small,  generally.  The  doors  are  very  small,  and  the  windows  are  scarcely  more  than 
pigeon-holes,  sealed  with  thin  transparent  laminte  of  selenite,  retained  by  a  cement  of  lime  and 
sand.  The  fire-place  and  chimney  are  usually  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  and  exceedingly  small; 
the  billets  of  wood  are  burned  with  one  end  resting  on  its  floor  and  the  other  up  the  chimney. 
The  fire-place  and  chimney  are  both  projected  into  the  apartment,  and  thus  give  nearly  all  the 
heat  to  tlie  interior.  The  floors  are  invariably  of  mud,  and  are  repaired  every  month  or  two  by 
a  fresh  layer  laid  on  smoothly  with  the  hand.  The  houses  of  the  common  people  are  without 
the  ^a^to,  and  spring  uj)  without  reference  to  order  or  plan.  All  are  exceedingly  comfortable 
in  winter  and  in  summer,  when  they  have  been  so  changed  as  to  admit  more  air  and  light. 

The  altitude  of  the  spot,  its  remoteness  from  any  large  body  of  water,  the  numerous  ranges 
of  mountains  on  either  hand  for  hundreds  of  miles,  the  universal  absence  of  forests,  and  a  rapid 
river  coursing  down  the  valley,  render  the  atmosphere  rare,  lower  its  temperature,  and  disturb 
it  much  with  winds.  The  last  are  cold  and  piercing  in  the  winter  season,  and  are  generally 
from  a  point  north  of  east  and  west,  most  frequently  from  the  northwest. 

The  last  frost  in  the  spring  of  1850  was  on  the  5th  of  May,  at  wliich  time  the  grape  crop  was 
destroyed;  the  peach  blossoms  had  been  killed  the  23d  of  March  ;  it  was  unusually  late.     The 


422  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

first  white  frost  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  was  the  19th  of  Octoher.  The  last  the  succeeding 
spring,  was  the  8th  of  April.  The  first  house-swallow  made  its  appearance  the  3d  of  April,  in 
1850  and  1851.  The  mean  temperature  of  that  day  was  58°  in  1850,  39°  in  1851.  The  hiher- 
nating  animals  hegin  to  show  themselves  the  first  of  April.  They  sow  wheat  the  middle  of 
January.  Disembank  the  grape-vines  the  first  of  March,  and  i)rune  and  irrigate  them  the 
middle  of  the  month.  Plant  corn  early  in  April;  reap  wheat  the  middle  of  August;  gather 
corn  tlie  first  of  Octoher,  and  emhank  the  grape-vines  early  in  November. 

The  total  amount  of  precipitation  in  rain  and  snow  from  1st  December,  1849,  to  3l8t  August, 
1851,  twenty-one  months,  was  10.97  inches. 

During  the  series  of  twenty-one  months  through  which  meteorological  observations  were  made, 
there  is  but  one  day  registered  in  which  the  sun  was  not  visible.  The  character  of  the  clouds 
during  the  winter  season  were  stratus  and  cimiulostratus ;  in  spring,  stratus  and  cirrus;  in 
summer,  stratus,  cirrostratus,  and  cumulus;  during  the  I'all,  circimistances  prevented  the  regis- 
try of  them.  There  was  an  occasional  arrangement  of  the  clouds  that  seemed  unusual  to  the 
observer — viz:  cumulostratus  clouds  were  arranged  in  bands  or  belts,  which  began  in  the  S.W. 
by  S.  point  of  the  horizon,  and  diverging  until  they  reached  the  zenith,  then  converged  to  a 
point  at  the  horizon  N.E.  by  N.  The  long  diameter  of  the  cumuli,  like  pillows,  which  com- 
posed the  band,  was  in  a  direction  at  right  angles  to  that  of  the  band,  pointing  to  the  N.W. 
by  N.  and  S.E.  by  S.  Allowance  is  not  made  for  the  declination  of  the  needle.  The  efi'ect  of 
electro-magnetic  influence,  its  direction  must  have  depended  upon  some  local  cause,  since  the 
length  of  its  constituent  parts  was  in  about  the  direction  of  the  magnetic  meridian  of  the  earth. 
The  view  is  so  little  obstructed  at  Socorro,  that  clouds  at  a  great  altitude  may  be  seen,  when 
the  day  is  clear,  two  hundred  miles  off'  on  either  hand.  And  these  belts  appeared  to  extend 
through  that  great  distance.  They  were  observed  on  four  occasions,  diff'erent  days,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1850;  twice  in  January,  1851,  three  times  in  February,  once  in  April,  three  times  in  May, 
and  once  in  June ;  and  as  often^  jjerhaps,  during  the  early  part  of  the  year  1850,  but  they  were 
not  registered. 

Light  from  the  sun,  when  setting,  is  often  observed,  in  a  clear  evening,  to  pass  in  broad  rays 
from  the  horizon  towards  the  sun,  diverge,  similarly  to  the  clouds  spoken  of,  over  the  whole 
sky  to  the  longest  meridian,  then  converge  to  a  point  of  the  horizon  opposite  to  the  sunset. 
The  electrical  tension  of  the  atmosphere  is  very  great  at  times,  especially  after  a  fall  of  rain  or 
of  snow,  and  which  has  melted  rapidly.  The  dry  state  of  the  atmosphere,  and  the  large  quan- 
tity of  salines  which  the  ground  contains,  surcharge  the  atmosphere,  on  such  occasions,  with 
positive  electricity,  which  is  sometimes  strikingly  exhibited.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th  of 
December,  1849,  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  two  or  three  inches.  It  melted  rapidly,  in  a  few 
hours,  and  was  followed  immediately  by  vivid  zigzag  lightning  and  loud  thunder.  There  was 
no  rain.  The  day  began  and  ended  with  an  earthquake — there  was  a  shock  at  6  a.  M.,  and  one 
at  8  r.  M. 

Shocks  of  earthquakes  were  frequent  during  the  early  part  of  these  observations;  and  the 
mountain  nearest  on  the  west,  from  which  emanates  a  spring  of  warm  water,  was  evidently,  at 
times,  under  the  influence  of  subterraneous  heat.  On  the  11th  of  December,  1849,  there  was 
one  shock;  on  the  28th,  five  shocks;  on  the  29th,  two;  and  on  the  30th,  one.  On  the  1st  of 
January,  1850,  there  was  one  shock;  on  the  2d,  two;  on  the  4th,  three;  on  the  5th,  two;  on 
the  6th,  two;  one  on  the  10th;  and  one  on  the  12th.  The  8th  of  February  there  was  one  shock; 
two  on  the  10th  of  August;  one  on  the  2d  of  October;  one  on  the  18th,  and  one  on  the  23d  of 
January,  1851;  and  one  the  13th,  and  one  the  14th  of  February.  In  all,  twenty-eight  shocks 
during  fifteen  successive  months.  Most  of  them  were  severe  shocks,  as  they  would  have  dam- 
aged a  house  of  three  stories,  the  usual  height  in  the  United  States.  They  were  accompanied, 
generally,  by  a  rumbling  noise.  Those  that  occurred  in  December  were  not  felt  fifteen  miles 
south  of  Socorro;  and  those  on  the  1st  and  2d  of  January  were  not  felt  ten  miles  to  the  west,  in 
the  valley  between  the  two  ranges  of  mountains.     Nothing  could  be  ascertained  relative  to  the 


AMONG   THE   TEOOPS   IN    NEW   MEXICO.  423 

extent  of  the  others.  The  30th  of  December,  1849,  snow  fell  at  Socorro  to  the  depth  of  two  or 
three  inches,  yet  the  day  was  a  bright  one  at  a  little  village  seven  miles  above,  and  to  the  N. 
N.E.  On  the  nearest  ridge  of  mountains  towards  the  west,  for  a  mile  or  two  above  and  below 
the  warm  spring,  and  including  the  high  cone,  the  snow  was  entirely  melted  during  tlie  day, 
whilst  it  remained  for  several  days  on  other  parts  of  the  same  ridge  of  more  than  two  thousand 
feet  less  altitude.  After  every  snow  the  surface  mentioned  was  observed  to  be  bare  sooner  than 
elsewhere.  At  various  points  from  the  mountain  to  the  river,  the  ground  gives  to  passing 
wheels  of  vehicles  a  resonant  sound,  as  if  from  a  cavern  beneath.  Earthquakes  are  said,  by 
some  of  the  inhabitants,  to  be  very  rare  here,  and  by  others,  to  be  of  frequent  occurrence.  It  is 
difficult  to  arrive  at  truth  relative  to  such  matters  from  such  hyperbolic  people. 

The  Rio  Grande  is  an  accumulation  of  mountan  torrents.  Its  depth  and  width  are  variable. 
From  the  first  of  May  to  the  latter  part  of  July,  the  volume  of  water  is  greatly  increased  from 
the  melting  of  tin;  snow  on  the  mountains  farther  north.  Its  breadth  then  is  two  hundred  to 
six  hundred  yards;  it  is  four  to  six  feet  deeper  at  Socorro,  and  its  current  sweeps  along  with  a 
force  that  undermines  and  destroys  hundreds  of  acres  of  cultivated  land  in  a  single  season,  and 
forms  extensive  deposits  with  incredi})le  rapidity.  Nothing  witlistands  its  impetuosity.  Upon 
whatever  point  its  ciirrent  may  be  directed — it  changes  its  channel,  on  an  average,  once  per 
annum — there  compact  clay-banks  or  lofty  gravel-hills  crumble  into  it  like  sugar.  The  village 
of  La  Parida  lias  been  gradually  moved  a  thousand  yards  east  of  where  it  originally  stood 
sixteen  years  ago.  In  1850,  its  vineyards,  orchards,  corn  and  wheat  fields,  and  agequias  were 
falling  into  the  stream.  In  1851  the  washings  by  the  rains,  from  the  banks  and  even  the  plaza 
of  the  village,  and  the  little  increase  of  the  river  saved  the  village  that  year.  Ordinarily  it  is 
about  eighty  yards  wide,  and  fords  for  liorses  and  vehicles  are  found  every  few  miles.  The 
water  is  at  all  times  more  or  less  turbid,  but  much  more  so  during  the  season  of  the  flood.  That 
used  for  irrigation  makes  a  heavy  deposit,  which  improves  the  land.  Besides  the  substances 
mechanically  suspended  in  it,  it  contains,  in  solution,  salts  of  calcium,  sodium,  potassium,  and 
magnesium,  and  is,  at  times,  strongly  impregnated  with  sulphuretted  hydrogen  gas.  The  last 
was  observed  from  the  15th  to  the  25th  of  July,  1850;  on  the  29th  of  October,  on  the  17th  of 
April,  1851,  and  from  the  23d  of  April  to  the  2d  of  May  ;  and,  on  the  25th  of  April,  with 
salines. 

The  New  Mexican  is,  almost  invariably,  a  mestizo.  He  does  not  possess  the  perpendicular 
square  forehead  of  the  same  class  in  the  valley  of  Mexico ;  but  has  the  low,  retreating  front, 
high  cheek-bones,  and  oblique  eyes  of  the  surrounding  Indian  tribes.  His  shoulders  are  square, 
and  of  less  than  the  average  breadth;  the  chest  prominent;  his  limbs  spindling,  and  stature 
oelow  the  medium  height ;  his  temperament  nervous,  and  appearance  thin  and  dejected.  Like 
Achimoenides : 

' '  Somewhat  between  a  mortal  and  a  sprite  ; 
So  thin,  so  ghastly,  meager,  and  so  wan, 
So  bare  of  flesh,  he  scarce  resembles  man." 

An  exception  to  this  is  found  in  the  peon,  who  is  muscular;  developed  like  all  physically  labor- 
ing men.  His  mind  is  without  a  spark  of  culture,  except  to  pander  to  the  cupidity  of  the 
priests ;  without  knowledge,  beyond  the  experience  of  the  narrowest  sphere  of  domestic  life,  he 
evinces  the  painful  combination  of  astuteness  with  impotency.  The  forbidding  character  of  his 
country,  beyond  the  valley,  prevents  his  wandering  from  home  ;  whilst  his  inherited  vanity  and 
pride  and  stubbornness,  prevent  impressions  from  the  few  foreign  objects  that  are  brought  before 
him.  There  are  no  books  among  the  people;  scarcely  any  at  all  are  taught  to  read,  and  fewer 
still  arc  taught  to  write.  Tliey  indulge,  to  the  iullest  extent,  the  animal  propensities  of  their 
less  than  semicivilized  condition.  "The  fatal  bait  of  temporary  ease  and  quiet,"  seems  sus- 
pended before  the  imaginations  of  all;  "and  to  this  it  may  be,  in  some  degree  imputed,  that 
they  have  found  their  inordinate  indolence  exchanged  for  slavery."     Yet,  they  are  more  active, 


424  REPORT   ON   THK   SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY 

more  industrious,  more  nearly  independent,  have  more  forethought,  are  braver,  and  are  more 
capable  of  providing  for  and  protecting  themselves,  than  are  tlie  inhabitants  of  lower  Mexico. 

The  females  arc,  generally,  homely;  yet,  at  times,  strikingly  beautiful.  They  are  better  de- 
veloped, physically  and  mentally,  than  the  males.  They  are  never  educated,  rarely  taught  to 
read,  and  very  rarely  tauglit  to  write.  Secluded  from  the  (at  least  outward)  display  of  contend- 
ing passions,  they  cultivate  in  quietness  the  kindest  emotions  of  the  heart.  Tiiey  are  cheerful ; 
have  a  strong  idea  of  beauty  ;'a  consuming  emotion  of  love,  but  it  is  not  constant ;  of  sympatliy> 
which  never  grows  less;  of  pride,  humility,  gratitude,  remorse,  a  vivid  sense  of  the  ludicorous; 
but  of  sexual  virtue  their  moral  education  destroys  every  idea  suggested  to  them  by  nature: 

"rdraa  hominis  fades,  et  pulchro  pectore  virgo 
Pube  tenus,"  etc. 

The  business  of  their  lives  is  constituted  by  their  domestic  duties,  and  the  rigid  espionage  under 
which  they  live,  and  the  want  of  consciousness  of  doing  Avrong,  impel  them  with  the  highest 
zest  to  intrigue. 

They  marry  as  early  as  eleven,  and  generally  between  that  age  and  fourteen.  The  males  as 
early  as  their  sixteenth  year  of  age. 

They  are  a  pastoral  and  agricultural  people.  Their  country  witliout  timber,  they  do  not 
make  fences,  but  trust  their  cattle  to  herders;  their  sky  almost  without  rain-clouds,  they  irri- 
gate their  lands  by  canals  from  the  river,  which  last  for  generations.  Thus  their  labor  is  con- 
iined  to  the  mere  tilling  the  ground.  They  plant  barely  sufficient  to  subsist  themselves,  in 
order  to  gain  more  time  for  idleness.  The  productions  are  maize,  wheat ;  a  species  of  bean,  rich 
in  gluten ;  red-pepper ;  a  species  of  mammoth  squash ;  a  few  onions ;  a  small  quantity  of  garlic  ; 
the  garden  pea,  sown  broadcast;  a  few  tomatoes,  in  some  sections;  grapes,  of  which  there  are 
two  varieties — the  black,  and  muscatel  or  white  of  which  they  make  an  inferior  wine  and  brandy; 
peaches,  water  melons,  cantelopes,  and  a  small  quantity  of  weak,  inferior  tobacco.  In  some 
sections  of  the  country  are  found  apricots,  inferior  apples,  pears,  quinces,  and  figs.  Upon 
these  they  subsist  themselves  most  sparingly.  The  onions,  garlic,  and  squashes,  are  con- 
sumed before  the  middle  of  the  winter  is  past ;  the  peas,  tomatoes,  and  fruit  generally,  by  the 
time  they  are  matured;  and  maize,  wheat,  beans,  pepper,  wine,  brandy,  and  tobacco,  scarcely 
reach  the  succeeding  crop.  Witli  these  edibles,  they  mingle  the  sun-dried,  unsalted  flesh 
of  the  ox,  sheep,  and  goat,  and  the  fat  of  them  in  large  proprotion.  The  milk  of  the  cow, 
sheep,  and  goat,  mixed  together  or  not,  are  freely  used;  and  cheese  is  precipitated  from  each 
by  the  stomach  of  the  calf  or  sheep. 

In  consequence  of  the  altitude  of  the  country,  probably ;  of  the  impure  atmosphere  in  their 
illy-ventilated  habitations;  of  their  inefficient  clothing;  want  of  cleanliness;  want  of  exercise  ; 
scant  and  little  varied  diet ;  early  marriages  and  an  inherited  cachexia,  they  are  born  with  feeble 
constitutions ;  cut  the  first  incisor  teeth  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  of  age ;  walk  at  two  years  ; 
are  weaned  at  three  years,  or  when  the  mother  becomes  obviously  enciente ;  the  females  men- 
struate at  twelve  and  thirteen ;  the  milk  canines  are  seen  standing,  and  the  permanent  molares 
appearing  at  the  seventeenth  year;  at  twenty-five  they  are  in  the  "sere  and  yellow  leaf;"  liable 
to  be,  and  suffering  much  when  they  are,  attacked  by  disease,  they  pass  through  life  with  les- 
sened vitality,  and  rarely  attain  to  very  old  age.  Nature  has  done  a  great  deal  ibr  them.  Were 
they  civilized  and  intelligent,  disease  would  be  little  known  among  them. 

The  diseases  which  prevail  in  this  vicinity  are  syjdiilis,  scrofula,  gonorrhoea,  diarrhoea,  dysen- 
tery, rheumatism,  intermittent  fever,  pleurisy,  pneumonia,  and  rarely  typhoid  fever.  Small- 
pox, measles,  scarlatina,  erysipelas,  and  whooping-cough,  have  made  their  visitations.  Tlie 
first  has  left  its  mark  on  nearly  every  face.  The  people  cannot  tell  when  it  was  among  them. 
Few  have  been  vaccinated,  and  a  few  inoculated.  The  first  four,  of  the  last  group,  were  at- 
tended with  little  fatality;  but  the  whooping-cough  was  very  destructive  of  children.  Erysip- 
elas attacked  a  few  during  the  fall  and  winter  of  1850,  and,  though  the  whole  face  and  scalp 
were  involved,  medical  aid  was  rarely  called  for,  and  nearly  all  recovered. 


AMONG   THK   TROOPS   IN    NEW    MEXICO.  425 

Syphilis — the  tertiary,  secondary,  and  primary  forms — are  very  generally  met  with.  The 
writer  has  met  with  two  cases  in  which  he  thinks  he  has  reason  to  helieve  that  secondary 
syphilis  w^as  communicated  by  sexual  intercourse. 

Gonorrhoea  is  very  frequent,  and  very  general. 

Diarrhosa  and  dysentery  occasionally  seen,  and  nearly  always  traceable  to  imprudence  in  diet. 

Acute  rheumatism,  of  greater  or  less  violence,  is  frequent,  especially  in  the  months  of  March, 
April,  and  May,  among  strangers;  very  rarely  seen  among  the  natives.  The  former  are  more 
liable  to  it  from  want  of  acclimation,  and  negligence  in  protecting  themselves  on  going  from 
the  close  warm  rooms,  into  the  cold  air  constantly  in  motion  without.  An  unusual  amount 
of  materies  morbi,  from  checked  secretions,  and  an  overplus  of  vitality,  after  a  march  across  the 
plains,  quickly  succeeded  by  sedentary  life,  must  predispose  to  the  attack. 

Chronic  rheumatism  is  almost  unknown. 

Intermittent  fever  is  very  rare;  is  usually  of  the  tertian  type,  and  yields  readily  to  sulphate 
of  quinine. 

Pleurisy  and  pneumonia  are  still  more  rarely,  and  typhoid  fever  scarcely  ever  seen.  Typhus 
never. 

Diseases  of  the  skin  are  unknown,  except  some  slight  syphilitic  eruptions. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis  I  have  never  seen  in  the  country,  except  in  two  instances.  Once  in  an 
officer  of  the  United  States  army,  and  once  in  an  American  emigrant.  It  was  developed  in 
each  before  he  left  the  United  States,  and  each  very  gradually  improved.  One  resided  at  So- 
corro, the  other  at  El  Paso  del  Norte. 

Their  materia  medica  comprises  but  few  articles.  Baths  in  the  warm  sjiring  are  regarded 
by  them  as  specific  for  all  diseases  which  enable  the  sick  to  reach  it;  especially  in  syphilis  (in 
all  its  stages),  gonorrhcea,  and  rheumatism.  The  spring  rises  at  the  base  of  the  nearest 
mountains  on  the  west,  in  a  bold  stream  which  flows  from  under  a  large  mass  of  volcanic  con- 
glomerate, and  is  about  three  miles  distant  from  the  village.  The  water  is  limjjid ;  and  at  the 
spring,  its  temperature  is  92°  Fahrenheit  the  middle  of  December,  and  a  little  less  the  middle 
of  March.  It  contains  in  solution,  nitrate  of  potassa  and  chloride  of  sodium,  and  is  strongly 
impregnated  with  sulphuretted  hydrogen  gas.  The  last  is  in  variable  quantity.  The  water, 
when  used  to  drink,  produces  in  those  unaccustomed  to  its  use,  obstinate  constipation  and 
vomiting,  and  changes  the  color  of  the  stools  to  a  darker  hue.  The  quantity  of  water  that 
issues  is  very  perceptibly  less  during  the  summer;  due,  probably,  to  the  dryness  of  the  season, 
and  the  absence  of  snow  on  the  mountains  above.  The  popilote  {ephedra  occidentalis)  is  used 
in  gonorrhoea.  It,  and  local  baths,  with  water  from  the  warm  spring,  are  the  only  remedies 
resorted  to  in  that  disease.  The  taste  is  terbinthinate  and  astringent,  and  is  agreeable.  It  is 
a  stimulant  diuretic,  and  does  not  constipate  the  bowels.  It  is  pre^jared  for  use  by  macerating 
two  ounces  of  the  branches,  cut  into  small  pieces,  in  a  pint  of  hot  water,  in  a  close  vessel,  for 
three  hours,  and  then  straining.  A  pint  of  the  infusion  may  be  drank  during  the  day.  It 
acts  with  surprising  promptness,  and  is  an  efficient  and  valuable  medicine.  The  shrub  is  an 
evergreen,  and  grows  in  great  profusion  throughout  the  country.  The  practice  of  the  art  is 
entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  women,  who  employ,  in  addition  to  the  above,  incantations  and 
ecclesiastical  rites,  pictures,  and  carved  and  moulded  images  of  saints  are  placed  around  the 
patient  and  invoked.  The  most  potent  of  all  is  the  "Niiia  de  Atocha."  She  is  worn  around 
the  necks  of  the  whole  population.     The  character  of  a  physician  is  entirely  unknown  to  them. 

None  of  the  cryptogamic  plants  have  been  observed  here,  except  a  few  species  of  mould  upon 
barley,  bread,  pastry,  and  pickles;  and  very  rarely  at  all. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  DEFIANCE 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  J.  H.  White  :  1S53. 

This  post,  approximating  latitude  35°  44'  north  and  longitude  109°  15'  30"  west,  is  situated  in 
a  narrow  cailada  of  light  argillaceous  soil,  which  is  covered  w-ith  a  moderate  growth  of  short 

S.  96 54 


426  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

grass,  chiefly  sesleria  dactyloides,  and  in  a  few  jdaces  is  well  adapted  to  garden  cultivation. 
Caiioncito  honito,  abont  four  hundred  yards  from  the  quarters,  opens  into  this  on  the  west,  its 
sandstone  walls  being  from  three  hundred  to  four  liundred  feet  high,  length  one  mile  and  a 
quarter,  and  average  width  seventy  yards.  A  small  stream  of  good  water  flows  along  in  the 
bottorh,  which  is  composed  of  a  boggy  soil  that  yields  a  rank  growth  of  vegetation. 

The  barracks  are  built  upon  a  square  of  level  groimd,  destitute  of  trees,  fronting  a  parade  of 
about  one  acre  and  a  half,  and  constructed  of  hewn  pine  logs  placed  one  above  the  other,  with 
the  interstices  chinked  in  with  mud ;  the  roofs  and  the  floors  are  of  dirt ;  and  the  means  of  vent- 
ilation scanty. 

A  view  of  the  surrounding  country  presents  a  succession  of  lofty  mountains  and  extensive 
valleys.  The  former  consist  mainly  of  sandstone  without  organic  remains,  and  are  inter.spersed 
with  a  sparse  growth  of  tall  pine,  pinus  edulis,  an  undergrowth  of  scrub-oak,  scrub-cedar,  fal- 
lugia  paradoxa,  several  varieties  of  cacti,  and  the  yucca  augustifolia.  In  the  latter  a  carpet- 
ing of  grass  is  variegated  during  the  summer  with  manj^  species  of  plants,  as  the  rosa  parviflora, 
helianthus  annuus,  chenopodium  album,  red,  and  white  geranium,  aster,  gentianjB,  Artemesia, 
Oenothera  biennis,  humulus  lupulus,  portulacca  oleracea,  sida  abutilon,  and  a  species  of  solanum 
or  potato. 

The  animals  are  the  black-tailed  deer,  dicranocerus  furcifer,  canis  nubilus,  arctomys  ludovi- 
ciana,  panther,  rabbit,  and  squirrels.  The  reptiles  include  various  species  of  the  lacerta  and 
crotallus.  Only  a  few  common  species  of  birds  show  themselves,  as  the  corvus  corax,  ectopistes 
Carolinensis,  quiscalus  versicolor,  turdus  migratorius,  charadrius  vociferus,  picus  auratus,  ves- 
pertilo  murinus,  the  turkey,  the  wren,  and  the  swallow.  In  pools  near  by  is  found  a  peculiar 
animal  of  the  batrachian  order,  supposed  to  be  the  siredon. 

The  climate  is  cold  and  dry ;  and  although  the  thermometrical  observations  do  not  show  a 
very  low  mean  of  temperature  generally,  yet  the  transitions  from  heat  to  cold  are  often  sudden ; 
hence,  the  effect  produced  upon  the  system  is  felt  more  keenly  than  in  a  climate  where  the  mean 
temperature  may  be  equal,  but  the  transitions  gradual.  At  this  season  such  changes  are  more 
frequently  connected  with  southwest  winds.  A  local  cause,  contributing  in  no  small  degree  to 
lower  the  temperature  here,  may  be  found  in  the  caiioncito  so  close  by.  From  an  experiment 
late  in  the  fall  I  noticed  that  at  near  the  same  hours  of  observation,  wind  north  and  east,  tlie 
thermometer  was  constantly,  on  an  average,  from  10°  to  12°  lower  in  this  caiioncito  than  at  ray 
quarters.  Now,  from  the  conformation  and  direction  of  its  walls,  a  wind  from  the  westward, 
or  anv  intermediate  point  south,  coming  in  contact  and  passing  through  this  defile  is  reflected 
directly  upon  the  garrison ;  so  that  from  the  short  distance  the  cold  air  travels,  it  must  bring 
with  it  a  considerable  depressing  influence  upon  the  thermometer  here. 

In  the  last  quarter,  1851,  the  jtrominent  diseases  were  diarrhoea,  acute  dysentery,  catarrh,  and 
typhoid  fever ;  of  the  latter,  three  cases  terminated  fatally.  Predisposing  and  exciting  causes 
of  these  were  exceedingly  rife;  besides  tlie  tiresome  marches  the  men  had  just  accomplished, 
having  returned  from  an  expedition  against  the  Navajoes,  they  were  exposed  to  the  inclement 
weather,  at  hard  labor,  engaged  in  preparing  quarters  for  themselves,  and  subsisting  upon 
poor  food. 

The  records  for  the  first  quarter  (1852)  show  one  case  of  typhoid  fever;  two  deaths  having 
occurred — one  from  hyjiertrophy  of  the  heart,  and  the  other  from  injuries  (internal)  received  by 
a  fall. 

In  the  second  quarter  we  have  mild  diarrhoea  and  dysenteria  acuta,  prevalent ;  yielding 
readily  to  ordinary  treatment.  I  find  in  the  third  quarter  that,  in  the  majority  of  those  diseases, 
the  cause  proceeded  from  eating  the  fruits  of  the  cactus  opuntia  and  yucca  augitstifoUa.  The 
several  cases  of  intermittent  fever  in  this  quarter  (third)  were  among  recruits  who  had  been 
much  afii'ected  previously  with  it  on  the  plains,  or  in  the  States. 

In  the  last  quarter,  disease  still  occupies  its  favorite  seat  in  the  digestive  organs  and  respi- 
ratory system,  being  chiefly  catarrhus  and  diarrhoea ;  one  case  of  pneumonia  proving  fatal. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    NEW    MEXICO. 


427 


Several  cases  of  paronychia  deserve,  perhaps,  particular  attention,  from  the  fact  of  their 
having  followed  each  other  so  soon.  It  usually  attacked  the  thumb  and  fore-finger,  a  short 
distance  from  the  nail,  preceded  by  slight  constitutional  disturbance.  Out  of  five  cases,  three 
were  of  the  sub-cutaneous  cellular  tissue;  two  of  the  deep  fibrous  tissues;  there  were  several 
mild  cuticular  cases  not  taken  on  the  sick  report. 

On  those  affected,  who  reported  early,  free  incisions  into  the  part,  and  the  application  of  warm 
jioultices  afterwards,  invariabl}'  put  a  stop  to  the  disease,  with  one  exception,  which  occurred  in 
a  man  of  debilitated  constitution,  who  recovered  after  suffering  much  in  general  health,  and 
the  loss  of  the  third  phalange  of  the  fore-finger. 

With  regard  to  the  Navajo  Indians  in  this  vicinty,  I  have  had  no  opportunity  of  observing 
disease  among  them;  and,  from  what  I  can  learn  verbally,  their  maladies  appear  to  be  exceed- 
ingly simple.  About  eight  years  ago  rubeola  maligna  made  its  appearance  among  them,  di- 
minishing their  numbers  greatly.  In  tlie  treatment  of  cejjhalalgia  and  fevers,  they  practice 
local  and  general  blood-letting ;  the  instrument  used  being  only  a  sharp  piece  of  flint;  in  scari- 
fying the  temples  for  the  former  disease,  they  apply  the  mouth  to  suck  out  the  blood  after 
making  incisions ;  in  general  blood-letting,  the}'  confine  themselves  to  no  particular  part,  but 
only  take  care  to  select  a  small  vein,  anywhere  over  the  body. 

They  are  a  robust  and  active  people,  usually  inhabiting  the  country  about  Chai,  Lunecha, 
and  Chusca ;  living  in  huts  constructed  of  poles  put  up  in  a  conical  form,  or  in  the  cavities  of 
rocks.  Agriculture  is  carried  on,  to  some  extent,  among  them ;  raising  from  the  soil  maize 
and  melons  chiefly.  They  also  manufacture,  from  wool,  blankets  of  a  very  close  texture,  which, 
with  the  leggings  and  moccasins,  form  their  sole  raiment. 


DISEASES. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO  PER  1,000  or  MEAN  STRENOTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  quarter. 

5,887 
5,285 
6,126 
6,195 

2,552 
2,523 
3,195 
3,597 

73          !                 416 
36                        477 

12.4 

Second  quarter. _> ._ 

6.8 

29 
35 

522 
580 

4.7 

5.6 

5,873 

11,867 

173 

2,020 

29.5 

Gun-shot  wounds  excluded. 

11,738 

139 

1,999 

23.6 

The  average  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  occurring  in  New  Mexico,  to  the  mean 
strength  of  the  forces,  was  2.02  to  1 ;  and  the  ratio  of  deaths,  1  to  33.94,  or  2.9  per  cent.  The 
proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  of  disease  was  1  to  68.60,  or  1.45  percent. 

Excluding  gun-shot  wounds,  and  deaths  therefrom,  we  have  the  proportion  of  cases  treated 
to  number  of  troops  1.99  to  1 ;  of  deaths  to  troops,  1  to  42.4,  or  2.3  per  cent;  and  of  deaths  to 
diseases,  1  to  84.44,  or  1.18  per  cent. 


(28 


REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


FEVEKS. 


Quarters. 

Strength 

Diseases. 

Febris  continua  communis 

Fcbris  intermittens  quotidiana. . 

Febris  intermittens  tcrtiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana 

Febris  rcmittens 

Febris  typhus 

Febris  typlius  icterodes 

Total 


5,887 


Cases.    Deaths 


5,285        I         C,126  6,195 


Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 


5,873 


Cases.    Deaths. 


ft)  €) 


OS 

04m 


28 

63 

63 

1 

13 

7 

0 


175 


24 
49 
89 
11 
15 
6 
0 


54 
53 
C6 

5 
52 
20 

0 


41 
103 

87 

0 

68 

10 

0 


147 
268 
305 

17 
148 

43 
0 


194 


250 


309 


928 


1 
1 
0 
0 
1 
19 
0 


1  in  147 

1  in  2G8 

0  in  305 
Oin  17 

1  in  148 

1  in  2.2 

0  in  0 


25 

45.6 

52 

2.9 
25 

7.3 

0 


22 


1  in   42 


158 


Eruptive  fevers. — Variola  and  varioloid  have  proved  very  fatal  to  the  Indians  and  Mexican 
population  of  New  Mexico,  but  comparatively  few  cases  have  occurred  among  the  troops. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters. 


Strenprth  . 


5,887 


5,285 


Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 


6,126 


Cases.    Deaths 


6,195 


Cases.    Deaths, 


5,873 


Cases.    Deaths 


"a 
OS 
o«— 
"C  o 


Cholera  Asiatica 

Diarrhoea 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysenteria  clironicA 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this 
system 


Total. 


0 

203 

44 

5 

0 

3 

5 

83 

106 
449- 


12 


0 

278 
82 


0 
80 


117 


567 


0 

557 

110 

15 

3 

2 

1 

120 

191 
999 


0 

513 

139 

25 

2 

1 

1 

86 

144 
911 


10 


0 

1551 

375 

52 

5 

9 

7 

369 

558 
2926 


0 
14 
3 
8 
2 
1 
0 
0 


31 


0  in  0 

1  in  111 
1  in  125 

1  in  6 

2  in  5 
1  in  9 
0  in  7 

0  in  369 

1  in  186 
1  in  94 


264 

63 
8.8 
0.8 
1.5 
1.1 

63.8 

95 
498 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    NEW   MEXICO. 


429 


DISEASES  OF  THE  KESPIEATOKT  SYSTEM. 


Quarters . 


Strenfrth  . 


5,S87 


5,285 


6,126 


C.  195 


5, 873 


Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 

Catarrh  us.-- 

Plithisis  pulmonalis 

Pleuritis 

Pneumonia 

All    other    diseases    of  this 
system 

Tptal 

Kheumatismus . 


36 

293 

2 

32 

18 

26 


407 


187 


Deaths.    Cases. 


Deaths.    Cases. 


28 

144 

4 

34 

17 

18 


8    245 


172 


7 
86 

0 
30 


10 


141 


157 


Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 


20 

1 

91 

3 

350 

0 

873 

0 

2 

0 

8 

3 

29 

0 

125 

0 

11 

3 

54 

12 

13 

0 

67 

2 

1  in  30 

0  in  873 

1  in  2.6 

0  in  125 

1  in  4.5 

1  in  33 


15.  5 
148 
1.3 
21 
9.2 

11.4 


425 


1218   20 


231 


747 


1  in   61  :  207 


1  in  373  127 

I 


Assistant  Surgeon  McParlin,  in  transmitting  his  report  of  the  sick  at  Las  Vegas  for  Decem- 
ber, 1849,  remarks  that,  "Since  the  middle  of  December  this  and  the  adjoining  towns  have 
been  visited  with  an  epidemic  catarrh  of  quite  a  malignant  character.  Among  the  native  popu- 
lation it  has  raged  with  a  mortality  as  great  as  that  ascribed  to  it  by  the  English  writers.  The 
oldest  residents  speak  of  this  as  a  disease  new  to  the  country.  It  is  announced  by  a  succession 
of  rigors,  with  great  febrile  depression,  violent  pain  in  the  head  and  ears,  and  a  severe  coryza, 
with  copious  defluxion  from  the  eyes  and  nose ;  six  hours  after,  a  cough  and  limited  expectora- 
tion harrass  the  patient;  the  slightest  jar  accompanying  it,  occasioning  the  most  poignant  dis- 
tress, referred  to  the  vertex  and  superior  occipital  region.  In  some  cases,  inflammation,  tume- 
faction, and  pain  of  the  cervical  and  facial  glands  call  for  alleviation,  respiration  and  degluti- 
tion being  difficult  therefrom.  In  others,  no  external  swelling  or  discoloration  is  apparent  ; 
but  a  malignant  cynanche  inflicts  far  greater  distress,  and  seems,  for  the  second  day,  the  promi- 
nent ailment.  The  third  day,  tumefaction  and  redness  aifect  the  tissues  over  the  nasal  and 
malar  bones,  and  pain  is  complained  of  across  the  bridge  of  the  nose,  and  in  its  foss^  extend- 
ing along  the  infra  orbital  space.  This  symptom  accompanied  all  the  cases.  Early  prostration, 
severe  jactitation,  and  wakefulness  are  present;  and  on  the  fourth  or  fifth  day  (perhaps  with 
an  alleviation  of  the  cerebral  symptoms)  the  patient  is  seized  with  an  intense  pain  in  the  epi- 
gastrium, with  great  tenderness,  on  pressure,  in  the  region  of  the  ensiform  cartilage  and  of  the 
sternum ;  the  recti  muscles  become  hard,  giving  the  sensation  of  a  board  under  the  hand.  This 
symptom  is  prominent  in  the  Mexican  cases  submitted  to  my  notice,  and  is  often  preliminary 
to  dissolution." 

The  troops  in  various  portions  of  New  Mexico  have  been  afflicted  with  scurvy;  the  result  of 
the  usual  causes  of  that  disease — the  use  of  salt  meats  and  absence  of  all  vegetables.  With  the 
cultivation  of  company  and  post  gardens,  the  disease  has  almost  entirely  disappeared. 


ABSTRACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCURRING   AMONG   THE    TROOPS 


IN  NEW  MEXICO. 


432 


REPORT   ON    THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


FIRST  QUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

185.3. 

1854. 

8TRBN0TH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EA!"ES. 

IMkAN    STRENCTII 

259. 

815. 

1.U70. 

1,059. 

1,349. 

1,435. 

5,887. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.      Cases 


Eruptive  fevers < 

I 
f 


Diseases  of  the  organs 
connected  with  the  di- 
gestive system. 


Diseases  of  the  respira 
tory  system.  1 


Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 


Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases    of  the    serous  < 
and  exhaleiit  vessels.     ' 


Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 
muscular  structures. 


Abscesses  and  ulcers. 


Wounds  and  injuries.. 


Miscellaneous  . 


Fcbris  conlinua  communis . ,  I      I 

Fcbris  inter,  quotidiana  . . . . ' 

Febris  interniiltens  tertiana.        4 

Febris  intermittens  qtiartana' 

Febris  rcmiitcns 9 

Febris  typhus 

Erysipelas 

Variola 

Varioloid 

Diarrho-a 4 

Dyscntoria  acuta 1 

Dysenteria  chronica ' 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta ;      3 

Hepatitis  chronica ' 

Obslipaiio 2 

All  other  diseases G 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica 

Catarrhus 4 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

Plcurilis 4 

Pneumonia 2 

All  other  diseases 

Cephalalgia 

Delirium  tremens 

Epilepsia | 

Neuralgia I 

AM  other  diseases I      1 

Gonoirhffia 12 

Strictura  urethra? 

Syidiilis  primitiva '     14 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

All  other  diseases 2 

Ascites 

All  other  diseases  ' 

Pernio 1 


-{     Podagr: 


Rheumatisnms  . 
Fistula  


2 


Phlegmon  et  abscessus. 

Ulcus 

Anibustio 

Ainputatio 

Concussio  cerebri 

Contusio 

Fractura  

Luxatio 

Punilio 

Sub-luxatio 

Vulnus  incisum 

Vulnus  laccraium. ...  .. 

Vulnus  punctuni 

Vulnus  sclopeticum .... 

Debilitas 

Ebrietas 

Hrmorrhois 

Hernia 

IVlorbi  cutis 

IVIorbi  ociili 

Scorbutus  

All  other  diseases 


Total  , 


Died.  ICases.' Died.  jCases.  Died.  Cases. I  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 


9 

18 
10 


5 
13 
4 


.1  18 
•  !  33 

I   1 


Died. 


Total  Total 
cases,  died. 


58 
11 
1 


1 

13 
96 

7 
43 

10 
3 
5 
4 
3 


22 
3 

11 
6 

10 


40 
8 


S8 
3 
2 


35 


14 
9 
15 


6   450 


9  ;  479 


15 


10 
14 
3 
83 


1  I 
1   ! 


13 
23 
4 
36 
1 
2 
3 
7 


3 

1  i  31 


16 
4 


10  I. 
16  '. 
10   . 


1 

1 

30 


23 
15 


1 

27 

3 


7 
14 
11 
3 
2 

1 
4 
5 
1 
3 

e 

5 

30 


430  j  II   411 


3 
9 

16 

17 
8 

45 
5 
4 
6 
1 
2 

19 
4 

37 

691 


63 

63 

1 

13 

7 
19 

5 

4 

203 

44 

5 


3 

5 

83 

106 

36 

293 

2 

32 

18 

26 

'12 

13 

5 

16 

12 

109 

4 

58 


4 

10 

1 

187 

2 

129 

79 

16 

2 

3 

170 

19 

3 

3 

44 

62 

64 

16 

59 

14 

13 

25 

8 

9 

61 

36 

108 


28  (2,552 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN    NEW   MEXICO. 
OCCURRING  AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  NEW  MEXICO. 


433 


Years                

SECOND  QUARTER. 

AGOBE 
BTREn 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852.           1853.           1854. 

OTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength 

243. 

727. 

1,042. 

1,060.       i        1,164.               1,049.              5,285. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES.    | 

Cases.,  Died.  jCases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died.  I"*""' 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

Febris  continua  communis  . 

1      

4 
12 
15 

4 
9 
1 
3 

, 

4 
14 
10 

4 



2     

5      

7     

1' :  ^ 

8     '    10 

34 

49 
89 

Fevers 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana. 
Febris  intermillcnsquartana 

2     

19     ' 

36 
3 

t 

2      3      

1         IS 

1. 

1 

1 

3 

'i 

6 
5 

2 

1 

''™'"™      

:::.::;::::. 

i           i 

■   1 

' 

5     1 

47 

1 

1 
1 

57 
20 

58 

40 

1 





69 
2 

4 

1 

42     

278 
82 

7 

3 

17 

3 

1 

1 

Dyscnteria  chronica 

1 

1 

Uiseases   of  the    organs  J 

::::::::::":::::" 

connected  with  the  di-  | 

1 

1 

1  ::.:: 

3 

gcstive  system. 



1 1 

1 
I 

Obstipatio 

1 1     10 

4      25 

20 
19 

1 
14 

1 

23 
19 
4 

38 
1 

15 

37 

3 

28 
1 
3 
3 
1 
3 
o 

2 
13 

25 
4 
13 
19 
10 

12 
33 
20 
33 

1 

80 
117 
28 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

Catarrhuw 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

1 

7      '     24 

1      1 

10      8 

2  I           2 

1 

1 

1 

144 
34 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

4 
4 
4 

5 

2 

:  :::::: 

1 





1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
5 
2 
5 
1 

34 
3 
7 

13 
8 

tory  system. 

1 
1 

17 
18 
21 
16 
8 
36 
12 
156 
11 
58 
69 
SO 

5 

1 

U 
3 
1 
2 
2 
1 

21 

Cephalalgia 

L 
2 

1 

1 

9 
1 
2 

' 
3 

40 

1 

14 

18 

12 

4 

nervous  system. 

1 

2 

25 

: 

9 

7 

1 
1 

3 
11 

2 

Diseases  of  the  urinary, 
and  genital  organs. 

9 
4 

1 

10 
6 
12 

■  Syphilis  conseculiva 

1 
1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  j 

1 

1 

3 

1 

exhalent  vessels.            ' 
Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

Podam^a...       .                        ' 

1 

muscular  structures. 

;  Rheumatismus 

17 

29 

37 

25 

34 

40 

172 

Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . . ' 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

3 
2 

19 
10 
2 



27 
5 
2 

18 
22 

21 
13 

15    • 

14      .■ 

103 

66 

13 

1 

1 

5 

1 

4      

|------ 



1 
43 

6 

1 

18 
5 



28 
2 

33        

33      

161 
9 
6 

1 
1 

Wounds  and  injuries 

4     1 

1      

5    \------ 

7 
1 
8 

4 

,       3 

6 

6      

6      

8      

7  ; 1  12    41 

.  Vulnus  incisuiii 

V'ulnus  taceratuin 

1 

6 
12 
3 
7 

1 
9 

10     

3    1 

.5    1 

31 
35 
14 
21 

n 

24 
46 
2 
14 
64 
144 
102 

]  Vulnus  ^clopeticum 

Debititas 

! 

..    ..    !        4 

2 


1 

4 
4 

1 

3 

1 

2 
5 
4 

1 

i 

1 

1 

3    ; 

2    1 

1 

Ha-niorrhois 

2    1 

13 

11 

2 
3 

' ,     » 

Miacellancous 

IMorbi  cutis 

2 
6 
20 
10 

1 

5 
10 
70 

i     " 

3 
2 

1 

1 
20 

9 
28 

1 

3    1 

13    i  

3 

17 

1 

12    1 

Scorbutus 

23 
IS 

6 
32 

3 

S 
4 

Total 

130 

5 

40.'i 

10 

|475 

10 

528 

1 

512 

4 

473 

6     2.523 

3S 

-65 


434 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


Years 

THIRD  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

1849.           1850.            ISril.      1      1852.            1853.      I      185J. 

STKI£NOTU. 

EASES. 

Mean  sTBEaoxii   

684. 

f:3.                 1.241.               1,168.               1,094.       1        1,063. 

6,126. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Toliil 
cases. 

Tciial 
died. 

f 

Febri.«  continua  communis.. 

Febris  inter,  quniidiana 

Febris  intennitteiis  tertiana. 
Fehris  intermittens  quartann 

1 

14 
5 

13 
l.'i 
18 
2 
6 

17 

i       2 

'       7 

4 

1 

1  I      4 

2  !      5 
1      1 



17 
3 
9 
2 
2 
4 
1 



8 
12 
18 

13 
2 
12 

54 

53 

66 

5 

63 

20 

21 

1 

5 

11 

1 

2 

21 
11 

1 

2 

8 

1 

7 

1 

1 
5 

r 

89 
7 
3 

1 

88 
22 
2 

100 

2 

81 
25 
2 

1 

104 
13 



5 
1 
1 

557 

3 

25 
4 

1 

110 

Diseases    of  ilic   organs 
connected  with  the  (ii--{ 
gestive  system. 

Dysenterin  chronica 







15 

3 

2 

I 

120 

191 

7 

86 

a 

1 
1 

1 

Obstipaiiii 

2U 
10 

11 

52 

1 

13 

34 

41 

3 



20 
26 



17 

38 

9 
24 

2 
16 



1  Uronchitis,  acuta  ct  chronica 

!     1 

21 

5 



13 



19 



Diseases  of  the  rcspira  . 

3      

.     ..   i 

4 

9 

1            2 

u 



2 
5 

1 
13 
4 

1 

30 
8 
10 
36 
16 

19 

12 

176 

8 

97 

64 

60 

2 

7 

tory  system. 

1 
2 
13 

1 

3 
2 
1 

1 

I 

2 

14 

2 
3 

4 
2 
3 
1 

29 
3 

18 
4 

13 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

25 

1 

12 

16 

6 

1 

4 
5 

1 

...:::  i 

1 

Diseases  oi  the  brain  nnd 
nervous  (system. 

1  Epilepsia 

Neuralgia    

2 
2 

51 

1      

1 

9 
3 

31 

3 
3 

27 
1 
21 
14 
12 

1 

2 

r 

3 

Diseases  of  the  uriiiar>', 

17 

1 
4 
1 
2 

20 

15 

10 

1 

1 

1 

9 
14 
13 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

Disease:*   of  the    serous  ( 

and  exhalent  vessels.     < 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

1 

1 

3 

Difteascs  of  the  fibrous  & 

] 

muscular  structures. 

20 

1 

18 

30 

1 

31 
1 

22 

16 
3 
1 
1 

43 
2 
1 

11 

15 
8 
6 
1 
7 

10 

15 
3 
3 

10 
8 

33 

39 

.... 

19 

157 

1 

160 

80 

16 

3 

1 

207 

11 

4 

48 

55 

48 

23 

37 

18 

43 

44 

7 

12 

1 

1 
Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Phlfgnion  el  absccssus 

Ulcus  

42 
11 

29 

8 

1 
1 

28 
lU 

1 

17 

21 

3 

22 
14 
5 

1 
1 

1      4 



Aniputatin 

1 

1 

1 

Cnntu.^io 

18 
1 
1 
4 
3 
4 
1 
5 
2 

39 

1 

31 

1       1 

41 

3 

1 

10 

13 

17 

1 

2 

3 

r. 

5 

1 
1 

9 
4 

35 
3 
1 

13 

10 
4 
7 

23 
1 

16 
4 

Wounds  and  injuries 

1 

8 
5 
7 
4 
3 
2 
1 
4 
2 
1 
12 
33 

1 

1 

2 
9 
8 
4 
4 
3 
3 
13 
1 
1 
8 
21 
14 

1 
1 

1 

I 

1 

Vulnus  sclopeticum 

3 

1      

3      

Miscellaneous - 

1     j 

6      

14  ;    1 

17  : 

5     

21 
5 
37 

66    j 

85 
149 

a 

1     [    41 

a 

Total 

Ti'J     '       5 

53-1 

C     1  520 

6 

596 

B 

614 

2 

552 

3 

3,195 

39 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    NEW    MEXICO. 
OCCURRING  AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  NEW  MEXICO. 


435 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

1849.           IS 

JO. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENOTU. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Mba.n  strength 

619. 

1,106. 

1,034. 

1,062. 

1,218. 

1,156. 

6,195. 

SPECIFIC   DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Oases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

i             '            ■ 
Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Total:  Tiital 
cases.'  died. 

Fevers 

Febriscontinua  communis  . 

Febris  inter,  quoiidiana 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 
Febris  rcmittens 

8 
20 

16 



8 
23 

27 

1 
1 

8 
6 
8 



3 
17 
7 

10 

28 

8 

4 

9 

21 

41 
103 

87 

1 

1 

7 

8 
2 

13 

1 
1 
1 

.... 

52 

1 

1 

68 
10 
31 

...... 

5 
4 

3 

1    j      1    '.... 

5 

Eruptive  fevers 

Erysipelas 

10 

2 

,      3 

1 

6 
2 

6      

9      

Varioloid 



L     .. 

7 

r 

Cholera  Asiatica 

' 

57 
53 

1 

1 
1 

123 

29 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

SO 
18 
5 

3 


76 
18 
8 

1 

61 
5 
1 

1 

1 

116 
16 
9 

139 
25 
2 

1 

1 

86 

144 

2 

1 
1 

Diseases    of  llic    organs 

1  Dysenteria  chronica 

connected  with  tlicdi-' 

1 

1 

19 

22 

4 

93 

{ 

Restive  system. 

7 

14 

39 

10 

84 

1 

9 

4 

3 

4 

2 

2 

2 

3 

37 

2 

12 

5 

13 

I 


13 
33 

13 
22 

20 
11 

Bronchitis,  acuta  ct  chronica 



34 

aiO      

2     

29      

11               3 

13      

24      

15  1          2 
7    I 

16  ' 

15               '^ 

1 

1 
2 

Diseases  of  liie  respira- . 

6 

1 

1 

8 

4 
3 
1 

8 
4 
o 

1 

1           1 

6 

5 

1 

tory  system. 

I 
1 
1 
S 

...... 

5 
1 

..... 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and . 
ner\-ous  system. 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

Diseases    of  the    serous  t 
and  exhalent  vessels,     t 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  8t  ' 
muscular  structures.       [ 

i      3    1      1          i 

Epilepsia 

1 

1 

4 

5 

;  38 

1 

1 

2 
2 

27 

3 

3 
I 

■  All  other  diseases 

2          1 



1           2      

19 

22 

1 

11 

1 

5 

165 

4 
86 
71 
So 

I 

1 

10 
19 

8 

13 

1 

j  Syphilis  consecutiva 

j  All  other  diseases .... 

!  Ascites 

24      

13 
9 

1 

1 

9 

i     " 

[ 

2 

7 

j 

1 

3      

30      

1      

231 

2      12    ' 

[ 

8 

..       1      1 

Poda"ra 

t 

I 

Rhcuniatismus 

33      1     49 





33 

31 

12 

1 

1 

35     I SR      

Fistula  

1 

2 

38 

9 

1 
29 
13 

1        ! 

3 
193 
81 
12 

3 

a 

296 
18 

8 
43 
68 
73 
18 
12 
12 
35 
47 

7 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

32 
12 
3 

1  '  =8    

17       ' 

35 

18 

1 
1 

1 

2      i      -.    i- 

1 

1 

57 
4 
3 
2 
8 
9 
3 
1 
3 
6 
9 

1 



15 

1 

1 

46 
3 
1 
3 
12 
20 
4 
2 
1 

6 
2 





43 

R. 

'■:, 

1 
S 

2    1           1      ■; 

3 
3 
11 
11 
16 
4 
7 

1 

9 
9 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries.,..  ■ 

1 
9 

i 

5 

7 
7 
2 
1 
3 
1 
5 
3 
1 

U 
S 

16 

!  Vulnus  incisum 

1  Vulnus  laceraium 

21  .:::.: 

s  1 

9 
If: 

2  ■ .; 

3 

1 

1  Vulnus  sclopcticum 

3 
9 
7 
S 

1 
1 
7 
11 

Hi'mia 

5 
23 

1      i      3 

11        .   ..   t    14 

10     

»     

40              1 

9 

18 
n 

1 

11 
13 

14 

i      3     1 

11    : 23 

45 

Total •. 

35 

449 

5 

735 

12 

584 

7 

522 

4 

531 

3 

7T6 

4 

.1,597 

CALIFORNIA. 


SOUTHERN  DIVISION. 

Following  to  a  certain  extent  the  plan  of  classifying  the  military  stations  into  regions  having 
similar  climatological- features,  the  posts  on  the  Pacific  slope  will  be  considered  in  three  sub- 
divisions— southern,  middle,  and  northern.  The  first  two  include  the  whole  State  of  California 
— the  southern  being  all  that  portion  lying  south  of  the  thirty-seventh  parallel  of  latitude,  and 
the  middle  the  portion  north  of  that  line.  The  northern  division  embraces  the  Territories  of 
Oregon  and  Washington. 

In  the  southern  division  the  troops  have  occupied  Fort  Yuma,  San  Diego,  San  Luis  Eey, 
Eancho  del  Chino,  Rancho  de  Jurupa,  Fort  Tejon,  Monterey,  and  Fort  Miller. 

FORT   YUMA. 

"Fort  Yuma  is  situated  on  a  high  rocky  liill  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Colorado,  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Gila,  and  eighty  miles  from  the  head  of  the  Gulf  of  California.  The  valley 
of  the  Colorado  averages  seven  miles  in  width,  and  is  bounded  on  either  side  by  rocky  barren 
mountains  and  sand-hills,  which  separate  it  from  the  immense  deserts  by  which  it  is  surrounded. 
This  post  was  established  in  February,  1852,  and  for  a  time  the  soldiers  were  in  the  field  oper- 
ating against  Indians,  in  which  duty  they  underwent  an  unusual  amount  of  fatigue  and  expo- 
sure, being  subjected  to  long  marches  under  an  almost  tropical  sun,  and  that  without  water,  and 
to  the  cold  and  chilly  nights  of  March,  April,  and  May;  while  the  difficulties  in  tracking  the 
enemy  through  almost  impenetrable  thickets,  and  over  the  ever-changing  sands  of  the  desert, 
were  almost  insurmountable."     {Quarterly  report  of  Assist.  Surgeon  J.  J.  Milliau :  1852  ) 

The  principal  number  of  cases  of  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  and  scorbutus  reported  in  the  abstract 
for  1852  occurred  at  this  post,  the  men  being  for  a  time  destitute  of  vegetables,  and  deprived  of 
the  ordinary  necessaries  of  life. 

Fort  Yuma  is  noted  for  its  excessive  temperature  and  absence  of  rain.  The  average  mean 
temperature  for  the  year  is  T3°.62,  for  the  summer  89°. 95,  the  mercury  occasionally  rising  to 
116°.  The  mean  annual  amount  of  rain  is  only  3.24  inches.  Although  such  is  the  official 
record  of  meteorological  observations  at  this  post,  it  appears  that  the  actual  temperature  is 
even  more  excessive  than  above  stated.  In  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  a  copy  of  the  "Army 
Meteorological  Register,"  in  June,  1856,  Assistant  Surgeon  H.  R.  Wirtz  writes  to  the  Surgeon 
General  as  follows: 

"I  beg  leave  to  remark  that  I  have  been  surprised  at  the  low  maximum  temperatures  during 
the  summer  season  assigned  to  Fort  Yuma,  as  they  are  not  at  all  in  accordance  with  the  private 
observations  taken  by  officers  of  the  post  at  other  situations  than  the  hospital.  The  temperature, 
I  have  been  informed  on  the  very  best  authority,  has  been  as  high,  in  June  and  July,  as  12-1°, 
and  yet  I  find  no  such  record  in  the  published  tables. 

"In  endeavoring  to  seek  a  reason  for  such  a  wide  discrepancy,  I  questioned  my  hospital  stew- 
ard closely  with  regard  to  the  manner  in  which  the  observations  had  been  taken  previous  to  my 
arrival.  He  informs  me  that,  for  several  years  back,  the  thermometrical  record  has  been  kept 
by  him  from  a  thermometer  suspended  in  the  coolest  part  of  the  hospital,  and  it  always  denoted 


438  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

the  lowest  possible  temperature  that  could  be  obtained  in  that  building.  The  hospital  was  built 
of  adobes,  and  covered  with  rushes  and  mud,  and  the  floor  was  constantly  kept  damp  by  sprink- 
ling witli  water.  Now,  any  record  kept  in  such  a  building  must  be  iallacinus,  and  it  gives  no 
idea  of  the  ab.'^dhile  teui]ieiatuic  of  tlie  atmos]il;ore.  My  steward  also  informs  me  tluit  he  fre- 
quently observed  a  difl'eience  of  10°  between  the  thermometer  suspended  in  the  damp  ward  of 
the  hosiiital  and  another  one  hanging  on  a  post  in  front  of  the  hospital,  completely  shaded  and 
lirotected  from  leticcled  rays. 

"I  cannot  think,  therefore,  that  the  thermometrical  record  for  previous  years  can  be  relied 
on,  nor  that  Fort  Yuma  has  received  its  full  share  of  justice,  as  the  hottest  military  post  on  the 
continent  of  Nortli  America,  and,  perhaps,  in  the  world.  Although  this  spring  we  have  had 
very  cold  winds,  the  thermometer,  as  I  now  write,  stands  at  113°,  and  it  is  not  considered  hot 
here  until  the  mercury  has  risen  some  10°  to  12°  above  this  point. 

"Hereafter,  I  will  see  that  the  record  is  kept  in  the  most  unexceptionable  manner;  aiid  if  a 
difference  be  perceived  between  the  observations  of  this  summer  and  previcTus  ones,  I  hope  it  will 
be  assigned  to  the  proper  cause. 

"I  have  had  the  thermometer  suspended  on  a  post,  in  a  passage-way  between  two  sets  of  offi- 
cer's quarters.  The  passage-way  is  24  feet  wide  and  over  50  feet  long,  completely  shaded  by  a 
good  roof  extending  from  one  set  of  quarters  to  the  other.  The  thermometer  is  consequently  12 
ieet  from  either  building,  and  cannot  be  affected  by  the  walls  it  faces,  so  that  it  receives  no 
reilected  heat,  and  a  free  current  of  air  passes  over  it."* 

MEDICAL  TOrOGTiAPHY  AKD  DISEASES  OF  SAN  DIEGO. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  John  E.  Summers  :  1852. 

The  military  post  at  San  Diego  is  situated  near  the  head  of  a  valley,  perhaps  three-quarters 
to  one  and  a  half  mile  in  width,  which  runs  W.S.W.  and  E.N.E.,  six  miles  distant  from  the 
old  Picsidio  K.E.,  and  eight  miles  from  the  sea-shore  W.S.W.  The  valley  opens  out  on  a 
small  plain  of  some  two  or  three  miles  in  extent  near  the  town,  and  running  to  Punta  Falsa. 
The  height  of  tlie  Iiills  and  table-land  on  cither  side  of  the  valley  is  about  250  feet. 

Some  15  or  20  miles  to  the  east  of  the  post  is  a  range  of  mountains  running  north  and  south, 
broken  in  places,  with  some  very  jiretty  valleys  intervening,  which  mountains  extend  over  a 
distance  in  width  some  40  miles,  and  bound  the  desert  on  the  west  side  of  Rio  Colorado.  The 
general  aspect  of  the  countrj'  is  barren  from  June  until  December,  at  which  time  vegetation 
generally  sets  in.(?) 

The  coldest  month  in  the  year  is  December,  (thermometer  34°,  F.,  the  lowest  observation 
taken  in  the  last  three  years) ;  and  the  warmest  weather  is  in  July,  August,  and  early  part  of 
September;  and  the  most  agreeable  month  in  the  year  is  February. 

The  diseases  which  have  occurred  at  this  post  have  not  been  influenced  ^par/^cwZar??/ by  the 
climate.  In  the  year  1840  (as  ascertained,  from  the  mi.«sion  books  and  the  oldest  inhabitants) 
there  were  2,000  (Mexicans?)  and  between  600  and  800  Indians  belonging  to  this  mission  (San 
Diego);  there  are  now  between  300  and  400 — men,  women,  and  children.  In  the  year  18^2  or 
1843  the  small-pox  killed  much  more  than  one-half  of  the  Indians  on  the  coast  of  California,  and 
is  now  dreaded  more  by  them  than  any  other  disease.  Venereal  diseases  are  the  next  most  fatal, 
and  perhaps,  in  a  succession  of  years,>kill  many  more  even  than  the  small-pox  ever  did.  Next 
to  venereal  diseases  are  the  diseases  of  the  chest,  which  kills  very  many  of  them.  In  some  j)ar- 
ticidur  places  they  suffer  from  intermittent  and  bilious  fevers,  of  which  many  die;  but  in  this 
immediate  vicinity  a  case  of  intermittent  or  remittent  fever  is  seldom  ever  seen^  imless  contracted 
elsewhere. 

°  The  latest  monthly  register  received  at  the  Surgeon  General's  ofiice  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Wirtz,  at  Fort  Yuma,  is 
for  July,  1S5G.  The  thermometrical  record  is  as  follows:  Mean  for  the  month,  at  7  a.  m.,  88.80;  at  2  r.  M.,  108.12;  at  9  p. 
M.  91.09.  Average  daily  mean  for  the  month,  95.36  ;  maximum,  IIG;  minimum,  80.  At  3  o'clock  p.  M.  the  thermometer 
is  usually  fiom  1°  to  3°  higher  than  at  2  p.  m.     July  is  u.sually  the  hotted  month  at  Fort  Yuma.^C. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA.  439 

SAK  LUIS  REY,  KAXCHO  DEL  CHINO,  AND  RAXCHO  DE  JURUPA. 

San  Luis  Ret. — The  ])osition  occupied  by  tlie  troops  is  in  the  town  of  that  name,  about  forly 
miles  northwest  from  San  Diego.  It  is  situated  in  a  wide  valley  opening  to  the  sea,  and  but 
four  or  five  miles  from  it. 

Raxciio  del  Chixo — Tiie  position  thus  designated  is  in  a  wide  vallev,  near  the  Rio  Smta 
Ana.  thirty  five  miles  from  the  coast,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  nortli  of  San  Diego. 
The  ''ranch"  on  which  the  post  is  located  covers  nine  square  leagues,  but  the  valley,  sur- 
rounded by  hills,  extends  hundreds  of  miles,  presenting  an  almost  iminterrupted  view  in  the 
absence  of  foliage.  In  summer  there  is  very  little  water  in  the  streams,  or  living  gr.ass  on  the 
plains,  though  in  winter  the  whole  country  is  irrigated  by  mountain  torrents  and  falling 
showers.  The  climate  is  mild,  as  a  general  thing,  though  occasionally  very  warm;  the  air 
pure  and  dry.      [Quarlcrhj  reports  of  Assistant  Surcjeon  AcJkins.) 

Raxcito  de  Jurl'pa. — The  troops  stationed  at  Rancho  del  Chino  were  transferred  to  Rancho  do 
Jurupa  in  September,  1852.  The  new  position  is  in  the  valley  of  the  Santa  Ana,  which  is  from 
tliree  to  three  and  a  half  miles  wide,  terminating  on  either  hand  in  rocky,  rugged  hills.  Through 
the  centre  runs  the  Santa  Ana  or  San  Bernardino  river,  a  turbid  stream  two  and  a  half  or  three 
feet  deep  in  summer,  with  a  rapid  current,  and  an  average  width  of  twenty  yards.  The  banks 
are  abrupt,  some  eight  or  ten  i'eet  high,  and  for  some  hundred  yards  level  and  covered  with 
Cottonwood,  alder,  and  a  species  of  willow,  whose  freshness  and  verdure  strikingly  contrast 
with  the  parched  country  around.  Beyond  this  the  surface  ascends  to  the  hills  in  steps  or  with 
a  gradual  slope.  The  soil  is  dry,  light,  and  sandy,  but,  properly  irrigated,  exceedingly  pro- 
ductive. The  water  everywhere  soft  and  sweet.  The  position  is  healthy.  (Quarterly  report 
of  Assistant  Surgeon  R.  0.  Abbott.) 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  MONTEREY,  CALIFO;;NIA. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  William  S.  King  :  1S52. 

Forty  leagues  from  San  Francisco,  and  upon  the  shores  of  iJMonterey  bay,  is  situated  Monte- 
rey, probably  the  most  beautiful  town  on  all  the  coast  of  California.  In  all  that  constitutes 
beauty  of  scenery,  derived  from  a  proper  proportion  of  woodland,  water,  hills,  and  distant 
mountains,  Monterey  will  bear  a  comparision  with  other  places  of  more  celebrity;  and  its 
claims  in  this  respect  are  acknowledged  by  all  travellers.  The  houses  (mostly  adobe)  are  built 
on  a  broad,  gentle  slope  of  land,  about  two  miles  from  Point  I'inos,  the. southern  extren)ity  of 
the  bay.  They  are  scattered  over  an  extent  of  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  and  mirrored  in  the 
placid  waters  of  the  bay,  stand  in  bold  relief  against  a  back-ground  of  extensive  forest.  Tlie 
hills  in  the  rear  increase  in  height  as  they  run  to  the  southeast,  till,  at  a  distance  of  forty  miles, 
tliey  are  merged  in  the  high  mountains  of  the  coast  range.  The  northern  shore  of  the  bay  is 
twenty  miles  distant,  bending  so  iar  to  the  west  that  the  Pacific  is  not  visible  from  any  i)art  of 
the  town.  Tiie  jieninsula  intervening  between  the  bay  and  the  Pacific  shore  is  covered  by  a 
fine  growth  of  tall  and  stalely  jsines,  with  a  few  scattering  oaks.  About  a  hundred  yards  irom 
the  southern  shore  of  the  ba}',  on  a  level  xvith  it,  and  skirting  the  eastern  edge  of  the  town,  is 
a  low,  flat,  sandy  plain,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a  lagoon,  near  half  a  mile  in  length,  by  onc- 
eiglith  in  width.  Further  to  the  east,  in  the  same  plain,  and  nearly  parallel  with  the  shore  of 
the  bay,  are  two  other  lagoons,  of  a  large  size,  and  at  a  distance  of  one  and  two  miles  from  the 
town.  Beyond  the  last  lagoon  the  laud  rises  gradually  by  a  circuitous  elevation  for  about  si.x 
miles,  and  from  thence  by  a  re<ular  descent  to  the  Salinas  river — a  large  stream  emptying  into 
the  bay  about  eight  miles  east  from  Monterey.  Beyond  this  river  are  what  is  called  the  Salinas 
plains,  a  broad,  level  prairie,  nine  njiles  wide,  extending  to  the  low  hills  of  the  San  Juan 
mountains. 

During  the  prevalence  of  the  high  tides  in  the  spring,  the  water  of  the  bay  flows  into  the 


440  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

lagoon  at  the  edge  of  the  town,  and  kecjis  it  full;  Init  at  other  seasons,  particularly  at  the 
latter  part  of  the  dry  season,  the  waters  of  the  lagoon  recede  towards  the  centre,  leaving  a  good 
deal  of  vegetable  matter  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  sun,  the  odor  from  which  is  far  from 
agreeable  when  sufficiently  near  to  inhale  it.  The  water  of  this  lagoon  is  so  brackish  at  all 
seasops  of  the  year  that  cattle  will  not  drink  it. 

Three  miles  south  of  Monterey  is  Carmel  valley,  watered  by  a  river  of  the  .same  name  which 
empties  into  the  Carmel  bay.  The  soil  is  rich  and  alluvial,  and  adapted  to  agriculture.  Car- 
mel and  Salinas  valleys  are  the  only  points  now  under  cultivation  in  the  vicinity  of  Monterey. 
Just  beyond  Carmel  valley  is  Point  Lobos,  a  promontory  on  the  coast,  celebrated  for  the  num- 
ber of  seals  and  sea-lions  always  to  be  found  there.  In  Carmel  valley  is  situated  the  mission 
of  San  Carlos,  founded  in  1770  by  Padre  Junipero  Serra,  a  Franciscan  friar.  The  old  church 
is  still  in  good  repair,  while  the  other  buildings  have  in  a  great  measure  fallen  to  ruin.  At 
this  mission  is  an  orchard  of  pear-trees  in  fine  bearing,  being  the  only  Iruit  that  appears  to 
thrive  well  in  this  vicinity. 

Monterey  redoubt,  a  few  hundred  yards  to  the  north  of  the  town,  is  placed  upon  an  elevation 
of  140  feet  above  the  bay.  It  is  bounded  by  a  picket-work,  and  encloses  a  sufficient  area  for  a 
parade-ground,  and  a  garden  for  the  use  of  the  troops.  On  the  side  of  the  redoubt  next  the 
bay  is  a  battery,  mounting  twenty  heavy  guns.  The  quarters  for  the  officers  and  men  are  built 
of  logs,  neatly  plastered  and  whitewashed,  and  are  commodious  and  comfortable. 

As  the  climate  and  character  of  disease  at  the  fort  and  in  the  town  of  Monterey  are  precisely 
alike,  it  will  be  understood  that  both  are  included  in  my  remarks.  The  population  of  Monte- 
rey is  from  six  to  eight  hundred,  three-fourths  of  whom  are  nativ^Californians. 

Climate. — The  atmosphere  is  humid,  the  temperature  agreeably  warm  and  equable;  the 
prevalent  winds  are  sea-breezes  from  the  west  and  north;  the  land  winds  from  the  east  and 
south  are  mtich  less  prevalent,  blow  less  strongly,  and  may  frequently  be  detected  alone  by  the 
uncomfortable  feelings  they  produce,  without  reference  to  tlie  weather-vane.  There  is  one  rainy 
season,  from  November  till  April.  This  is  about  the  average  time  the  rains  begin  and  termi- 
nate, although  sometimes  considerable  rain  will  fall  as  early  as  October,  and  continue  until 
May.  During  this  period  there  are  frequent  intervals  of  fine  weather  of  such  extraordinary 
beauty  and  balmy  temperature,  that  the  traveller  arriving  on  the  coast  might  well  imagine,  with 
Colonel  Fremont,  that  it  resembled  the  climate  of  southern  Italy.  During  the  dry  season  the 
fogs  rise  from  the  sea  late  in  the  afternoon,  float  over  the  town,  and  disperse  usually  by  9  p.  m. 
There  is  also  a  fog  generally  in  the  mornings  until  10  a.  m.  I  may  add  here  that  these  fogs  are 
found  on  the  entire  coast  of  California  as  far  south  as  Point  Concepcion.  In  the  rainy  season, 
at  which  time  the  winds  are  from  the  south  and  east,  there  are  no  fogs;  the  sky,  when  not 
raining,  being  clear  and  cloudless.  To  give  some  idea  of  the  temperature  of  this  place,  the 
following  memoranda,  extracted  from  the  meteorological  register  of  the  2)ost,  is  here  inserted: 
Mean  annual  temperature  for  1850,  55°  Fahrenheit;  coldest  day,  March  25th  (mean  for  the 
day),  39°;  warmest  day,  September  18th  (mean  for  the  day),  77°. 50;  highest  range  (Septem- 
ber), 94°;  lowest  range  (December),  30°.  Mean  temperature  for  1851,  57°. 54;  coldest  day 
(being  the  mean  for  that  day),  46°. 50;  warmest  day  (being  the  mean  for  that  day),  73°. 50; 
highest  range  (August),  75°;  lowest  range  (December),  40°.  There  is  a  difference  between  the 
mean  temperature  of  the  summer  and  winter  months  of  only  from  6°  to  7?;  and  hence  the 
annual  temperature  is  very  uniform,  although  the  diuinal  changes  may  be  very  considerable. 

Diseases. — I  have  little  information  of  the  diseases  of  this  neigliborhood  previous  to  my  arri- 
val at  Monterey  in  the  spring  of  1849.  In  1844,  I  am  informed,  the  small-pox  visited  this 
place,  carrying  off  a  large  number  of  the  inhabitants,  cliicfly  Indians,  who  had  not  been  vac- 
cinated. At  some  of  the  missions  in  California,  at  the  same  period,  nearly  the  entire  population 
died  of  the  same  disease. 

I  do  not  know  that  any  particular  disease  can  be  said  to  be  endemic  to  this  locality.  The 
diseases  from  which  the  inhabitants  are  entirely  free,  are  contagious  or  infectious  fevers  (except 


AMONG   THE   TEOOPS   IN    CALIFORNIA.  441 

the  exanthemata),  calculus,  diabetes;  those  from  which  they  are  nearly  exempt,  are  consump- 
tion, dyspepsia,  aneurism,  and  malignant  tumors;  and  those  which  are  mild,  and  of  rare  occur- 
rence, are  diarrhoea  and  dysentery.  On  my  arrival  in  Monterey  in  1849,  I  found  whooping- 
cough  and  measles  of  a  mild  form  prevailing  in  the  town.  On  inquiry  I  learned  that  these 
diseases  were  unknown  here  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  Americans  in  1846,  who  brought 
them  with  them  from  the  States.  A  few  cases  of  these  complaints  occurred  here  the  following 
year,  since  which  time  they  have  disappeared,  and  owing  to  the  peculiar  climate,  and  the  pre- 
valence of  the  strong  and  constant  winds  from  the  ocean,  I  do  not  believe  they  will  reappear 
until  imported  de  novo.  During  their  prevalence  some  cases  of  rubeola  so  much  resembled 
scarlatina  that  it  was  extremely  difhcult  to  distinguish  one  from  the  other.  Some  cases  ot 
scarlatina  were  reported  to  me,  but  I  am  unable  to  say  whether  they  were  genuine,  not  having 
seen  them.  So  far  as  I  was  acquainted  (and  my  practice  was  very  general  throughout  the 
town),  but  few  cases  proved  fatal. 

My  predecessor.  Assistant  Surgeon  Murray,  has  reported  several  cases  of  typhoid  fever  in 
Monterey,  in  the  fall  of  1847.  These  cases  occurred  among  recruits  just  arrived  from  a  pro- 
tracted sea  voyage,  and  are,  no  doubt,  attributable  to  the  long  confinement  on  ship-board,  and 
a  want  of  a  proper  supply  of  fresh  and  wholesome  food.  Since  that  period  to  the  present  time, 
I  am  not  aware  of  any  instance  of  this  fever,  except  one  in  an  emigrant  who  arrived  at  Monte- 
rey overland,  after  enduring  incredible  hardships  and  sufferings,  and  who  died  shortly  after  his 
arrival. 

Although  now  and  then  intermittents  are  met  with  here,  yet  in  every  instance,  according  to 
my  experience,  they  are  found  among  recruits,  who  have  contracted  the  disease  elsewhere,  or 
miners,  who  have  been  living  in  the  valleys  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin,  where  the  dis- 
ease prevails  extensively,  and  who  have  come  here  for  the  benefit  of  their  health.  Off  from  the 
coast,  as  far  interior  as  the  Salinas  river,  a  few  cases  are  met  with,  but  I  have  never  known  a 
case  of  intermittent  fever  originating  in  Monterey. 

The  only  epidemic  common  here  is  influenza,  and  in  the  autumn,  particularly  when  the  winds 
blow  from  the  land,  (which  they  usually  do  a  short  time  before  the  advent  of  the  rain),  nearly 
the  entire  population  become  affected.  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  owing  to  the  situation  of  the  la- 
goons already  described,  that,  were  it  not  for  the  setting  in  of  the  rain  shortly  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  land  breezes,  Monterey  would  be  much  more  unhealthy,  it  being  to  the  seaward  of 
these  lagoons  and,  therefore,  exposed  to  any  injurious  influences  emanating  thereirom.  To  the  un- 
favorable influences  of  these  winds  tlie  inhabitants  are  accustomed  to  ascribe  an  unusual  feeling 
of  discomfort  and  want  of  energy  felt  at  this  time. 

As  many  of  the  people  live  in  low  adobe  houses  without  board  floors,  and  in  many  instances, 
without  windows,  the  only  means  of  ingress  being  a  very  low  door-way,  it  will  follow  as  a 
matter  of  course,  that  these  dwellings  will  be  low,  damp,  and  illy-lighted  and  ventilated.  If 
to  these  causes  be  added  coarse  and  badly  cooked  food,  and  the  practice  of  the  whole  family 
sleeping  in  one  apartment,  it  will  not  be  surprising,  that,  as  a  result  of  this  mode  of  life  alone, 
scrofula  and  summer  complaint  of  children,  and  diseases  of  the  lungs  will  occasionally  be  found, 
without  supposing  anything  in  the  climate  disposing  to  these  complaints.  Scrofula  is  of  rather 
rare  occurrence;  the  two  latter  are  more  common.  More  children  die  of  cholera  infantum  and 
lobular  or  infantile  pneumonia  than  from  any  other  disease.  These  affections,  as  I  before  ob- 
served, are  produced  more  by  the  mode  of  living  than  any  climatic  agency.  It  is  the  custom 
among  all  classes  of  native  Californians  to  clothe  their  children  very  scantily  until  they  attain 
the  age  of  f  mr  or  five  years.  Before  this  period  no  shoes  nor  stockings  are  used,  the  only  gar- 
ment worn  being  a  single  short  petticoat  of  thin  calico,  and  often,  indeed,  are  without  any 
clothing  whatever.  During  the  rainy  season,  the  lower  extremities  of  tlie  children  are  con- 
stantly cold  and  damp,  and,  as  fire-places  and  chimneys  are  almost  unknown,  their  garments 
are  seldom  dry,  and  in  this  condition  they  usually  sleep  on  mats  laid  on  a  ground  floor.  To 
s.  96 56 


442  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

these  causes  are  to  be  ascribed  also  the  catarrhal  affections  so  common  to  children,  and  the  pleu- 
risy frequently  met  with  in  adults. 

Asthma  is  a  disease  of  rare  occurrence  in  Monterey  or  in  California.  I  have  seen  but  two 
cases  in  three  years. 

The  Asiatic  cholera  has  not  as  yet  visited  this  place.  During  the  season  that  cholera  pre- 
vailed in  California,  it  began  in  Sacramento  valley ;  next  we  find  it  in  Sau  Francisco,  and  pro- 
ceeding to  San  Jose,  passed  in  a  soutlierly  direction  to  the  eastward  of  Monterey,  to  San 
Louis  Obispo  and  Santa  Barbara.  None  of  the  jjremonitory  symptoms  of  this  epidemic  were 
ever  present  at  tliis  place.     Tlie  cause  of  this  exemption  is  involved  in  mystery. 

But  two  cases  of  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  are  reported  in  my  returns  of  the  sick  for  the  past 
year. 

It  will  be  inferred,  from  the  foregoing  sketch  of  the  diseases  of  this  post  and  vicinity,  that  it 
is  a  post  enjoying  a  higli  degree  of  salubrity,  and  also  from  the  fact  that  there  are  no  diseases 
of  peculiarity  or  importance,  that  no  prominency  can  be  given  to  any  class  of  affections,  or  any 
points  of  striking  character  can  enter  into  this  account. 

Before  closing  tliis  paper  with  a  brief  allusion  to  some  of  the  diseases  of  women  of  this  region, 
I  will  barely  allude  to  one  peculiarity  I  have  observed  in  the  diseases  not  only  of  Monterey,  but 
in  all  California,  and  tliat  is  the  extreme  tendency  to  functional  disturbance  of  the  brain.  What 
I  allude  to  is  the  fact  that,  in  diseases  (often  of  a  mild  character)  which,  elsewhere  and  in  simi- 
lar circumstances,  are  unattended  by  the  slightest  mental  aberration,  are  in  California  often 
accompanied  by  impaired  intellect  and  sometimes  delirium.  It  is  owing  to  this  jieculiarity,  I 
think,  that  delirium  tremens  is  found  to  follow  very  slight  excesses  in  drinking,  and  whicli  I 
before  supposed  to  be  entirely  inadequate  to  produce  this  affection.  A  contrary  opinion,  1  am 
aware,  exists  to  some  extent  here  ;  but  I  believe  it  is  founded  in  error,  and  that  all  who  have 
studied  this  subject  will  agree  with  me  that  no  one  can  indulge  in  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors 
with  the  same  impunity  in  California  as  elsewhere.  Insanity,  it  is  well  known,  is  very  fre- 
quent in  California,  where  it  is  true  the  predisposing  causes  exist  to  an  unusual  extent  in  the 
excited  condition  of  the  country,  yet  how  much  is  due  to  the  influence  of  climate  remains  yet  to 
be  determined.  In  this  small  town  there  are  five  cases  of  confirmed  insanity  of  long  standing. 
I  have  before,  in  my  reports,  mentioned  the  disposition  of  the  slightest  cuts  or  abrasion  of  the 
cuticle,  if  not  immediately  jjrotected  from  the  influence  of  the  air,  to  take  on  inflammation, 
which  frequently  degenerates  to  ulcers  of  great  obstinacy  and  long  duration.  This  lias  been 
observed  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  may  be  owing  as  much  to  the  character  of  diet  as 
to  atmospheric  influence.  My  own  impression  is,  that  it  is  due  mostly  to  the  latter  influence,  as 
it  is  found  to  exist  where  there  is  apparently  no  want  of  proper  aliment. 

I  have  heard  of  many  cases  of  impaired  memory  charged  to  the  climate  of  California,  but  I 
have  no  certain  evidence  that  this  is  true;  yet,  judging  from  the  complaints  of  eastern  friends, 
and  the  many  instances  of  entire  forgetfulness  and  disregard  of  the  strongest  of  human  ties  by 
those  sojourning  in  this  country,  one  might  readily  believe  that  some  potent  spell,  like  the 
Lethean  waters  of  classic  story,  was  exerted  by  the  gentle  winds  of  the  Paciflc  coast. 

Diseases  of  women. — The  diseases  peculiar  to  women,  are  far  more  common  in  Monterey  than 
any  other  class  of  disorders.  Of  these,  the  most  common  are  leucorrhoea,  prolapsus  uteri,  and 
deranged  menstruation.  These  affections  are  more  numerous  in  proportion  to  the  j)opulation 
in  Monterey  than  in  any  community  I  have  ever  known.  Tlie  two  first-named  are,  I  believe, 
owing  to  the  mode  of  treating  parturient  women,  practised  by  the  natives  of  the  place.  It  is 
the  custom  in  Monterey,  when  labor  begins,  to  place  the  woman  on  a  chair  in  the  middle  of  tlie 
room,  and  a  rope  is  fastened  to  the  rafters  above  her  liead,  which  she  is  directed  to  pull.  Round 
her  abdomen,  a  broad  towel,  or  rebosa,  is  passed,  the  ends  crossed  behind,  and  entrusted  to 
assistants,  who  are  instructed  to  tighten  it  when  the  abdominal  tumor  descends  during  the  pain, 
and  helay  there  (as  it  were)  until  the  arrival  of  the  next  pain,  when  it  is  hauled  taut  again,  so 
as  to  hold  on  each  time  to  the  progress  made,  and  not  permit  the  usual  ascent  of  the  tumo 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA. 


443 


after  the  subsidence  of  the  pain.  With  the  same  view,  a  strong  man  is  frequently  seated  behind 
the  woman,  who,  with  his  hands  placed  on  her  abdomen,  makes  strong  pressure  downwards,  at 
each  pain,  with  the  idea  of  assisting,  by  mechanical  force,  the  contractions  of  the  uterus.  All 
this  time  the  midwife  (generally  some  old  woman)  is  seated  in  front  with  one,  and,  if  possible, 
both  hands,  in  the  vagina,  making  all  the  traction  in  her  power.  When  the  woman  and  her 
assistants  are  fatigued,  she  is  placed  upon  her  knees,  on  the  floor,  but  without  relaxing  any  of 
the  means  and  appliances  which  would  cause  them  to  lose  the  advantage  already  gained.  These 
violent  measures  often  prove  fatal  to  both  mother  and  child.  Usually,  on  the  termination  of 
labor,  the  woman  is  completely  exhausted.  From  the  injury  done  to  the  soft  parts  by  the  long 
and  rough  handling,  inflammation  and  ulceration  often  ensue,  and  thus  laying  the  foundation 
of  uterine  and  vaginal  disease  and  displacement  of  the  uterus.  Immediately  after  delivery,  and 
when  the  poor  woman  is  nearly  worn  out,  and  in  a  more  or  less  excited  state,  and  the  nervous 
system  in  an  exceedingly  susceptible  condition,  and  disposed  to  receive  strong  impressions  from 
slight  causes,  it  is  the  universal  custom  for  all  acquaintances,  however  slight,  to  visit,  with  one 
accord,  the  new  mother,  so  that  her  room  will  resemble  an  evening  party,  being  filled  with 
numerous  guests,  who  do  not  hesitate  to  sit  for  hours,  in  loud  conversation,  and  regale  themselves 
meanwhile  in  smoking  paper  cigarettes.  When  we  consider  how  much  lying-in-women  often  sufier 
from  not  being  kept  in  a  tranquil  and  quiet  state  after  confinement,  and  how  important  to  her 
well-doing  is  rest  and  seclusion,  we  may  readily  conceive  the  unfortunate  results  of  an  opposite 
course,  and  understand  wliy  more  untoward  circumstances  occur  to  such  women  here  than  ordi- 
narily. Within  the  last  few  years,  the  influence  of  the  intelligent  physicians,  and  a  few 
American  families,  have  made  some  improvement  in  these  matters ;  but,  as  this  branch  of  the 
profession  is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  Caliibrnia  midwife,  much  ignorance  and  sujjerstition  still 
exist  throughout  the  country  to  an  extent  that  could  scarcely  be  credited  in  other  jjortions  of 
the  United  States.  Not  deeming  a  more  extended  narration  of  the  diseases  of  this  vicinity  as 
proper  in  a  paper  of  this  character,  I  have  endeavored  to  be  as  brief  as  the  nature  of  the  subject 
would  admit,  and  have,  therefore,  been  obliged  to  avoid  details  which,  after  all,  perhaps,  would 
not  have  been  read  either  with  interest  or  profit. 

List  of  Plants  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Monter&y,  Ujijier  California, 

[Note. — Assistant  Surgeon  W.  S.  King  states  tliat  "tluB  list  of  plants  was  prepared  from  specimens  collected  by  himself 
and  family,  and  from  the  collection  of  Dr.  Andrews,  an  ardent  and  indefatigable  botanist  of  Monterey."] 


KASlNCrLACEJE  : 

CKrcirEE.E  : 

Caktophtll-vcej:  : 

Ranunculus  Californicus. 

Dentaria  integrifolia. 

Arenaria  laricifolia. 

(xmdescribed). 
acris. 
Aquilegia  Canadensis. 

Californica. 
Erysimum  grandiflorum. 
Lepidium  Californicum. 

Stellaria  media. 
Silene  Drummondii. 

P0RTCLACACE.E  : 

Delphinium  Califomicum. 

Menziesii. 

variegatum. 

nudicaule. 
Pffionia  Californica. 

Menziesii. 

latipes. 
Thysanocarpus  pusillus. 
elegans. 
Polygala  (unknown). 

Calandrina  Menziesii. 

speciosa. 

Claytonia  perfoliata. 

tenuifolia. 

GEKAN'IACEi:  : 

Beebekidace^  : 

ViOLACEX  : 

Erodium  cicutarium. 

Berberis  aquifolium. 

PAPAVEKACE.E  . 

Chyseis  Californica 

Viola  longipes. 

pedunculata. 
ocellata. 

OxALiDACti: : 

Oxalis  corniculata. 
Orcgana. 

crocea. 

caespitosa. 
Plalystigma  lineare. 
Plalystemon  Californicum. 

CKCClFERi  : 

CisTACRi;  : 

Helianthemum  scoparium. 

FE.4XKE.VHCEX  : 

Frankeuia  grandiflora. 

ASACABDIACEi  : 

Rhus  diversiloba. 
laurina. 
Malt  ACES : 

Malva  fasciculata. 

Cheiranthus  capitalus. 
Streptanthus  glandulosus. 
flavescens. 

Tu.ECEBRACEfi  : 

Paronychia  ramosissima. 
Spergula  rubra. 

rotundifolia. 
HjPPOCASTANCEi  : 

.fisculus  Californica. 

444 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


LIST  OF  PLANTS— Continued. 


Rhamjiace^  : 

Ehamnus  laurifolius. 
croseus. 
Californicus. 
Ceanothiis  tliyssifloras. 
cuneatus. 
rigidus. 
dcntatus. 
Tj:onMiN03X : 
Vicia  exigna. 
Lathyrus  strictus. 

maritimus. 
palustris. 
Psoralea  orbicularis. 

macrostacliya. 
Trifolium  albopurpureum. 
pratensc. 
microcephalum. 
fimbriatum. 
heteiodcm. 
involucratum. 
fucatum. 
amplecteus. 
Melilotus  occidentalis. 
Medicago  denticulata. 
Hosackia  stolonifera. 
gracilis, 
crassifolia. 
deeumbens. 
tomentosa. 
micranthus. 
scoparia. 
sericea. 
nudiflora. 
strigosa. 
rubella. 
Astragalus  leucophyllus. 
rhaca  trichopoda. 
densiflora. 
Douglasii. 
Lupinus  Menziesii. 

microuarpus. 
hirsutissimus. 
gracilis, 
manus. 
leptophyllus. 
truncatus. 
bicolor. 
polyphyllus. 
cytisoides. 
versicolor, 
rivularis. 
Douglasii. 
macrocarpus. 
Thennopsis  macrophylla. 
Pickeringia  montana. 
EosACE,E : 

Nuttallia  cerasiformis. 
Spira?a  aria>folia. 
Cercocarpus  parvifolius. 


R0SACE.S : 

Aco^na  pinnatifida. 
Adenostoraa  fasiculata. 
Horkelia  Californica. 

cuncata. 
Potentilla  glandulosa. 
Fragaria  vesta. 

Chilensis. 
Eubus  velutinus. 
strigosHS. 
spectabilis. 
villosuB. 
ursinus. 
fra.\inifolia. 
Photinia  arbutifolia. 
Gnagkace-i:  : 

Zauscbneria  Californica. 
Epilobium  coloratum. 
Oenothera  Hookeri. 
Lindleyi. 
rubicunda. 
riminea. 
Arnottii. 
tenella. 
purpura, 
lepida. 

cheiranthifolia. 
micrantha. 
dentata. 
Eulobus  Californicus. 
Clarkia  elegans. 

CtJCL'nBIT.\CE.E  : 

Echinocystis  (undescribed). 

GB09SnLACE.E  : 

Eibes  speciosum. 
Menziesii. 
villosum. 
Californicum. 
glutinosum. 
nialvacum. 

CACTACE.E  : 

Opuntia  vulgaris. 
Mesemuryanthemace-e  ; 

Mesembryanthemum  trigonaca- 
rinatifolium. 

SAXIPKAGACEiE  : 

Saxifraga — 3  species. 
Henchera  hirtiflora. 
Lithophragma  cymbalaria. 
Umbelliferj:  : 

Hydrocotyle  natans. 
Sanicula  Menziesii. 
nudicaulis. 
arctopoides. 
Cryptota^nia  (unknown). 
Peucedannia  cariiifolium. 
Leptota?nia  Californica. 
Dancus  pusillus. 

COBNACE.E  : 

Comus  sericea. 


CAPR1F0LIACE.E  : 

Symphoricarpus  racemosus, 
Loniccra  Californica. 
involucrata. 
Sambucus  (unknown). 

RUBIACE.E  : 

Galium  Californicum. 
trichocarpiim. 
triflorum. 
CoMrosiTiE : 

Corethrogyne  filaginifolia. 
tomcntella. 
Aster  Chilensis,  and  several  un- 
known species. 
Erigcron  glaucum. 

speciosum. 

Douglasii. 
Gutierrezia  Californica. 
Solidago  spiciformis. 
Californica. 
elongata. 
Ericameria  microphylla. 
Aplopappus  Menziesii. 
Grindelia  hirsutula. 

robusta. 
Heterosheca  grandiflora. 
Chrysopsis  sessiliflora. 
Baccharis  pilularis. 

Douglasii. 

viminea. 
Micropus  Californicus. 
Psilocarpbus  globiferus. 
Stylocline  gnapbaloides. 
Franseria  bipinnatifida. 
Wyethia  augustifolia. 
Helianthus  Californicus. 
Helianthella  lanceolata. 
Leptosyne  Douglasii. 
Choenactis  tennifolia. 
Bahia  achillieoides. 
Lasthenia  glaberrima. 
Burrielia  microglossa. 
Dicha^ta  uliginosa. 
Layia  gaillardioides. 

heterotricha. 
Callichroa  plataglossa. 
Hemizonia  tilipts. 
Venegosia  carpesioidcs. 
Artemesia  pycnocephala. 

pachystachya. 

Californica. 
Gnaphalium  Californicum. 

Sprengelii. 
Senecio  Californicus. 

Douglasii. 
Calais  Douglasii. 
Malacothrix  commutata. 
Taraxacum  dens  leonis. 
(unknown). 
Sonchus  apper. 


AMONG   THE    TROOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA. 


445 


LIST  OF  PLANTS— Continued. 


Labiatje  : 

Ml.SCELLANEOUS:  . 

MiSCELLAKBOBS : 

Scutellaria. 

Sisyrincliium. 

Convallaria — 2  species. 

Stacliys. 

Solanum. 

Convolvolus — 3  species. 

Galcopsis. 

Vaccinium  (evergreen). 

Dodecatheon. 

Gerardia. 

Iris — 2  species. 

Castanea  (evergreen). 

Pycnanthemum. 
Collinsia — 2  species. 

Mimulus. 
Myosotis. 

Tkees. 

Ehinanthacex  : 
Eucliroma. 
Pedicularis. 
Castillega — several  species. 

Plantago. 

Achillea  millefolium. 

Allium — several  species.  . 

Pinus  insignis. 

Edgariana. 
Cupressua  macrocarpus. 

Anagallis. 
Arbutus  tomentosa. 

Quercus  Califomicus, 
longiglanda. 

Melanthace.e  : 

Asclepias. 

Salix — several  species. 

Zygadenus. 

Calochortus. 

Arbutus  procera. 

Helonias. 

Chenopodium. 

Taxodium  semperrirens. 

List  of  animals,  d'c,  found  at  Ilonferey,  California,  and  vicinifij. — California  lion,  black  and 
brownbear,  tiger  cat,  wild  cat,  lynx,  prairie  wolf,  coyote,  badger,  rabbit,  hare,  grey  squirrel,  mole, 
wood  rat,  house  rat,  pole-cat,  weasel,  chameleon,  elk,  white-tail  deer,  antelope,  sea  otter,  seals. 

Reptiles. — Bufo  Americanus,  rana,  hyla  and  hylodes,  turtles,  lizards,  rattle  and  other  snakes. 

Birds. — White  and  grey  goose,  ducks^  large  and  small  crow,  pigeon,  woodcock,  snipe,  wood- 
lark,  woodpecker,  large  and  small  hawk,  eagle  (bald),  quail,  blackbird,  sparrow,  bluebird, 
martin,  barn  swallow,  humming-bird,  chapparal  cock,  kildeer,  linnet,  crane,  robin,  fish-hawk, 
large  and  small  owls,  turkey-buzzard,  ibis,  and  red-winged  blackbird. 


FORT  MILLER. 

Fort  Miller  is  located  upon  the  San  Joaquin  river,  and  just  within  the  foot-hills  of  the  great 
Sierras;  these  soon  disappear  upon  the  vast  plains,  which  stretch  north  and  south  to  the  distance 
of  several  hundred  miles,  and  are  in  width  about  fifty.  Save  a  few  narrow  belts  which  mark 
the  course  of  the  several  rivers,  the  plains  are  entirely  destitute  of  timber,  and  oppose  no  obstacles 
to  the  burning  rays  which  through  several  months  unintermittingly  pour  down  from  a  relent- 
less sun.  The  wind  which  sweeps  from  the  ocean  to  restore  the  equilibrium,  chills  in  its 
passage  the  inhabitants  of  the  coast;  yet,  when  it  has  traversed  these  plains,  so  hot  and  dry 
does  it  become,  it  is  almost  irrespirable.  The  light  winds  from  the  snowy  summits  of  the  Sierra 
secure  cool  nights.  The  country  adjacent  to  the  post  is  only  remarkable  for  its  occasional  gold- 
bearing  quartz  veins.  The  soil,  both  upon  the  hills  and  in  the  valley,  is  universally  of  an 
argillaceous  character,  with  vast  quantities  of  jjebbles  thickly  imbedded  tlierein.  A  few 
scattered  oaks,  and  some  straggling  pines,  are  the  principal  trees  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

The  following  remarks,  respecting  the  diseases  at  this  post,  are  taken  from  a  recent  report 
by  Assistant  Surgeon  Murray:  "Diarrhoea,  which,  next  to  remittent  fever  of  a  mild  form,  is 
most  frequently  met  with,  seems  to  be  produced  by  the  great  heat  and  sudden  changes  of  tem- 
perature, together  with  i'aulty  diet.  Vegetables  are  frequently  very  scarce ;  for  the  torrid  heat 
which  sets  in  early  in  June,  nearly  puts  an  end  to  vegetation,  save  in  the  low  and  moist  river 
bottoms,  of  which  there  are  none  within  twenty-five  miles  of  the  post.  Several  cases  of  scorbutic 
diarrhoea  have  been  treated  with  the  liajipiest  results  with  the  supertartrate  of  potassa  in  small 
doses  long  continued.  It  is  remarkable  that  diseases  of  the  liver  and  bowels  are  not  more  fre- 
quent during  the  hot  months  here,  where  the  thermometer,  for  three  or  four  mouths,  ranges  from 
t  90  to  11.5°  at  mid-day.  The  small  quantity  of  oxygen  inspired  with  this  rarified  atmosphere, 
is  insufficient  to  decarbonize  the  blood ;  and  thus  additional  labor  is  thrown  upon  the  liver ;  and, 
at  this  season,  it  is  a  fact,  universally  noticed,  that  the  stools  are  perfectly  black  in  the  most 
healthy  individuals.'" 


446 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


DISEASES. 

The  only  epidemic  with  which  the  troops  in  southern  California  have  heen  visited  is  one  of  in- 
fluenza, which  occurred  in  February,  1853,  and  which  was  confined  to  the  garrison  of  Fort  Yuma. 
The  disease  was  ushered  in  with  severe  .symptoms  and  marked  prostration ;  hut,  on  the  second  or 
third  day  it  assumed  a  mild  form.  Assistant  Surgeon  Milhau,  who  notes  this  epidemic,  remarks 
that,  "  in  some  cases  dysentery  was  a  prominent  symptom,  ai)pearing  on  the  first,  and  subsiding 
on  the  second  or  third  day,  giving  place  to  the  ordinary  catarrhal  symptoms,  so  that  it  would 
appear  the  two  diseases  were  produced  by  the  same  cause ;  in  one,  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
intestinal  canal  being  affected;  in  the  other,  that  of  the  air-passages."  The  usual  duration  of 
the  disease  was  four  or  five  days. 

The  diseases  of  the  troops  in  this  region  are  presented  in  the  following  table,  compiled  from 
the  consolidated  abstract : 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY, 


Quarters. 

Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  per  1,000  of  mean  strenoth. 

Treated. 

Died. 

First  quarter. ,.._--.___-_ 

1,744 
1,843 
1,591 
1,C50 

733 

1,029 

847 

591 

8 

7 

10 

5 

420 
658 
532 
358 

4  5 

Second  quarter. - ...__. 

4 

Third  quarter.-- --..--..- 

6.2 

Fourth  quarter  -   -------- 

3 

1,707 

3,200 

30 

1,874 

17  5 

The  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the  number  of  officers  and  men  was  1.87  to  1,  and 
the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths,  1  to  56.9,  or  1.7  per  cent.  The  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases 
treated  was  1  to  106.66,  or  0.93  per  cent. 


FEVERS. 


Quarters nKST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

TEAR. 

o 

00 

« 

a) 
■^     . 

o 

•fi 
a 

o 

S^ 

Strength 1,744 

1,843 

1,591 

1,650 

1,707 

ft  5 

-A 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases.    Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Fehris  continua  communis 

Fehris  intermittens  quotidiana. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana-.. 

5 
44 
25 

3 
13 

0 

0 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

2 
50 
33 
0 
6 
1 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

5 

57 

17 

0 

21 

0 

0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

1 

0 

2 
26 
10 
2 
4 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

14 
177 

85 
5 

44 
1 
0 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

1  in     14 
0  in  177 
0  in    85 

0  in      5 
Oin    44 

1  in       1 
0  in      0 

8.2 
103 
49 
3 
U  3 

Febris  typhus. _._ 

0.6 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

0 

Total 

90 

1 

92 

0 

100 

1 

44 

0 

326 

2 

1  in  163 

190 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN  CALIFORNIA. 


447 


DISEASES  OP  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  ...__......-..-- 

FIRST. 

8EC0.ND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases. 

1 

£^ 

1, 

744 

1, 

343 

1,591 

1, 

350 

1,707 

ti       M 

S   5 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deatlis. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

.2  'X 

1' 

0 

67 
26 
4 
0 
1 
0 
22 

20 

0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 

162 

40 

0 

0 

0 

0 

43 

47 

0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

120 

13 

1 

0 

1 

1 

39 

39 

0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 
99 
7 
3 
0 
0 
0 
17 

24 

0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 

448 
86 
8 
0 
2 
1 

121 

130 

0 

« 
0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0  0 

1  in    56 
0  in    86 
0  in      8 
0  in      0 
0  in      0 
Oin      1 

0  in  121 

1  in  130 

0 

262 

50.3 

Dysenteria  chronica 

Enteritis  »,»---_----- 

4.6 
0 

Hepatitis  acuta. ._..._.--- 

1.1 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio   ......... .- 

0.6 
70.8 

AH  other  diseases  of  this 
system  ..........-.---- 

76 

Total            

140 

3 

292 

3 

214 

1 

150 

2 

796 

9 

lin    88 

466 

DISEASES  OF  THE  KESPIRATORT  SYSTEM. 


Quarters  .             ........... 

FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH. 

YEAR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 

g 

•:  a 

Strength 

1, 

744 

1, 

343 

1,591 

1, 

G50 

1, 

■07 

o  s 

■So 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chronica.. 
Catarrhus 

Phthisis  pulmonalis.  ....... 

3 
101 

7 
5 
2 

4 

0 
0 

1 
0 

1 

0 

2 

85 
0 

10 
7 

3 

0 
0 
1 
0 
0 

0 

3 
47 
1 
6 
0 

1 

0 
0 

0 

1 

0 

3 

41 
1 
3 
4 

2 

0 
0 
2 
0 
0 

0 

11 

274 

9 

23 

13 

10 

0 
0 
5 
0 
2 

0 

0  in 

0  in 

1  in 

0  in 

1  in 

0  in 

11 

274 

2 

23 

6 

10 

6.4 
160 
5.2 

13.4 

7.6 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 
tem   

5.8 

Total 

122 

2 

107 

1 

54 

2 

54 

2 

340 

7 

1  in 

49 

199 

Rheumatismus 

53 

2 

41 

0 

24 

0 

44 

0 

162 

2 

lin 

81 

94 

CALIFORNIA— NORTHERN  DIVISION. 

The  troops  in  the  northern  division  of  California  have  more  or  less  permanently  occupied  the 
following  stations :  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Benecia  Barracks,  Sonoma,  Camp  Far  West, 
Forts  Reading,  Jones,  and  Humboldt.  .    •• 

PRESIDIO  OF   SAN   FRANCISCO   AND   SONOMA. 

The  post  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  is  located  on  an  elevated  point  three  miles  west  of 
the  city  toward  the  coast,  and  much  more  directly  exposed  to  the  sea.  The  entrance  to  San 
Francisco  harbor  bounds  the  point  on  the  north. 


448  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

Sonoma. — Tliis  post  is  on  a  small  stream  entering  into  San  Pablo  bay,  near  forty  miles  north 
of  San  Francisco.  The  locality  is  partially  jirotectod  from  the  sea  exi)OHure  by  s])urs  of  the  Coast 
range  of  mountains,  and  its  character  in  this  respect  is  intermediate  between  the  posts  of  the 
coast  and  those  of  the  interior  of  California. 

MEDICAL  TOl'OGKAPHy  AND  DISEjVSES  OF  BENECIA  BAKKACKS. 
B}'  Assistant  Surgeon  John  S.  Cirillin  :   1852. 

The  jjost  of  Benecia  is  situated  in  latitude  38°  8'  north,  and  122°  4'  west,  on  the  straits  of 
Carquenez,  connecting  the  bays  of  San  Pablo  and  Suisun,  about  thirty  miles  east,  in  a  direct 
line  from  the  Pacific  ocean,  and  about  one  mile  east  of  the  town  of  Benecia ;  altitude  of  barometer 
above  the  Pacific  ocean  sixty-four  feet. 

The  bays  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post  are  surrounded  by  extensive  marshes,  which  are  flooded 
at  high  tide.  In  the  spring  and  summer  seasons,  when  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  rivers 
are  full,  the  water  in  the  straits  is  sufficiently  fresh  to  be  used  for  drinking. 

To  the  nortli  and  northwest,  the  post  is  surroimded  by  high  hills  and  valleys,  of  great  fer- 
tility ;  there  are  no  trees  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post ;  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  straits  there  are 
a  few  groves  of  small  oak — a  species  of  live-oak. 

The  soil  is  a  yellow  clay,  over  strata  of  slate  and  limestone.  Coal,  gold,  and  mercury  have 
been  found  within  a  few  miles  of  this  place.  The  country  for  many  miles  presents  the  same 
aspect,  except  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Sonoma  and  Nofa  the  hills  are  higher;  there  are  many 
thermal  springs  in  the  valleys.  The  hills  are  covered  with  a  most  luxuriant  growth  of  wild 
oat,  and  the  valleys  with  clover;  the  oat  ripens  about  the  10th  or  15th  of  June. 

The  wild  animals  found  in  the  vicinity  are  the  grizzly  bear,  elk,  deer,  antelope,  and  hare; 
the  plains  and  valleys,  during  the  rainy  season,  are  covered  with  flocks  of  wild  geese,  brent, 
duck,  and  other  water-fowl;  they  commence  coming  about  the  middle  of  October,  and  migrate 
north  in  March  or  April. 

Tlie  climate  is  mild,  divided  into  two  seasons — the  wet  and  dry.  The  winter,  or  wet  season, 
usually  commences  in  November,  and  continues  through  March.  A  few  weeks  after  the  first 
rains,  the  grass  springs  up,  and  in  a  short  time  the  country  presents  the  appearance  of  spring. 
The  fruit  trees  bloom  in  February  and  March;  the  vine  and  olive  grow  in  great  perfection. 
Snow  seldom  falls  on  the  plains  ;  occasionally  the  higher  hills  are  covered  for  a  few  hours;  ice 
sometimes,  but  rarely  forms ;  the  hills  and  valleys  continue  green  until  the  last  of  May,  when 
the  oat  and  other  grasses  begin  to  ripen  and  turn  yellow;  and,  by  the  middle  of  July,  the 
ground  is  baked  and  cracked,  and  the  whole  country  presents  the  appearance  of  the  greatest 
aridity.  At  this  place,  and  other  points  near  the  coast,  the  sea-breeze  blows  regularly,  com- 
mencing about  9  or  10  a.  m.,  and  continuing  till  sundown;  the  nights  are  cool  and  pleasant; 
places  situated  imnieiliately  on  the  bay  and  coast  are  subject  to  high  winds  and  fogs  ;  but  near 
the  hills  and  mountain  ranges  the  climate  varies  greatly  at  points  only  a  few  miles  ajiart — 
those  places  which  are  sheltered  from  the  wind  being  much  warmer. 

This  post  was  established  April  30,  1849 ;  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  the  troops  occupied 
temporary  quarters;  last  spring,  the  barracks  were  finished,  and  occupied  by  the  troops;  these 
buildings  are  situated  on  a  hill,  to  the  north  of  the  old  encampment;  there  are  sufficient  quar- 
ters for  four  full  companies. 

The  most  prevalent  diseases  at  this  post  are  fevers  and  affections  of  the  respiratory  and  digestive 
cro-ans.  The  majority  of  cases  of  fever  may  be  traced  to  field-service,  in  the  valleys  of  the  San 
Joaquin-  and  Sacramento.  Every  summer,  since  the  establishment  of  the  post,  some  of  the 
troops  of  the  garrison  have  been  engaged  in  field-service  in  the  upper  country ;  the  men  have 
invariably  returned  (particularly  from  the  Sacramento  valley)  prostrated  by  fevers,  dysentery, 
and  scurvy ;  the  fevers  are  not  severe,  the  remittent  form  being  mild  and  easily  managed  ;  the 
intermittent  is  apt  to  return  frequently,  and  continue  for  a  long  time. 

The  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs  are  generally  mild  catarrhs,  usually  cured  in  a  few 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA.  449 

days ;  but  one  man  lias  died  at  tliis  post  with  phthisis ;  and  I  can  find  but  two  cases  reported 
since  the  establishment  of  the  post. 

The  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  are  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  both  frequently  proving 
extremely  obstinate  and  difficult  of  cure. 

Persons  arriving  here  are  subject  to  attacks  of  catarrh  and  diarrhoea.  This,  I  think,  may  be 
ascribed  to  the  cold  winds  which  prevail  here,  and  to  the  water,  which  is  highly  impregnated 
with  salts  of  magnesia  and  lime.  Since  the  new  barracks  have  been  finished,  cistern  water  is 
used  by  the  troops. 

The  worst  and  most  obstinate,  cases  of  disease  of  the  digestive  organs  are  met  with  among 
old  soldiers — men  who  have  served  in  Mexico  and  in  this  country  for  several  years.  This  is  the 
chronic  diarrhoea,  or  dysentery  ;  it  is  generally  combined  with  scorbutus.  Upon  examination, 
the  gums  will  be  found  to  be  swollen — bleeding  easily ;  the  breath  foetid ;  the  tongue  smooth 
and  shining,  and  frequently  aphthous  ulcerations  on  the  edges.  I  have  not  seen  many  cases 
attended  with  eruptions.  The  jmssages  are  frequent  and  changeable;  being,  at  times,  almost 
natural ;  changing,  without  any  apparent  cause,  to  watery  yellow  passages,  or  to  mucus  and 
blood.  The  appetite  is  capricious.  The  general  appearance  of  the  patient  is  ana?mic.  Re- 
covery is  slow — dependent  more  on  diet  than  medicine.  I  have  known  several  persons  to  re- 
cover in  a  very  short  time  by  a  voyage  to  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

Since  the  establishment  of  this  post,  fourteen  deaths  have  occurred :  eleven  were  from 
chronic  diarrhoea  and  scorbutus,  one  cystitis,  one  phthisis,  and  one  suicide.  Four  have  been 
discharged  for  disability:  one  mania,  one  angina  pectoris,  one  circocele,  and  one  debility.  I 
think  that  the  diseases  may  be  attributed  to  diet  and  habits  of  dissipation.  From  the  high 
price  and  scarcity  of  vegetables,  the  men  have  been  confined  almost  entirely  to  the  ration  and 
fresh  beef;  and  this  has  been  particularlj^  the  case  when  in  the  field.  In  1849  and  1850, 
diarrhoea  and  scurvy  were  prevalent  among  the  citizens  employed  by  the  quartermaster,  and 
persons  in  the  surrounding  country.  At  this  time,  persons  living  at  the  post,  and  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  surrounding  country  who  have  an  abundance  of  vegetables,  are  remarkably  healthy. 

Opthalmia  is  a  frequent  disease  at  this  post,  caused,  I  think,  from  dust  and  high  winds. 

CAMP    FAR    WEST. 

Camp  Far  West  is  situated  at  the  base  of  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  at  the  head  of 
the  valley  of  Bears'  creek,  a  tributary  of  Feather  river,  and  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Sacra- 
mento valley.  The  camp  is  about  35  miles  N.N.E.  of  Sutter's  Fort,  in  latitude  39°  7',  longi- 
tude 121°  18'.  The  soil  of  Bears'  Creek  valley,  which  is  from  one  to  two  miles  wide,  and 
fifteen  miles  long,  is  alluvial ;  and,  except  some  few  sloughs  and  lagoons  of  trifling  extent,  it 
is  in  most  seasons  dry.  The  table-land,  which  composes  the  main  Sacramento  valley,  and  ex- 
tends from  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  the  coast  range  intersected  by  the  alluvial  valleys  of  the  Sacra- 
mento, Feather,  Yubo,  and  American  rivers,  with  other  minor  streams,  is  generally  composed 
of  a  mixture  of  clay  and  gravel,  with  a  substratum  of  iudurated  claystone,  impervious  to  water, 
for  which  reason  the  plains  are  impassable  in  the  rainy  season.  In  common  with  the  whole 
Sacramento  valley,  this  post  is  very  sickly  from  June  till  October.  Although  there  are  no 
marshe.s  within  twenty-five  miles  of  the  i^ost^  it  is  considered  one  of  the  most  unhealthy  points 
in  the  valley.  The  climate  is  mild  and  pleasant  from  October  to  May ;  the  rest  of  the  year  it 
is  hot  and  sultry.      (From  quarttrly  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Robert  Murray :  1849.) 

This  post  was  abandoned  on  account  of  its  unhealthiness ;  and  the  troops  moved  to  the  upper 
or  northern  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento,  where  they  established  a  new  poet,  which 
was  named  Fort  Reading. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND   DISEASES   OF  FORT  READING. 
By  Assistant  Huigeou  John  F.  Hammond  ;   1S55. 

This  military  post  was  established  in  May,  1852,  and  was  named  Fort  Reading,  after  an  old 
settler  from  one  of  the  eastern  States,  who  still  lives  in  the  neighborhood, 
s.  96 57 


450  REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

It  is  in  liititude  40°  28'  22"  N.;  longitude  122°  7'  W.  from  Greenwich.  In  altitude  aLout 
800  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  country  around  is,  in  a  general  view,  an  irrrcgular 
prairie,  bounded  on  the  east  by  a  range  of  mountains — Lassen's  mountains — running  north  and 
south,  sixty  miles  distant,  and  one-fourtli  of  the  way  to  the  range  of  the  Sierra  Nevada;  on  the 
west  by  the  Coast  range,  tweuty-five  miles  distant;  on  the  north  by  Shasta  butte,  ninety  miles 
•tlistant,  which  appears  to  spread  out  east  and  west  and  connect  with  Lassen's  and  the  Coast 
range;  and  on  the  south  it  is  continuous  with  a  plain  that  follows  the  course  of  the  Sacramento 
river.  Tlie  average  heiglit  of  these  mountains  is  five  or  si.x  thousand  feet  above  the  sea.  Tlic 
highest  point  of  Lassen's  range — Lassen's  butte — which  is  nearly  due  east  from  the  fort,  must 
be  near  10,000  feet  above  the  sea.  Snow  is  seen  on  it  at  all  seasons.  Shasta  butte,  which  is 
immediately  under  the  122d  parallel,  is,  according  to  the  most  reliable  map  of  California,  10,(100 
feet  above  the  sea.  It  is  covered  perpetually  with  snow  for  some  distance  below  its  summit. 
Three-fourths  of  the  horizon  is  in  winter  bounded  by  a  line  of  snow. 

This  large  basin  is  the  northern  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento  river.  Its  inclination  is 
to  the  south.  It  is  furrowed  everywhere  by  ravines  and  valleys,  in  which,  from  October  to  May, 
are  flowing  mountain  torrents.  The  last  vary  in  size  from  the  smallest  to  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
broail,  and  have  an  average  depth  of  many  feet.  The  remainder  of  the  year  the  ravines  con- 
tain strings  of  pools  of  stagnant  water,  alternating  with  sandy  or  rocky  beds,  exposed  to  the 
rays  of  the  sun.  The  prairie  is  studded  here  and  there  with  mots  of  white  oak;  and  white  oak, 
the  nut  pine,  and  willows,  with  long  grass  and  dense  undergrowth,  skirt  the  water-courses. 
Elsewhere  the  country  is  bare  of  everything  that  would  intercept  the  winds.  The  population, 
which  is  composed  of  emigrants  and  a  few  small  bands  of  roving  Indians,  is,  except  in  the  mines, 
very  sparse.  The  cultivation  of  the  soil  is  of  such  little  extent  that  it  cannot  aifect  in  any  degree 
its  healthfulness. 

The  post  is  a  mile  east  of  the  Sacramento  river,  in  the  valley  of  a  mountain  stream  called 
Cow  creek.  It  is  on  the  brink  of  the  bank,  twenty  feet  liigh,  which  limits  the  bed  of  the  creek 
on  its  western  side,  in  a  fine  grove  of  large  white  oaks  entirely  free  from  undergrowth.  Tlie 
quarters  for  the  officers  and  men  are  of  adobes,  one  story  high,  of  ami)le  dimensions,  well  venti- 
lated, except  beneath  the  floors,  which  are  of  planks  laid  directly  on  the  ground ;  they  are  well 
lighted,  and  the  distance  between  the  buildings  spacious,  so  as  to  allow  free  access  and  circula- 
tion of  fresh  air.  The  whole  is  thoroughly  policed.  The  creek,  generally  confined  between  its 
banks,  sometimes  overflows  just  above  the  fort,  and  forms  a  stream  fifteen  yards  or  more  in 
width,  that  runs  between  the  buildings  occupied  as  quarters,  and  leaves  a  bed  damp  and  foetid. 
It  was  Ibund  necessary  to  build  a  permanent  bridge  over  the  bed  of  this  cut-off,  for  such  an 
emergency.  During  the  winter  and  sjiring  the  creek  has,  for  a  mile  or  two  above  its  mouth, 
an  average  depth  of  fifteen  feet,  and  forty  yards  breadth.  Its  bed,  however,  will  average  one 
hundred  yards  wide.  Just  now,  the  stream  is  at  the  fort  350  yards  wide.  In  the  summer  and 
fall  the  average  depth  is  not  more  than  four  feet;  its  breadth  is  contracted  two-thirds,  and  much 
of  its  bed,  which  consists  of  boulders,  gravel  and  sand,  or  argillo-arenaceous  layers  containing  a 
large  amount  of  fragments  and  particles  of  i^umice,  and  vegetable  remains,  is  exposed  to  the 
sun.  "When  the  stream  is  swollen  by  the  rains  it  has  a  yellowish  grey  turbidncss,  but  the  de- 
posit is  slight,  from  the  short  duration  of  the  floods  and  its  raj)id  current;  as  it  subsides  it  has 
the  opalescent  liue  of  streams  of  limestone  water,  and  when  at  its  summer  height  it  is  limpid, 
and  delicious  to  drink.  Its  course  is  S.S.W.  It  runs  a  little  nearest  the  eastern  border  of  its 
valley,  and  empties  into  the  Sacramento  river  a  mile  below  the  fort. 

The  valley  of  the  creek  is  a  mile  wide.  Its  bottom  is  a  plain  of  argillaceous  soil  mixed  with 
gravel  and  vegetable  remains  from  grasses  and  weeds.  It  produces  a  very  full  crop  of  grasses 
and  weeds,  and  a  great  variety  of  flowers.  It  is  exceedingly  retentive  of  moisture,  and  is, 
during  the  rainy  season,  so  boggy  that  it  is  dangerous  lor  cattle  to  get  ofl'the  roads.  The  sub- 
soil is  a  light-yellow  sand,  more  or  less  compact.  The  valley  has  the  appearance  of  a  valley 
from  disruption,  and  presents  on  both  sides  abrupt  escarpments  fifty  feet  jiigh.  The  continuity 
of  the   latter  is   much    interrupted  by  ravines  Ibruied  by  tiie   rains,   and  tiie  angles  have  been 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    CALIFORNIA.  451 

rounded,  and  the  subsoil  concealed  by  various  meteorological  causes.  From  the  tops  of  the  es- 
carpments on  both  sides  of  the  valley,  extend  plains  to  the  foot  of  other  precipices,  or  are  inter- 
rupted by  ravines  and  valleys.  The  surface  of  these  plains  are  red  clay  mixed  with  gravel  and 
the  remains  of  croi)s  of  grass,  and  they  are  covered  with  rolled  flints.  In  some  places,  over  an 
extensive  tract,  they  are  formed  into  numerous  depressions,  which  contain  puddles  or  ponds  of 
v?ater  during  the  rainy  season.  For  some  time  after  that  season,  even  a  man  cannot  walk  on 
them  without  miring.  In  summer  they  are  dry  and  somewhat  spongy,  and  water  is  found  a 
short  distance  beneath  the  surface.  The  substrata  are  clay,  mixed  with  rolled  flints,  gravel, 
yellow  sand,  all  of  various  degrees  of  compactness,  but  friable,  extending  to  an  indefinite  depth. 
Cryptogamic  plants  are  observed  during  most  of  the  year.  After  a  rain  many  mushrooms 
spring  up ;  mould  fixes  on  the  ground  in  numerous  places,  and  seizes  upon  all  fresh  deposits  of 
animal  or  vegetable  matter.* 

Of  the  sources  to  which  have  been  referred  the  causes  of  intermittent  fever,  several  are  well 
marked  here.  For  example:  an  argillaceous  soil  converted  into  a  swamp  during  one  half  the 
year,  and  presenting  during  the  otlier  half  a  dry  spongy  surface,  with  water  at  a  little  depth 
beneath  it;  a  jjrolonged  rainy  season  followed  by  one  of  dryness  and  intense  solar  heat;  numer- 
ous beds  of  streams  exposing  dry  surface  or  pools  of  stagnant  water  to  the  sun,  especially  one 
immediately  beside  us;  the  free  jiassage  of  the  winds  in  various  directions;  the  great  diurnal 
range  of  the  temperature;  the  general  growth  of  cryptogamic  plants;  and  the  grove  immedi- 
ately around  us,  the  exhalations  from  which  may  chill  the  atmosj^here  at  night,  or  shed  down 
poisonous  emanations  intercepted  by  the  leaves. 

The  intermittent  fever  occurs  here  at  all  seasons.  A  violent  attack  of  tertian  intermittent 
occurred  in  an  oflicer  late  in  December  last,  just  after  fifteen  successive  morning.s  of  white  frost. 
A  light  shower  followed  the  last  frost,  which  was,  in  turn,  followed  by  four  frosty  mornings, 
and  on  the  second  day  of  the  last  he  was  attacked.  He  arrived  here  for  the  first  time  seventeen 
days  before  his  illness,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  he  had  contracted  the  disease  else- 
where.    The  disease  is  perfectly  controllable  by  the  sulphate  of  quinine. 

In  point  of  climate  and  salubrity,  the  descrijition  of  this  part  of  the  countrj^  is  applicable  to 
much  of  the  country  lying  between  the  range  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains  and  the  Coast 
range. 

The  tribes  to  which  the  Indians  who  rove  about  here  belong  are  not  distinguishable  by  our 
present  mode  of  communicating  with  them.  They  consist  of  a  few  small  bands,  speaking  difler- 
ent  languages,  and  each  known  specifically  by  the  name  of  its  chief.  They  are  all  classed  under 
the  term  "Digger,"  and  are  further  arranged  according  to  the  names  of  the  streams  which  are 
severally  their  usual  haunts.  They  will  average  about  the  medium  size  of  white  men,  and  are 
■well  proiwrtioned.  The  head  is*  not  below  the  medium  size,  and  is  not  deficient  in  local  develop- 
ments. The  superciliary  ridge  jirojecting  unusually  gives  the  forehead  the  appearance  of  re- 
treating more  than  it  would  otherwise  have.  The  eyes  are  not  oblique,  and  the  powers  of  vision 
are  very  extraordinary.  The  cheek-bones  are  high.  The  nose  regularly  arched,  not  long;  the 
alee  nasi  spread  out  less  than  in  the  African;  the  orifices  present  downward.  The  teeth  are 
regular,  white,  not  large.  The  lijjs  are  thicker  than  in  the  European.  The  inferior  maxillary 
bone  is  not  at  all  disiiroportioned  to  the  rest  of  the  face.  The  chest  is  well  developed.  The 
abdomen  is  protuberant.  The  hands  and  feet  are  remarkably  small.  Their  general  expression, 
when  not  hungry,  is  that  of  liappiness  and  benevolence.  At  other  times,  they  are  pensive, 
grave,  subdued,  and  seemingly  wretched.  They  are  armed  with  the  bow,  made  elastic  by  a 
layer  of  some  animal  fibrous  tissue  on  its  back,  and  the  wooden  arrow  pointed  with  flint.  Tliey 
live  on  small  game,  fish,  insects,  acorns,  roots,  and  grass.  They  dwell  in  small  rouiul-top  luits 
made  of  dirt  supported  by  skins  and  branches  of  trees.  Among  themselves  and  between  the 
different  bands  exists  a  remarkable  charity;  when  starving  with  hunger,  they  will  divide  the 
last  morsel  of  food  with  all  to  whom  they  can  have  access.     Tlie  men  go  naked,  the  women 

•  The  original  report  contains  an  extended  series  of  meteorological  tables,  which  are  htsre  necessarily  excluded. — C. 


452 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 


wear  an  apron  of  twisted  grass.  When  not  aggressed  upon  they  are  harmless.  Poor  creatures  I 
They  are  fast  disappearing  before  the  strides  of  the  white  man ;  even  his  cattle  rob  them  of  their 
sustenance.* 

FORT  JONES, 

In  Scott's  valley,  between  the  Salmon  and  Siskiou  range  of  mountains,  and  distant  one  hun- 
dred miles  northwest  from  the  head  of  the  Sacramento  valley,  from  which  it  is  approached  by  a 
trail  over  the  mountains  passable  for  mules  only.  Scott's  river,  a  small  stream,  runs  through 
the  valley  its  entire  length  from  south  to  north,  and  empties  into  the  Kalamath.  The  valley 
itself  is  about  thirty  miles  long  by  ten  broad.     The  fort  is  in  latitude  41°  3G',  longitude  122° 


52',  and  has  an  elevation  of  2,570  feet  above  the  sea. 
geon  Charles  H.  Crane:  1852.) 


{From  quarterly  report  of  Assistant  Sur- 


FORT  HUMBOLDT, 

At  the  village  of  Bucksport,  Humboldt  bay,  coast  of  California.  The  fort  is  situated  upon  a 
handsome  plateau,  some  fifty  feet  high,  and  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  back  from  the  shore  of 
the  bay.  Its  exposure  is  entirely  open  to  the  westward,  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  Pacific, 
about  two  miles  distant.  There  is  an  abundance  of  good  water  and  fine  lumber.  A  salt  marsh 
of  considerable  extent  lies  toward  the  north,  but  does  not  affect  the  healthiness  of  the  place. 
The  climate,  though  a  little  cooler,  is,  in  other  respects,  very  much  like  that  of  San  Francisco; 
strong  cool  breezes  from  the  northwest  in  summer,  with  occasional  fogs  in  the  morning.  (From 
quarterly  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  C.  P.  Deyerle.) 


DISEASES. 


Having  considered  the  general  topographical  features  of  the  several  posts,  we  proceed  to  pre- 
sent the  statistics  of  disease  in  the  order  heretofore  followed : 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Mean  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

RATIO   PER  1,000  OP  MEAN  STRENGTH. 

Treated. 

Died. 

1,518 
1,474 
1,699 
1,706 

986 
1,220 
1,896 
1,478 

11 
10 
97 
32 

650 

828 

1,116 

866 

7.2 

Second  nuarter. •._-_..... 

6.7 

Third  quarter. . -- 

57 

Fourth  quarter---   -----   - 

18.7 

1,599 

5,580 

150 

3,489 

93.7 

5,420 

70 

3,389 

43.7 

"  Assistant  Surgeon  jphn  Campbell  'reports  that  in  September,  1853,  a  company  of  infantry  left  this  post  for  duty  in 
the  field,  but  the  men  were  bo  debilitated  by  their  residence  in  that  locality,  and  by  frecjuent  attacks  of  intermittent 
fever,  that  tliey  were  unable  to  proceed  to  the  seat  of  Indian  difficulties,  and  had  to  halt  thirty  miles  from  the  fort.  A 
comparison  of  the  statistics  of  diseases  at  Fort  Reading  with  the  abstract  for  all  the  posts  in  northern  California,  show  tliat 
one-half  of  the  entire  nimiber  of  cases  of  intermittent  fever  reported,  occurred  at  this  one  place.  This  foit  was  abiindoned 
on  account  of  its  unbealtliiness.  in  March,  1856  — C. 


AMONG    TUE   TROOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA. 


403 


The  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the  mean  strength  of  the  command  in  this  region 
was  3.48  to  1,  and  the  ratio  of  deaths  1  to  10.66  or  9.3  per  cent.  The  proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases  of  disease  was  1  to  3Y.20  or  2.68  per  cent.  Exclusive  of  cholera  the  ratio  of  disease  to 
number  of  troops  was  3.38  to  1 ;  of  deaths,  1  in  22.84  or  4.3  per  cent. ;  and  the  proportion  of 
deaths  to  cases  treated,  1  to  77.42  or  1.29  per  cent. 


FEVERS. 


FIRST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FODRTB. 

TEAR. 

2 

CD 

1 

"o 
e 
o 

¥i 

Strengt  li 

1, 

518 

1,474 

1, 

599 

1,706 

1, 

J99 

si 

o   E 
s 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Febris  contiuua  communis 

Febris  intermittens  quotidiana 
Febris  interqiittens  tertiana  . 
Febris  intermittens  quartana. 
Febris  remittens     .             .... 

2 

181 

89 

7 

45 

2 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 

3 
229 
115 

1 
32 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

18 

5G6' 

150 

1 

71 

23 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
10 
0 

2 
387 
142 

2 
91 

8 

0 

0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
5 
0 

25 

1363 

496 

.     11 

239 

33 

0 

0 
1 

0 
0 
2 
16 
0 

Oin 
lin 
Oin 
0  in 
lin 
lin 
0  in 

25 

1363 

496 

11 

119 

2 

0 

15.6 

852 

310 

7 

149 

20.6 

Febris  typhus  icterodes 

1 

Total - 

326 

1 

380 

1 

829 

11 

632 

6 

2167 

19 

1   li" 

1 

114 

1355 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 


Strength  . 


Diseases. 


Cholera  Asiatica 

Diarrhcea 

Dy senteria  acuta 

Dysenteria  clironica 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  clironica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  this  sys- 
tem   


Total 


Exclusive  of  cholera. 


1,518 


Cases.    Deaths. 


5 
3 
0 

2 

0 

29 

11 


138 


1,474 


Cases.  !  Deaths. 


0 

118 

36 

9 

0 

1 

0 

31 

36 


231  2 


1,699 


1,706 


Cases.     Deaths.  |  Cases.    Deaths 


160 

351 

53 

1 

0 

0 

0 

72 

51 


688 


80 
1 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 


83 


0 
131 

46 
1 
0 
3 
1 

21 

32 


235 


1,699 


Cases.    Deaths. 


160 

688 

140 

14 

0 

6 

1 

153 

130 


12        1292 


80 
10 
2 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 


I  1  in  2 

1  in  68 

1  in  70 

1  in  2 

0  in  0 

0  in  6 

0  in  1 

0  in  153 

1  in  65 


101     -1  in    13   «' 


1132   I     21     I  1  in    54 

I  ! 


V   a 
a.  o 


^  a 


425 
86 

8.7 

0 

3.7 

0.6 
95 

81 


808 


708 


Cholera. — Although  this  disease  did  not  occur  among  the  troops  actually  stationed  in  north- 
ern California,  yet,  as  it  had  prevailed  in  that  region  within  the  period  embraced  in  tliis  report, 
it  was  determined  to  give  the  statistics  of  an  epidemic  which  proved  very  destructive  to  the  4th 


454  REPOKT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

regiment  of  infantry  while  en  route  to  San  Francisco  from  New  York  in  the  summer  of  1853. 
The  particulars  are  given  in  the  following  report  by  Surgeon  Charles  S.  Tripler: 

San  Francisco,  California,  September  14,  1852. 

Sir:  The  occurrence  of  malignant  cholera  in  the  4th  regiment  of  infantry,  which  I  accom- 
panied from  New  York  to  California,  seemed  to  me  to  require  that  I  should  make  a  special  re- 
port to  you  upon  the  subject.  I  have,  therefore,  made  a  report  of  the  sick  of  tliat  regiment  up  to 
the  31st  August,  and  beg  leave  to  accompany  it  with  the  following  remarks: 

The  regiment  was  concentrated  at  Fort  Columbus,  New  York,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  the 
War  Department;  the  last  company  having  arrived  on  the  28d  June.  On  that  day  243  re- 
cruits were  received  and  examined.  On  the  evening  of  the  2d  July,  a  telegraphic  order  was 
received  for  the  troops  to  embark  on  the  otb.  On  the  evening  of  the  3d  July  about  150  more  re- 
cruits were'  received  and  examined.  On  the  5th  July  eight  companies  of  the  regiment,  with  the 
band  and  headquarters,  were  embarked  on  the  United  States  mail  steamer  Ohio,  bound  for  As- 
pinwall,  New  Granada.  We  had  a  good  deal  of  diarrha>a  among  our  men,  during  their  stay 
upon  Governor's  Island;  but  it  was  quite  nlanageable,  and,  when  we  embarked,  I  did  not  con- 
sider it  necessary  to  leave  but  one  man  in  the  hospital ;  he  was  recovering  from  a  broken  leg, 
and  would  not  have  been  able  to  march  across  the  isthmus.  The  Ohio  was  a  large  ship,  as  to 
tonnage,  and,  in  that  respect,  capable  of  carrying  our  whole  command;  but  her  room  is  so 
badly  distributed,  that  we  should  have  been  crowded  had  there  been  no  other  passengers.  Our 
command,  including  women  and  children,  was  about  800.  We  had,  however,  all  told,  passen- 
gers, crew,  &c.,  1,100  on  board.  This  was  altogether  too  many  people  for  her  accommodations 
at  that  season  of  the  year,  and  in  a  voyage  to  the  tropics.  We,  however,  reached  Aspinwall  on 
the  16th  July,  without  losing  a  man.  We  had  a  number  of  cases  of  both  diarrhoea  and  consti- 
pation, and  a  few  cases  of  fever  on  the  voyage.  Our  sick  report,  nevertheless,  was  very  small 
upon  landing.  One  man  (the  band  master,)  sick  with  chronic  diarrhcea,  had  sunk  so  much  on 
the  voyage  I  was  obliged  to  leave  him  on  the  ship,  where  he  died  two  days  afterwards. 

On  the  voyage,  I  had  endeavored  to  impress  upon  the  commanding  officer  the  necessity  of 
preventing  the  men  from  eating  the  fruits  of  the  country,  and  from  indulging  in  any  of  the 
liquors  they  would  meet  with  on  the  march.  A  very  judicious  order,  embracing  these  views, 
was  issued  previous  to  our  debarkation.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  however,  it  was  not  observed  on 
the  march.  Had  it  been  strictly  obeyed,  I  tliink  we  should  have  been  spared  much  suffering. 
It  being  the  height  of  the  rainy  season  when  we  reached  the  isthmus,  we  were  much  em- 
barrassed by  the  state  of  the  roads;  by  rains  every  day;  by  the  extreme  heat,  and  by  the  epi- 
demic influences  prevailing.  Cholera  existed  at  Aspinwall  when  we  landed.  It  had  been  very 
fatal,  a  short  time  previously,  among  the  laborers  on  the  railroad,  in  consequence  of  which  they 
had  very  generally  abandoned  the  work.  Forty  laborers  out  of  one  hundred,  I  was  told,  had 
died  at  one  station.  It  was  existing  at  both  Cruces  and  Gorgona  on  the  route — points  we  were 
obliged  to  pass — and  at  both  which  we  were  unfortunately  detained.  We  found  it,  also,  at 
Panama  upon  our  arrival  there.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  and  the  cautions  in  the  order  of 
march,  the  men  had  no  sooner  been  permitted  to  land  to  procure  water,  than  numbers  of  them 
sought  the  first  tavern  they  could  find,  to  indulge  their  fatal  craving  for  liquor.  Many  were 
brought  back  on  board  that  night  intoxicated  and  drenched  with  rain.  Fruits  were  also  eaten 
with  avidity,  whenever  they  could  be  procured. 

As  we  did  not  reach  Aspinwall  until  after  the  departure  of  the  daily  train  of  cars,  we  were 
obliged  to  remain  there  until  next  morning.  Our  baggage,  however,  was  princiimlly  landed, 
and  stowed  in  the  cars  that  afternoon,  and  this  operation  was  completed  early  the  next  morn- 
ing. When  the  hour  arrived  for  starting,  it  was  found  that  the  locomotives  were  too  liglit  to 
carry  more  than  half  our  men  in  one  train.  They  were  accordingly  despatched  in  two  trains  at 
intervals  of  an  hour,  and  then  the  baggage  had  to  be  left  to  be  brought  tip  by  a  return  engine. 
Arrived  at  Barbacoas,  the  present  terminus  of  the  railway.  Colonel  Bonneville  informed  me 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    CALIFORNIA.  455 

that  it  was  determined  to  march  the  main  body  of  the  men  from  Gorgona  to  Panama;  that  the 
sick,  the  women,  the  baggage,  and  one  company  woukl  proceed  to  Cruces,  where  the  mule 
transportation  would  be  provided,  and  whence  they  would  also  proceed  to  Panama.  I  was 
ordered  to  accompany  this  last  detachment.  Colonel  Bonneville  then  proceeded  at  once,  in 
boats,  to  Gorgona.  Colonel  Wright  was  to  follow  when  the  baggage  came  up.  The  baggage 
did  not  arrive  till  after  dark,  too  late  to  transfer  it  to  the  boats.  In  the  morning  it  was  dis- 
covered that  the  hospital  stores  were  not  contained  in  those  cars.  I  had  a  special  messenger  sent 
back  to  bring  them  up  immediately.  Colonel  Wright  went  on  with  his  battalion,  leaving  me 
a  subaltern  and  a  small  guard,  with  the  sick.  My  messenger  did  not  return  till  late  in  the 
afternoon,  and  then  brought  up  but  four  packages  out  of  thirty,  declaring  there  were  no  more 
to  be  found.  This  made  it  necessary  for  me  to  return  to  Aspinwall,  which  I  did  that  night 
upon  a  hand  car.  I  found  my  stores  in  the  first  baggage  car  I  met  with  in  the  depot,  and  the 
next  morning  carried  them  to  Barbacoas  in  a  special  train  furnished  me  by  Colonel  Totten,  the 
engineer  of  the  road.  I  proceeded  at  once  up  the  river  to  Cruces,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles, 
against  a  rapid  and  dangerous  current,  in  a  small  boat,  propelled  by  setting-poles  only;  and  by 
dint  of  great  exertion  and  determination,  succeeded  in  reaching  that  point  at  about  9^  at  night. 
My  hospital  boat  did  not  get  up  till  next  morning.  At  Cruces,  very  much  to  my  surprise,  I 
found  the  regimental  quartermaster,  about  seventy  men,  and  all  the  women  and  children. 
This  was  Monday  night.  He  had  been  there  since  Sunday  morning,  and  no  transportation  for 
the  baggage  had  yet  been  furnished  by  the  contractors.  The  detachment  was  encamped  on  the 
river,  at  the  landing-place,  and  all  the  baggage  piled  up  in  the  vicinitj\  At  this  time  all  were 
well,  and  my  sick  had  entirely  recovered.  Transportation  was  promised  in  the  morning,  and 
I  determined  to  push  on  as  rapidly  as  possible,  to  overtake  the  main  body,  at  that  time  prob- 
ably at  Panama.  In  the  morning  we  were  again  disappointed  in  transportation.  This  was 
Tuesday,  20th  July.  While  endeavoring  to  get  from  the  contractor  mules  for  myself  and 
necessary  stores,  I  tvas  called  to  see  a  soldier,  said  to  be  ill  of  cramps.  I  found  a  case  of 
malignant  cholera,  of  the  most  aggravated  character.  The  man  died  in  six  hours.  Upon 
instituting  a  rigid  inquiry  I  found  that  the  disease  was,  and  had  been,  for  some  time  prevail- 
ing in  the  town;  that  numbers  had  died,  and  were  still  dying  there;  and  that  a  physician  had 
been  sent  there  from  Panama  for  the  special  purpose  of  treating  such  cases.  It  was  of  course 
impossible  for  me  to  leave  the  detachment  under  such  circumstances.  I  therefore  decided  to 
remain  until  the  men  were  all  started,  and  this  more  especially,  as  I  was  informed  from  day  to 
day  by  passengers  from  Panama,  that  the  main  body  had  gone  on  board  the  transport  in  Panama 
bay,  and  that  there  was  no  disease  among  them.  I  thought  it  but  prudent,  however,  to  urge 
the  quartermaster  to  as  sj^eedy  a  movement  from  the  place  as  possible;  and  by  my  advice  he 
determined,  if  the  requisite  transportation  was  not  furnished  by  tlie  next  morning,  to  procure 
it  himself  of  any  body,  at  any  price,  and  require  the  contracting  parties  to  pay  for  it.  It  must 
be  observed  that  a  sub-contradtor  had  agreed  to  furnish  mules  for  eleven  cents  a  pound,  and  all 
this  time  they  were  in  demand,  for  private  transportation,  at  sixteen  to  twenty  cents.  We 
had  the  vexation  of  seeing  hundreds  of  citizens  forwarded,  with  scarcely  an  hour's  detention, 
while  our  men  were  kept  at  the  most  unhealthy  point  of  the  isthmus  for  five  days,  with  no 
adequate  eifort  on  the  part  of  the  contractors  to  forward  us  to  Panama.  The  next  morning  we 
were  no  better  oft'.  Captain  Grant  then  went  into  the  market,  and  succeeded  in  completing  a 
contract  before  night  with  a  responsible  person,  for  the  requisite  number  of  mules,  to  be  ready 
early  the  next  day.  In  the  meanwhile  several  cases  of  cholera  occurred,  and  we  had  four  more 
deaths.  One  man  convalesced  from  the  disease,  but  too  ill  to  move,  I  was  obliged  to  leave  in 
charge  of  the  alcalde  and  the  town  physician.  I  recommended,  under  the  circumstances,  that 
the  whole  detachment  should  be  furnished  with  mules,  lest  the  fatigue  of  marching  over  so 
desperate  a  road  should  excite  the  disease  in  men  jjredisposed  to  it,  and  they  should  perish, 
without  the  possibility  of  my  aiding  them,  on  the  way.  Tliis  was  done,  but  notwithstanding 
every  precaution  on  our  part,  three  fatal  cases  did  occur  on  the  road. 


456  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

In  compliance  with  Capt.  Grant's  contract,  a  large  number  of  mules,  both  saddle  and  cargo, 
were  brought  up  in  the  morning,  and  despatched  as  fast  as  possible  with  riders  and  burdens, 
respectively,  by  1  p.  m.,  about  one-half  our  men  and  nearly  one-half  our  baggage  were  on  the 
road.  The  usual  rain  then  coming  on,  operations  were  necessarily  suspended  for  the  day.  I 
must  here  remark,  that  the  preservation  of  anything  like  order  or  organization,  in  the  forward- 
ing of  troops  or  baggage  on  mules  across  the  Isthmus,  is  altogether  out  of  the  question.  Tlie 
moment  a  rider  or  a  cargo  is  placed  upon  a  mule's  back,  that  moment  he  must  set  out,  or  the 
muleteer  strips  his  mule  and  carries  him  off.  Our.  movement  was,  therefore,  of  necessity  a 
straggling  one,  each  man  making  his  way  to  Panama  as  he  best  could,  when  once  mounted. 
Tlie  next  morning,  before  10  o'clock,  the  last  of  our  men  was  on  the  way,  and  most  of  the  re- 
maining baggage,  and  1  then  set  out  myself;  I  readied  Panama  before  dark,  but  too  late  to  go 
to  the  ship  that  night.  I  learned  that  she  was  lying  off  Taboga,  12  miles  down  the  bay;  that 
cholera  had  broken  out  on  board,  and  carried  off  a  number  of  men.  A  small  steamer  communi- 
cated with  her  once  a  day  only,  leaving  Panama  at  5  p.  m.  1  was,  therefore,  detained  at  Panama 
until  that  hour  of  the  following  day.  Here  I  learned  that  six  of  the  cabin  passengers  by  the 
Ohio  (our  ship)  had  died  in  Panama  of  cholera  contracted  on  the  Isthmus. 

I  proceeded  to  the  ship  by  the  first  opportunity,  and  there  was  informed  tliat  the  main  body 
had  passed  three  nights  on  the  road  between  Gorgona  and  Panama,  without  shelter;  that  they 
were  drenched  by  the  rains  every  day;  that  the  order  relative  to  fruits  and  drink  had  been  en- 
tirely disregarded,  and,  in  consequence,  several  men  had  been  attacked  by  cholera,  and  died  on 
the  way.  After  their  arrival  upon  the  ship,  the  surgeons  of  that  and  of  two  other  ships  of  the 
same  line  had  been  constant  in  tlieir  attendance  upon  the  sick,  and  abundance  of  hospital  stores 
and  medicines  had  been  furnished  by  the  company.  That  day  (Saturday)  the  sick  had  been 
removed  to  a  hulk  anchored  near,  and  a  detail  of  men  to  nurse  them,  under  the  charge  of  an 
officer,  had  been  sent  on  board  by  the  commanding  officer.  I  went  on  board  the  hulk  and 
passed  the  night  there.  Several  new  cases  were  sent  on  board  from  the  ship  during  the  night. 
The  next  day.  Dr.  Martin,  of  the  Columbia,  kindly  volunteered  to  take  my  place,  and  I  got 
some  sleep.  I  passed  the  next  night  again  on  board  the  hulk,  besides  frequent  visits  during 
the  day.  The  next  day  I  was  obliged  to  apply  to  the  commanding  officer  for  assistance.  It 
was  impossible  for  any  one  to  endure  such  an  amount  of  pliysical  and  mental  exertion  any 
longer.  We  had,  fortunately,  among  our  passengers,  Dr.  Deal,  of  California,  a  physician  of 
experience  and  intelligence,  with  whom  a  contract  was  made  to  perform  the  duties  of  an  assist- 
ant surgeon  on  board  the  Golden  Gate,  from  that  time  till  she  reached  San  Francisco,  for  the 
moderate  sum  of  $250.  Had  we  known  what  was  before  us,  we  could  not  have  secured  his 
services  for  ten  times  the  amount. 

Tuesday,  27th  July,  the  disease  was  evidently  subsiding.  No  new  cases  had  occurred  during 
the  night,  and  the  sick  were,  for  the  most  part,  improving.  I  entertained  strong  hopes 
that,  as  soon  as  our  baggage  was  all  received,  we  should  be*  in  condition  to  j)rosecute  our 
voyage.  In  this  liope,  however,  we  were  doomed  to  be  disappointed.  In  the  afternoon  of  tiiat 
day  we  had  a  heavy  rain,  against  which  many  of  our  men  were  but  ill  protected.  Upon  the 
arrival  of  the  small  steamer  in  the  evening,  about  a  dozen  knapsacks  were  received,  that  had 
been  lying  and  moulding  somewhere  on  the  Isthmus  for  a  long  time;  the  men  to  whom  they 
belonged  seized  upon  tliem  immediately  with  great  eagerness,  and  opened  them  to  get  a  change 
of  clothing.  I  was  afterwards  informed  that  some  of  these  men  fell  sick  while  in  the  act.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  in  about  20  hours  afterward  they  were  all  taken  ill  of  cholera  in  its  worst  form, 
and  within  an  hour  of  each  otlier,  and  most  of  them  died.  The  disease  having  thus  reappeared, 
it  was  determined  to  land  the  troops.  Tiiere  being  shelter  for  the  sick  upon,  the  island  of  Fla- 
mingo, about  six  miles  from  Panama,  the  debarkation  was  effected  upon  the  29th;  the  sick  were 
placed  in  huts,  and  the  well  in  a  few  tents  and  under  sails  stretched  over  poles.  On  the  Lst 
August^  Brevet  Major  Gore  was  attacked,  and  died  on  board  the  Golden  Gate.  His  was  the 
last  case  of  cholera  that  occurred,  and  he  the  only  officer  we  lost.     I  recommended  to  Colonel 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA.  457 

Bonneville  to  destroy  any  other  knapsacks  that  might  be  received  from  the  isthmus,  and  to  have 
the  ship  fiimigated  with  chlorine;  which  was  done.  Several  other  officers  were  threatened,  but, 
by  timely  means,  escaped  a  decided  attack.  Upon  the  island,  a  number  of  those  previously  ill 
died,  but  no  new  cases  appeared.  The  fever  of  the  country,  Iiowever,  began  to  show  itself, 
which  made  all  anxious  to  leave  Panama  as  soon  as  possible.  On  tlie  3d  August,  the  Golden 
Gate  determined  to  go  to  sea  the  next  day,  but  refused  to  take  on  board  more  than  4o0  of  our 
people,  and  expressly  declared  she  would  not  receive  a  single  sick  man.  To  this  extraordinary 
demand  we  were  forced  to  submit,  and  I  was  accordingly  ordered  to  remain  on  the  island  with 
tlie  sick,  most  of  the  women  and  children,  and  one  company  of  troops  to  act  as  nurses,  &c., 
until  the  next  steamer  should  sail.  I  approved  of  the  proposal  to  divide  the  command  between 
two  ships,  but  could  not  agree  as  to  the  propriety  of  leaving  all  the  sick  for  another  steamer,  as 
a  similar  objection  would,  probably,  be  made  to  their  reception  on  board  of  her.  I  was,  how- 
ever, overruled,  and  on  the  4th  August,  the  Golden  Gate  sailed  with  450  well  men,  Dr.  Deal 
acting  assistant  surgeon.  The  three  months'  sujiply  for  the  regiment  being  stowed  away  in 
the  hold  of  the  ship,  I  placed  it  in  charge  of  Dr.  Deal,  with  the  packer's  list,  that  he  might  use 
such  of  the  medicines  and  stores  as  he  should  need  on  the  voyage ;  the  remainder  to  be  left  with 
the  medical  purveyor  at  Bcnicia.  Dr.  Deal  was  discharged  at  the  termination  of  the  voyage, 
and  I  have  not  seen  him  since,  nor  have  I  had  any  report  from  him.  I  have  ascertained,  how- 
ever, that  he  had  ninety  cases  of  fever  and  diarrhcea  on  the  voyage,  and  throe  deaths.  These 
are  embodied  in  my  report.  I  have  also  learned  that,  not- being  able  to  find  the  box  containing 
the  sulphate  of  quinine,  he  had  purchased  two  ounces  at  Acapulco  and  borrowed  more  of  the 
ship,  which  has  since  been  returned. 

Upon  the  7th  of  August  it  was  announced  that  the  steamer  Northerner  would  take  us  on  board 
and  sail  the  next  day.  The  surgeon  of  that  ship  was  sent  on  shore  to  inspect  our  men ;  and 
although  he  thought  there  were  several  cases  of  fever  that  would  die,  still,  as  no  infectious 
disease  was  prevailing,  he  made  no  objection  to  receiving  them  on  board.  Arrangements  were 
accordingly  made  for  embarking.  The  sick  were  to  be  fir.st  sent  on  board  and  accommodated 
before  the  ship  should  be  crowded  with  the  well.  By  a  mistake  of  the  agent  a  scow  was  sent 
to  the  island  this  evening  to  take  us  on  board.  In  this  scow  our  baggage  was  first  stowed,  and 
the  sick  j^laced  upon  it.  In  a  few  minutes  the  whole  was  flooded  away,  owing  to  the  leaky 
condition  of  the  scow.  Our  sick  and  baggage  were  hastily  transferred  to  boats  along  side,  and 
thus  sent  to  the  steamer.  It  was  this  accident  that  caused  the  damage  to  the  instruments  that 
were  afterwards  condemned  by  a  board  of  survey. 

It  appeared  afterwards  that  it  was  not  intended  we  should  be  embarked  that  evening,  and 
the  consequence  of  the  blunder  was  a  remonstrance,  on  the  part  of  the  other  passengers,  against 
our  sick  being  permitted  to  remain  on  board.  After  a  great  deal  of  negotiation  it  was  finally 
agreed  that  a  few  of  the  worst  cases  might  be  left  in  hospital  at  Taboga,  under  the  special  charge 
of  the  agent  of  the  company,  he  guaranteeing  that  every  comfort  and  suitable  medical  attendance 
shoiild  be  provided  for  them,  and  they  forwarded  as  soon  as  possible.  I  considered  it  of  the 
greatest  importance  that  we  should  leave  that  climate,  as  our  well  men  were  daily  sickening 
with  the  fever.  Accordingly,  four  men  were  selected,  to  be  left,  by  the  ship's  surgeon,  which 
satisfied  the  passengers,  and  on  the  8th  of  August  we  embarked  the  remainder  and  put  to  sea. 

We  arrived  at  Benicia  on  the  26th  of  August,  having  lost  but  one  man  on  the  voyage.  He 
died  of  the  secondary  fever  of  cholera.  Upon  my  arrival  at  Benicia  I  foimd  a  large  sick-report 
from  among  the  men  shipped  on  the  Golden  Gate.  They  were  ill  of  diarrhwa,  dysentery, 
and  typhoid  fever.  The  men  were  destitute  of  clothing,  and  were  in  tents,  exposed  to  intense 
heat  by  day  and  to  very  cold  nights.  By  the  advice  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Griffin  they  were 
ordered  from  the  tents  into  some  new  cavalry  stables  just  finished,  and  with  marked  good  effect. 
The  character  of  the  fever  was  decidedlj'  tyi)hoid,  and  the  dysenteries  generally  assumed  the 
same  type. 

With  regard  to  the  treatment  of  the  cholera  as  it  prevailed  among  us,  I  have  only  to  say 
s.  90 58 


458 


RRPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND   MORTALITY,    ETC. 


tliat  all  the  usual  mean.s  were  tried,  and  with  tlie  usual  want  of  success.  The  first  cases  were 
nearly  all  fatal.  I  tliink  tlie  free  exhihition  of  hrandy  witli  capsieum  and  chloride  sodium  was 
ahout  as  successful  as  anything.  "We  found  the  acetas  plunibi,  in  doses  of  five  to  ten  grains,  a 
valuable  means  of  restraining  tlie  diarrhoea;  I  feel  sure  many  cases  were  relieved  by  it  that 
would  have  terminated  in  malignant  cholera  without  speedy  relief.  Jlnstard  and  bottles  of  hot 
water  with  I'rictions  of  tlie  surface  externally,  camphor,  calomel,  and  quinine  internally,  were 
freely  used.  But,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  and  as  usually  happens  in  severe  epidemics,  the 
chances  are  that  the  cases  first  attacked  will  die,  and  tliat  tlie  ratio  of  the  mortality  will  diminish 
with  the  duration  of  the  epidemic.     In  this  epidemic  we  lost  about  eighty  men. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obd't  serv't, 

"CHAS.  S.  TRIPLER, 
Brigadier-General  Law.sox,  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Surgeon-General,  Washington,  D.  G. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


Quarters -. 

FIKST. 

SECOND. 

THIRD. 

FOURTH 

TEAR. 

Proportion  of  deaths  to 
cases. 

% 

Strength 

1, 

518 

1, 

474 

1, 

899 

1, 

706 

1,599 

si 

o  S 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases.     1  Deaths. 

bronchitis,  acuta  ct  clironica. 

6 
116 
1 
3 
5 

8 

0 

0 
1 
0 
0 

0 

21 

91 

4 

3 

1 

4 

0 

0 
1 
0 
0 

0 

2 
23 
2 
3 
0 

1 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

5 

112 
2 

2 

1 

4 

0 
0 
2 
0 
0 

1 

34             0 
342            n 

Oin    34 

0  in  342 

1  in     2 
0  in    11 
Oin     7 

lin    17 

21 
214 

I'hthi.^iis  pulmocalis 

Pleuritis - 

9 

11 

7 

17 

4 
0 
0 

•      1 

5.6 
6.8 
4.4 

All  other  Hiseases  of  this  sys- 
tem  

10.6 

Total 

139 

1 

124 

1 

31 

0 

126 

3 

420           5 

lin   84 

262 

61 

0 

44 

0 

38 

0 

48 

0 

191 

0 

Oin  191 

120 

ABSTRACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


OCCURRING   AMONG   THE    TROOPS 


IN  CALIFORNIA. 


460 


REPORT    ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTKACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


YEiRS 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1864. 

STRENGTH. 

CLASSES  OF  Dlti- 
RASES. 

Mean  strenoth 

35. 

266. 

250. 

534. 

418. 

241. 

1,744. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASEa. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died. 

1           1 

Oases. 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

, 

'          .           . 

2     

1 
21 
19 

2 
12 

,  ;  ,  I 

1 
2 
) 

5 
44 
25 

3 
13 

1 

Febris  inter,  qnotidiana  .... 

!  Febris  intermittens  tertiana. 
Febris  ifitermiitens  quartana 

1 

13 
3 

3 
2 

1 

4 

1 

r 

Eruptive  fevers \ 

[ 

13 

1 

6 
2 
k 

1 


21    1      1 
17      

25 



2 
1 

67 

26 

4 

3 

3 

Diseases   of  tlie    organs 

connected  with  the  di- 

.... 

1 



1 

gestive  system. 

2 

.... 

7    1 

12 
6 

!!!!!! 

1 
5 
1 
3 
3 
2 

22    ! 

4 



2 

3 

2 

21 

20 

3 

101 

7 

5 

2 

4 

4 

6 

1 

3 

9 

14 

2 

13 

14 

21 

nronchilis,  acuta  ct  chronica 

4 

1 

.1 

... 



70 
3 

1 

Phthisis  puhnonalis 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

1 



1 

tor}"  system. 

1 

1 

,     1 

1 

1 

1 

9 



1 

3 

3 

' 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

1 

nervous  system. 

2 
2 

2 

1 

1 

4    1 

3 

5 

6 
•     1 
3 
7 
7 



1 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

1  Syphilis  primitiva 



10 
5 
2 

and  genital  organs. 

S 
2 

4 

6 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  | 
exhalent  vessels. 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &. 

muscular  structures. 

5 

4 

2 

8 

23 
1 
10 

8 
3 

1 
4 
2 
1 
1 
4 
2 

7 

6 

53 
1 
37 
16 
10 
1 
28 
3 
2 
5 
6 
11 
9 
1 
4 
3 
3 
3 
3 
1 

10 
17 
67 

3 

Abscesses  .and  ulcers. . . . ' 

10 
2 

4 

11 
2 
2 

3 
2 

1 

3 

«■••■ 

Ulcus               

2 

Contusio 

a 

5 

4 



7 

6 
1 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

2 

1 
2 

3 

1 
5 
6 
1 

1 

1 

1 
3 

« 

3 

1 
2 
1 
1 
3 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

Miscellaneous 

.... 

1 
1 
3 
6 

2 
9 
11 

5 

_____j  1 



1 

', 

1                      4 

1 

26      16 

7 

17 

1 

13S> 

3 

74 

1 

265         a 

196 

1 

59 

733 

B 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   OAl.IFORNIA. 
AMONG  I'HE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA. 


461 


SECOND  aUARTEB. 

I  AGOREUATE 
STRENGTH. 

1 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

MBA.N  STRBNGTB 

247. 

20O. 

151. 

589. 

387. 

269.               1,843. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases 

Died.  Cases 

! 
\- 

Died. 

Cases 

iDied  1  Total  Total 
cases,  died. 

Febris  continua  communis  . 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

1 
8 
3 

1 
6 

1 

2 
50 
33 

Fuvers - 

12 
5 

1 

4 
9 

9 
13 

11 
2 

2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

6 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

, 

29 

I'l      6 

1 

4 

70 
32 

28 

25 
1 

162 
40 

3 

7 

1 

1 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

connected  with  the  di- 

( 

1 

gestive  syslera. 

! ' i:;;::" 

11 

12 

1 

35 

27 

3 

13 

1 
21 

I      o 

43 
47 
2 
85 

10 
7 
3 

15 

All  other  diseases 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 
Catarrhus 

1 

3 

4 



1 

6 

15 

7 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

1 
1 

1 ; 1  2 

3    1 

3 

toiy  system. 

3 
3 

14 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

I 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and. 
nervous  system. 

Epilepsia 



J      

3 
3 
7 

3 

9 

7 

1 

All  other  diseases 

15 

2 
5 

14 
37 
1 
15 
15 
19 

[ 

3 

Diseases  of  the  urinary. 
and  genital  organs. 

2 
6 

4 

2 

1 
2 

5 
1 



3 
4 
6 

3 
3 
2 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

' 

S 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and  J 

1 

1 

1 

I 

exhalent  vessels.            ' 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

::::::  :::::: 

1 
3 

1 
41 

1 
65 
19 

2 

38 

4 

1 

2 

10 

7 

13 

5 

3 

4 

4 

6 

3 

6 

29 

27 

114 

muscular  structures. 

Rheumatismus 

7 

1 

1 

1 

I 
1 
1 

17 

12 

1 

1 

Abscesses  and  ulrors....  i 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

13 

5 
3 
1 

1 
5 

22 

7 

1 
6 

11 
5 

1 

13 
3 

1^    1 

• 

9 

fi 

1 

2 

1 
1 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries 

1 

2 

3     2 

1      3 

9     3 

3 

Vulnus  incisum 

3 

1 
1 

I 

...... 

2 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Debtlitas . 

1 

2 

3 

1 

3     

1 
1 
2 
8 
6 
18 

I 

2 

3 

"20 

21 

67 

Miscellaneous 

1 

:::::;:::::■ :::::: 

1 

:..::.  : 

10 

9 

1 

5 

5 

1 

Total 

193 

2 

68 

3    I    4fi 

422 

1 

192 

108 

1 

1,029 

7 

462 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

No.  1.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


Vears 

THIRD  QUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

BTRENOTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strenotr    

103. 

222. 

192. 

422. 

287. 

365. 

1,591. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.!  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total  Total 
cases,   died. 

4 

24 

3 

1 

12 
3 

5 

57 
17 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

Febris  intermittens  terti.ina, 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

2 

1 

8 
4 

2 
6 



9 

Fevers i 

1 

1 

1 

U 

2 

6 

1 

21 

1 

1 

1 

1 

::::::  :  :: 

f 

11 
3 

6 

4 
1 

30 
5 

1 

8 
1 

61 
4 

120 
13 

1 

I 

Diseases    of  the   organs 

connected  Willi  ihedi--^ 

Enteritis 

gestive  system. 

14 

1 

1 

39 

39 

3 

47 

1 

5 

12 
6 

3 

7 

10 
13 
1 
13 



S 

1 
2 

7 

Rronchitls^aeuta  et  chronica 

i 

10 

7 

1 
1 

1    ^ 



1 



Diseases  of  the  respira- 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

jVJl  otlier  diseases 

i:::::: 



1 
1 
1 



1 
19 

7 

1 
13 

3 
50 

1 
15 

6 
13 

Ccph  alalgia 

1 
3 

10 

7 

1 

Delirium  tremens 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and  ■ 

Epilepsia 

1 

1 



1 

1 

nervous  system. 

Neuralgia 

1 

3 

5 
2 
2 

4 

1 
2 

All  other  diseases 



15 

1 

f 

20 

5 
1 
6 
3 
2 

6 

'.... 

Diseases  of  the  urinarj- 

t^vphilis  primitiva 

3 
2 
3 

1 
1 
1 

2 

3     

and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

3 

1 

4    : 

Diseases   of  the   serous  t 
and  exhalent  vessels.    ( 

All  other  diseases 

1 

3 

3 

. 

Pernio 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

1 



muscular  structures. 

Rhcumatisnius 

5 

4 

4 

t 
3 
1 

1 

2 

8 

24 
1 

74 

21 
1 
1 

44 
2 
2 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

Fistula  

10 

4 

34 
10 
1 
1 
12 
2 
1 

8 

19 
3 

3 

Ambustio 

' 

Amputatio 

6 

12 

8 

1 

5 

Fraclura 

Lwtatio 

1 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries ..... 

Punitio 

Sub-luxatio 

1 

1 
2 
2 

7 
4 

8 
11 
6 
5 
1 
20 
3 
7 
1 

10 

17 

6 

79 

1 

4 

1 
4 
2 
1 
2 
1 
o 

1 
3 
3 

Vulnus  laceratum 

Vulnus  punclum 

1 

Vulnus  sclopelicum 

Dcbililas 

1 

1 

11 
1 

1 

5 
1 
3 

1 

Ebrietas 

1 

1 

Hernia , 

1 

4 

5 

1 

26 

1 
2 

3 

6 

■    1 

11 



Morbi  ocuji 

1 

2    ' 

1 
4 

Scorbutus  

1 
2 

All  other  diseases 

8 

9 

in 

15 

Total 

!   " 

99 

99 

1 

249 

8 

97 

1 

847 

10 

"- 

AMONG    THK   THOOPS   IN   CALIFORNIA. 
AMONG  THE  TOOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA. 


463 


FOURTH  QITARTEK. 

Years 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1 
1854. 

BTREIiGTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength.......          144. 

211. 

161. 

432. 

%o. 

3SS.         1        1,650. 

.  SPECIFIC  DISEASES.      Ca-^es. 

Died. 

1 
Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

1 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

niprf    I'"'"'  Total 
"'«''•  cases,  died. 

2 
14 
3 

2     

26      

1 
1 

7 

1 

4 
2 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana.        1 

2 
2 

10      

Febris  intermittens  qiiartana 

2      

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

f 
Eruptive  fevers -j 

1 

15 
2 
3 



10 
4 

^ 

45 
1 

2    '      4 
1 

20 

99 

7 
3 

2 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysentcria  chronica 

Diseases   of  the   organs 
connected  with  the  di-- 
gestive  system. 

i 

7 
8 

9 

10 
7 

17 

24 

3 

41 
1 
3 
4 
2 

All  other  diseases 

1 

2 
1 
5 

1 

1 
1 

I 

5 

I 
6 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

4 

1 

16 

2 
1 

1 

Uiseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

2 

1 

2 
1 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system. 

I 

Cephalalgia 

1 
1 

2 

3 

2 

3 

9 

4 

5 

3 

23 

Epilepsia 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 
4 

1 

1 

1 

5 

3 

11 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

8 
3 

4 

1 
1 

2 
1 
6 

15 
5 
18 

and  genital  organs. 

'  Syphilis  consccutiva 

1 

L 

Diseases    of  the    serous  ( 

and  exhalent  vessels.     * 

r 

3 



3 



6 





Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &.  J 
muscular  structures. 

6 

« 

5 

7 

8 

12 

44 

4 
5 

1 

5 
1' 
1 

12 
3 

14 

6 
1 

43 
14 

3 

Ulcus 



4 

1 

Contusio    

Fractura  

7 
1 

6 
2 
I 



5 
1 

10 

5 

15 

48 
4 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries 

2 
2 

2 
3 
4 



1 

10 
4 
1 

IS 

1 

'    10 

2" 

1 
1 
1 

2 

9 
1 
3 
S 
5 
6 
1 
3 

10 
6 

30 

\ 

1 

1 
I 
S 
3 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

Miscellaneous 

i 

1       ^ 

I 
5 
I 
9 

1 

I 
2 

1 
4 
2 

a 

[• 

1 
4 

4 

\ 

7 

4 

Total 

72 

78 

1         .13 

159 

o 

77 

'      1 

152 

1     1  531              5 

464 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   ANn   MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING 


CLASSES  OP  DIS- 
EASES. 

FIRST  QUARTER. 

1849.           1850.           1851.     |      1852.      ;      1853.           1854. 

1                     f 

STRENUTU. 

Mean  strength  

44.                  338. 

1                      1                     1 
170.                 353.                 530.         1        284. 

1,518. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died.  CasesJ  Died.  Cases.!  Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

1  Total  Total 
cases.,  ditd. 

1 

la 

in 

1 

o 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana 

8      

13      

4 

40 

R 

:::::: 

85 
9 

73 
17 

181 
89 
7 
45 
2 
3 
2 

Febris  intermittens  quartana 

.... 

1 

29     1 

4 

6 

1 

1 

5 



1 



Febris  typhus 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

! 

Cholera  Asiatica 



10    !     1 

9 

.      .      1      14 

26 

2 

29 
2 

88 
5 
3 

3 

3 

Disenses    of   the    organs 

3 

1 

1 

connected  with  the  tU- , 

gestive  system. 

1 

1 

2 

2 

6 
1 

1 
3 

4 

12 
6 

1 
35 

5 

3 

2 

38 



29 

11 
6 
116 
1 
3 
5 
8 
4 

S4 
2 
3 
8 
5 
2 
1 

11 
6 

1 

1 

20 

1 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

1 
1 
1 



29 

Diseases  of  the  rcspira- 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

1 

tor>-  system. 

I 

3 

1 

1 

2 
5 

** 
3 

... 

1 

6 

I 
1 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 

3 
5 



:.:::-.:: 

9 

1 

.** 

Disease:*  uf  the  brain  and 

i  Epilepsia 

1  Nc-ur.ilcia 

1 

nervous  system. 

2 

1 

::;:::l:::: 

2          1 

1 

1 

3 

2 
3 

1 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

1 

1.. 

Syphilis  consccutiva 

3 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

4 
2 

Diseases    of  the   serous, 
and  exhalent  vessels.     ( 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  j 

muscular  structures.       | 

2 

11 

6 

4 

33 

6 

61 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ...,  j 
1 

Fistula  

Phlegmon  et  absccssus 

Ulcus 

1 

2 
3 

a 

3 

1 

11 

3 

10 
1 



28 
14 
9 

8 

6 
•1 

.... 

4 

8 
3 

1 



11 
1 

4 

33 
4 
1 
3 
3 

35 
2 
3 
4 
8 

34 
7 
3 
5 
R 

15 
1 

54 

Wounds  and  injuries 

3 

1 
13 

2 

2 

2 

2 
12     1 

1 
2 

1 
4 

1 

6 

1 

1 

} 

( 

1    ' 

1      

3 



Dchilitas 

3 

...... 

1 

5      

a 

3     

4 

Hernia 

1 

a 
1 

1 

1  , ! 

Miscellaneous -i 

1        0 



2    1 
1 

1 

::::::i  :  i 

I 

U 

^ 

1    ...._.! 

II 

3 

1 
17 

3 

....  .'--|-:::m 

1 

1     1 

1 

4      

6     

3 

12    1 

1 

34 

1S6 

6 

170           1        319     1      4       329     ' 

906 

II 

""     1 

AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    CALIFORNIA. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  NORTHERN  CALIFORNIA. 


465 


Years 

SECOND  aUARTER. 

1849.            1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

BTUE.NOTU. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength 

107. 

72. 

207. 

320. 

351. 

417. 

1,474. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died.  Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases 

Died. 

Total  Toul 
cases,  died. 

Febris  continua  communis. . 

1 

3 
96 
42 

"  

229     

115     

1      

1 

'«    1 

21 
37 

96 

14 

Febris  intermillens  tLTtiana. 
Febris  intermittens  tjuarlana 

5 

Fevers 

1 

17 

1 

3 

5 

3 

■■■""■    1 

Ervsii)elas 

1 

■■"■ 

Erupuve  fevers J 

f 

Cholera  Asiatica 

.      1      •      .  • 

17 

10 
2 

1 

27 
4 

15 
4 

37 

21 

2 

1 

5 

7 





Dysenteria  chronica 

'  Enteritis 

'      "      i 

9 

Diseases    of  the    orf^aiis 

i            t 

riinnected  with  the  di- 

1 

■■;•■' 

gestive  system. 

j 

5    1 

4      

13 
10 
U 
36 

1 

7 
14 
4 

12 

1 
1 

6 
4 
3 

26 

31 

36 

1       Ol 

■ 

3 
3 
5 
2 

2 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

0 
1 

6      

91 
4 
3 
1 
4 
8 
9 
7 
3 
4 

37 
1 

28 
6 

11 

DLsejLses  ol  the  respira- 
toiy  system. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis 

1 

2 

1 

All  other  diseases 

1 

3 

1      

4      

2      

3 
2 
5 

1      

2 

1 

1 

nervous  system. 

1 
3 

1 

1 

1 
1 
15 

1 

2 

u      

I 

Striciura  urethra? 

1 

16 
3 

Diseases  ot   the  urinary 

12 

and  genital  organs. 

1  Syphilis  conseeutiva 

.... 

2 

1 

1 
1 

7    , 

1 

2 

1 

.All  other  diseases 

1 

1 
3 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  j 

Pernio 

3 

muscular  structures.       j 

! 

9      

2     

2      

8 

22 
3 

17 
1 

10 
1 
3 

10 

1 

20 

4 

1 

A.... 

44 
4 
56 
12 

Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . .  ■ 



2 

1 

3 



1 

4 

13 

1 

12 

1 

24 
2 



53 



Lu.vatio 

Wounds  and  injuries.... 

1      

1 



4 

1 

4 
6 



2 
4 
5 

11 
11 
6 

1 1 

Vulnus  punctuni 

1 

1 

1 

2 
5 
ID 
4 

3 

8 

f 

2 
3 
1 

1 
6 
4 
1 
3 
5 
2 

13 

6 
S 

1 

1 

11      

1 

Hernia 

1 

Miscellaneous ■ 

2 
o 

C 



1 

2 
ID 

2 

90 

14 

2 

8 

1 

19 

1 

1 

a 

4 

34 

1            Total 

46    ' 

53 

2 

149 

' 

290 

3 

297 

4 

365 

1 

t 

1^      - 

S.  90- 


-5!» 


466 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

No.  2.— ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PKINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRiNG 


Years 

THIRD  aUAkTEK. 

1 

AOOREOATK 
8TRENOTH. 

1849. 

1850.           1851.           1852. 

1853.           1854.     ' 

CLASSKS  OP  UIS- 

69.                264.                633. 

185. 

348. 

1,699. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Uases. 

Died.  Cases.'  Died.  'Cases. 

: 

Died.  Coses.  Died. 

C«ses.|  Died,  cases' Died 'jr^L'S' 

Febri.s  eontinua  communis  . 

1 

18    i 1     18 

109      1  566 

7      70 

3      27 

241      

106     

1      

138      

2      

12 

l.M 

1 

71 
23 

1 

1  Febrisitilennittens  quartana 

1 

18 

I 

43     

22    1    10 



10           1 

1 

10 

1 



1 

IBO 

80 

1 

1 

160              80 

1 


2      25 

2      ■      2 

293 

45 

7      25 

1      1       3 

351 

1 



53 
1 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases  ot    llie    orf-ans 
connected  with  the  di-' 

Entcrili"; 

1....     1..   .. 

1 

■■■■■■|;::::: 

gestive  system. 

1 

1 

7 
4 
2 
6 
2 

40     1 

8 
11 

17 

'     79     1 

'    27 

1 

9 

51 

2 

S3 

1 

1 

1  Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

10 

3 

4       

, 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

PlLMiriii*;   i 

1 

2 

•) 

tory  system. 

; 

1             i 

1 

1 

1 

1      

3      

1 

1 

4 

4              1 

Diseases  o(  Hie  brain  and 

1 
2 

3 



nervous  system. 

1      

3 
5 
19 



4 

1 

1 
B 

1 

3 

7 

1 



.... 

Diseases  of  the   urinary 

1 

9 

2 

1     11 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

3 

1 

2     

7     

Diseases    of   the    serous  c 
and  exhiilent  vessels.     < 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &., 
muscular  structures. 

Abscesses  and  ulcers —  ■ 

1      

1          : 

'*"    

1      

j           i 

j            1                       1 

1 

1 

10 
2 

14 
2 

22      

5 

1       

38 

1 

2 

18      

9 
2 

....             fi 

50 
15 
1 
1 

4(1 

i  Ulcus 

4 

1 
1 
12 

Aiiiputalio 

Contusio 

6 

1 

IB      

a    

1  

;::::?  4 

1 

Wounds  and  injuries -J 

5 



1 
1 

2 

3 
5 

■■e"::;;: 

j  Vulnus  incisum 

3 

1 

5 

5 

12 
11 

9 

Vulnus  puuclum 

1 

1      

2 

1 

1      

1      

5      

5      

2    1     .■; 

r    Debjlitas 

2     

1      

5 
4 

1       " 

13 

3 

1 

2 

10 

Hernia 

1 
3 

2 
11 

14 
10 

5 

1 
o 

3 

10 

i 

Morbi  oculi 

1 

3 



1       

3 

4      

1 

1 

1 
29 

1 

i 

1      9 

10 

3      G      

Total 

1 

.__..  i.._... 

18    1 9^ 

1  125        14 

222    i      S 

277     i       1      l-Mfi 

97 

' 1 

AMONG    THE   TROOPS    IN    CALIFORNIA. 
AMONG  THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  NORTHERN  CALIFORNIA. 


467 


FOURTH  QUARTER. 

&aORE( 
STEEN 

Years    

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

3TH. 

CLASSES  OP  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength 

274. 

207. 

128. 

466. 

273. 

358.                1,7 

96. 

SPECIFIC  Dl!»EASES.      Cases. 

Bied.  ( 

;:aseB. 

<           t 
Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases. 

•        ! 

Died.  Cascs.l  Died.  Cases.  Died.  "^"^^ 

Total 
died. 

Fevers ■ 

Febris  continua  communis.. 

Fehris  int.  quotidiana 

Febris  intermiitens  tertiana. 
Febris  intermittens quartana 

1      . 
16 

15     . 

50 

1           1           1 

1 

146 

16 

■ 

3 
387 

142    j 
2 

5 
82 

4 

39     '. 
5      . 
1      . 

'  115 

13 

1 

6S     

11      

1 



10. 

5 

7 

91 

2     1 G 

8 
3 

5 

Eruptive  fevers \ 

2 

1 

1 

....   ]   .... 

j 

i 

16 
22 

8 

52 
19 

4 

28 

17     

1     

131 
46 

1 

5 

Dysenteria  acuta 

4 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

5 

Diseases  of   the   organs 

connected  witti  the  rti-  - 

2 

1 



3 

1 
31 
32 

5 
112 

2 

1 
4 

17 

17 
2 
3 
3 

14 
1 

12 
1 
2 

gestive  system. 

1 

1 
8 
5 

• 

1 
2 

2 
3 

8 
13 

1 
70 

1 

2 
6 

All  other  diseases 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

3 

4 

7 

1 

1 

t 

17 

1 

13 

5 

Phthisis  puhnonalis 

1 

1 

2 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 

1 

1 

lory  system. 

1 

1 
9 
4 

1 

1 

2 

2 

4 

1 

1 

f 

3 
5 

1 

3 

1 

5 
1 

3 

nervous  system. 

2 



1 

1 

1 
1 

2 
2 

r 

Gonorrhoea 

2 

2 

4 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
and  genital  organs. 

SyphiHs  priniitiva 

Sypliilis  conseeutiva 

1 

1 

2 

8 

. 

2 

Diseases  of    the    serous  ( 

and  exhalent  vessels.     ( 

r 

1 

1 

2 

'1 

2 

1 

2 

5 

1 

3 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  &  J 

muscular  structures,      j 

6 

6 

6 

20 

8 

2      

48 

Abscesses  and  ulcers ,. . .  ■ 

Phlegmon  etabscessus 

Ulcus                         

1 

1 

3 

1 
4 

5 

19 
5 

1 

8 
8 
2 

5      

7    1   

41 

22 

8 



1 

4 

5 

5 

I 

20 
1 

14 

1 

12 

1 

60 

4 

"Wounds  and  injuries ■ 

i 

1 
2 

1   ; 

4     

i    

2     

1      

1  : 

4 
13 
10 

2 
1 

1 

1 

1      3 
1      3 

i 

I 
1 
5 
3 
2 
1 
3 
1 

1 
2 
27 

1 

1 

1  Debilitas             

3 

1 



12 
10 

1 

6 
2 

1    

1 

1    

1    

16 
5 
3 

1 
.        1 

; 

r '"'  i 

....:.!  3 

5 

1    

5 

Morbi  ocuH 

3 

.     46 

!  = 

3 

3      17 

3     53 

4 

1 

4 

.       4 

.       3 

11 

1 

23 

19     

6       66 

Total 

.   222 

7 

142 

3       164 

1       458 

19 

319 

2 

173    1 

.1,478 

33 

OREGON  AND  WASHINGTON  TEREITORIES. 


The  troops  serving  in  tlie  Territories  of  Oregon  and  Washington  have  been,  for  the  most 
part,  stationed  at  Fort  Lane,  Fort  Orford,  Astoria,  Fort  Vancouver  or  Columbia  Barracks, 
Fort  Dalles,  Cantonment  Loring,  and  Fort  Steilacoom. 

In  the  absence  of  special  reports,  the  compiler  is  only  able  to  state,  in  regard  to  Fort  Lane, 
that  it  is  situated  in  the  interior  of  the  southern  part  of  Oregon,  on  Eogue  river,  in  a  valley 
opening  to  the  west,  having  high  mountain  ranges  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  established  in  De- 
cember, 1853. 

Fort  Oeford  is  at  Port  Orford,  about  ten  miles  south  of  Cape  Blanco  or  Orford.  The  po- 
sition is  at  the  head  of  Tichenor  bay,  opening  southward,  with  a  direct  exposure  to  the  Pacific. 

FORT   VANCOUVER. 

A  medico-topographical  report  of  this  post,  furnished  by  Assistant  Surgeon  Holden,  in  1849, 
-was  received  in  a  damaged  condition,  having  been  wet  in  the  mail,  and  is  now,  on  examina- 
tion, found  illegible.  As  the  immediate  site  of  the  fort  has  been  changed  since  that  period, 
the  loss  is  the  less  to  be  regretted.  The  present  position  is  about  ninety  miles  in  a  direct  line 
from  the  sea,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Columbia  river,  and  consequently  within  the  Territory  of 
Washington.  The  river  is  about  1,600  yards  wide,  and  fourteen  feet  deep  at  the  fort.  The 
country  adjacent  is  covered  with  lofty  pines.  The  valley  of  the  river  opens  northwestward 
here,  and  the  Coast  range  of  mountains  protects  the  post  from  sea  exposure. 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  ASTORIA. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  Israel  Moses  :  1852. 

The  Columbia  river  is  formed  by  the  confluence  of  two  streams;  the  northern,  or  Clark's 
river,  arises  in  the  Kocky  Mountains,  about  latitude  .54°,  near  some  high  peaks,  called  Hooker 
and  Brown;  the  southern,  called  also  Lewis',  Saptin,  or  Snake  river,  having  its  source 
in  the  Wind  Kiver  chain,  in  latitude  43°,  and  following  an  irregular  and  serpentine  course, 
unites  its  waters  with  those  of  the  North  branch,  near  Fort  Wallawalla,  to  form  the  largest 
river  on  this  Pacific  coast,  which  pours  its  immense  volume  into  the  ocean,  in  latitude  46°  30'. 

Cape  Disappointment,  on  the  north,  is  a  high,  narrow,  and  pine-covered  promontory,  joining 
the  main  land  by  a  low  neck,  over  which  there  is  a  portage  for  canoes  and  boats  to  Shoal-water 
bay.  The  shore  sweeps  round  to  Chinook  point,  forming  a  deep  bay  (Baker's)  six  miles  wide, 
Chinook  point,  which  is  the  chief  fishing  ground  of  the  natives,  is  a  bare  hill,  gradually 
sloping  towards  the  water,  and  sending  a  long  sand-spit  far  into  the  bay.  From  this  point  the 
northern  bank  of  the  river  stretches  along  with  numerous  indentations,  and  receives  several 
small  streams. 

Point  Adams— a  low,  sandy  spit,  putting  out  some  two  miles — forms  the  southern  promontory, 
about  four  miles  across  from  Cape  Disappointment.     This  is  the  terminating  point  of  an  exten- 


470  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

sive  flat,  sandy  plain,  of  move  than  twenty  miles  long  and  four  wide,  thrown  up  ])y  tlie  waves, 
and  left  hy  a  retrocession  of  the  ocean.  The  original  and  true  southern  promontory  is  Killa- 
mook  Head,  now  thirty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  tlie  river.  Tlie  entrances  from  the  sea  are 
two  narrow  channels  leading  into  Baker's  hay  and  along  the  southern  promontory,  between 
sand-spits  and  shoals,  over  which  the  waVes  foam  and  boil  in  so  tumultuous  a  manner  when 
the  wind  is  high,  as  to  have  rendered  the  entrance  of  tliis  river  a  terror  to  mariners.  Wild 
and  awful,  too,  is  the  picture,  and  fearful  the  sensation,  to  the  stranger  who  approaches  this 
notorious  bar  tor  the  first  time  during  the  winter  season.  The  dangers  have,  however,  been 
much  lessened  by  the  indefatigable  energy  and  perseverance  of  Captain  Charles  White,  of  New 
York,  wlio,  in  the  winter  of  1849-'50,  brought  up  a  pilot-boat  and  perilled  life  and  property 
in  his  professional  exertions  to  diminish  the  dangers  of  the  bar.  Previous  to  this  time  no  ves- 
sel had  been  brought  in  by  the  southern  channel.  He,  however,  soon  established  it  as  the 
safest  and  easiest  entrance,  and  since  then  few  vessels  have  followed  the  former  route.  Though 
this  southern  entrance  has  been  known,  and  is  spoken  of  by  Wilkes,  it  was  condemned  as  highly 
dangerous.  Within  a  comparatively  short  period,  however,  the  main  current  of  the  river 
seems  to  have  changed  towards  the  soutliern  shore;  and  not  only  has  theclumnel  deepened  and 
become  more  direct,  but  tlie  banks  have  yielded ;  and  should  the  change  continue,  time  will 
still  farther  diminish  the  risk  as  tlie  commerce  of  the  country  attracts  greater  numbers  of  vessels. 

From  Point  Adams  to  Sliark  Point  tlie  shore  makes  a  deep  bend,  forming  Young's  bay,  about 
four  and  a  half  or  five  miles  across,  into  which  flow  several  small  streams  from  the  south. 
From  Shark  Point  to  Tongue  Point — a  high,  narrow  peninsula — the  shore  forms  a  gentle  curve, 
interrupted  by  a  projecting  shelf,  of  small  extent,  where  is  the  site  of  the  original  Astoria,  and 
now  occupied  as  a  military  post.  The  place  commemorates,  by  its  name,  the  originator  of  one 
of  those  bold  strokes  of  genius  which  commercial  minds  often  conceive  for  the  extension  of 
trade,  and  which  not  only  brings  pecuniary  gains  to  the  individual,  but  opens  new  and  ex- 
tended sources  of  national  wealth.  What  then  failed  of  success,  through  the  infidelity  of 
private  agents  and  the  breaking  out  of  national  hostilities,  the  unalterable  course  of  destiny 
has  brought  about;  not,  however,  before  a  rival  and  foreign  company  have  for  years  held  un- 
disputed sway,  and  reaped  a  golden  harvest. 

Strangers  arriving  in  the  country  are  universally  disaj^pointed  on  seeing  Astoria.  Their 
memory  filled  with  the  entertaining  narrative  of  the  early  settlement  of  the  place,  written  by 
Washington  Irving,  a  pleasing  picture  of  an  old  settlement  arises  in  their  mind,  and  witli 
eager  gaze,  as  they  enter  the  river,  their  eyes  seek  this  familiar  spot ;  but  their  dream  is  soon 
dispelled  by  the  view  of  a  line  of  rough  bank,  thickly  grown  with  fir-trees  to  the  water's  edge, 
and  rising  in  irregular  and  broken  back-ground. 

On  our  arrival  at  this  place,  but  little  of  the  original  establishment  could  be  traced;  the 
knoll  upon  which  the  buildings  stand  contains  about  twenty  acres  of  cleared  land,  bacted  by  an 
impenetrable  forest  of  pines.  All  the  structures  erected  by  the  first  occupants  were  destroyed 
by  fire  some  years  ago,  and  their  only  memorials  are  the  decaying  ends  of  pickets  and  heaps  of 
crumbling  chimneys.  The  Hudson's  Bay  Company  erected  several  buildings,  and  made  improve- 
ments, as  long  as  the  trade  with  the  Indians  made  its  occupancy  desirable;  but  for  several  years 
previous  to  our  arrival,  the  post  had  become  of  little  trading  value,  and  the  buildings  had  been 
allowed  to  fall  into  decay. 

After  the  treaty  of  184C),  when  the  provisional  territorial  government  enacted  laws  for  the 
benefit  of  settlers,  the  lands  between  Shark  and  Tongue  points  were  taken  as  "claims"  by 
squatters,  who  have  built  themselves  small  houses  and  cultivated  garden  patches.  The  site 
occupied  and  recognized  as  Astoria  was  included  in  these  claims,  without  any  respect  to  its  oc- 
cupancy, by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  On  the  arrival  of  General  John  Adair,  the  first  col- 
lector at  the  port  of  Astoria,  the  custom-house  and  post  office  were  located  one  mile  above, 
where  he  established  himself;  and  this  spot  is  now  called  Astoria  by  some,  wliile  that  below  is 
distinguished  as  Fort  George ;  but  this  is  contended  by  the  rival  occupants.     Since  the  establish- 


AMONG    THE   TROOPS    IN   OREGON   AND   WASHINGTON   TERRITORIES.  471 

ment  of  the  military  at  tliis  post,  the  citizens  still  occupy  in  common  with  the  troops;  and  no 
reserves  in  this  Territory  having  been  confirmed  at  Washington,  they  have  continued  to  erect 
buildings  and  make  improvements.* 

Immediately  upon  our  arrival  we  went  into  camp,  and  set  to  work  busily  to  repair  the  build- 
ings abandoned  by  the  company,  and  erect  such  others  as  would  afford  us  convenient  shelter 
for  the  approaching  winter.     This  was  accomplished  early  in  November,. 

The  country,  generally,  in  the  vicinity  of  Astoria,  is  extremely  rough  and  rugged,  broken  by 
hills  and  gulches,  covered  with  a  dense  forest  of  hemlock,  spruce,  cedar,  Cottonwood,  ash,  and 
willow,  with  an  undergrowth  of  shrubs,  bushes,  and  vines,  that  render  it  almost  impossible  for 
man  or  animal  to  penetrate.  A  few  localities  are  less  densely  wooded,  and  entice  the  settler  to 
pitch  his  tent  and  commence  the  toil  of  opening  a  farm.  Clatsop  plains,  about  fifteen  miles 
long  and  four  wide,  is  the  only  farming  district  which,  as  yet,  has  yielded  crops.  It  is  a  series 
of  three  sand  ridges,  successively  thrown  up  by  the  ocean's  waves^  and  left  by  its  receding 
waters;  the  more  recent  formation  is  covered  with  a  thin  stratum  of  decayed  vegetable  matter, 
which  increases  so  as  to  afford  a  foot  or  more  depth  of  soil  in  the  older  formation ;  a  narrow, 
shallow  rivulet  winds  through,  fringed  with  cottouwoods  and  willows.  A  narrow  belt  of  forest 
sejiarates  these  plains  from  the  richer  soil. 

At  Astoria,  the  soil  is,  for  the  most  part,  a  heavy  red  and  black  clay,  mixed  with  some  gravel, 
which  becomes,  during  the  rainy  season,  soft  and  sticky  ;  and  in  the  summer,  dry  and  fissured; 
the  beach  is  covered  with  pebbles  and  conglomerate  of  clay  and  lime,  enclosing  petrified  shells 
and  marine  animals.  Broken  masses  of  scoriaceous  rock  lie  along  the  water's  edge  and  crop 
out  from  the  banks. 

Pre-eminent  among  the  forest  trees,  are  those  of  the  pine  tribe;  three  varieties  are  found: 
abies  Douglasii,  often  attaining  incredible  height  and  circumference ;  abies  3Ienziesii  and  A. 
taxi/olia,  or  yew-leaved  hemlock;  fhuga  occidentalis,  or  red  cedar;  also  jum2}er us  Virginiana, 
or  Virginian  juniper;  acer  macrophylla,  or  large-leaved  maple,  not  found  east  of  the  Kocky 
Mountains;  and  A.  circinata,  or  vine  maple.  Of  the  varieties  of  cottonwoods :  ^^opulus  balsami- 
fera,  P.  candidum,  and  P.  Iremulus,  or  aspen;  Salix  macj-ojjJujUa,  and  augusfifoUa,  large  and 
low-leaved  willows;  quercus  alba,  or  white  oak,  is  not  found  below  Tongue  Point;  fraxinus 
nigra,  black  ash  ;  cerasus  Pennsylv aniens,  or  wild  cherry ;  and  arbutus  laurifolia,  are  the  most 
prominent  of  the  trees.  There  are  innumerable  varieties  of  bushes  and  creeping  plants:  Ribes 
sanguinaria,  red  flowering  currant;  ribes  s^mriosa,  wild  gooseberry;  rubus  nufocamis,  capberry; 
P.  speclabilis,  thumb-raspberry;  and  P.  pinnatifolia ;  the  strawberry, /rac/aWa  vesca;  cran- 
berry, oxycoccus  macrocarpus ;  gaultheria  sliallon.  These  are  all  wild;  their  fruit  inferior  in 
size  and  flavor  to  the  cultivated  varieties.  The  potato,  turnip,  cabbage,  and  beet,  arc  largely 
cultivated^  and  attain  an  enormous  size  and  great  perfection.  Wheat  and  corn  will  not  ripen 
except  in  warm-sheltered  nooks ;  oats  are  well  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate ;  the  small  garden 
vegetables  only  succeed  with  great  care,  and  are  apt  to  be  destroyed  by  the  cold  nights  and  late 
frosts;  the  larger  fruits — peaches,  apples,  and  pears — do  not  ripen.  The  grasses,  growing  on 
the  tide-lands,  are  tender,  and  afford  a  nutritious  food  to  animals,  who  are  able  to  keep  in  good 
condition  throughout  the  year  by  grazing.  Farmers  rarely  make  any  winter  ju-ovision  for 
their  stock,  the  mildness  of  the  winter  not  requiring  them  to  be  housed  or  fed. 

Deer,  antelope,  and  black  bear,  are  found  immediately  in  the  vicinity;  the  cougar  inhabits 
the  woods  with  the  rabbit  and  squirrel;  beaver  and  otter  are  found  on  the  small  streams  and 
along  the  coast;  the  various  species  of  wild  fowl — swan,  sandhill  crane,  geese,  ducks,  and  snipe — 
abound,  and  are  brought  in  in  plentiful  supply  by  the  Indians;  there  are  also  jjclicans,  gulls, 
eagles,  (the  bald  and  osprey,)  crows,  ravens,  woodpeckers,  swallows,  and  robins;  flocks  of 
pigeons,  or  doves,  {Columba  zanaida),  not  found  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  arrive  early  in  the  spring, 
and  the  trees  are  often  l>roken  by  their  weight;  they  are  inferior  in  flavor  to  the  wild  pigeon  on 

-  Siuce  the  above  was  written,  Astoria  has  beeu  given  up  as  a  military  post,  and  Cape  Disappoiutmeut  has  been  reserved. 


472  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

the  eastern  side  of  the  mountains ;  the  grouse  tuul  plieasaiit  do  not  inhabit  this  locality ;  there 
is  a  remarkable  absence  of  singing-birds. 

Of  the  rcptilia,  none  of  the  poisonous  varieties  are  ibund ;  a  green  snake,  with  longitudinal 
dark  stripes,.two  to  three  feet  long,  the  lizard,  and  snail,  are  seen. 

Comparatively  few  flies,  and  no  mosquitoes,  or  other  annoying  insects,  disturb  the  resident; 
the  sand-fly  is  occasionally  troublesome  toward  sunset,  on  warm  and  still  evenings. 

The  principal  food  of  the  natives,  and,  until  within  a  very  few  years  of  the  early  settlers  in 
this  vicinity,  consisted  of  fish,  which,  from  its  abundance  and  variety,  affords  plentiful  provision 
throughout  the  year.  Soon  after  the  rainy  season,  and  early  in  spring,  the  fishing  season  com- 
mences, and  the  natives  awake  from  their  winter  lethargy  to  prepare  for  the  busy  time  that 
approaches.  Canoes  are  launched  and  refitted  ;  the  nets  are  repaired,  and  gay  trappings  put 
on.  This  is  the  season  of  mirth  and  plenty.  About  the  middle  of  April,  the  sturgeon 
(Accipenser)  makes  its  appearance;  its  flesh  is  more  delicate  and  palatable  than  the  same  variety 
caught  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  The  natives  take  it  by  hook  and  line,  or  spear;  it  attains  a  very 
large  size.  Toward  tlie  middle  of  May  the  salmon  {aalmo  salar)  begin  to  come  in,  and  increase 
so  as  to  make  tlie  bay  merry  with  their  sport;  they  swim  near  the  surface,  and  continually  leap 
into  the  air,  often  several  feet  high ;  they  run  in  vast  shoals  until  the  middle  of  summer.  Sun- 
rise and  sunset  are  the  most  favorable  periods  for  taking  them ;  and  the  best  fishing  grounds 
are  where  the  sand-spits  run  far  out  in  the  bay.  Chinook  Point  is  the  favorite  resort  of  the 
tribes  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia;  and  here,  morning  and  evening,  they  draw  their  nets,  or, 
standing  waistdeej)  in  the  water,  spear  their  game.  Their  nets  are  long  and  narrow,  made  of 
grass-twine;  the  sinkers,  of  stones,  and  floats,  of  wood.  Leaving  one  end  fixed  in  the  beach, 
the  remainder  is  coiled  up  in  a  small  canoe,  which  is  paddled  out  thirty  or  forty  yards,  following 
a  long  curve,  and  again  brought  to  shore.  This  is  continued  as  often  as  fish  are  caught,  or 
until  the  required  number  are  obtained.  An  ancient  superstition  deters  them  from  selling  to 
the  whites  until  the  salmon  berries  are  ripe;  and,  in  no  case,  will  they  part  with  a  salmon  until 
the  heart  is  taken  out.  Upon  the  strict  observance  of  these  points,  they  rely  for  the  plentiful- 
ness  of  the  season.  To  prepare  for  winter  use,  the  salmon  is  cut  in  thin  slices  or  strips  and 
dried  on  frames  hung  over  slow  fires  and  along  the  rafters  of  the  lodge,  or  pounded  fine  and 
put  up  in  bundles  after  being  dried.  The  fall,  or  niasache  salmon,  is  an  inferior  variety,  which 
runs  in  September  and  October;  lean,  of  a  pale  pink  color;  and  having  long  sharp  teeth.  In 
seasons  of  scarcity,  it  is  put  up  for  winter  use;  but  is  generally  not  much  esteemed.  Richard- 
son, in  his  Fauna  Americana,  describes  seven  varieties  of  salmon  in  the  Columbia  river. 

The  cod,  or  a  fish  much  resembling  it,  is  taken  at  the  entrance  of  the  bay,  outside  of  the  bar. 
Of  the  small  fish — flounder,  perch,  suckers,  and,  occasionally,  the  "ulican;"  this  last,  from 
being  very  abundant,  suddenly  disappeared  from  this  locality,  and  is  now  found  only  in  the 
.  harbors  and  inlets  to  the  north.  It  is  a  delicious  fish,  resembling  our  "smelt"  in  size  and  fla- 
vor, and  so  fat  that,  when  dried,  it  is  often  burned  by  the  natives  to  give  light.  The  fisheries 
have,  to  a  limited  extent,  been  carried  on  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  asamatter  of  commerce, 
and  lately  by  Americans.  The  salmon  is  salted  and  put  up  in  barrels,  and  has  obtained  a  good 
market  in  the  islands  and  in  California.  In  experienced  hands,  it  would  prove  a  source  of  great 
profit.  Oysters  are  found  in  the  bays  and  inlets,  north  of  Cape  Disappointment,  small  in  size, 
but  of  good  flavor ;  the  various  kinds  of  soft  and  hard-shelled  clams,  muscles,  terrapins,  and 
crawfish.  The  former  are  large  and  of  fine  flavor,  superior  to  the  oysters,  which  are  much  im- 
proved by  cultivation.  Contemptible,  however,  as  they  would  appear  to  one  living  on  the  At- 
lantic coast,  tliey  are  readily  sold  in  San  Francisco  at  the  enormous  price  of  ten  dollars  the 
bushel.  A  gentleman  from  Virginia  is  now  engaged  in  planting  and  feeding  them,  and  from 
his  success,  thus  far,  there  is  every  reason  for  believing  they  will  attain  a  size  and  flavor  e(iual 
to  the  finest  of  our  Atlantic  shore. 

From  the  above  imj^erfect  notice  of  the  natural  productions,  I  turn  to  a  brief  account  of  the 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS    IN    OREGON    AND    WASHINGTON   TERRITORIES.  473 

Indian  tribes  residing  near  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia.     These  consist  of  a  few  and  wretched 
representatives  of  three  once  powerful  tribes — the  Chinooks,  Clatsops,  and  Cathalamets. 

The  Chinooks  reside  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  along  Baker's  bay,  Cliinook  point,  and 
Shoal-water  bay,  and  are  about  150  in  number.  They  once  boasted  of  300  warriors,  and  the 
famous  Concomly  as  their  chief^  but  are  now  fast  disappearing  before  the  white  man;  their 
fishing  grounds  are  desirable  for  future  value,  and  even  their  burial-places  are  eagerly  sought 
after  as  "good  claims." 

The  Clatsops  reside,  as  their  name  imports,  on  Clatsop  plains.  This  tribe^  which,  at  the 
time  of  the  settlement  of  Astoria,  numbered  180  warriors,  is  now  reduced  to  about  20,  who 
can  hardly  be  said  to  have  a  local  habitation.  They  wander  about,  pitching  their  tents  or 
lounging  about  the  residences  of  the  whites,  awaiting  the  no  distant  period  of  their  entire  exter- 
mination. 

The  Cathalamets,  who  are  found  on  the  island  and  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  twenty  or 
thirty  miles  above,  have  been  less  exposed  to  intercourse  with  the  whites,  and  have  not  dis- 
appeared as  rapidly ;  they  are,  however,  scattered,  few  in  number,  and  gradually  becoming  ex- 
tinct. Among  them  resides  an  old  Indian,  called  Squamarke,  who  is  looked  iipon  as  a  sort  of 
chief  of  all  these  scattered  bands,  and  exerts  considerable  influence  among  them.  I  have  heard 
him  recite,  in  poetic  strain,  of  the  past  glories  of  his  race;  of  the  martial  deeds  of  his  sire;  the 
trophies  of  victory,  and  the  triumphs  after  return  from  battle;  yet,  this  bard  of  military  deeds 
and  last  representative  of  the  shadowy  glory  of  the  race,  does  not  scruple  to  get  beastly  drunk, 
and  has  lately  sold  his  grand-daughter  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  payable  in  blankets. 

All  feud  has  ceased  among  these  various  tribes;  neither  has  anything  to  excite  the  cupidity  of 
the  other,  and  but  few  individuals  are  possessed  of  any  weapons.  They  rarely  quarrel,  except 
when  maddened  by  intoxicating  drinks,  and  then,  not  unfrequently,  one  or  more  are  shot  or 
stabbed.  He  who  possesses  a  canoe  and  a  few  blankets  is  esteemed  wealthy ;  rarely  an  indi- 
vidual accumulates  about  him  a  large  number  of  articles  of  finery.  A  few  horses  are  found 
among  them  ;  but  their  chief  mode  of  conveyance  is  by  canoes,  and  it  excites  our  surprise  and 
admiration  to  witness  the  skill  with  which  they  manage  these  beautiful  models  of  naval  archi- 
tecture. They  are  shaped  from  cedar-trees,  and  vary  greatly  in  size.  Those  used  by  the 
natives  along  the  coast,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Puget  Sound,  are  often  from  forty  to  sixty 
feet  in  length,  and  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  in  breadth  of  beam,  capable  of  accommodating  sixty 
men.  They  are  rapidly  propelled  through  the  water  by  short  paddles,  skilfully  handled  by  both 
sexes,  who  kneel  on  rushes  placed  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe.  Their  shape  is  the  model,  in 
many  points,  of  our  new  clipper  ships,  long,  sharp  bows,  with  little  curve  from  gunwale  to 
keel ;  painted  or  stained  black  on  the  outside,  and  red  within ;  their  prows  ornamented  with 
small  pebbles  or  shells.  A  hatchet  and  knife  are  the  only  tools  employed  in  shaping  them,  and 
we  cannot  refrain  from  admiring  the  ingenuity  of  a  people  who  can  achieve  such  perfection  of 
finish  with  rude  instruments.  What  might  they  not  accomplish,  if  supplied  with  and  taught 
the  use  of  tools,  employed  in  our  mechanical  arts?  In  rough  and  windy  weather,  they  carry 
an  immense  sail,  and  the  canoe  is  impelled  through  the  water  with  the  speed  of  a  fish,  rising  on 
the  tops  of  the  highest  waves  without  danger  of  upsetting.  When  the  stormy  west  winds  are 
driving  the  white  caps  high  on  the  bar,  I  have  heard  a  party  shouting  and  singing,  with  gay 
dresses  and  gaudy  ribbons,  as  their  little  bark  tossed  and  sirorted  on  the  angry  waters.  These 
coast  Indians  are  as  much  at  home  on  the  water  as  the  Apache  on  the  plains,  or  the  Arab  oa 
the  desert. 

All  these  several  tribes  speak  the  same  language,  follow  the  same  customs,  and  resemble  each 
other  in  manners,  dress,  and  person.  The  majority  of  both  sexes  are  short,  with  heavy,  stout 
bodies  and  limbs;  generally  from  five  to  five  and  a  half  feet  in  height,  with  low  forehead,  ren- 
dered still  lower  in  appearance  by  the  flattening  of  the  head ;  long,  straight,  coarse  black  hair, 
which  is  preserved  with  great  care  by  both  sexes ;  they  comb,  grease  with  fish-oil,  plait,  braid, 
and  decorate  it  with  bright  ribbons.  All  traces  of  beard  on  the  face  are  carefully  eradicated ;  also 
s.  96 60 


474  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

that  on  the  pubes  of  either  sex.  Mouth  wide,  teeth  small,  and  often  worn  to  the  gums ;  lips  short, 
thick,  and  everted.  The  females,  especially,  often  become  grossly  fat.  They  have  short, 
bowed,  fat  legs  and  thighs,  large  ancles,  but  small  feet.  The  females  have  no  attraction  of 
face  or  form.  Personal  beauty  is  rarely  seen.  They  are  filthy  in  their  habits  and  persons. 
When  they  have  been  taken  as  wives  by  the  early  settlers  they  easily  learn  the  customs,  and  accom- 
modate themselves  to  cleanly  and  domestic  habits.  The  half-breeds  are  more  comely,  and  occa- 
sionally handsome.  Tliese,  as  soon  as  they  reach  the  age  of  ])uberty,  and  sometimes  even 
before,  become  the  wives  or  mistresses  of  the  whites.  These  Indians  have  generally  assumed 
the  dress  of  civilized  nations,  and  a  few  seem  well  and  genteelly  clothed.  Many  of  the  females 
have  learned  to  make  their  own  garments.  Most  frequently  they  present  a  fantastic  arrange- 
ment of  articles.  In  their  primitive  condition  their  only  mantle  in  summer  was  a  fringe  made 
of  grass,  or  fibres  of  cedar  bark,  covering  the  pelvis;  in  winter  they  wrapjied  themselves  in 
mats  or  the  skins  of  animals,  and  burying  themselves  in  holes  dug  in  the  ground,  or  small 
lodges  built  of  mats  and  cedar  branches,  there  remain  during  the  rainy  season,  with  a  small 
fire  in  the  centre,  filling  the  jdace  with  smoke — a  small  aperture  in  the  roof  being  its  only 
means  of  escape.  Within  a  few  years  they  have  erected  large  lodges  of  boards  and  planks 
picked  up  along  the  river  banks  carried  down  by  the  current,  and  floated  ofl"  from  the  mills  by 
the  spring  freshets.  Since  the  discovery  of  gold  on  the  Pacific  coast  the  Indians  have  occasion- 
ally accumulated  quite  large  sums,  but,  as  their  only  idea  of  the  object  of  money  is  to  satisfy  their 
immediate  wants,  they  rarely  have  it.  When  the  mines  of  California  almost  entirely  deprived 
Oregon  of  its  male  jjopulation,  the  Indians  became  useful  as  laborers;  and  when  canoe  travell- 
ing was  the  only  means  of  transportation,  they  reaped  a  rich  harvest.  Like  all  savage  tribes, 
they  are  inconstant,  and,  having  obtained  sufficient  to  satisfy  their  present  desires,  no  induce- 
ments will  prevail  upon  them  to  continue  any  useful  occupation. 

In  morals  they  resemble  most  of  the  Indian  tribes.  As  soon  as  a  man  is  able  to  support  a 
wife  he  makes  his  selection,  informs  the  parents  and  friends  who,  in  conclave,  determine  the 
amount  to  be  paid  by  the  suitor.  This  being  arranged  satisfactorily,  a  day  is  appointed  when 
a  mutual  exchange  is  made ;  the  bride  being  turned  over  to  the  groom,  the  blankets,  horses, 
canoes,  and  slaves  are  paid  to  the  wife's  relations ;  a  dance,  a  feast,  an  exchange  of  presents, 
and  not  unfrequently  a  bloody  quarrel  end  the  ceremony.  A  chief  may  possess  as  many  wives 
as  he  can  support,  but,  as  among  less  barbarous  nations,  he  has  one  favorite.  Being  thus  a 
merchantable  article,  their  women  may  be  procured  by  any  respectable  native  or  white  man  who 
can  afi"ord  the  prices.  Chastity  is  unknown  among  the  single,  and  constancy  rarely  practised 
among  the  married.  Occasional  exceptions  may  be  found  among  those  who  have  white  hus- 
bands. 

Their  religion,  if  it  may  be  so  called,  is  the  belief  in  a  good  and  evil  spirit.  The  former 
dwells  above,  and  is  called  "Sahaleedikee"  (a  name  given  to  any  high  official  personage),  who, 
when  pleased,  sends  mild  winters,  abundance  of  salmon,  and  fruitful  summers.  His  wrath  is 
betokened  by  a  hard  winter,  scarcity,  and  epidemic  diseases.  There  are  some  curious  and  inter- 
esting myths  among  them.  Particular  localities  are  supposed  to  be  the  favorite  abodes  of  the 
good  spirit.     They  have  a  faint  tradition  of  a  deluge  and  earthquakes. 

The  decay  of  the  Indian  tribes  along  the  Columbia  has  been  ieari'ully  rapid.  A  robust  and 
numerous  people,  they  have  disappeared  almost  as  by  the  wand  of  a  magician.  A  severely 
fatal  epidemic  of  measles  carried  ofi'  nearly  half  the  tribes  in  1829  and  1830,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  congestive  form  of  intermittent  fever,  that  lias  reappeared  at  various  times^  and 
created  vast  havoc ;  but  the  scourge  of  these  nations  has  been  syphilis,  and  its  sequent,  scroihla, 
in  the  most  fatal  forms.  At  the  period  of  Lewis  and  Clark's  visit  to  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia^ 
syphilis  was  scarcely  known ;  but  as  soon  as  vessels  began  to  enter  the  river  the  disease  ajipeared, 
and  rapidly  spread.  Ignorant  of  any  curative  means,  vast  numbers  have  died  from  the  primary 
disease,  while  in  its  secondary  and  transmitted  forms,  generations  have  perished  unborn  ;  glandu- 
lar and  eruptive  diseases  have  carried  off  the  infants ;  tubercular  phthisis  bliglited  their  youths. 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN    OREGON    AND   WASHINGTON   TERRITORIES.  475 

and  brought  their  young  men  and  matrons  to  premature  old  age,  and  an  early  grave.  It  is 
remarkable  that  very  few  can  be  found  among  the  men  who  have  not  lost  one  eye  by  opthalmia 
(syjihilitic  or  gonorrhoeal).  Many  are  absolutely  deformed  by  enlargement  of  the  cervical 
glands,  frequently  suppurating,  discharging,  and  forming  frightful  cicatrices.  Hare-lip  and 
cleft  palate  are  often  seen ;  the  idiopathic,  and  severer  forms  of  malarial  fever,  almost  never. 
Abortion  is  common,  and  not  uufrequently  brought  about  intentionally.  Child-bearing  is  a  no 
more  easy  nor  less*  dangerous  process  than  among  other  females  in  the  same  circumstances  of 
life.  The  older  females  of  the  neighborhood  are  the  midwives,  and  are  quite  as  good  and  use- 
ful as  our  more  fashionable  monthly  nurses.  Where  nature  is  not  interfered  with,  and  no 
unusual  malposition  or  malformation  presents,  the  infant  safely  enters  the  world.  Should  any 
anormal  circumstances  arise,  the  child  or  mother,  or  most  frequently  both,  are  sacrificed.  The 
attending  midwife  calls  in  consultation  other  sagefemmes,  and  these  failing  to  afford  relief,  the 
woman  is  left  to  die.  But  deformity  of  the  pelvis  being  rare,  and  the  children  generally  small, 
these  accidents  seldom  occur.  The  infant,  immediately  after  ablution,  is  straightened  out, 
tightly  swathed,  with  the  arms  included,  and  placed  on  a  board  to  be  submitted  to  the  process 
of  flattening  of  the  head.  This  is  eifected  by  pads,  suitably  placed  over  the  frontal  bone, 
inclining  from  the  superciliary  arch  to  the  vertex ;  counter  pressure  being  made  by  a  pad  under 
the  occipital  bone.  The  pressure  is  maintained  during  one  year,  when  the  bones  having  suf- 
ficiently ossified  to  retain  the  desired  shape,  the  pads  are  removed.  Infants  do  not  appear  to 
suffer  by  this  pressure,  which  is  kept  up  day  and  night;  they  nurse  well,  and  sleep  comfortably. 
Among  certain  tribes  side-pads  are  used,  so  as  to  render  the  head  pointfed ;  but  this  is  not  fol- 
lowed with  the  Chinooks. 

In  ordinary  cases  of  sickness  the  aid  of  the  medicine  man,  or  doctor,  is  called  in.  This  indi- 
viduaJ  is  held  in  high  estimation,  and  demands  large  fees  for  his  advice  and  services;  these  are 
given  at  a  vast  personal  risk,  and  somewhat  upon  the  terms  of  their  advertising  professional 
brethren  in  large  cities.  Upon  visiting  the  patient,  and  receiving  his  fee,  the  doctor  goes 
actively  to  work  to  drive  out  the  evil  spirit  from  the  suffering  body,  where  it  has  assumed  the 
form  of  a  wolf,  a  snake,  a  beaver,  or  large  stone.  The  friends  having  formed  a  circle,  a  low  and 
solemn  incantation  is  commenced,  accompanied  by  the  regular  beating  of  small  sticks  of  wood, 
and  gradually  swelling  in  tone  and  rapidity  of  utterance  until  it  becomes  a  howling,  yelling, 
frightful  succession  of  sounds.  The  doctor,  sitting  at  the  bed-side,  swaying  his  body  to  and 
fro,  keeping  time  to  his  song  of  invocation,  begins  to  press  and  knead  the  breast  and  abdomen. 
As  he  becomes  excited,  he  jumps  up,  and  dances  about  the  lodge,  with  constant  and  most 
fatiguing  gesticulation  of  head,  arms,  legs,  and  body,  until  he  either  becomes  frantic  by  excite- 
citement,  or  falls  exhausted.  Having  by  this  time  arrived  at  a  just  appreciation  of  the  shape 
of  the  disease,  he  retires  from  the  lodge,  and  after  a  suitable  interval  returns,  and  in  a  most 
dignified  manner  resumes  his  position  and  song.  When  thus  a  second  time  the  necessary  pitch 
of  excitement  is  attained,  he  suddenly  thrusts  his  hands  beneath  the  blankets,  and  to  the  sur- 
prise, delight,  and  admiration  of  the  assembled  friends,  jerks  out,  and  casts  among  them,  a 
dead  wolf,  serpent,  beaver,  or  stone,  having  thus  successfully  combatted  the  disease.  Should 
the  unhappy  victim  of  Ji^sculapian  art  fortunately  get  well, the  doctor  remains  in  peaceful 
enjoyment  of  his  professional  gains.  Should  death,  however,  have  knocked  at  the  door  of  the 
lodge  during  these  mockeries,  as  he  invariably  does  in  severe  cases,  the  doctor  not  only  has 
expended  his  time  and  labor  for  nothing,  but  now  has  forfeited  his  life  by  failing  to  restore  his 
patient  to  health.  If  he  can  compromise  the  matter  with  the  relations  and  friends  of  the  dis- 
eased, by  paying  his  value,  estimated  in  horses,  blankets,  canoes,  or  slaves,  he  redeems  his  owq 
life ;  but  failing  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  the  aflilicted,  who  are  usually  very  exacting,  he  may 
not  expect  to  live  to  see  the  sun  rise  many  times. 

The  burial  grounds  in  the  neighborhood  and  along  the  river,  attest  the  numbers  of  this 
people  who  have  passed  away;  they  are  sacred  spots  near  the  bank,  and  often  on  naked  and 
isolated  rocks.     The  corpse,  if  of  a  chief,  or  distinguished  man,  attired  in  his  best  habiliments 


« 


476  REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 

and  gaudiest  ornaments,  is  wrapped  in  blankets,  and  placed  iu  Ids  canoe,  lii.s  tisliing-nct  and 
spears  by  his  side;  aioinid  are  bung  cooking  ntensils,  tin-jians,  and  plates;  and  thus  equipjied, 
he  is  suspended  on  the  branches  of  a  tree,  or  raised  on  a  platform,  if  buried  on  the  main  land; 
or  secured  on  the  top  of  some  island  rock,  his  spirit  enjoying  the  fullness  of  happiness  above, 
his  body  to  await  the  solemn  day  of  resurrection,  wlion  be  shall  be  prepared  to  launch  bis 
barque  upon  the  gladsome  waters,  and  the  sporting  salmon  shall  yield  him  ahundance. 

The  most  noticeable  i'eature  in  the  climate  of  Astoria  is  its  equability.  The  summers  are 
cool,  dry,  and  healthy;  the  winters  stormy,  rainy,  and  disagreeable,  but  ^iiild.  The  troops 
arriving  early  in  June,  went  into  camp,  and  remained  in  tents  until  November,  by  which  time 
suitable  buildings  had  been  prepared  lor  their  accommodation.     ********* 

From  the  hospital  records  it  is  ascertained  that,  during  the  first  month  after  our  arrival,  five 
cases  of  malarial  fever  occurred,  and  two  in  each  of  the  next  two  succeeding  months.  There 
were  relapses,  caused  by  exposure  and  lying  on  the  ground,  in  persons  who  had  suU'cred  from 
the  disease  at  Vancouver.  No  other  case  occurred  subsequently  among  the  troops,  and  the  dis- 
ease, when  it  attacked  either  the  citizens  or  Indians,  could  be  distinctly  and  directly  traced  to  a 
visit  up  the  river.  I  did  not  see  a  single  case  of  any  idioiiathic  fever.  Five  cases  of  erysipelas 
occurred — one  in  October,  two  in  November,  and  two  in  December,  1850,  and  may  be  accounted  ' 
for  by  the  prevalence  of  cold,  rainy,  and  foggy  weather;  the  men  being  in  tents  until  the  mid- 
dle of  November.  The  disease  was  mild,  and  yielded  readily  to  the  external  application  of  a 
strong  solution  of  nitrate  of  silver  and  the  administration  of  full  doses  of  quinine — a  plan  of 
treatment  which  I  found  liighly  successful  in  Toluca,  Mexico,  where  the  disease  arose  from  the 
same  exciting  causes. 

Affections  of  the  bowels  prevailed  to  a  considerable  extent  during  the  summer  and  autumn  of 
1850,  although  the  cases  among  the  troops  were  mild  and  of  short  duration.  I  met  with  many 
severe,  and  three  i'atal,  cases  among  citizens.  The  cholera  which  prevailed  in  California  seemed 
to  extend  its  influence  in  some  degree  to  this  place.  One  well  marked  case  occurred  about  a 
mile  above  our  post.  A  large  proportion  of  the  residents  of  Pacific  City  (a  small  village  under 
Cape  Disappointment),  were  attacked  with  diarrhoea  and  dysentery;  one  fatal  case  occurred,  to 
which  1  was  called  a  lew  hours  before  death.  The  patient  had  frequent  and  cojiious  dejections 
of  dark  clotted  blood,  mingled  with  some  fascal  matter;  he  had  been  sick  only  six  or  seven 
days.  Several  passengers  died  on  the  voyage,  and  others  arrived  at  this  post  ill  with  bowel 
complaints.  Of  those  who  were  lauded  and  placed  under  my  care,  two  died  with  the  same,  but 
less  urgent  symptoms,  as  the  fatal  case  at  Pacific  City.  One  family,  consisting  of  father, 
mother,  and  three  children,  were  seized  within  a  few  hours  of  each  other.  Blisters  to  the  abdo- 
men, opium  and  mineral  astringents,  with  the  most  careful  diet,  were  the  principal  therapeuti- 
cal means  employed. 

Constijiation  being  often  complained  of  among  troops  as  a  reality,  or  oftener  as  a  reason 
for  being  excused  Irom  duty,  the  twelve  cases  reported  will  be  found  nearly  equally  distributed 
through  the  sixteen  months. 

One-eighth  of  all  the  cases  reported  were  catarrhs,  mostly  of  a  mild  character.  In  December, 
1850,  an  influenza  j^revailed,  aad  many  complained,  but  the  symptoms  not  being  sufficiently 
urgent  the  cases  are  not  reported.  This  influence  was  felt  in  the  interior  of  the  Territory 
among  the  inhabitants  generally;  two  cases  among  the  troops  were  attended  with  active  febrile 
movement,  intense  headache,  pains  in  the  back  and  limbs,  anorexia,  and  painful  cough ;  anti- 
monials  and  low  diet  relieved  the  symptoms,  and  convalescence  was  rapid.  Seven  cases  of 
catarrh  occurred  in  April,  1851,  among  a  detachment  of  rifles  en  route  for  California;  they  had 
just  left  their  comfortable  quarters  at  Columbia  Barracks,  and  were  exposed  in  tents  at  Astoria 
during  wet  weather;  occasional  cases  occurred  during  other  months. 

IVIore  than  one-third  of  all  the  cases  were  syphilitic,  which  being  early  taken  in  hospital, 
readily  yielded  to  the  usual  remedies;  the  frequency  of  this  disease  is  explained  by  my  ])revious 
remarks  concerning  the  Indians.     Eheumatism  was  confined  to  two  or  three  old  soldiers,  who, 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   OREGON  'AND   WASHINGTON    TERRITORIES.  477 

after  any  unusual  exposure  or  before  any  extraordinary  detail,  were  certain  to  have  an  attack. 
Twenty-six,  or  one-eighth  of  all  reported,  were  cases  of  injuries  or  wounds ;  two  burns  among 
the  cooks  from  scalding  water ;  fourteen  contusions  among  artificers  and  working  parties  ;  one 
fracture  of  the  finger,  produced  by  a  blow;  one  luxation  of  the  shoulder  joint;  one  subluxation 
of  the  ankle  joint ;  and  seven  cuts  inflicted  with  an  axe  in  the  act  of  chopping,  or  in  the  carpen- 
ter's shop  by  sharp  tools. 

From  the  above  analysis  of  the  sick-report,  it  will  appear  that  the  troops  at  this  post  enjoyed 
an  almost  complete  immunity  from  disease  having  an  endemic  origin,  and,  leaving  out  venereal 
diseases,  an  unusual  degree  of  good  health.  The  monthly  average  strength  being  o1{^,  gave  a 
sick  report  of  12f ,  or  one  case  in  about  every  two-and-a-half  days ;  or,  for  the  whole  period,  one 
case  of  sickness  or  wound  for  every  four-and-a-half  men. 

While  the  equableness  of  the  temperature  throughout  the  year,  the  mildness  of  the  climate, 
and  the  absence  of  all  causes  of  endemic  disease,  ensure  perfect  liealthfulness,  there  are  few  who 
would  select  this  as  an  agreeable  place  of  j^ermanent  residence.  The  winters  are  cheerless;  rain 
falling  day  after  day  for  nearly  six  months;  a  dense  foggy  atmosphere,  with  hardly  an  interval 
of  sunshine.  The  summers,  short  and  dry ;  atmosphere  frequently  foggy  or  smoky ;  warm 
mornings,  succeeded  about  10,  a.  m.,  by  a  fresh  sea-breeze  and  cool  evenings.  Late  in  the 
epring,  a  cold,  frosty  northwest  wind  will  frequently  blow  suddenly,  accompanied  by  hail, 
bligliting  the  young  leaves  and  killing  tender  plants  which  have  struggled  into  a  feeble  exist- 
ence. I  found  the  temperature  so  unpleasantly  cool  during  the  evening  while  in  camp  soon  after 
our  arrival,  that  I  invariably  had  a  fire  kindled  in  front  of  my  tent,  or  passed  the  time  in  our 
mess-tent,  where  a  large  stove  was  put  up;  and  during  the  whole  period  of  my  residence  at 
Astoria,  I  can  confidently  say,  there  were  not  ten  days  that  I  was  without  fire  in  my  quarters. 
During  the  warmest  hours  of  the  warmest  days  we  could  not  complain  of  heat.  Summer  vest- 
ments were  never  needed.  If  a  few  hours,  early  in  the  day,  seduce  one  into  assuming  a  lighter 
material,  the  cool  sea-breeze  of  the  afternoon  soon  warns  him  that  comfort  requires  woolen  gar- 
ments. I  would  not  be  understood,  however,  that  there  is  no  pleasant  weatlier;  on  the  con- 
trary, there  are  days  when  one  may  enjoy  the  brightest  rays  of  the  sun,  the  clearest  and  deepest 
of  blue  skies,  the  balmiest  breathings  of  the  south,  and  niglits  when  heaven  seems  to  have  un- 
folded the  brightest  page  of  its  mystic  scroll.  The  aurora  is  frequent  during  the  spring,  and 
intensely  brilliant.     Thunder-storms  are  not  frequent  nor  severe. 

Astoria  afi'ords  a  pleasant  place  of  resort  from  the  hot,  dusty,  and  malarial  atmosphere  of 
Portland  and  its  vicinity ;  and  in  the  future  growth  of  the  Territory,  Clatsop  plains  will  be  on 
these  western  shores  what  Newport  and  Cape  May  are  on  the  Atlantic.  The  fashionable  belle, 
paled  by  her  winter's  dissipation,  and  the  gouty  and  overfed  man  of  business  will  flee  the  city, 
to  enjoy  a  few  weeks  of  pure  air  and  renew  their  vigor  in  the  s2)ortive  waves  of  the  Pacific 
ocean. 

FORT    DALLES. 

The  post  at  the  Dalles  of  the  Columbia,  so  called  from  the  river  being  compressed  by  the  en- 
croaching rocky  clifts  into  a  narrow  cut,  through  which  the  whole  volume  of  water  rushes,  is  a 
few  miles  above  the  entrance  of  the  river  into  the  mountain  ridges,  jutting  out  from  the  Cas- 
cade range,  and  two  hundred  miles  from  tlie  Pacific  ocean.  The  site  selected  is  a  half  mile 
from  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  and  elevated  above  it  about  one  hundred  feet,  with  hills  in 
the  rear  rising  several  hundred  feet.  A  mountain  stream  immediately  westward  supplies  ex- 
cellent water  to  the  garrison.  The  valley  of  this  stream,  and  the  adjacent  hills,  are  covered 
with  i)ine  and  dwarf  oak;  with  which  exception,  the  whole  face  of  the  country  within  view  is 
bare  of  timber.  Like  all  of  middle  Oregon,  this  is  an  admirable  grazing  country;  but  owing 
to  the  long  dry  season,  is  scarcely  susceptible  of  cultivation.  Tlie  annual  freshet  in  the  Colum- 
bia occurs  in  May  or  June;  the  waters  not  subsiding  for  two  or  three  months.  The  rise  is 
many  feet ;  but  as  the  river  is  generally  confined  between  precipitous  basaltic  clifi's,  there  is 


478  EEPORT   ON   THE   SIClftrESS   AND   MORTALITY 

little  inundation.  A  tract  of  low  ground,  one  or  two  miles  above  the  post,  is  partially  over- 
flowed. This  is  eminently  a  volcanic  region — basalt  and  basaltic  conglomerate  abounding. 
Two  peaks^  perpetually  snow-capped,  are  in  full  view;  the  one  to  the  N.N.W. ;  the  other, 
Mount  Hood,  about  thirty  miles  to  the  S.W.  Strong  westwardly  winds  prevail  during  the  dry 
season,  which  lasts  from  March  until  November.  The  position  may  be  considered  perfectly 
salubrious.  Within  the  experience  of  the  residents  of  the  adjacent  missions,  fevers  of  every 
description,  or  any  local  diseases,  are  entirely  unknown.  {From  quarterly  report  of  Assistant 
Surgeon  Charles  H.  Smith:  1850. 

CANTONMENT   LORING. 

Cantonment  Loring  is  situated  in  the  low,  level  valley,  formed  principally  by  the  confluence 
of  the  Pat.  Neuf  with  the  Snake  or  Lewis'  fork  of  tlie  Columbia  river.  No  precise  estimate 
has  yet  been  made  of  the  extent  of  this  valley;  but  from  the  best  information,  it  would  appear 
to  be  from  forty-five  to  fifty  or  sixty  miles  in  length,  and  varies  in  breadth  from  two  to  five, 
and  in  some  places  perhaps  to  seven  or  eight  miles.  It  has  a  good,  though  generally  light  and 
spongy  soil ;  and  is  abundantly  supplied  with  springs,  where  a  number  of  small  and  beautiful 
streams  have  their  origin,  as  well  as  numerous  impassable  sloughs  and  marshes.  These,  to- 
gether with  the  unsolid  nature  of  the  soil,  render  travelling  over  the  valley  somewhat  difficult; 
unless  it  be  when  they  are  frozen,  or  about  the  last  of  August  or  first  of  September,  when  they 
are  usually  tolerably  firm.  There  is  but  little  other  vegetable  matter  in  or  about  these  than 
two  or  three  varieties  of  coarse,  rank  grass.  The  Cantonment  is  upon  the  left  bank  of  the 
smaller  portion  or  fork  of  Snake  river,  which  divides  four  or  five  miles  above  into  two  princi- 
pal branches ;  these  again  unite  four  or  five  miles  below,  and  form  an  island,  which  lies  chiefly 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Cantonment.  Tliis  island  is  moderately  well  timbered  with  cotton- 
wood  of  considerable  size,  but  the  greater  portion  of  it  is  rather  covered  with  small  under- 
growth. It  is  quite  marshy  and  considerably  cut  uj)  with  sloughs,  which  are  almost  invariably 
a  part  of,  or  are  connected  with,  one  or  the  other  branches  of  the  main  stream.  The  Canton- 
ment is  about  fifteen  miles  above  the  confluence  alluded  to,  and  five  miles  east  of  Fort  Hall ; 
which,  according  to  the  only  observation  yet  made,  is  in  latitude  43°  1'  30"  north,  and  longi- 
tude 112°  29'  54"  west;  and  elevation  above  the  sea,  4,500  feet.  (From  quarterly  report  of 
Assistant  Surgeon  W.  F.  Edgar:  1849.) 

MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  AND  DISEASES  OF  FORT  STEILACOOM. 
By  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  M.  Haden  :  1853. 

Steilacoom  is  situated  in  latitude  47°  10'  57"  north,  and  longitude  122°  33'  west  from 
Greenwich,  one  mile  east  from  Puget  Sound,  and  about  three  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  sea.  The  Cascade  range  of  mountains,  running  north  and  south,  is  east,  distant  about 
thirty  miles;  and  one  of  its  snow-capped  peaks,  having  an  altitude  of  14,000  feet,  is  directly 
in  view.  By  riding  a  few  miles  from  the  post,  several  other  snow-peaks  of  this  mountain  are 
visible  ;  and  also  the  snow-capped  peaks  of  the  Olympian  range,  distant  about  forty  miles  on 
the  west.  Along  the  sound,  varying  from  one  to  two  miles  in  breadth,  and  near  the  moun- 
tains, are  dense  and  lofty  forests.  The  country  immediately  around  is  composed  of  beautiful 
undulating  prairies,  intersected  by  nimierous  small  streams,  which  have  their  sources  in  the 
fresh-water  lakes  witli  which  the  prairies  are  interspersed.  The  prairies  are  separated  from 
each  other,  and  surrounded  by  dense  and  almost  impenetrable  forests,  while  they  are  inter- 
spersed with  numerous  groves  of  oak,  which  give  them  a  most  beautiful  and  park-like  appear- 
ance. The  lakes  are  several  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea;  of  perfectly  fresh  water, 
with  gravel  beaches  and  bottoms,  and  vary  from  one  to  six  or  eight  miles  in  circumference. 
Springs  of  pure  water  are  abundant,  both  in  the  prairies  and  woodlands.  The  soil  in  this 
vicinity,  particularly  of  the  prairies,  is  composed  of  a  mixture  of  sand  and  gravel,  and  is  al- 


AMONG   THE   TROOPS   IN   OREGON   AND   WASHINGTON   TERRITORIES.  479 

most  entirely  unfit  for  agricultural  purposes,  except  on  the  margins  of  the  streams  and  in  low- 
places  near  the  lakes.  The  soil  of  the  woodlands  is  of  a  diiferent  nature^  being  a  kind  of  loam ; 
but  so  dense  are  the  forests,  that  years  will  elapse  before  it  is  brought  into  requisition. 

The  forests  are  composed  of  fir,  cedar,  pine,  hemlock,  yew,  oak,  maple,  ash,  cottonwood, 
dogwood,  alder,  elder,  crab-apple,  aspen,  hazle,  &c.  The  fir,  cedar,  and  pine,  growing  on  the 
highlands;  the  oak  on  the  prairies;  and  the  maple,  ash,  cottonwood,  &c.,  on  the  bottom-lands 
near  the  streams.  Blackberries,  raspberries,  gooseberries,  dewberries,  serviceberries,  cranber- 
ries, whortleberries,  strawberries,  and  currants,  are  very  abundant.  A  species  of  fern  is  very 
abundant  in  every  section  of  the  country,  and  the  uva  ursi  covers  tlie  ground  on  tlie  margins 
of  all  the  prairies.  The  forests  and  prairies  abound  with  animals,  which  afford  excellent 
amusement  to  the  sportsman,  and  a  principal  article  of  food  to  the  Indians.  They  are  bears, 
elk,  deer,  sheep,  wolves,  panthers,  wild-cats,  foxes,  hares,  raccoons,  squirrels,  skunks,  moles, 
wood-rats,  gophers,  beavers,  otters,  and  weasels.  Toads,  frogs,  bats,  terrapins,  lizards,  and 
snakes,  are  very  numerous.  None  of  the  snakes,  I  believe,  are  poisonous.  Tlie  birds  are 
eagles,  hawks,  owls,  buzzards,  ravens,  crows,  grouse  (two  species),  jays,  pigeons,  robins,  larks, 
woodpeckers,  snow-birds,  blackbirds,  blue-birds,  humming-birds,  sparrows,  night-hawks,  swal- 
lows, martins,  wrens,  kingfishers,  gulls,  snipes,  plovers,  curlews,  great  northern-divers,  and 
several  species  of  ducks.  During  the  latter  part  of  autumn  great  numbers  of  swans,  geese, 
cranes,  and  ducks,  make  their  appearance  on  their  way  to  more  southern  latitudes.  A  few 
spend  the  winter,  but  the  greater  number  stop  only  temporarily;  and  are  not  seen  again  until 
the  opening  of  spring,  when  tliey  are  returning  north. 

The  climate  of  this  country,  as  regards  temperature,  possesses  a  medium  between  hyperbo- 
*rean  cold  and  intertrojjical  heat.  The  seasons  may  be  said  to  be  divided  into  the  rainy  and  dry. 
From  the  middle  of  October  until  the  first  of  April  is  the  rainy  season.  During  this  time  the 
sky  is  almost  constantly  obscured  by  clouds,  and  rain  a  greater  part  of  the  time  falling.  Du- 
ring April  and  May  there  are  frequent  showers,  after  which  there  are  occasional  showers;  but 
rain  sufficient  to  wet  the  ground  very  seldom  falls.  To  show  the  average  temperature  during 
the  year,  and  the  general  characteristics  of  climate,  I  have  made  the  following  extracts  from 
the  meteorological  register  kept  at  this  post  during  1851 : 

December  was  the  coldest  month.  The  mean  temperature  as  follows:  sunrise,  37.67;  9 
A.  M.,  41.55;  3  p.  M.,  44.9;  9  p.  m.,  41.29.  The  maximum  was  52°  at  3  p.  m.  on  the  7th,  and 
the  minimum  22°  at  sunrise  on  the  22d. 

August  was  the  warmest  month.  The  mean  temperature  as  follows:  sunrise,  55.80 ;  9  A.  Ji., 
66.58  ;  3  p.  m.,  77.70  ;  9  p.  m.,  64.22.  The  maximum  was  92°  at  3  p.  m.  on  the  20th,  and  the 
minimum  46°  at  sunrise  on  the  31st. 

The  maximum  temjierature  during  the  year  was  92°  at  3  p.  m.  on  the  18th  July,  and  the 
minimum  22°  at  sunrise  on  the  22d  of  December.  During  the  year  39.42  inches  of  rain  fell. 
The  maximum  quantity  in  one  month  was  15.30  inches,  in  January;  and  the  minimum,  0.36 
incli  in  July.  The  last  frost  in  the  spring  was  on  the  8th  April,  and  the  first  killing  frost  of 
autumn  on  the  11th  October.  Snow  falls  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  every  winter,  but  seldom 
remains  on  the  ground  over  two  or  three  days.  It  has  fallen  once  during  the  last  three  years 
to  the  depth  of  twelve  inches,  and  remained  on  the  ground  four  or  five  days.  Ice  seldom  forms 
over  half  an  inch  thick. 

The  prevailing  winds  during  the  rainy  season  are  southerly;  and  during  the  dry,  northerly. 
Southerly  winds  are  always  indicative  of  rainy  weather,  and  northerly  of  dry. 

The  country  generally  being  high  and  dry,  the  lakes,  all  of  pure,  fresh  water,  no 
marshes  or  alluvial  bottoms  being  in  the  vicinity,  diseases  of  a  malarious  origin  are  almost  en- 
tirely unknown.  Altliuugh  quite  a  number  of  cases  of  intermittent  fever  have  been  reported 
at  this  post,  I  tliink  tlieir  origin  could  invariably  be  traced  elsewhere  ;  as  those  allected  have 
either  previously  been  accustomed  to  periodical  attacks,  or  liave  recently  been  exposed  to  the 


480  REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

malarious  atmosphere  of  the  CoTunibia  valley.     Catarrhs,  rheumatism,  and  diseases  incident  to 
exposure  to  cold,  combined  with  moisture,  are  quite  common  during  the  rainy  season. 

The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  reports  of  the  sick  and  wounded  at  this  post  from  the  1st 
of  October,  1849,  to  the  iiOth  of  September,  1852:  lutermitteut  i'evcr,  29;  diseases  of  the  re- 
spiratory organs,  82 ;  the  digestive  organs,  74 ;  brain  and  nervous  system,  23 ;  fibrous  and 
muscular  tissues,  89;  urinary  and  genital  organs,  104;  abscesses  and  ulcers,  54;  wounds  and 
injuries,  40;  all  other  diseases  49;  total,  501. 

The  diseases  of  tlie  respiratory  organs  liave  usually  been  catarrhs,  and  liave  required  very 
little  treatment.  Two  cases  of  phtliisis  pulmonalis  have  occurred  ;  botli  were  discharged.  There 
have  been  a  few  cases  of  pleuritis,  and  one  deatli  from  chronic  bronchitis,  contracted  while  on 
tlie  voyage  from  New  York.  Influenza  prevailed  throughout  the  country  as  an  epidemic  in  the 
autumn  of  1851,  and  twelve  cases  occurred  at  this  post.  Among  the  Indians  it  frequently 
proved  fatal,  but  witli  the  whites  the  cases  were  light  and  very  tractable.  I  liave  never  seen  a 
case  of  pneumonia  north  of  the  Columbia  river.  The  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  have  been 
mostly  simple  cases  of  constipation,  and  yielded  readily  to  purgatives.  Several  cases  of  diar- 
rhoea and  dysentery  have  occurred,  but  none  of  a  serious  nature.  Chronic  rheumatism  is  quite 
common,  during  the  rainy  season,  among  those  much  exposed.  The  diseases  of  the  brain  and 
nervous  system  have  been  chiefly  cephalalgia,  from  the  derangement  of  tlie  digestive  organs. 
Diseases  of  the  urinary  and  genital  organs  have  been  very  frequent.  The  entire  Indian  popu- 
lation seem  to  be  affected  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  and  as  the  men  are  constantly  among  them 
very  few  have  escaped.  The  great  majority  of  cases  have  been  gonorrhosa.  Cases  of  syphilis 
have  been  comparatively  rare,  and  have  yielded  very  readily  to  treatment.  Secondary  syphilis 
has  appeared  in  two  individuals  ;  one  is  now  under  treatment.  Of  tlie  wounds  and  injuries  two 
were  fractures — one  of  the  ribs  and  the  other  of  the  pelvis.  One  lacerated  wound  of  the  hand, 
caused  by  the  premature  discharge  of  a  gun  while  firing  a  salute,  rendered  amj)utation  of  the 
fore-arm  necessary.  Other  injuries  have  generally  been  contusions  and  incised  wounds,  occurring 
among  the  men  employed  in  procuring  wood  and  building  houses. 

There  are  very  few  white  settlers  in  this  vicinity,  and,  so  far,  there  have  been  very  few  cases 
of  sickness  among  them,  except  such  as  are  incident  to  exj^osure  during  the  rainy  season,  as 
catarrh,  rheumatism,  &c.  But  with  the  Indians  the  case  has  been  far  different.  They  seem 
to  be  passing  away  so  rapidly  before  civilization,  that  but  very  few  years  will  elapse  before  they 
are  entirely  extinct.  Wherever  the  whites  settle,  they  disappear  as  if  there  was  something  in 
civilization  entirely  incompatible  with  their  existence.  They  say  themselves,  that  in  a  few 
more  "colds"  they  will  all  have  disappeared.  They  seem  to  possess  very  little  stamina,  and 
when  disease  once  takes  hold  of  them  they  very  soon  succumb.  During  the  summer  months 
they  are  comparatively  healthy,  but  during  the  winter  great  numbers  die  of  dysentery  and  pul- 
monary diseases.  When  severely  attacked  at  this  season  there  is  very  little  probability  of  their 
recovering,  as  they  are  very  much  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  and  their  diet  is 
anything  but  proper,  being  princi2)ally  dried  fish  and  berries.  Dr.  Tolmie,  of  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company,  informs  me  that  dysentery  proved  very  fatal  in  this  vicinity  in  the  autumn  of 
1844,  and  that  in  the  winter  of  1847-'48  measles  prevailed  throughout  Oregon,  and  had  many 
victims  on  Fuget  Sound.  Since  that  time  dysentery  has  been  of  annual  occurrence  during  the 
autumn  and  winter  months.  Influenza  prevailed  as  an  epidemic  in  i}ie  autumn  of  1851,  and 
proved  very  fatal  among  some  of  the  tribes.  Syphilis  and  gonorrhoea  prevail  to  a  great  extent 
among  all  the  tribes  known  to  the  whites.  All  the  tribes  on  the  sound,  prostitute  their  women 
without  hesitation,  for  gain,  and  healthy  children  among  them  are  very  rare.  The  scrofulous  dia- 
thesis is  very  common,  and  great  numbers  die  of  phthisis  pulmonalis.  I  have  known  almost  entire 
families  to  die  of  that  disease  within  the  last  three  years.  One  fruitful  cause  of  disease  among  them, 
I  think,  is  their  manner  of  dressing.  Very  frequently  an  Indian  may  be  seen  one  day  dressed 
with  coat,  pants,  two  or  three  shirts,  cap,  and  blanket,  and,  as  they  are  all  inveterate  gamblers, 
the  same  Indian  may  be  seen  the  next  day  with  no  other  covering  than  a  thin  shirt.     They  do 


AMONG    THE    TROOPS   IN    OREGON    AND    WASHINGTON    TERRITORIES. 


481 


not  seem  to  consider  boots  or  shoes  as  essential  articles  of  clothing.  They  are  also  exceedingly- 
uncleanly  about  their  camp.s.  In  visiting  tliem  the  olfactory  nerves  are  assailed  with  the  most 
offensive  exhalations,  and  putrescent  salmon  and  every  sort  of  filthy  matter  is  seen  immediately 
around  them. 

In  the  treatment  of  disease  they  use  a  few  indigenous  medicinal  plants,  but  their  chief  reliance 
is  in  the  powers  of  their  "medicine  men,"  whom  they  believe  have  both  the  power  to  cause  and 
cure  disease.  Almost  all  deaths  are  ascribed  to  the  supernatural  agency  of  some  one  or  other  of 
their  "medicine  men,"  who  are  frequently  assassinated  by  the  friends  of  the  deceased.  The 
"medicine  men"  seem  to  have  full  confidence  in  their  "medicine,"  and  they  are  generally  re- 
garded with  great  fear  by  the  members  of  their  tribe.  An  old  practitioner  in  this  vicinity  boasts 
that  he  lias  had  many  enemies,  but  that  his  "medicine"  has  swept  them  all  away. 


DISEASES. 

TABLE  EXHIBITING  THE  RATIO  OF  SICKNESS  AND  MORTALITY. 


Quarters. 


Mean  strength.  I  Number  treated.        Deaths. 


BATIO  PER  1,000  OP  MEAN  STRENGTH. 


Treated. 


First  quarter 

Second  quarter.  - 

TTiird  quarter 

Fourth  quarter.. 

Annual  ratio 


1,437 
1,54« 
2,070 
2,271 


1,831 


642 

839 

1,404 

1,368 


4,253 


3 
3 

14 
9 


29 


466 
536 
678 
602 


2,322 


2 
2 

6.7 
4 


15.8 


The  foregoing  data  show  that  the  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the  number  of  offi- 
cers and  men  in  this  region  was  2.32  to  1,  and  that  the  ratio  of  deaths  to  men  was  1  to  63.14, 
or  1.5  per  cent.     The  average  deaths  to  cases  treated  was  1  to  146.65,  or  0.68  per  cent. 


FEVERS. 

Quarters. 

nRST. 

SECOND. 

•nuKD. 

1 

FOrRTH. 

YEAK. 

C 

£ 

1 
1" 

o 

a. 

s 

2  S 

1,437 

1, 

546 

2, 

070 

2,  271 

1,831 

V  2 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases.    Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

■B'o 

Febris  continua  communis _ 

Febris  inteimittens  quotidiana.. 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 

Febris  intermittens  quartana. .. 

1 
25 
30 
5 
2 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

2 
38 
30 

0 
11 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

4 

i:;7 

122 
5 
7 
6 
0 

0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 

4 

120 

91 

12 

7 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

11           0 

210           1 

273  1       0 

22          0 

27          0 

6          2 

Oin       11 
1  in    210 
Oin    273 
Oin      22 
Oin      27 
lin        3 
0  in        0 

6 

114 

149 

12 

14  7 

Febris  typlius 

0 

0 

3  .'? 

Febris  t yphtts  icturodes 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total 

63 

0 

81 

0 

271 

3 

234 

0 

549 

3 

lin    183 

300 

S.  96 61 

482 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY,    ETC. 


The  diseases  of  tlic  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  and  respiratory  systems  are  given  in 
the  following  tables  consdlidated  from  the  general  abstract.  No  special  remarks  respecting 
particular  diseases  are  I'ound  on  the  original  reports  of  sufficient  interest  to  note  in  this  report. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Quarters 

Strength 

Diseases. 

Cliolera  Asiaticii- 

Diarrhcea 

Dysentcria  acuta 

Dysenteria  chroniai 

Enteritis 

Hepatitis  acuta 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

All  other  diseases  of  tliis 
system 

Total 


FIRST.  SECOND. 


1,437 


Cases.    Deaths. 


0 

37 

12 

0 

0 

0 

0 

21 

21 


91 


1.54G 


Cases.     Deaths. 


0 

69 

20 

0 

0 

1 

0 

31 

33 


154 


2,070 


Cases.    Deaths. 


0 
197 

73 
0 
0 
0 
0 

80 

25 


375 


2,271    I    1,831 


Cases.    Deaths.    Cases.    Deaths. 


0 
15C 

44 
5 
0 
1 
0 

45 

55 


306 


0 

459 

149 

5 

0 

2 

0 

177 

134 


926 


"3 


0  in  0 

1  in  459 

1  in  149 

2  in  5 
0  in  0 
0  in  2 
0  in  0 
0  in  177 

0  in  134 


1  in  231 


=  a 


0 
250 
81.3 

2.7 

0 

1 

0 
96.6 

73 


505 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIEATOET  SYSl^EM. 


O 

<n 

•s 
s 

■fi 

o 

Q. 
O 

£ 

1 

Strength 

1,437 

1,546 

2,070 

2,271 

1,831 

II 

Diseases. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

Cases. 

Deaths. 

•§"s 

S. 

Bronchitis  acuta  et  chrunicii.. 
Catarrhus 

14 
70 

0 
12 

0 

2 

1 

0 

1 
0 
0 

0 

2 

73 

0 

1 
2 

4 

0 
0 

1 
0 
0 

0 

5 

84 
4 
5 
4 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
2 

0 

10 

101 

2 

5 

2 

2 

0 
0 
0 
0 
1 

0 

31 

338 

6 

23 

8 

8 

1 

0 
2 
0 
3 

0 

1  in    31 
Oin  338 
1  in       3 
Oin     23 
1  in       3 

0  in       8 

17 
184 

Phthisis  pulmonalis.  -......- 

3  2 
a.  i 

Pleuritis - 

12.6 
4.3 

4  3 

Pneumonia 

All    other    diseases    of   tliis 

Total 

98 

2 

82 

1 

102 

2 

122 

1 

414 

6 

lin     82 

226 

Khcumatismus  .---.......-• 

39 

0 

62 

0 

52 

0 

69 

0 

222 

0 

0  in  222 

121 

ABSTRACTS 


PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


THE  TROOPS  IN  OREGON  AND  WASHINGTON  TERRITORIES; 


CONSOLIDATED    ABSTRACTS 


DISEASES  Xyj)  DEATHS 


THE   ARMY   OF   THE    UNITED   STATES. 


484 


REPORT   ON    THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY   AMONG   THE 

ABSTRACT  OF  THE  I'RINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG 


Years 

FIBST  QUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENOTU. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

844. 

425. 

110. 

381. 

277.               1,437. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

1           1 
Died.  Cases.' Died. 

'            1 

Oases. 

Died. 

Cases.'  Died.  Cases.'  Died 

'Cases 

Died 

1  Tota 
cases 

'  Tiiliil 
(lied. 

Febris  conliiiua  coinnuinis  . 

1 

i 

1 
25 
30 
5 
2 

1 

1 
4 
3 

1 

4 
14 

11 

Fpvcrs 

Febris  intermittens  tertiana 
Febris  intermittens  qu.-irtana 

6      

3 

3 
3 

i;!;";;;!!""" 

1 

, 

1                •'        

Er\'sipelas 

Emplive  fevers ■ 

Scarlatina 

1 

7   i 

9     ' 

11 

1 

5 

4 
9 

10 

37 

12 

Diseases    of  the    organs 

1 

] 

1 

.  .       1 

connected  with  ih'.-  di-' 

1 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  chronica 

1 

i i 

1 

Obstipatio i 

10 

....         ^ 

2 

s 

3 

9 

1 
22 

1 

S 
3 

5 
10 

21 
21 
14 

70 

All  otlier  diseases 

2 
SO 

Bronchitis,  acuta  ct  chronica 

1 

18 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- , 

Pleuritis 

7 

2 

3 

12 

lory  system. 

Pneumonia 

1 
4 

1 

2 
9 
2 
1 
3 

1 
2 
1 

1 

Epilepsia . .  | 

i 

1 

nervous  system. 

• 

24    1 

23 

3 

2 

53 

5 
IS 

6 
19 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 
find  genital  orsans. 

Diseases   of  the    serous  ( 
and  exhalcnt  vessels,     t 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  fit  J 
muscular  stnicturL-s.       | 

Abscesses  and  ulcers 

1  Syphilis  priuiiliva    

4      1 

10 
2 
5 

1 
2 
'1 

2 ! 

10  1 

S 

1 

Ascites 1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
2 

2 
5 

!                                                1 

.   Pernio 

3 

8 

9 

4    ; 6 

■la 

39 

Fistula 

1 

'  Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

1  Ulcus 

U 
2 

1 

10 
7 
2 

3 15 

1 

13 
3 

1 

52 
16 
4 

I 
30 

1 

1 
Ambustio 

• 

1 

1 

8 



.1 

10 

1 



9 

Fractura p 

i  "*   ■ 

1 

Suh-luxatio ; 

3 

10 

2 
g 

9 
5 

1 
1 
1 

14     1 

^'     1 

12    t 

4      

1      L      .    . 

.... 

3 

I 

1 

Vulnus  laeeratum 

2 

a 

i  Debilitas    

2 
1 



1 

"     1 
5 

Ha^morrhols 

1 

■J 

2 

....... 

Miscellaneous V 

Morbi  cutis 

;  1 

2     

2 
3 
13 

3 

1 
43 

Scorbutus 

1. .. 

6    i 

4 

14 

Total 

" 

153 

1 

145 

^Q 

148 

2 

147 

642 

3 

1 

TROOPS   IN   OREGON    AND    WASHINGTON    TERRITORIES. 
THE  TROOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  OREGON  AND  WASHINGTON  TERRITORIES. 


485 


1 

SECOND  QUARTER. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 
EASES. 

Years 

1849. 

1850. 

1851.           1852.           1853.           185* 

1    STRENGTH. 

1 

Mean  strenoth 

241. 

469. 

139.                   120.                   287.                   290.                   1,546. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases.  Died.  Caiies.  Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases   Died.  Cases.  Died.  Cases.  Died    Total  Total 

'                     j           1           1                                                      -cases,  died. 

[■ ,  Fcbris  continua  communis  . 

1 

1 

29 

1      3 

2 

38 
30 

Febris  inter,  quotidiana  .... 
Febris  intermittens  tertiana. 

1      

3 

11 

5    ! 

5 

'J'cven* 

1 

Fcbris  remittens 



10 

1 

11 

Febris  tvphus 

Eruptive  fevers ^ 

r    Er>*sipelas 

Rubeola 

Scarlatina 

1 

r    Cholera  Asialica 

10 
3 



28     

5    1 

3 

1 

2 

6 
10 

20 

1 

69 
20 

Dvsenteria  chronica 

1 

I 

Diseases  of  the   organs 

Enteritis 

coimected  with  the  di- 

Hepatitis acuta 

1 

"■■ 

1 

gestive  system. 

Hepatitis  chronica 

Obstipatio 

14 

18 

8 

3 

1 

26 

4 

1 

3 

2 

2 

7 

1 

10 



31 
33 
2 
73 

3 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 
Catarrhus 

16 

1 

9 

2      

10 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respira-. 

1  Pleuritis 

1 

1 
2 
4 
15 
3 
6 

tory  system. 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  hrain  and. 
nervous  system. 

1  All  other  diseases 

1 
3 
3 
4 



.1 

Cephalalgia 

Delirium  tremens 

3 

3 



4 

2 

1 

1  

2 



j 
1 

1 



All  other  diseases 

1 
5 

1 

1 

.;;:;'":::: 

a 

Gonorrhoea 

30 

2 

5 
15 
16: 

\    T6 

4 

13 

9 

77    ' 

Strictura  urethra 

2 
18 
18 
27 

3 

1 
3 



5 
2 
3 

1 

...           . 

4 

1 
and  genital  orimns.         i 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

,  All  other  diseases 

" 

::::::  :::::l":"" 

1 

Diseases  oftbe  serous  and  j 

exhalent  vessels.      •     ' 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

2|......,_1 



3 

All  other  diseases 

2 

1 

2 
1 

1 

Podagra 



muscular  structures. 

5 

20 

9 

1 

4 

.    3 

4 

i"";;" 

13 

62 

1 
70 
16 

Fistula 

Abscesses  and  ulcers.... 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

15 

1 
1 

16 
9 
2 

5      

21 
3 

'  i-- 

1 

1 

3    1 

'  Amputntio 

"i     1 

....:::. 

2 

10 

..         ...... 

14 

14 

1 :; 



1 

, 

Luxatto 

1 

_   __  1 

1 

> 

Wounds  and  injuries 

Punitio 





{ 

.  i         -1 

I  Sub-luxatio 

I       

3    ' 3 

1 ' 

'    10 

lO 

8 
I 

1 

:      6 

10    i 

2   ; 

1 

2 

1 

1 

13 
5 

Vulnus  punctuni 

1 


1        

) 

1 

1 

I 

1 

I   1     1    1 

3 
12 
4 
4 
4 
11 
6 
44 

■: 

1        1 

H::-morrhois 

Hernia 

1      

1 

1 

3                        1 

MisceUaneous - 

Mo rbi  cutis    

3 

1        : 

1 1 ' 

a    ' 

1    

i '               • 

o    1 

Scorbutus 

All  other  dii^eases 

1 

i             Total 

2    i 1 

2      8 

1 

1 1 

2 

5 

10 

17     

114                        OR?) 

2    I     '" 

59 

1  l»l 

1 

194 

839 

3 

1 

486 


REPORT   ON   THE   SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY    AMONG   THE 

ABSIllACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS  OCCURRING  AMONG 


THIRD  QUARTER. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENOTB. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

Mean  strength    

754. 

421. 

79. 

191. 

292. 

333. 

2,070. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total 
cases. 

Total 
died. 

Febris  continue  communis.. 
Febris  inter,  quotidinna.,,. 
Febris  intermittens  lerliana. 
Febris  intermittens  quartana 

1 

26 

25 

4 

2 

5 

1 
5 

5 

2 

83 
39 

1 
3 

4 
127 

isa 

5 

7 
6 

1 

12 
30 

1 

I 

23 

Fevers 

2 

2 

1 

.  . 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

1 

1 

r 

80 
18 

1 
1 

45 
6 

4 

24 

36 
9 

32 

16 



197 
73 

1 

1 

1 

Diseases   of  the   organs 
connected  with  the  di- 

1 

gestive  system. 

25 
4 
1 

16 

31 
5 

3 

1 

1 
1 
S 
3 

1 

14 
11 

6 
3 
2 
3 
3 
3 
1 

80 
25 
5 
84 
4 
5 
4 

C 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

21 

18 

23 

1 

Diseases  of  the  rcspira- 

Pleuritis  .          ... 

1 

3 

2 

2 

, 

Cephalalgia 

5 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

8 

2 

1 
2 

22 
3 
8 
3 
2 

65 
4 

34 
7 

23 

3 
2 

3 
1 
1 

32 
1 

16 



nervous  system. 

Neuralgia 

1 

1 
13 

1 

r 

1 
5 

3 

4 

5 

5 

4 

4 

7 

Diseases  of  the  uiinary 

3 

1 
2 
2 

4 



6 

and  genital  organs. 

Syphilis  consccutiva 

9 

3 

3 

Diseases   of  the    serous  j 
and  eshalent  vessels.    ( 



:    ' 

Diseases  of  the  fihroug  & 

Poda-rra 

muscular  structures. 

16 
1 

33 
4 
2 

15 

3 

3 

9 

1 

6 

52 

1 
84 
27 

4 

2 
76 

7 

r 

Abscesses  and  ulcf -rs 

Fistula 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

12 
10 
2 

1 

3 

1 

18 
11 

17 

1 



1 
4 
2 

1 
18 

14 

21 
3 

5 

14 

2 

1 

I 

Wounds  and  injuries 

Puiiitio 

9 

1 
19 

7 
8 
8 
2 

11 

1      A 

20      

V'ulnus  ilici?:)!)!! 

1 

2 

48     i 



4 
S 
1 

R 

12 
11 

4 
12 

Villnus  punctuni 

4 

Vulnua  sclopeticum 

Del)Uitas 

1 

1 

2 
3 

1 

1 

1 

3 
7 
1 

2 

« 

1 

18    1 

Hffraorrhois 

4 

6      

Hernia 

2 

2      

Morbi  cutis 

2 

3 

9 

17 



3 

7 

3 

1 
6 

8 
20 

9 
61 

1 

3 

Scorbutus 

All  other  diseases 

4 

2 

1 

7 



12 

22 

4 

Total 

357 

12 

321 

2 

51 

90 

248 

.^17 

1,404 

14 

TROOPS   IN   OREGON    AND   WASHINGTON   TERRITORIES, 
THE  TOOOPS  AT  POSTS  IN  OKEGON  AND  WASHINGTON  TERRITORIES. 


487 


YEARa 

FOURTH  QUARTER, 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

STRENaTH. 

CLASSES  OF  DIS- 

EASES. 

MkAN   STRENGTn 

546. 

415. 

240. 

426. 

300. 

344. 

2,271. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Oases 

Died. 

Ciises 

Died.  Cases 

.  Died 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

Died 

Cases 

•Died.  Jr. 1:^ 

■    Febris  continua  communis. 
Febris  inter,  quotidiana  ... 
Febris  intermittens  lertiana 
Febris  intermittens  quartans 

1       ^ 
39 

5 

1 
19 
31 
2 
3 

1       4 

]3 

7 
3 
2 

6 

8 

11 
16 
6 
2 

32 

24 

1 

120 
91 
12 

7 

1 

Erysipelas 

5 

5 

Eruptive  fevers ■ 

i  Rubeola 

1 

.:::::i.;;;;;.;.;; 

Cholera  Asiatica 

44 

8 

4 

25 

1 

la     

■      3      

37      

16 

22 
12 

156 
44 
5 

Diseases   of  the    organs 

Dysenteria  acuta 

Dysenteria  chronica 

19 

gestive  system. 

1 

1 

15 
9 
1 

91 

14 

18 

1 
24 

1 

1 

I 

9 

2 

37 

11 

5 
6 
11 

4 
7 

45 

55 

10 
101 
2 
5 
2 
2 

20 
5 
6 
I 
4 

63 
2 

51 
6 

22 

7 

Bronchitis,  acuta  et  chronica 

8 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  respira- 
tory system. 

2 
2 

1 

1 



1 

I 

L 

1 
1 

,' 

1 
2 

'  Ceplialatgia 

10 
I 

1 

1 

2      

4 

1 
2 

2 

1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and 

Epilepsia 

Neuralgia 

3 

1      

1 



1 
4 

1 

1 

a 

21 
2 

21 
9 

9 

QI 

16 

Diseases  of  the  urinary 

Syphilis  primitiva 

Syphilis  consecutiva 

All  other  diseases 

1 

17 
2 
6 

1 
1 
2 

3 

9 
1 

and  genital  organs. 

1 

2 

3 



2 

All  other  diseases 

1 

1 

2 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  & 

:::;:::;::.: 

muscular  structures. 

19 
2 

23 
9 
2 

10 

6 

10 

17 

7 

69 
2 
98 
23 
15 

r 

Abscesses  and  ulcers . . . .  ^ 

Phlegmon  et  abscessus 

Ulcus 

20 
5 
6 

9 
3 

11 
3 
5 

... 

1 

19 
2 

16 

1 
2 

1 

Amputatio 

Contusio 

15 

22 

5     

1           1 

9 

16 

12 

79 

1 
3 

1 

3 

Wounds  and  i  tijurics 

2 
9 

2 

2 
11 

1 
2 

1 

4 
2 

1 
2 
1 

6 
3 
3 

1 

.,,,. 

15     

* 

8 
9 
1 
3 
3 
8 
4 

35 
16 

1 

::::;■  5  i 

I 

3 
14 
19 

1 

1 

9 

2 

1 

9 

1 

3 

1 
2 

2 
6 
15 

2 

3 
2 
4 
5 

] 

10 

1 
2 

1 

5 
9 
12 
6 

80 

1 

Morbi  oculi 

3 

2 

3 

, 

All  other  disciscs 

Total 

5 

8 

20 

17 

15 

311 

4 

■T-iK              1 

118 

1 

234 

1 

226     1      2 

223 

1,368 

9 

"  1 

488 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    ANH    MORTALITY 

COXSOLIDATED  ARSllJACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND 


Years     .          

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DISEASES 

10,116. 

9,748. 

10,000. 

9,863. 

8,570. 

j                  SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 

21 
2 
5 
2 

43 

in 

131 
4,468 
3,933 

13 
3 
2 

69 
3,747 
2,445 

29 
530 

11 

S5 

34 
5 

4 

1 
2 

1 
23 

2 
12 

1 

167 

3,055 

2,869 

111 

1.176 

16 

■15 

61 

25 

9 

2 

2 

2 

6 

46 

11 
10 

1 

310 
4,843 
4,427 

157 

2,509 

47 

134 

2,250 

1,836 

100 

431 

8 

13 

22 
34 

14 



12 

11 



Febris  intennitten^  quartana 

944 
31 
63 

55 
16 

14 

7 

28 

3 

29    !      6 

r 
I 

Erj'sipelas 

50 
31 
2 

1 

Eruptive  fevurs 

1    1 

4           1 
13          1 

r 

3      

1 

1        

Cholera  Asiatica 

111 

290 

601 

2,947 

1,779 

Kl 

192 

17 

23 

7 

12 
5 

2 
2 

1 

2 

1 
1 

21U 

415 

1,062 

3,474 

2,834 

391 

152 

1 
1 

44 
38 
55 

285 
400 
988 

3 

1 

OR 

'63     

371    ' 

185 

384 

607 

1,627 

612 

21 

149 

14 

76 

4 

10 

19 

15 

30 

1 

6 

3 

1 

...... 

9 

1 

.1. 

616 

2,991 

907 

160 

9 
3 

1?^ 

2,000         19 

409 
98 

72 

100    ' 

11      

54           1 

3      

19      

15          3 

37      

10 

Diseases  of  the  organs  con 

nccted  with  the  digcs-- 

139 
8 
28 
34 
35 
14 
82 
19 

226 

10 
101 

113 
2 
27 
23 
47 
33 
22 
28 

251 

24 

1 

1 

63 

a 

17 
15 

48 

3 

live  system. 

Icterus  

7 

9 

20 

246 

17 
75 

2 

4 

6 

10 

221 

13 

83 

8 

1,348 

1 
1 

2 

8 
184 

18 

77 

9 

117 

2,301 

23 

7 

20 

167 

79 

1 
1 

1 

1 

19 
3 
5 

TonsilUtis 

119          7 

1 

197 
3,263 
27 
9 
33 
202 
113 

3 

1 

3 

28 
1 
10 

1 

Diseases  of  the  respirator)' 

2,268 
28 
18 
41 
222 
132 

1 
30 

7 

2,778    !      3 
99          3 

^    i 

64        :<R 

3,795    1      3 
15     

98    1      1 
31         2fi 

Pleuritis 

210 
139 

1 

4 
12 

237 
132 

4 
11 

3 

1 

3 
1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  circulatory 

1  Carditis 

\i 

3 
S 

4 

550 

2 
3 

2 

7 

10 
568 

1 

7 

5 
9 

5 

3 

13 
10 

11 

440 

2 
4 

7 
8 
• 
8 
711 



1 

Cephalalgia ^ 

49:-'      

Chorea 

4 
161 
97 

5 
2 

3 
I.W 
112 

1 

Diseases  of  the  hrain  and 
nervous  system. 

Delirium  tremens 

3 

124          7 
85          2 

156 
83 

U 

1 

130 
40 

8 

1 

28 

29         1 

17 

8 
1 

11 
5 

1 

1 

IN    THE   ARMY   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES. 
DEATHS  OCCUKKING  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


489 


1845.       ! 

1846. 

1849. 

1850.      i 

1851. 

1852. 

1853 

1854 

AGGKEOATE 

; 

8,590. 

9,083. 

9,148. 

8,970. 

9,242. 

9,303. 

9,994. 

8,095. 

130,622. 

Cases. 

Died. ' 

Cases.    Died. 

1 
Cases. 

1 

Died. 

1 
Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.    Died. 

Cases.    Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total  cases. 

Total 
died. 

1            1                           ' 

\ 

1 1 

37 

....... 

1 

169          6 

216 

4 

119 

2 

151          2 

412           1 

85 

I 

130 

2,207 

23 

1,9»2 

2.917          3 

897 

1.910 

1,993    1      2 

2,941      

4,643 

1 

3,001 

1 

36)956 

as 

1,572 

1,690      

949 

1 

1,775 

2 

2,385      

2,069      

3,151 

2,815 

31,916 

5 

61 

64      

159 

161 

99      

124      

69 

68 

1 

1,282 

2 

298 

5 

522         12 

538 

23 

732    1 

7 

1,014          5 

603    ,      9 

657 

5     i 

345 

6 

10.399 

210 

2 

1 

29           3 

117 

17 

57 

12 

68 

13 

90    1    U 

46 

16 

43 

11 

557 

118 

135 
61 

52 
1 

5 
65 

3 
5 

1 
70 

1 

3    ' 

32      

34 

30 

4 
2 

340 
19 

83 

723 
545 

209 

33 

13            1 

14 

12 

31      

18 

1 

2 

4      

17      

5 

3 



203 

1 

31 

1      

1 
43 
23 

2      

5  3 

6  1 

2      

6           2 
5      

4 
4 
9 

67 
85 
88 

8 

IS 

8 

9 
12 

14 

1 

o      

2 

616 
88 

307 
4 

283 
135 

60 
5 

382        91 

150          1 

130         26 
146      

186 
124 

94     j 

31 

78 

18 

* 

i,eae 

2,025 

596 

160 

160           1 

30 

378 

1    , 

488      ! 

409 



281 

I 

297      

348      

374 

32! 

4,757 

3 

835 

976      

830 

738 

788- 

773      

850 

918 

10,582 

a 

2,383 

2 

4.568         25 

7.065 

151 

4.(S8 

31 

3,331 

24 

3,365        21 

3,976 

17 

2,605 

12 

43,851 

385 

689 

6 

1,713           5 

677 

20 

727 

15 

685 

13 

913         18 

836 

8 

709 

4 

15,081 

168 

34 

70         33 

163 

9 

-3 

18 

131 

23 

59         14 

80 

23 

67 

7 

1,739 

376 

197 

IK      

166 



178 

1 

114 

IK      

144 

67 

1,841 

1 

24 

2 

26           6 

37 

1 

31 

8 

39 

6 

11      

16 

21 

2 

230 

38 

71 

2 

43      

64 

1 

47 

59 

1 

62      

61 

3 

53 

2 

905 

31 

3 

3          1 

5 

3 

4 

7 

3 

1 

8 

55 

3 

16 

10 

40 

1 

18 

1 

29 

3 

21 

A 

14 

1 

263 

7 

18 

8 

3 

39 

1 

11 

2 

7 

6 



8 

7 

210 

14 

13 

39 

2 

35 

21 

22 

27 

1 

30 

10 

369 

4 

45 

17 

1 

49 

36 



35 

32      

32 

11 

344 

1 

7 

7          3 

11 

1 

12 

10 

1 

4           3 

8 

1 

15 

3 

193 

34 

16 

0      

5 

5 

1 

6 

6      

6 

7 

145 

1 

234 

256      

325 



238 

1 

265 

183 

232 

187 

3,048 

4 

14 

12     

44 

37 

27 

1 

23 

34 



18 

291 

2 

S3 

101     i      1 

139 

3 

107 

I 

163 

2 

167 

157 

2 

274 

1,614 

21 

15 

1 

31     1      2 

50 



30 

3 

14 

1 

32 

35 

1 

32 

4 

246 

14 

10 
3,464 

....  . 

1 

158       

2,296      

51 
2.M3 

19 
1,746 

69 
3.089 

149 
3.364 

1 

24 

1,857 

2,142 
30,969 

1,525 

9 

18 

11            2 

18 

18 

1 

14 

16 

25 

•23 

2 

265 

11 

6 

1 

9           1 

10 

12 

11 

17 

2 

25 

6 

184 

6 

31 

8 

38           9 

40 

18 

30 

14 

35 

12 

23 

20 

39 

21 

27 

14 

442 

257 

167 

130      

166 

2 

194 

2 

176 

4 

198 

1 

185 

1 

109 

3,363 

21 

75 

7 

78    [    11 

170 

1 
6 

10 

1 

133 

1 
3 

14 

111 

2 

5 

9 

100 

1 
4 

12 
1 

92 

13 

1 

62 

6 

1,416 

8 
55 

127 
4 

1 

1 

1           1 

18 

9 

2 

1 

1 

22 

2 

1 

1 

2     

*'    1 

5 
13 

2 

16 



7 
6 

1 

5 
11 

1 

2 
16 

o 

6 
20 

39 
142 

12 

6 

4 

1 

4 

1 

14 

6 

3 

3 

10 

7 

9 

6 

3 

2 

8 

5 

93 

53 

777 

822 

489      

484 

338 

i 

387      

349 

306 

6.699 

1  1 

2      

1 
6 

1 

2 

101 

11 

•2 

20 

1,699 

4 

2 
80 

1 
119 

6 

1 
137 

13 

4 

140 

154 

7 

6 

137 

'     10 

110 

5 

98 

48 

40          1 

50 

69 

1 

76 

1 

95 

71 

1 

29 

^4 

13 

4 

4 

4          3 

2 

1 

■  •• 

6 

1 

5 

1 

1 

7 

30 

9 

10 

4      

12 

9 

1      1 

9 

I         11 

14 

20 

1 

182 

6 

2 

4 

7 

1 

9 

1       ■ 



3 

10 

i 

6 

1 

47 

! 

S.  96- 


-62 


490 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 

CONSOLIDATED  ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

CLASSES  OF  DISEASES 

10,116. 

9,748. 

10,000. 

9,863. 

8,570. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

iDied. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

1 
54 
18 

1 

2 

1 
1 

7 
40 
12 

1 
1 
1 

17 
421 

25 
8 

89 

3 

1 

1 

4 
.•i3 
9 
2 

1 
8 
1 
4 
376 

17 
7 

63 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
45 
14 

1 

49 
16 

1 

3 
3 
5 
5 
434 
15 

3 

1 



nervovis  system,               ' 

Paralysis 

Tetanus 

Calculu-s  . 

1 
3 
8 
3 
384 
19 
10 
73 

2 

3 
2 
6 

462 
30 

8 
59 

o 

14 

218 

69 

4 

25 

18 



...... 

Diabetes 

Discasf!s  of  the  urinary  St 

genital  organs,  and  ve- 

Nephritis  

7     1 1 

nereal  afleclions. 

Orchitis 

73 

Sarcocele 

2 
2 

3 

2 

13 

121 

61 

6 

39 
30 

1 

3 
3 

14 

137 

48 

4 

29 

17 

1 
4 

17 
160 

13 

313 

40 

19 

6 
6 

1 

Syphilis  priniitiva 

30    ' 

■ 

Ulcus  penis  non  syphiliticum 

Anasarca 

16 

11 

1 

1 
1 

Diseases  of  the  serous  and 

Ilydrarlhrus ., 

exiialent  vessels. 

Hydrocele 

2 
3 

1 
681 
352 

21 

83 

769 

448 

05 
14 
1,229 
59 
55 
98 
4 
41 

4 

2 


2 

1 
3 

1 

2 
2 

5 
700 
446 

16 

98 

938 

531 

137 
3 

1,167 

6» 

81 

31 

7 

32 

387 

752 

1 

1 

5 
801 
314 

13 

32 

802 

549 

97 

7 

1,313 

55 

67 

52 

3 

12 

350 

603 

38 

88 

26  . 

3 

1 

1 

4 
3 

3 

1 
3 

3 

4 

8 
691 
403 

13 

91 

645 

573 

91 

6 

1,146 

78 

63 

28 

5 

34 

439 

586 

1 
2 

1 

1 
1 

1 

Diseases  of  the  fibrous  and  j 

Podagra  

Rheurnatismus  aciitus 

11 

589 
383 

7 

muscular  stnictures. 

r 

! 

Kheuinatisnius  t-lironicus 

Fistula  

Paronychia 

Abscesses  and  ulcers -l 

1 

2 
1 

1 

806 
326 

84 

5 

1,176 

3-1 

48 

28 

2 

4 

412 

464 

106 

85 

34 

2 

1 

Ulcus 

r 

Contusio 

Fractura  

Wounds  and  injiirirs 

i  Punitio 

1  Sub-luxalio 

813 

1 

Vulnus  punctiim 

97 
108 

6 

14 

80 
70 

11 

1 
8 

153 

7 

Diseases  of  llie  eye ■ 

'  Ilcmcralopia  ct  nyctalopia. 

29 

581 

11 

41 

859 

8 

1 

11 
591 

3 

36 
600 

3 



13 
349 

1 

Opthalmia 

Anchylosis 

1 

1 

21 

376 

125 

5 

7 

1 
9 

2 

26 

270 

182 

12 

1 

3 
4 

67 

91 

385 

3 

2 

58 
107 
492 

3 

Ail  oilier  diseases ■ 

153 

125 

9 

4 

1 
7 

1 

Ebrietas 

Epistaxis 

Exostosis 

1 

IN   THE   ARMY   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES. 
OCCURRING  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES— Continued. 


491 


1845.              1846. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852 

1853. 

1854 

• 

AGOREOATE 
STRENGTH. 

8,590.         1         9,083. 

9,148. 

8,970. 

9,242. 

9,203 

9,994. 

8,095. 

120,632. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.    Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.    Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Toul  cases.    To"j' 

2 

1 

4    i      1 

5 

3 

3 

3 

9 

S 

1 
5      

5 

1 

3 

1 

49 

31 

61            1     1        48    ' 

76 

81 

(& 

1 

100      

105    ! 

115 

889 

3 

7      7            1 

26 

2 

12 

1 

20 

2 

21      

19          2 

6 

187                 11 

]            1                1       .. 

3 

S 

5 

1 

1 
10 

3      

1      

2 

4 
5 

2 

17                   7 

5 



5 
3 

3 
15. 

1 

33      

4      

f      

8 

1 

72                  3 

4      1                  

9        7      

8 
5 

3 

5 

3 

7 

4 
2, 

39      

6    : 

9 

85      

421      339      

737 

438 

447 

370     

356 

363 

5,547     

32     16    , 

32 

^ 

8 

21       .   1 

17 

I 

371                 2 

9     4      

8 

1 

9 

1 

9 

6 

10     ' 

9 

104                 5 

83      54 

103 

89 

J03 

74 

74      

78 

1.017                   1 

5 

•J 

16 

11 

25 

18 

37 

16     ' 

23    , 

17 

234 

261 

184 

572 

255 

257 

176      

117      

IK 

3,883 

2 

69      

60 

2 

153 

1 

111 

1 

96 

3 

1-10           1 

14«           1 

138 

1,163                11 

16       

9 



17 

23 

S 

17      

6      

7 

166     

10           2 

6 

1 

37 

2 

20 

3 

11 

15     ' 

14 

3 

14 

1 

237                 18 

5 

2 

2 

2 

14 

2 

10 

5 

3 

8           4 

5 

5 

4 

3 

115 

30 

1 
5 

1 
2 

3 
3 

1 

5 

31 

1 

7 

4 

1      

3 

1 
19 

1 

1 
6 

7 
3 

4 

6 

1 

3 

1 
3 

3 

3 
5 

1 

1 

29 
70 

31 

5      

5 

738 

547 

910 

6 

638 

1 

648 

1 

588 

1 

711    ' 

560 

1 

8,7M                 12 

200 

328 

1 

480 

325 

3 

^ 

3 

232 

270 

1 

392 

1 

4,365                 14 

10 

15 

14 

8 

17 

20 

S2 

22 

197 
304 

14.803 

929 

918 

1 

1,053 

1 

1,463          1 

1,595 

1,444 

1 

1,767 

3 

1,471 

12 

379 



720 

574 



509          2 

474 



477 

501 

1 

481 

6,541                   5 

101 

116 

76 

95    ' 

103 

IS.)      

99 

2 

86 

1 

1,315                   4 

4 

9 

3 

12 

2 

9 

9 

1 

7 

2 

35 

3 

14 

1 

124     1            14 

1,291 

1,129 

1,143 

1 

1,191 

1 

1,414 

1,362 

2 

1,566 

1 

1,549 

18,876 

10 

51 

2 

41 

1 

90 

5 

65 

2 

74 

4 

66          2 

74 

69 

1 

eas 

21 

60 

36 

81 

49 

40      

43      

36 

39 

700 

31 

29 

45 

44 

51 



63      

73 

59 

631 

1 

1 

•  •■■■•' 

7 

2 

2    

5 

9 

1 

6 

1 

13 

65 

3 

10 

28 

•  ■  •  -i  ■ 

17 

15      

18 



7 

6 

4 

318 

490      

468 

296 

371      ...... 

391 

1 

331 

473 

484 

4,881 

1 

419          1 

391 

2 

396 

1 

514     '       4 

455 

1 

41S  ;    1 

445 

402 

6.659 

14 

100           1 

101 

146 

177            1 

239 

1 

219           1 

245           1 

234 

1 

1.603                   6 

70      82 

1 

83 

79    ,       5 

127 

6 

99           1 

98       ;           1 

93 

4 

1,081                 20 

18           a           443 

64 

75 

4 

67         13 

50 

5 

53 

11 

47 

S 

90 

26 

1,233               161 

1      9 

6 
2 

SI 

17 

5 

5 

3 

5 

-     i 

2     ! 

37 

47 

13 

IS 

17 

33 

32 

334     

321 

320 

317 

318 

331 

383 

425 

293 

5,678                   1 

2 

30 

2 

8 

12 

9 

12 

1 

1 

4 
4 

1 

13 
3 

114                   3 
8      

1 
5 

4 

2 
15 

7                   6 

a 

7 

13 

7 

6 

16 

243      

107 

200 

238 

5 

132 

1 

199 

176 

3 

159 

2 

144 

3 

2,352    1            16 

577 

4          311 

4 

218 

5 

244 

4  . 

233 

2 

284 

6 

323 

1 

331 

3 

3,830 
38 

S3 
1 

3 

2     

3 

1 

1      

1 

492 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND   MORTALITY 

CONSOLIDATED  ABSTRACT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  AND  DEATHS 


Years 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

184 

3. 

R. 

1844. 

CLAS3ES  OF  DISEASES. 

10,116. 

9,748. 

10,000. 

9,63 

8,570. 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases.  1  Died. 

f 

168 

87 

1 

160 

181 

5 

1 

164 

165 

1 

3 

182 
66 
3 

120      

90      

Odontalgia 

39 
68 
150 
10 

162 

59 

86 

7 

1 

1 

1 

208      

'«      

21      

3      

1      

95 

135 

5 

1 

44 

27 
6 

1 

All  oUier  diseases ■ 

63 
19 

1 

104 
19 

3 

56 
12 

1 

32 

8 
1 

16 
9 
2 

27 

1 
2 

Scrofula .   

10 

20 

9 

2,873 

41      

12 

82 

16 

2,996 

14 

98 

5 

2,369 

15 

4 
1,624 

1 

9 
1,330 

3 

28,167 

254 

37,499 

387 

32,426 

303 

26,820 

160 

20,982 

96 

The  form  of  "  report  of  sick"  in  use  in  1839  was  for  less  njinute  in  its  details,  and  differed 
so  essentially  from  those  subsequently  adopted,  tliat  it  was  not  practicable  to  represent  the 
statistics  for  that  year  in  this  abstract. 

The  statistics  for  1847  and  1848  (war  with  Mexico)  are  also  excluded,  it  having  been  found 
impossible  to  collate  correct  statistics  for  those  years. 

The  deaths  reported  from  "  febris  congestiva"  are  to  be  regarded  as  congestive  terminations 
of  intermittent  fever,  under  which  head  the  cases  were  originally  registered.  The  term  con- 
gestive fever  is  retained  in  preference  to  pernicious  intermittent  fever,  because  it  is  universally 
employed  by  the  medical  officers  in  that  sense,  as  it  is  also  throughout  the  southern  and  south- 
western States. 

Cases  of  "paronychia,"  subsequent  to  1843,  have  been  so  generally  reported  under 
"  phlegmon  et  abscessus,"  that  it  was  determined  to  include  all  under  that  head. 


IN   THE    ARMY   OF   THE   UNITED    STATES. 
OCCURRING  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES— Continued. 


493 


1845. 

1846. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

AOOREaATB 
STRENGTH. 

8,590. 

9,083. 

9,148. 

8,970. 

9,242. 

9,203. 

9,994. 

8,095. 

120,622. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Cases. 

Died. 

Total  cases. 

Total 
died. 

138 

121 

1 

140 
130 

1 



183 
102 

1 

112 
135 

♦ 
129 
113 
3 

171 
198 

161 

238 

3 

123 

178 
1 

1 

1,951 

1,804 

19 

3 

2,166 

1,001 

812 

52 

6 

2,132 

175 

19 

345 

200 

146 

22,941 

2 



1 

271 
59 
12 

1 

289 

77 
8 
3 

152 

79 

120 

2 

2 

135 

19 

1 

21 

1 
2 

1 

194 

91 

31 

2 

171 

94 

45 

9 

211 

57 

66 

2 

3 

364 

10 

1 

51 



1 

248 

100 

53 

1 



221 

100 

58 

2 



1 

3 

2 

13 
5 

1 
17 

1 

150 

11 

3 

21 

2 

283 

18 

3 

35 

9 
2 

376 
26 
2 
32 

8 
1 
1 

12 
1 
2 

345 
13 
4 
65 

2 

5 

1 

195 

6 

1 

25 

1 

2 

2 

40 
3 

19 
3 

6 
1,856 



1 

4 
1,621 

15 

10 
1,507 

19 

14 
1,168 

13 

19 
1,303 

8 

12 
1,279 

15 

19 
1,612 

9 

19 
1,403 

5 

258 

136 

2a,496 

78 

26,689 

246 

28,013 

734 

24,079 

294 

25,276 

299 

25,765 

^9 

29,575 

279 

24,998 

352,685          3,617 

This  abstract  shows  that  the  average  annual  proportion  of  cases  of  disease  to  the  numerical 
strength  of  the  army  is  2.92  to  1  ;  that  the  corresponding  ratio  of  deaths  is  1  in  33.35,  or  2.99 
per  cent.  ;  and  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  cases  is  1  in  9T,  or  1.02  per  cent. 

Exclusive  of  cholera,  the  deaths  were  1  in  38.64,  or  2.58  per  cent. 

It  is  probable  that  even  this  last,  is  greater  than  the  actual  annual  ratio  of  mortality,  as  the 
excess  of  deaths  in  1849  is  in  part  attributable  to  diseases  contracted  during  the  war. 


494 


REPORT   ON   THE    SICKNESS   AND    MORTALITY 


Consolidated  table  exJiibiting  the  amount  and  annuai  ratio  of  sickness  andmortcdllij  for  each  region. 


Regions. 


Mean  strength.    Number  treated. 


RATIO    PER    1,000  op    MEAN 
STRENGTU. 


Treated. 


Died. 


1 
2 
3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 


Coast  of  New  England 

Harbor  of  New  York 

West  Point 

North  Interior,  East 

The  Great  Lakes 

North  Interior,  West 

Middle  .\tlantic 

Middle  Interior,  East 

Newport  Barraeks,  Kentucky. 

Jefferson  Barracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Middle  Interior,  West 

South  Atlantic 

South  Interior,   East 

South  Interior,  West 

Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida 

Gulf  Coast  of  Florida 

Texas,  Southern  Frontier 

Texas,  Western  Frontier 

New  Mexico 

California,  Southern 

California,  Northern 

Oregon  and  Washiutrtou 


963 
,387 
,901 

553 
,346 

2;iO 
,299 

456 
,454 
,580 

319 
,800 
,919 
,013 

835 
,299 
.450 
,324 
,873 
07 
,599 

831 


6,935 
31,397 
31.633 

6,  426 
22,784 
16,707 
14.262 

6,373 

3,670 
19,587 
20,804 

C.  870 
17,426 
35,312 

2,  408 
10,262 
15,693 
23,051 
11,738 

3.  200 
5.420 
4,253 


36 

183 

28 

39 

140 

77 

117 

30 

59 

263 

107 

58 

234 

228 

21 

70 

235 

174 

139 

30 

70 

29 


1,749 

<).  0 

3,  345 

19.5 

4,  584 

4.0 

1,808 

10.9 

2,202 

1.3.  5 

2.310 

10.6 

2,264 

18.5 

2,594 

14.6 

2,524 

40.5 

3,510 

47.0 

3,911 

20.0 

2,  453 

20.7 

2,944 

39.5 

3,  .531 

22.7 

2,883 

25.0 

4.  463 

30.4 

3,  526 

52.8 

3,  645 

27.5 

1,999 

23.6 

1,874 

17.5 

3,389 

43.7 

2,322 

15.8 

Consolidated  table  exhibiting  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  each  region, 

from  fevers. 


No. 


Regions. 


3 

4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 


Coast  of  New  England 

Harbor  of  New  York. 

West  Point 

North  Interior,  East 

The  Great  Lakes 

North  Interior,  West 

Middle  Atlantic 

Middle  Interior,  East 

Newport  Barraeks,  Kentucky 

Jefferson  Rirracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Middle  Interior,  West 

South  Atlantic 

South  Interior,  East 

South  Interior,  West. 

Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida 

Gulf  Coast  of  Florida 

Texas,  Southern  Frontier 

Texas,  Western  Frontier 

New  Mexico 

California,  Southern 

California,  Northern 

Oregon  and  Washington 


Mean  strength. 

Number  treated 

3,963 

454 

9,387 

2, 1.34 

6,901 

985 

3,553 

384 

10.. 34  6 

3,458 

7,230 

2,926 

6,299 

2,163 

2,456 

599 

1,454 

944 

6,  580 

5,138 

5,319 

5,783 

2.800 

825 

5,910 

3,746 

10,013 

14,121 

835 

,551 

2,299 

5,  095 

4,450 

5,076 

fi,  324 

8,652 

5.  873 

928 

1,707 

326 

1,599 

2,167 

1,831 

549 

Deaths. 


2 
25 

3 

3 
22 

7 
41 

7 

9 
51 
12 
15 
85 
36 
12 
28 
80 

9 
22 

2 
19 

3 


Proportion     of  '  Ratio  of  cases 
deattis  to  cases.      per  ]  ,000  of 
mean  st'gth. 


1  in  227 
1  in  85 
1  in  328 
1  in  128 
1  in  157 
1  in  418 
1  in  53 
1  in  85 
1  in  105 
1  in  100 
1  in  482 
1  in  75 
1  in  44 
1  in  392 
I  in  46 
1  in  182 
1  in  63 
1  in  961 
1  in  42 
I  in  163 
1  in  14 
1  in  183 


114 

227 

142 

108 

334 

407 

343 

243 

649 

920 

1087 

294 

633 

1412 

659 

2216 

1141 

1368 

158 

190 

1355 

300 


IN   THE    ARMT   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES. 


495 


Consolidated  table  exldhiling  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  each  region, 
from  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  ivith  the  digestive  system. 


No. 


10 

11 

12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 


Regions. 


Coast  of  New  England 

Harbor  of  New  York - 

Woi-t  Point 

North  Interior,  East 

Tlie  Great  Lakes 

North  Interior,  West 

Middle  Atlantic - 

Middle  Interior,  East 

Newport  Barracks,  Kentucky   

Jeft'er.son  Barracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenal. 

Middle  Interior,  West 

South  Atlantic -- 

South  Interior,  East 

South  Interior,  West 

Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida 

Gulf  Coast  of  Florida 

Te.xas,  Southern  Frontier 

Texas,  Western  Frontier 

New  Mexico - 

California,  Southern 

California,  Northern 

Oregon  and  Washington.. 


Proportion     of 

Ratio  ofcases 

Moan  strength. 

Number  treated. 

Deaths. 

deattis  to  cases. 

per  1,000  of 
mean  ^^l"gth. 

3,  963 

1,549 

9 

1  in     172 

390 

9,, 38  7 

8,722 

46 

1  in     190 

929 

6,901 

6.207 

5 

1  in  1241 

899 

3,  5.53 

1,470 

3 

1  in    490 

413 

10,346 

4,497 

26 

1  in     173 

434 

7,230 

3,474 

17 

1  in    204 

480 

6,299 

3,895 

26 

1  in     150 

618 

2,456 

2,002 

4 

1  in    500 

815 

1,454 

1,083 

15 

1  in      72 

744 

5,  580 

6,157 

99 

lin      62 

1103 

5,319 

4,252 

18 

1  in    237 

799 

2.800 

1,795 

13 

1  in    138 

641 

5,!)  19 

4,845 

56 

1  in      86 

818 

10,013 

6,142 

63 

1  in      97 

614 

835 

807 

5 

1  in    161 

966 

2,299 

1,943 

26 

1  in      75 

845 

4,450 

3,581 

70 

1  in      51 

804 

6,  324 

4.635 

65 

1  in      71 

733 

5,873 

2,920 

31 

1  in      94 

498 

1,707 

79G 

9 

lin      88 

466 

1,599 

1,132 

21 

lin      54 

708 

1,831 

926 

4 

1  in    231 

505 

Consolidated  table  exhibiting  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  each  region, 

from  diseases  of  the  res2nratory  system. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 


Coast  of  New  England 

Harbor  of  New  York 

We.*t  Point 

North  Interior,  East 

The  Great  Lakes _ 

North  Interior,  West ._ 

Middle  Atlantic 

Middle  Interior,  East 

Newport  Barracks,  Kentucky 

Jefferson  Barracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenil 

Middle  Interior,  West 

South  Atlantic  - 

South  Interior,  East 

South  Interior,  West 

Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida. 

Gulf  Coast  of  Floriila 

Texas,  Southern  Frontier 

Texas,  Western  Frontier 

New  Mexico 

California,  Southern 

California ,  Northern 

Oregon  and  Washington 


3,963 
9,  387 
6,901 
3,  553 

10,346 
7,  230 
0,299 
2,450 
1,454 
5,580 
5,319 
2.800 
5,919 

10,013 
835 
2,  299 
4,450 
6,324 
5.  873 
1,707 
1,599 
1,831 


1.356 

5,185 

6,599 

1,586 

4,281 

2.611 

2,281 

756 

445 

2,740 

2,  255 

1,089 

1,53" 

2,588 

99 

317 

1,165 

1,376 

1.218 

340 

420 

414 


8 

1  in  169 

59 

1  in    88 

9 

1  in  733 

16 

1  in    99 

50 

1  in    85 

26 

1  in  100 

19 

1  in  120 

8 

1  in    95 

11 

lin    40 

65 

1  in    42 

24 

1  in    94 

9 

1  in  121 

37 

1  in    41 

51 

1  in    51 

1 

1  in    99 

3 

1  in  106 

23 

1  in    50 

23 

1  in    60 

20 

1  in    61 

7 

1  in    49 

5 

1  iu     84 

6 

lin    82 

342 
552 
956 
446 
413 
361 
362 
307 
306 
492 
423 
389 
259 
258 
118 
137 
261 
217 
207 
199 
262 
226 


496 


REPORT    ON    THE    SICKNESS    AND    MORTALITY 


CoTisolidated  table  exhibiting  the  amount  and  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  the  several  regions, 

from  phthisis pulmonalis. 


No. 


Mean  strength. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

U 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 


Coast  of  New  England 

Harbor  of  New  Tork ... 

West  Point 

North  Interior,  East 

The  Great  Lalves  - 

Nortli  Interior,  West 

Middle  Atlantic 

Middle  Interior,  East 

Newport  Barracks,  Kentucky 

Jeiferson  Barracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Middle  Interior,  West 

South  Atlantic 

South  Interior,  East 

South  Interior,  West 

Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida. 

Gulf  Coast  of  Florida 

Texas,  Southern  Frontier 

Texas,  Western  Frontier 

New  Mexico 

California,  Southern 

California,  Northern 

Oregon  and  Washington - 


3,9C3 
9,  387 
6,901 
3,553 

10,346 
7,230 
6,299 
2,456 
1,454 
5,  .580 
5,319 
2,800 
5,919 

10,013 
835 
2,299 
4,450 
6,324 
5,873 
1,707 
1,599 
1,831 


No.  treated. 

Deaths. 

19 

5 

56 

35 

6 

8 

17 

10 

47 

33 

30 

15 

16 

14 

6 

3 

5 

4 

23 

21 

28 

13 

26 

5 

43 

28 

20 

25 

2 

1 

16 

3 

18 

11 

25 

12 

8 

3 

9 

5 

9 

4 

6 

2 

Ratio  ot*casos 
per  1,000  or 
mean  st'glh. 


4.8 

5.9 

0.8 

4.7 

4.5 

4.1 

2.5 

2.4 

3.4 

4.1 

5.2 

9.2 

7.2 

2 

2.3 

6.9 

4 

3.9 

1.3 

5.2 

5.6 

3.2 


It  was  originally  the  intention  to  close  the  first  division  of  this  report  with  a  general  analysis 
of  the  statistics,  hut  various  considerations  have  led  to  the  ahandonment  of  that  purpose.  The 
introduction  of  the  individual  opinions  or  deductions  of  the  compiler  in  an  official  report  of  this 
character  is  considered  of  douhtful  propriety.  With  regard,  however,  to  the  table  showing 
the  amount  and  ratio  of  phthisis  jiulmonalis  in  the  several  regions,  the  following  remarks  are 
submitted : 

The  ratio  of  "cases  treated"  is  given  in  this  table  in  preference  to  that  of  deaths,  for  the 
reason  heretofore  stated,  that  soldiers  afi'ected  with  chronic  diseases  are  frequently  discharged 
from  the  service  in  accordance  with  their  own  wishes. 

The  cadets  of  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point  are  young,  are  only  admitted  after  a  rigid 
examination  in  regard  to  their  health  and  physical  develojiment,  and  remain  but  four  years  in 
that  institution.  The  statistics  for  West  Point  should  therefore  be  excluded  from  any  analysis 
of  the  results  exhibited  in  this  table ;  those  also  for  New  York  harbor  are  to  be  considered  as 
constituting  a  partial  exception  for  the  reasons  stated  on  page  14  of  this  volume.  One  other 
qualification  relative  to  these  statistics  needs  to  be  mentioned :  the  ratio  given  for  tlie  North 
Interior  West  is  higher  than  would  be  the  case  if  the  statistics  for  Fort  Crawford  were 
thrown  out. 

It  will  be  perceived  by  an  examination  of  this  table  that,  with  exception  of  West  Point,  the 
lowest  ratio  of  cases  of  consumption  occurs  in  New  Mexico,  being  only  1.3  per  1,000  ;  and  the 
highest  in  the  South  Atlantic  Kegion,  where  it  is  9.2  per  1,000. 


IN   THE   ARMY   OF   THE   UNITED    STATES. 


497 


It  will  also  be  noticed  that  the  regions  designated  as  the  South  Interior  East  and  Gulf  coast 
of  Florida  give  the  next  highest  proijortions,  being  respectively  7.2  and  6.9  per  1,000  of  mean 
strength.  The  ratios  for  these  three  regions,  and  also  those  for  California,  are  higher  than  for 
any  of  the  regions  in  the  northern  division.  A  careful  examination  of  the  consolidated  tem- 
perature, rain,  and  weatlier  tables  in  this  volume,  in  connexion  with  tlie  statistics  relative  to 
consumption,  will,  it  is  believed,  lead  to  the  following  conclusions  : 

First.  That  temperature,  considered  by  itself,  does  not  exert  that  marked  controlling  influ- 
ence upon  the  development  or  progress  of  phthisis  which  has  been  attributed  to  it.  If  a  high 
range  of  temperature  were  favorable  to  the  consumptive,  the  South  Atlantic  Region,  the  South 
Interior  East,  and  the  Gulf  coast  of  Florida,  should  exhibit  a  lower  ratio  than  the  colder  regions 
of  the  north  and  northwest,  whereas  the  contrary  obtains  ;  and  again,  if  a  high  range  of  tem- 
perature were  the  controlling  element  in  causing  an  increased  ratio  of  this  disease  in  the  two 
southern  regions  above  named,  we  ought  not  to  find  a  lower  proportion  of  cases  in  Texas,  where 
the  temperature  is  higher,  nor  in  the  South  Interior  West,  where  it  is  nearly  the  same  as  in  the 
South  Atlantic  Region. 

■Second.  That  the  most  important  atmospherical  condition  for  a  consumptive  is  drtxess.  An 
examination  of  the  rain  tables  will  serve  in  part  to  elucidate  this  position,  and  in  part  only,  for 
the  total  annual  precipitation  in  rain  and  snow  may  be  equal  in  two  or  more  places,  and  yet  the 
average  condition  of  the  air  as  respects  moisture — the  dew-point — may  widely  diifer.  It  is 
impossible  to  represent  all  these  distinctive  features  by  statistical  tables,  but  the  fact  has  been 
forcibly  impressed  upon  the  compiler  during  the  minute  examinations  necessary  to  the  prepara- 
tion of  this  report. 

Third.  That  next  to  drtxess  in  importance  is  an  equable  temperature — a  temperature  uni- 
form for  long  periods,  and  not  disturbed  by  sudden  or  frequent  changes.  An  uniformly  low  tem- 
perature is  much  to  be  preferred  to  an  uniformly  liigh  temperature.  The  former  exerts  a  tonic 
and  stimulating  efiect  upon  the  general  system,  while  the  latter  produces  general  debility  and 
nervous  exhaustion.  The  worst  possible  climate  for  a  consumptive  is  one  with  long-continued 
high  temperature  and  a  high  dew-point. 

In  this  connexion,  and  in  support  of  these  deductions,  reference  is  made  to  some  of  the 
opinions  of  medical  officers  recorded  in  this  report,  (vide  pp.  27,  29,  81,  82,  and  249  ;)  also  to 
the  following  table,  compiled  from  the  "  Statistical  Reports  on  the  Sickness,  Mortality,  and 
Invaliding  in  the  British  Army,"  showing  the  amount  and  ratio  of  cases  of  consumption  at 
different  stations  occupied  by  British  troops. 


Station. 

Mean  strength. 

No.  treated. 

Deaths. 

Ratio  of  cases 
per  1,000  of 
mean  st'gth. 

Gibraltar      -..      -         _-   _ 

33,131 
21,172 
11,224 
26,806 
90,456 

176 
129 
100 
149 
524 

116 

91 

54 

111 

327 

5.3 

Malta 

6.0 

8.9 

Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick 
Canada         ..       -       __     -_-- 

5.5 
5.7 

S.  96- 


-63 


GEOGEAPHICAL  POSITIONS  OF  THE  MILITARY  POSTS, 

WITH 

THEIU  LOCAL  TOPOGRArHY  AND  ALTITUDES  ABOVE  THE  SEA, 

AXD    THE 

AUTHORITIES  FROM  WHICH  THEY  HAVE  BEEN  OBTAINED. 


In  the  preparation  of  the  Army  Meteorological  Register,  which  I  had  the  honor  to  submit  to 
the  Surgeon  General  in  October,  1855,  and  from  which  the  following  tables,  carefully  revised 
and  corrected,  are  republished,  every  effort  was  made  to  obtain  the  true  geographical  positions 
and  altitudes  of  the  military  posts.  In  the  research  required  for  that  purpose,  great  aid  was 
obtained  from  the  reports  of  the  officers  in  charge  of  the  northeastern  boundary  survey,  of 
the  coast  survey,  of  the  Mexican  boundary  survey,  and  of  the  several  surveys  for  a  route  for 
a  railroad  to  tlie  Pacific.  The  endeavor  was  then,  and  is  now,  to  give  the  proper  credits  for 
those  determinations  which,  i-n  most  instances,  have  been  obtained  from  observations  made  with 
great  scientific  accuracy,  and  with  the  aid  of  the  best  portable  instruments.  The  positions 
which  are  given,  as  reported  by  medical  officers,  are  to  be  considered  as  close  approximations 
only,  though  in  some  few  instances  the  data  may  have  been  obtained  by  them  with  accuracy 
from  officers  of  the  corps  of  topographical  engineers  or  other  sources.  The  latitudes,  lon- 
gitudes^ and  altitudes  given  in  these  tables  are  to  be  considered  as  more  correct  than  those 
in  the  special  reports  on  the  topography  and  diseases  of  the  several  posts.  As  a  general  rule, 
fractious  of  less  than  one  minute  of  a  degree  have  been  omitted  as  unnecessarily  precise  for  the 
present  purpose. 


FoktKext,  Maine. — South  Imnk  of  St.  John's  river,  at  the  mouth  of  Fish  river.  Country  rolling  and  open.  Position  and 
altitude  by  Major  ,J.  D.  Graham,  United  States  Topograpliical  Kngineers.      18i4. 

FoET  Fairfield,  Maine. — Soutli  bank  of  Aroostook  river,  six  miles  from  its  entrance  into  the  St.  John's.  On  a  local  emi- 
nence 100  feet  above  tlie  river,  with  a  hilly  or  undulating  forest  back -ground.  Exposure  generally  open. 
Position  and  altitude  from  Major  J.  D.  Graham.      lSi4. 

Hancock  Barracks,  Maine — Houlton,  eastern  boundary  of  the  State,  near  the  St.  John's  river.  Locality  similar  to  that 
of  Fort  Fairfield.     Position  and  altitude  by  Major  Graham.     134i. 

Fort  Sullivan,  Maine. — Moose  island,  Eastport,  the  most  eastern  point  of  the  State.  Open  marine  exposure.  Position 
derived  from  the  northeastern  boundary  survey.     (Major  J.  D.  Graham.) 

Fort  Preble,  Maine. — Cape  Elizabeth,  south  side  of  Portland  harbor.  Exposure  open,  and  mainly  seaward.  Position  from 
United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  Coxstitction,  New  Haupsiiire. — On  a  point  at  the  mouth  of  Piscataqua  river,  Portsmouth  harbor,  and  three  miles 
eastward  from  Portsmouth.     Open  marine  exposure.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  IxDEPaNDENCE,  Massachusetts. — On  Castle  island,  Boston  harbor,  three  miles  southeast  of  State-house,  Boston.  Full 
marine  exposure.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Watertown  Aksesal,  Massachusetts. — At  Watertown,  on  the  Charles  river,  six  miles  west  of  State-house,  Boston.  An 
inland  and  protected  locality.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey.     Altitude  approximate. 


GEOGRAPHICAL    POSITIONS   OF   THE   MILITARY   POSTS.  499 

FoKT  AVouoTT,  Rhode  Island. — On  Goat  island,  Newport  harbor,  half  a  mile  from  the  town  of  Newport.  The  exposure  is 
open,  principally  over  water-surface,  and  toward  the  sea.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoKT  Ad.\ms,  Ruode  Lsl.wd. — Brenton's  Point,  in  Newport  harbor,  entrance  to  Narragansett  bay,  one  mile  westward  from 
Newport.  Open  and  free  exposure,  mainly  marine.  Some  rocky  elevations  in  the  vicinity.  Position 
from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoKi  Teujibuli,  Co.nxecticct. — On  the  right  bank  of  Thames  river,  one  mile  south  of  New  London,  and  two  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  shore  of  Long  Island  Sound.  Exposure  free  and  open,  yet  less  direct  to  the  sea  than  other  ports 
of  the  Atlantic  coast.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoHT  Hamiltok,  New  York. — At  the  Narrows  of  New  York  harbor,  on  a  point  at  the  southwest  comer  of  Long  Island,  and 
six  miles  south  of  New  York  city.  Exposure  particularly  open  seaward.  Position  from  United  States 
Coast  Survey. 

FoKT  Wood,  New  Yoek. — On  Bedloe's  island.  New  York  harbor,  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  New  York  city. 

Fort  Columbus,  New  York. — On  Governor's  island,  New  York  harbor,  very  near  the  city  of  New  York.  It  is  much  less 
exposed  to  direct  sea  influences  than  Fort  Hamilton,  though  surrounded  by  the  waters  of  the  river  and 
hay.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

West  Point,  New  York. — On  the  west  bank  of  Hudson  river,  fifty  miles  from  the  sea.  The  locality  is  surrounded  by  hills, 
varying  from  GOO  to  1,400  feet  in  height  on  the  west,  except  on  the  line  of  the  river.  Its  cOD&ned 
position  has  a  marked  effect.      Position  and  altitude  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Hitchcock. 

Water VLiET  Arsenal,  New  Yore. — At  Watervliet,  above  Albany,  on  the  west  hank  of  the  Hudson  river,  and  nearly  oppo- 
site to  Troy.  The  localit)*  is  surrounded  by  hills  and  an  elevated  back  country,  and  is  much  confined. 
It  has  local  peculiarities  somewhat  like  those  of  West  Point.  Position  derived  from  those  of  Troy  and 
Albany,  as  given  in  the  American  Almanac. 

Plattsburg  Barracks,  New  York. — At  Plattsburg,  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Champlain.  The  back  country  is  rough 
and  elevated.  Position  from  Professor  Thompson's  map  of  Vermont.  Altitude  of  lake  by  Professor 
Tliompson,  90  feet ;  the  post  is  90  feet  above  low  water  of  the  lake. 

Madison  Barracks,  New  York. — At  Sackett's  Harbor,  on  Lake  Ontario,  on  the  southern  side  of  the  bay  formed  by  the 
entrance  of  Black  river  into  the  lake.  Distant  from  the  lake  eight  miles.  The  exposure  is  generally 
open  and  over  a  level  district.  Position  from  the  most  recent  maps  of  New  York.  °  Altitude  of  Lake 
Ontario  taken  as  250  feet. 

FoKT  Ontario,  New  York. — At  Oswego,  southern  shore  of  Lake  Ontario,  on  the  east  bank  of  Oswego  river.  Exposure 
generally  open,  and  particularly  so  toward  the  lake.  Its  local  elevation  50  to  GO  feet  above  Lake  Ontario. 
Position  from  the  most  recent  maps  of  New  York. 

Fort  Niagar.\,  New  York. — On  a  point  of  land  at  the  mouth  of  Niagara  river,  and  nearly  surrounded  by  the  waters  of 
the  river  and  of  Lake  Ontario.  Exposure  particularly  level  and  open.  Position  from  the  Army  Meteoro- 
logical Register,  compared  and  verified. 

Buffalo  Babbaces,  New  York. — At  Buffalo,  in  the  northern  and  most  elevated  portion  of  the  city.  Exposure  generally 
free,  yet  not  directly  open  to  Lake  Erie.     Position  from  Army  Meteorological  Register  for  1831  to  1842. 

Alleghany  Arsenal,  Pennsylvania. — At  Pittsburg,  three  miles  northeast  of  the  city,  and  on  the  immediate  bank  of  the 
Alleghany  river.  The  position  is  confined  and  local  in  a  great  degree,  with  elevated  districts  at  a  distance 
from  the  river,  and  high  bluffs  bordering  it.  Position  from  the  Army  Meteorological  Register,  com- 
pared ;  the  latitude  as  given  in  the  American  Almanac,  f 

Carlisle  Babbacks,  Pennsylv.inia. — At  Carlisle,  in  a  valley  opening  to  the  Susquehanna  river  at  Harrisburg.  At  the 
northwest  there  is  a  considerable  mountain  ridge,  but  the  locality  is  generally  open.  Position  from  the 
most  recent  maps.     Altitude  from  railroad  surveys. 

Fobt  MnTLix,  Pennsylvania. — Ou  an  island  in  the  Delaware  river,  five  miles  below  Philadelphia.  Open  exposure,  with 
much  water  surface.      Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoKT  Delaware,  Delaware. — On  an  island  in  Delaware  river,  four  miles  from  Newcastle,  Delaware.     Exposure  open,  with 

much  fresh-water  surface.      Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  McHenry,  Maryland. — On  an  arm  of  Patapsco  river,  three  miles  southeast  of  Riltimore.  Exposure  entirely  open  and 
free,  with  much  water  surface.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 


*The  longitude  of  Sackett's  Harbor  is  given  at  75'  57'  VV.  iji  the  American  Almanac. 

t  The  longitude  of  I'ltiiburg  is  variou.^ly  given,  as  60°  03 ,  80°  06",  and  W  14' ;  the  last  by  Di.  Drake.    Ii  can  banlly  be  greater  than  Ihc  posiilon 
given  in  the  Anny  Meteorological  Register,  to  which  it  is  resiored. 


500  GEOGRAPHICAL    POSITIONS   OF   THE    MILITARY   POSTS. 

Fort  Severn,  JIartlaxd. — Near  Annapolis,  on  Severn  river,  at  its  entrance  into  Cliesapealie  hay.  A  very  level  and  open 
water  exposure.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoBT  WAsnixGTOX,  Marvlaxd. — On  the  east  bank  of  the  Potomac  river,  fourteen  miles  below  Washington  city.  At  the 
east  of  the  fort  there  are  low  hills,  and  the  locality  is  somewhat  confined  and  glen-like.  Position  from 
the  fnitcd  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoKT  MoxKOE,  Virginia. — At  the  terminus  of  the  western  shore  of  Cliesapeake  bay,  on  a  sandy  beach  known  as  Old  Point 
Comfort.  An  open  exposure  of  water  surface,  within  reach  of  the  sea  influence  through  the  wide  en- 
trance of  Chesapeake  bay.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Bellona  Arsenal,  Virginia. — On  the  right  bank  of  James  river,  twelve  miles  from  Richmond.  An  open  exposure,  elevated 
100  feet  above  the  river.     Position  derived  from  that  of  the  capitol,  Richmond. ° 

FoKT  Macon,  Noeth  Carolina. — On  the  point  of  Bogue  island,  near  Beaufort.  Direct  ocean  exposure.  Position  from  the 
United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  Johnston,  North  Carolina. — At  Smithville,  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  river.  Exposure  over  water  surface  mainly,  and 
open  to  the  sea.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  Moultrie,  Soith  Carolin.\. — On  Sullivan's  island,  entrance  to  Charleston  harbor,  eight  miles  from  Charleston.  Di- 
rect ocean  exposure.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Augusta  Arsenal,  Geokoia. — On  an  elevated  position,  three  miles  fromAugusta,  two  miles  from  the  Savannah  river  at  the 
nearest  point,  and  200  feet  above  the  river  at  Augusta.  Among  sand-hills,  with  a  free  exposure.  Po- 
sition from  the  Army  Meteorological  Register. 

Oolethorpe  Barracks,  Georgia. — On  low  ground,  one  mile  south  of  Savannah  and  twelve  miles  from  the  ocean.  Level 
exposure  over  salt  and  fiesh  water  surfaces.     Position  from  the  Army  Meteorological  Register. f 

Fort  Marion,  Florida. — At  St.  Augustine,  on  the  shore  of  St.  Augustine  bay.  Level  exposure  over  fresh  and  salt  water 
surfaces.     Position  from  the  Army  map  of  Florida,  1839. 

Fori  Shasnon,  Florida. — At  Pilatka,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  St.  John's  river,  near  twenty  miles  southwest  of  St.  Augus- 
tine district.     Generally  level.     Position  from  the  Army  map  ;  approximate. 

New  Smyrna,  Florida. — East  coast  of  peninsula,  on  the  right  bank  of  Halifax  river,  eight  miles  from  Mosquito  bar,  and 
two  miles  in  a  direct  line  from  the  Atlantic.  The  whole  exposure  entirely  level  and  open.  Position 
from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  Pierce,  Florida. — At  Indian  river  inlet,  east  coast  of  peninsula,  on  the  shore  of  St.  Lucie  sound,  and  separated  by  it 
from  the  immediate  shore  of  the  Atlantic.  A  level  district  and  open  exposure.  Position  derived  from 
recent  Coast  Survey  charts  of  the  coast  southward  ;  approximate. 

Fort  Dallas,  Florida. — Near  Cape  Florida,  east  coast  of  peninsula,  on  the  Miami  river  at  the  inner  shoie  of  Biscayne  bay. 
Separated  by  this  narrow  hay  and  a  point  of  land  from  the  ocean.  Position  from  the  Topographical 
Bureau's  map  of  Florida,  1846.  J 

Key  'West  Barracks,  Florida. — At  Key  West,  Florida  Keys,  sixty  miles  southwest  of  Cape  Sable.  Direct  sea  exposure, 
with  but  a  small  area  of  land  surface.     Position  from  the  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fori  Myers,  Florida. — Near  Charlotte  harbor,  west  coast  of  peninsula,  on  the  bank  of  Caloosahatchee  river,  near  its 
mouth,  and  several  miles  from  the  immediate  coast  of  the  Gulf.  Position  from  the  United  States  Coast 
Survey. 

Fort  Hamer,  Florida. — North  of  Charlotte  harbor,  west  coast  of  peninsula,  on  a  stream  tributary  to  this  bay,  and  some 
istancc  from  the  coast.     Position  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Sloan. 

Fort  Brooke,  Florida. — At  (he  head  of  Tampa  Bay,  west  coast  of  peninsula,  about  thirty  miles  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
The  surrounding  country  is  low  and  level,  as  at  all  stations  of  the  peninsula.  Position  from  the  United 
States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  Meade,  Florida. — In  the  interior  of  the  peninsula,  forty-six  miles  east-southeast  from  Tampa  Bay,  and  near  the 
Kissimmee  river.  Its  location  is  on  a  comparatively  elevated  sand  ridge,  higher  than  any  adjacent  land. 
Position  from  Topographical  Bureau's  map  of  Florida,  1846  ;  altitude  approximate. 

*  Richmond,  (capitol,)  Virginia,  lal.  37°  32'  17";  long.  77'  27'  W.— American  almanac. 
t  Position  of  S.irannah  E.\clian;e,  ]M.  32'  4'  53  ';  long.  Sl°  5'  14  '.    From  fniti-d  States  Coa.<t  Survey. 

}  A  sketch  map  of  Uie  Coa^t  Survey,  published  in  1853,  gives  Cape  Florida  at  lat.  25°  40',  and  long.  80"  05*,  aearly.    Fort  Dallas  is  about  tea  miles 
distant,  northwest. 


GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITIONS   OF   THE    MILITARY   POSTS.  501 

FoET  Kino,  Floeida.— In  the  interior  of  the  peninsula,  east  of  Cedar  keys,  about  forty  miles  from  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  sixty  miies  from  the  Atlantic  coast.  The  surrounding  country  is  slightly  undulating,  alter- 
nately sandy  pine  barrens  and  marshy  hammocks.  Tosition  by  Assistant  Surgeon  Forry,  compared  with 
recent  maps. 

Cedar  Keys,  Floeida. — On  the  western  coast  of  the  peninsula.  Tlic  keys  or  islands  are  several  miles  from  the  main  land. 
Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Fort  Baebancas,  Florida. — Entrance  to  Pensacola  harbor,  near  Pensacola.  The  locality  of  the  barracks  is  about  one  and 
a  half  miles  west  of  the  navy  yard,  on  the  west  side  of  the  entrance  to  the  bay,  and  about  eight  miles 
southwest  of  Pensacola.     Exixised  to  the  Gulf.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey. 

FoBT  MORGAX,  Alaiiama.— At  Mobile  Point,  entrance  to  Mobile  bay,  near  seventy  miles  south  of  Mobile.     Position  from 

United  States  Coast  Survey. 

Mount  Veexon*  Arsenal,  Alabama. — Near  Mobile  river,  about  thirtj'-two  miles  north  of  Mobile.  Tljc  post  has  a  local  ele- 
vation of  near  200  feet  above  a  small  branch  of  the  river.  Coon  creek.  Position  from  Mitchell's  map  of 
Alabama,  corrected  by  Coast  Survey  position  of  Mobile. 

East  Pascagoula,'-  Mississirn.— At  the  mouth  of  Pascagoula  river,  or  on  islands  near  it.  An  open  Gulf  exposure,  sur- 
rounded by  low  beaches  and  water  surface.     Position  from  Coast  Survey. 

Pass  Christian,  Mississippi. — At  St.  Louis  bay,  entrance  to  Lake  Borgne.  (A  summer  station.)  Open  exposure  to  the  Gulf. 
Position  from  Coast  Survey  charts. 

Fort  Pike,  Louisiana. — On  the  north  side  of  Petite  Coquille  island,  entrance  to  Lake  Pontchartrain,  thirty-five  miles  north- 
east of  New  Orleans.  The  Influence  of  the  winds  and  atmosphere  of  the  Gulf  is  quite  decided,  the  whole 
exposure  being  over  water  surface  or  very  low  shores.     Position  from  Coast  Survey  charts. 

FoET  Wood,  Louisiana. — South  of  Petite  Coquille  island,  seven  miles  southwest  of  Fort  Pike,  and  between  Lake  Borgne 
and  Lake  Pontchartrain.  Exposure  less  open  than  that  of  Fort  Pike,  and  with  a  predominance  of  fresh- 
water surface  and  marshes  in  its  vicinity.     Position  from  Coast  Survey  charts. 

New  Orleans  Baeeacks,  Louisiana. — On  the  north  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  three  miles  below  the  centre  of  the  city.  The 
locality  is  protected  by  forests  to  some  extent  from  the  winds  of  the  Gulf.  Position  that  of  New  Or- 
leans ;  from  Nicollet.  Altitude  of  the  river  at  the  Barracks  eleven  feet  above  the  Gulf;  the  hospital  is 
placed  at  ten  feet  above  Lake  Pontchartrain,  which  is  at  mean  sea-level,  nearly. 

Baton  Rouge  Barracks,  Louisiana. — At  Baton  Rouge,  on  the  east  hank  of  the  Mississippi,  one  hundred  and  forty  miles 
from  New  Orleans.  The  locality  is  on  the  first  blutf  met  with  on  ascending  the  river.  Exposure  open. 
Position  from  Army  Meteorological  Register,  1831  to  1842,  verified  by  comparison  with  the  most  recent 
maps. 

Fort  Jesup,  Louisiana. — Southwest  of  Nachitoches,  Louisiana,  on  a  ridge  midway  between  the  Red  and  Sabine  rivers, 
twenty-five  miles  distant  from  each.  The  country  is  rolling,  but  not  hilly.  Winds  from  the  Gulf  are 
felt  through  the  summer.     Position  from  Graham's  and  Mitchell's  maps.      « 

Fort  Towson,  Indian  Teeritoet. — Near  Red  river,  six  miles  distant  from  it  and  from  the  Kiamichi,  a  branch  entering  it 
from  the  north.  In  part  surrounded  by  hilly  and  rolling  country,  and  on  the  south  by  open  marshes  or 
prairies.  Position  measured  from  the  corrected  maps  of  the  Pacific  Railroad  surveys.  Altitude  for  the 
post,  above  Red  river  and  Gates'  creek,  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Madison.     Whole  altitude  approximate. 

Foet  Washita,  Indian  Territory. — Near  the  Washita  river, f  thirty  miles  from  its  entrance  into  Red  river.  The  location 
is  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  Washita,  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  it,  and  on  the  border  of  high 
open  prairies.  Position  from  the  map  of  Captain  Whipple,  1854,  compared  ;  approximate.  Altitude  of 
Burlace  of  water  in  Red  river  at  Preston,  by  Captain  Pope,  Topographical  Engineers,  641  feet.  Altitude 
for  post  taken  as  reported  by  Assistant  Surgeon  Baily.J 

Fori  Sjiitu,  Arkans.vs. — At  the  mouth  of  Poteau  river,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Arkansas,  and  at  the  western  limit  of 
Missouri.  Southward  the  country  is  broken  and  hilly,  but  the  locality  is  not  confined.  Position  and 
altitude  by  Captain  Whipple,  Topographical  Engineers,  1S54,  from  astronomical  and  barometric  obser- 
vations. 

*  This  is  a  summer  station  for  the  forces  stationed  at  New  Orleans.    It  has  had  various  positions  at  East  Pascagouia  and  on  the  islands  near,  called 

Camp  Law^on,  Camy)  Twiggs,  &c. 

t  TliP  \Ve^t».Tii  oi  False  Wasliita. 

t  The  altitudes  on  Red  river  given  by  Captain  Tope  appear  too  great ;  and  a*  tlicy  arc  determined  by  a  line  of  levels  from  El  Paso,  the  Wwer  altitude 
of  Dr.  Baily  is  taken,  who  dtfes  not  give  bis  mode  of  obtaining  it. 


502  GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITIONS   OF   THE   MILITARY   POSTS. 

Fort  Gibson,  Lndiax  Teuritort. — On  the  cast  lank  of  the  Neosho  or  Grand  river,  three  miles  from  its  junction  with  the 
ArUiinsas.  The  locality  is  low,  surrounded  by  bottom  land  on  one  side,  and  more  elevated  prairie  on 
others,  with  hills  in  tlic  distance.  Position  from  Army  Meteorological  Register,  182G  to  1830.  Altitude 
determined  by  Assistant  Surgeon  C'oolidge,  in  1847,  as  the  result  of  the  mean  of  ten  months'  barometric 
readings,  compared  with  the  mean  reading  for  the  same  period  at  Fort  Columbus,  New  York.° 

FoET  Scorr,  ELiXSAS. — Near  the  JIarmiton  river,  four  miles  from  the  western  boundary  of  Missouri,  on  the  military  road 
from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  Fort  Gibson.  The  locality  is  a  high  table  prairie,  which,  at  the  south  of  the 
Marmiton,  divides  the  tributaries  of  the  Missouri  from  those  of  the  Arkansas.  E.xposure  particularly 
open  and  imconfined.     Position  from  Mitchell's  map  of  Jlissonri.     Altitude  estimated. 

Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  ten  miles  below  St.  Louis.  The  locality  is  on  a  bluff 
100  feet  above  the  river,  with  a  somewhat  hilly  lack-ground.  Exposure  not  open  westward,  but  affected 
by  the  river  depression.  Position  derived  from  that  of  St.  Louis.  Altitude  from  Nicollet,  for  the  surface 
of  the  Mississippi. 

Si.  Louis  Arsenal,  Missouri. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  three  miles  below  the  city  of  St.  Louis.  The  locality 
is  on  the  immediate  bank  of  the  river,  much  confined  in  regard  to  e.xposure,  and  affected  by  local  ex- 
tremes. Position  that  of  Nicollet  for  St.  Louis  cathedral.  Altitude  from  Dr.  Engelmanu's  barometric 
comparisons  with  New  Orleans. 

Newport  Barracks,  Kentucky.— At  Newport,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Ohio  river,  opposite  Cincinnati.  The  exposure  is 
generally  open.  Position  derived  from  that  of  Professor  Mitchell's  observatory,  on  Mount  Adams,  au 
eminence  overlooking  Cincinnati  from  the  northeast.     Altitude  approximate,  above  the  river. 

Detroit  Barracks,  Michigan. — At  Detroit,  within  the  city  limits.  The  locality  has  been  changed  at  times,  always  retain- 
ing an  open  inland  exposure.     Position  from  Army  Meteorological  Register,  1831  to  1842. f 

Dearborntille  Arsenal,  Michigan. — Near  Defroit,  on  the  river  Rouge,  about  ten  miles  west  of  the  city.  Coimtry  low 
and  fiat.     Position  derived  from  that  of  Detroit. 

Fort  Gratiot,  Michicvn. — At  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  Huron,  west  bank  of  St.  Clair  river.  Exposure  generally  open, 
and  over  an  undulating  forest  country,  without  hills.     Position  from  Mitchell's  map  ;  approximate. 

Fort  Mackinac,  Michigan. — Island  of  Mackinac,  in  the  straits  connecting  Jjakes  Huron  and  Michigan.  The  fort  is  on  an 
abrupt  elevation,  150  feet  above  the  lake,  with  a  hundred  feet  or  more  of  greater  elevation  in  a  hill  north 
of  it.  Exposure  particularly  open,  except  to  the  north.  Position  from  Captain  Macomb's  Survey  of  the 
Lakes. 

Fort  Brady,  Michigan. — At  the  outlet  of  Lake  Superior,  Sault  St.  Marie,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  It  is  fifteen  miles 
from  the  open  lake,  on  a  shore  but  little  elevated  above  the  river,  and  with  an  open  exposure.  Latitude 
and  altitude  from  Army  Meteorological  Register,  1831  to  1842.  Longitude  by  Major  Long,  Topographical 
Engineers,  1823. 

Fort  Wilkins,  Michigan. — At  Ccipper  Harbor,  Keewenaw  Point,  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior.  Tlie  precise  location  and 
exposure  are  n(jt  known.     Position  from  the  maps  of  the  geological  surveys. 

Fort  Howard,  Wisconsin. — tVt  Green  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  Fox  river,  at  its  mouth.  Locality  but  slightly  elevated, 
with  a  low,  marshy  inland  exposure.     Position  from  Mitchell's  map  of  Wisconsin. 

Fort  Atkinson,  Wisconsin. — On  Rock  river,  about  forty  miles  west  of  Milwaukie.     Position  from  recent  maps  of  Wisconsin. 

Fort  Dearborn,  Illinois. — At  Chicago,  on  the  immediate  bank  of  Chicago  river,  and  very  near  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan. 
Entirely  level  and  open  prairie  and  lake  exposure.     Position  that  of  Chicago  in  American  Almanac,  1855. 

Fort  Winnebago,  Wisconsin. — On  the  east  bank  of  Fox  river,  (tributary  to  Green  bay,)  central  Wisconsin.  District  low, 
level,  marshy,  and  open.  P(i.sition  from  Army  Meteorological  Register,  182G  to  1830,  compared  with 
Nicollet's  and  other  recent  maps.  Altitude  derived  from  those  of  Fort  Crawford  and  Fort  Howard  ;  ap- 
proximate. 

Fort  Crawford,  Wisconsin. — At  Prairie  du  Ohien,  on  the  east  bank' of  the  Mississippi,  two  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Wisconsin  river.  Exposure  of  the  locality  open,  with  bluffs  at  two  or  three  miles  distance.  Position 
from  Army  Meteorological  Register,  1826  to  1830,  compared  with  Nicollet's  and  Owen's  maps.J  Altitude 
that  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  from  Nicollet. 

*  .Assistant  Surgeon  CnoIid£;e  reports,  in  Janiinry,  1844,  that  '■  the  latitude  and  lon^tudc  of  this  post  have  recently  been  approximately  determined 
by  Captain  Cady,  6tli  infantry,  at  35"  48'  10  ',  and  95'  3'  15",  by  calculations  based  on  McCoy's  survey  of  the  Cherokee  boundaries  in  1837.  The  source 
of  the  determination  used  is  not  known." 

t  St.  Paul's  Church,  Detroit,  is  given  in  the  .\merican  Almanac  for  ]8o3  at  83°  2'  30"  W.  long. 

t  Position  (br  Fur  Company's  housa,  by  Nicollet,  lat.  43°  3"  6''  N. ;  91°  9'  IB"  W.  long. 


GEOGRAPHICAL    POSITIONS   OF   THE   MILITARY   POSTS.  503 

PoKT  Ahmstrong,  Illinois. — On  Rock  island,  in  the  Mississippi  river,  four  miles  iibove  tiie  mouth  of  Rock  river.  Position 
from  Nicollet's  map. 

Fort  Atkinson,  Iowa. — On  Turkey  river,  northwest  of  Dubuque,  and  near  fifty  miles  westward  from  the  Mississippi  at  the 
nearest  point.     Locality  not  known.     Position  from  Nicollet's  map.     Altitude  estimated. 

Fort  Ripley,  (Gaines,)  Minnesota. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  six  miles  south  of  the  mouth  of  Crow-wing  river. 
Exposure  generally  level  and  open,  with  gradual  elevations  in  the  back-ground.  Position  and  altitude 
from  those  of  mouth  of  Crow-wing  river,  by  Nicollet. 

Fobt  Snelling,  Minnesota. — At  the  junction  of  the  St.  Peter's  with  the  Mississippi  river,  on  the  enclosed  angle.  The  posi- 
tion is  locally  elevated,  but  it  has  a  back-ground  of  bluffs  protecting  it  on  the  northwest.  Position  and 
altitude  from  Nicollet. 

Fort  Ridgelt,  Minnesota.- — At  the  head  of  navigation  of  the  St.  Peter's  river,  near  seventy  miles  southwest  of  Fort  Snelling. 
Position  from  Nicollet's  map.  Altitude  estimated  from  Nicollet's  altitudes  of  points  on  the  St.  Peter's 
river. 

Fort  Dodge,  (Clarke,)  Iowa. — On  the  upper  portion  of  the  Des  Moines  river,  at  the  junction  of  Lizard  fork.  Exposure 
generally  open,  surrounded  by  extensive  prairies.  Position  from  Owen's  Geological  Report.  Altitude 
by  Owen  for  course  of  Des  Moines  river  ;  by  Nicollet  at  its  mouth. 

Fort  Des  Moines,  Iowa.. — On  the  Des  Moines  river,  central  Iowa.  Exposure  generally  open.  Position  from  Owen's  Geolo- 
gical Report.     Altitude  from  Owen  for  Des  Moines  river  ;  from  Nicollet  for  its  mouth. 

Fort  Croghan,  Iowa. — On  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  near  twenty  miles  below  Council  Bluffs.  High  bluffs  are  at 
some  distance  from  the  liver,  three  to  six  miles,  but  the  exposure  is  generally  open.  Position  from  Ni- 
collet's map.     Altitude  from  Lieutenant  Donelson,  1854. 

Council  Bluffs,  =•  Nebraska. — On  the  west  side  of  the  Missouri  river,  thirty  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Platte.  The 
bluffs  are  much  exposed  toward  all  points,  while  the  immediate  valley  of  the  river  is  confined  and  local. 
Position  from  Nicollet's  map.  Altitude  from  Nicollet  and  Lieutenant  Donelson,  1854;  (1,032  feet  for 
the  river,  and  1,327  feet  for  the  bluffs.) 

Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Missouri,  twenty  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Kansas  river.  The  lo- 
cality is  elevated  and  the  exposure  particularly  open.  Position  from  Major  W.  H.  Emory  ;  altitude  that 
of  Nicollet  for  the  landing,  746  feet,  150  feet  being  given  by  the  officers  as  the  height  of  the  post  above 
the  river. 

Fort  Rilev,  Kansas. — On  the  angle  formed  by  the  junction  of  Republican  fork  (or  Pawnee  river)  and  Kansas  river.  Sur- 
rounded by  open  plains.  Latitude  by  Captain  Gunnison  ;  longitude  from  Fremont. f  Altitude  derived 
from  positions  on  Captain  Gunnison's  line  of  railroad  survey  ;  approximate. 

Fort  Kearnt,J  Nebraska. — On  the  south  bank  of  Platte  river,  midway  between  the  Mississippi  and  the  Rocky  mountains. 
The  valley  of  the  Platte  is  broad,  and  the  bluffs  are  remote  and  of  moderate  elevation.  Position  from 
Captain  Stansbury,  Topographical  Engineers,  1850.     Altitude  by  Fremont. 

Fort  Laramie,  Nebraska. — At  the  junction  of  the  Laramie  river  with  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte.  Locality  elevated, 
and  exposure  open,  over  naked  plains  and  bluffs.  Position  by  Fremont,  1843.  Altitude  from  Captain 
Stansbury 's  map. 

Fort  Atkinson,  Kansas. — Near  the  crossing  of  the  Arkansas  river,  Santa  F^  route,  twenty-six  miles  below  the  point  so  de- 
signated. The  bluffs  are  low,  and  the  country  on  all  sides  unbroken  prairie,  without  timber  even  on  the 
river  bottom.     Position  and  altitude  from  Captain  Gunnison's  railroad  survey,  1854. 

Fort  Arbuckle,  Indian  Terkitorv. — Near  the  'W'ashita  river,  "  four  miles  southward  at  the  nearest  point,  and  seventy-six 
miles  north  of  west  of  the  junction  of  this  with  Red  river."§  The  country  generally  open,  though 
woody  at  the  post.  Hills  at  the  southward.  Position  measured  from  the  general  Pacific  railroad  map, 
1855. II  Altitude  derived  from  comparison  with  points  on  Captain  Whipple's  line  of  survey  ;  appro.xi- 
mate. 

Fort  'Worth,  Texas. — On  the  west  fork  of  the  Trinity  river.  Upper  Texas.  The  locality  is  a  high,  open  prairie,  fully  ex- 
posed, and  intermediate  between  the  two  belts  of  woodland  called  the  Cross  Timbers.  Elevation  above 
the  stream  150  feet.  Position  from  Colonel  Johnston's  map,  Topographical  Engineers,  1849.  Altitude 
estimated  by  comparison  with  that  of  Red  river  and  other  points. 

*  The  town  of  Council  Blufli  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  below  the  site  of  the  old  fort. 

t  Fremont  gives  the  longitude  of  an  encampment  half  a  mile  west  of  the  junction  of  these  rivers  at  OG"  24'  56"  ;  1S43. 
}  "  Old  Fort  Kearny"  was  on  the  Missouri,  below  tl\c  niouUi  of  the  Platte. 
§  Assistant  Surgeon  Glisan,  18o2. 

II  The  position  given  previous  to  1834  was  from  the  best  Topographical  Bureau's  maps,  but  the  great  discrepancies  previously  existing  in  the  position* 
f  Uiis  part  of  our  territory  are  mainly  removed  by  the  recent  Pacific  railroad  surveys.    The  final  position  is  taken  from  these. 


504  GEOGRAPHICAL    POSITIONS   OP   THE   MILITARY   POSTS. 

Fori  Gkaham,  Texas. — On  the  east  bank  of  the  Brazos,  Josd  Maria  village.  The  valley  of  the  Brazos,  though  wide,  is 
bounded  by  bluff  banks,  which  give  a  somewhat  local  character  to  the  exposure.  Position  from  Colonel 
Johnston's  map,  1819.     Altitude  estimated. 

Fort  Belknap,  Texas. — "On  the  north  bank  of  the  Red  fork  of  the  Brazos,  110  miles  northwest  of  Fort  Graham.  Tlie 
locality  is  on  the  edge  of  a  rolling  prairie  extending  back  many  miles. "°  South  of  the  river  there  are 
hills.  Position  from  Captain  Pope's  map,  1855.  Altitude  estimated  from  altitudes  taken  near  it  on  the 
line  of  Pope's  survey. 

Post  Phaxtosi  Hii,l,  Texas. — Clear  fork  of  Brazos  river.  This  post  is  about  seventy-five  miles  southwest  of  Fort  Belknap, 
in  a  similarly  high  and  open  country.  Position  derived  from  points  of  the  surveys  of  Johnston,  Pope, 
and  others.     Altitude  similarly  obtained. 

FoKT  Chadboukne,  Ti^xas. — On  Oak  creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Colorado  river  from  tlie  north.  The  surrounding  country  is 
hilly  and  mountainous,  but  the  particular  features  of  the  locality  are  not  known.  Position  and  altitude 
from  a  sketch  liy  Assistant  Surgeon  Swift,  based  on  survey  by  Colonel  Johnston,  of  Topographical  En- 
gineers. 

Camp  J.  E.  Johnston,  Texas. — On  the  Conchos  river,  a  branch  of  the  Colorado  from  the  south,  near  forty  miles  southwest  of 
Fort  Chadbourne.  The  locality  is  in  a  valley,  five  miles  wide,  surrounded  by  hills  and  mountains  in 
the  distance.  Position  and  altitude  from  a  sketch  by  Assistant  Surgeon  Swift,  based  on  surveys  by  Colo- 
nel Johnston. 

Fort  Gates  Texas. — On  the  Rio  Leon,  a  tributary  of  the  Brazos  ri\'er,  fifty-five  miles  southwest  of  Fort  Graham.  The 
locality  is  in  a  valley,  with  much  wooded  country  in  the  vicinity.  Position  from  Colonel  Johnston's 
map.     Altitude  estimated. 

Fort  CROcnAX,  Texas. — On  a  small  tributary  of  the  Colorado,  near  ton  miles  from  that  river,  and  in  a  somewhat  sheltered 
valley.     Position  from  Johnston's  map.     Altitude  approximate. 

Fort  Martin  Scott,  Texas. — At  Fredericksburg,  on  the  Rio  Pedcrnales,  a  branch  of  the  Colorado  river.  It  is  two  miles 
from  Fredericksburg  and  seventy-five  from  San  Antonio.  The  locality  is  in  a  valley,  with  hills  and 
mountains  at  the  west.     Position  from  Johnston's  map.     Altitude  approximate. 

Fort  McKaveti,  Texas. — On  the  San  Saba  river,  a  branch  of  the  Colorado.  The  locality  is  on  the  south  bank,  at  an  ele- 
vation of  100  feet  above  the  river,  and  with  a  generally  open  exposure.  Position  by  Assistant  Surgeon 
Crawford,  from  Johnston's  surveys,  corrected  by  comparison  with  recent  surveys.  Altitude  by  Assistant 
Surgeon  Crawford. 

FoET  Mason  Texas. — On  the  Llano  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Colorado.  A  hilly  district,  though  not  locally  confined  in  its 
exposure.     Position  from  combined  railroad  map,  1855. 

Fort  Terrbit  Texas. — At  the  source  of  the  Kio  Llano,  a  tributarj'  of  the  Colorado.  The  locality  is  on  a  small  plain,  with 
a  very  hilly  and  broken  country  in  the  direction  of  the  source  of  the  river.  Position  from  the  recent 
combination  of  survey  maps.  Altitude  (from  Assistant  Surgeon  Anderson)  by  Colonel  Johnston,  Topo- 
graphical Engineers. 

Austin  Texas. At  the  city  of  Austin,  on  the  Colorado.     I'he  locality  at  which  the  observations  were  taken  not  known. 

This  point  is  at  the  head  of  navigation  of  the  Colorado,  and  differs  much  in  altitude  and  climate  from 
the  chain  of  posts  at  the  westward.     Position  from  Johnston's  map. 

S.VN  Antonio,  Texas. — At  the  town  of  San  Antonio,  on  San  Antonio  river.  The  precise  position  of  the  buildings  for  mili- 
tary occupation  is  not  known.  The  station  compares  very  well  with  Austin,  and  is  but  little  more  ele- 
vated.    Position  from  Johnston's  and  other  maps.     Altitude  by  Major  Graham,  Topographical  Engineers. 

Fort  Ewell,  Texas. — On  the  Nueces  river,  at  its  southern  bend.  The  country  a  low  and  generally  arid  plain.  Position 
from  Johnston's  and  the  railroad  maps. 

Fort  Merrill,  Texas. — On  the  Nueces  river,  midway  between  Fort  Ewell  and  Corpus  Christi.  The  country  a  low  arid 
plain.     Position  from  the  recent  survey  maps. 

Corpus  Christi,  Texas. — At  the  head  of  Corpus  Christi  bay.  The  exposure  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  is  somewhat  broken  by 
the  distance  and  the  islands  separating  the  coast  bays  from  the  Gulf.  Position  by  Captain  Cram,  Topo- 
graphical Engineers. 

Fort  Brown  Texas. — At  Brownsville,  opposite  Matamoras,  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  about  twenty  miles 
from  the  coast  of  the  Gulf.  Position  and  altitude  from  Major  W.  H.  Emory,  Mexican  Boundary  Survey. 
Altitude  approximate. 


Assistant  Surgeon  Boily,  1852. 


GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITIONS   OF   THE    MILITARY   POSTS.  505 

RiXGOOLD  Barracks,  T'exas. — Near  the  town  of  Kio  Grande,   and  nearly  opposite  Camargo,  Mexico,  on  the  Rio  Grande, 

sixty  miles  above  Fort  Brown.     The  locality  is  on  the  low  lianks  of  the  river,  with  a  level  back-ground. 
Position  and  altitude  from  Major  W.  H.  Emory,  Mexican  Boundary  Survey. 

Fort  McIntosh,  Texas. — At  Laredo,  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  on  a  sandy  plain,  fifty  feet  above  the  river,  two  miles  in 
«-idth,  and  with  a  moderately  hilly  back -ground.  Exposure  free.  Position  and  altitude  from  Major  W. 
H.  Emory,  Mexican  Botmdary  Survey. 

Fort  Du.nc.vn,  Texas. — At  Eagle  Pass  of  the  Rio  Grande,  on  a  dry  eleTated  plateau,  much  above  the  river  bed.  The  lo- 
cality is  overlooked  by  a  range  of  sand-hills  of  moderate  elevation.  Position  and  altitude  from  Major 
W.  H.  Emory,  Mexican  Boundary  Survey. 

Fort  I.nge,  Texas. — On  the  Leona  river,  forty-five  miles  ■northeast  of  Fort  Duncan.  The  district  is  moderately  hilly  and 
generally  wooded.  Position  from  Major  W.  H.  Emorj-,  Mexican  Boundary  Survey.  Altitude  by  Colonel 
Graham. 

Fort  Li.ncolx,  Texas. — On  the  Rio  Seco,  a  branch  of  Nueces  river,  fifty-five  miles  nest  of  San  Antonio.  The  district  is 
quite  open  and  arid,  and  the  locality  elevated,  with  free  exposure  south  and  oast,  and  some  protecting 
hills  at  the  northwest.     Position  from  Johnston's  surveys.     Altitude  approximate. 

Fort  Clark,  Texas. — On  the  Las  Mora.s,  a  small  tributary  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  about  thirty  miles  north  of  Fort  Dun- 
can. At  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  on  a  local  elevation  of  fifty  feet  above  it.  Exposure  free,  and  the 
vicinity  wooded.     Position  from  general  railroad  map,  1855.     Altitude  estimated  ;  approximate. 

Fort  Davis,  Texas. — In  the  mountains  betweeon  the  Pecos  river  and  El  Paso,  near  Wild  Rose  Pass,  at  the  sources  of  the 
Limpia  river.  The  location  of  the  post  is  in  a  deep  canon  of  the  mountains,  selected  for  the  purpose  of 
protection  against  the  severity  of  the  winters.  Position  and  altitude  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Guild,  by 
Lieutenant  Smith,  Topographical  Engineers. 

Fort  Bliss,  Texas. — Nearly  opposite  El  Paso,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  locality  is  in  the  immediate 
river  valley,  opening  southward.  Table  lands  border  the  river  here.  Position  that  of  El  Paso,  by  the 
Boundary  Commission.      Altitude  that  of  Molino,  near  El  Paso,  by  the  Boundary  Commission. 

Fort  Fillmore,  New  Mexico. — Near  Mesilla,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  near  forty  miles  above  El  Paso.  The 
locality  is  a  wide  valley,  with  high  mountains  at  ten  to  fifteen  miles  distance  eastward.  Position  from 
Major  W.  H.  Emory,  Mexican  Boundary.      Altitude  by  Lieutenant  Parke,  Topographical  Engineers. 

Dona  A.na,  New  Mexico. — In  the  Rio  Grande  valley,  near  fifty  miles  above  El  Paso,  and  seven  miles  below  the  terminus 
of  the  Jornada  del  Muerto.  The  locality  is  a  wide  valley,  with  high  protecting  mountains  at  several 
miles'  distance.      Position  and  altitude  from  tlie  Me.vican  Boundary  Survey. 

Fort  Tuob.n,  New  Me.xico. — "  In  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  opposite  the  centre  of  the  Jornada,  sixty  miles  below 
Fort  Conrad. "°  The  location  is  at  Santa  Barbara,  elevated  fifty  feet  above  the  river  border,  and  with  a 
back-ground  of  high  mountains  west  and  north.  Position  derived  from  those  of  Doiia  Ana  and  Fort 
Webster.      Altitude  approximate. 

Fort  Webster,  New  Mexico. — At  the  Copper  Mines,  near  the  sources  of  the  Kio  Mimbres  and  of  the  Gila,  Sierra  Madre.f 
In  a  caiion  among  abrupt  mountains.      Position  from  the  Mexican  Boundary  Survey. 

Fort  Coxrad,  New  Mexico. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  near  Valverde,  and  near  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
above  EI  Paso.  The  locality  is  on  a  gravelly  ra^sa,  half  a  mile  west  of  the  river,  which  rises  by  successive 
steps  into  a  rough  and  high  range  of  mountains.  No  immediate  protection.  Position  and  altitude  from 
Assistant  Surgeon  Langworthy,  1853  ;  not  instrumentally  determined. 

Fort  Craig,  New  Mexico. — At  the  northern  terminus  of  the  Jornada  del  Muerto,  Rio  Grande  valley.  This  post  is  nine 
miles  below  Fort  Conrad,  southward,  and  on  the  river.      High  mountains  approach  very  near  at  the  west. 

Socorro,  New  Mexico. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  in  a  recess  of  hills  and  abrupt  moimtains  of  great  elevation, 
which  nearly  suiTound  it,  and  render  its  exposure  confined  and  local.  Position  from  Major  Emory's 
survey.      Altitude  from  Major  Emory. 

Alhuqcerqce,  New  Mexico. — At  the  town  of  Albuquerque,  east  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  valley  is  here  more  open, 
and  the  mountains  less  abrupt,  than  at  Socorro.  Position  and  altitude  by  Captain  Whipple,  Topo- 
graphical Engineers,  1854. 

Note — The  observations  made  at  "EI  Paso"  in  1850,  1851,  &c.,  were  at  a  locality  opposite  the  town,  and  slightly  above  it.  Fort  Bliss  is  lower 
down,  a  little  below  EI  Paso,  at  .MagolTinsville.  The  observations  arc  combined  as  at  one  locality.  (See  report  of  Captain  Pope,  Topographical  Engi- 
neers, of  railroad  explorations,  pp.  4.'l,  4-1,  &c.,  1854.) 

*  Report  of  e.xpIoratioiKs  by  Brevet  (.'aptaiii  John  Pope,  Topographical  Engineers,  1854. 

fThe  post  was  removed  in  October,  18o*J,  to  a  point  on  the  Rio  Mimbres,  eight  miles  east-northeast  ol'  the  Copper  Mines. 
S.  36 04 


506  GEOGRAPHICAL    POSITIONS    OF    THE    MILITARY    POSTS. 

CEBOLI.ETA,  (Lagi'na,)  Nkw  MEXICO  — At  the  soiuTos  of  a  branch  of  tlie  I'm-rco  liver,  west  of  tlu:  Kio  Oianile  and  soiitlnvost 
of  Santa  Fe.  At  Cebolleta  the  post  was  in  a  narrow  valley  or  glen,  facing  eastward,  with  a  very  defective 
and  local  exposure.  Suliseqiicntly,  in  October,  1851,  the  post  was  removed  twenty  miles  soutliward  to 
Laguna,  an  open  valley  of  the  San  .lose'  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Rio  Puerco.  Position  and  altitude  of 
Lagunafrom  the  railroad  survey  of  Captain  Whipple,  Topographical  Engineers,  1854.  Position  of  Cebol- 
leta from  Simpson's  map. 

AuiQiiu,  New  JIexico. — On  the  Kio  do  C'hania,  a  tributary  of  the  Rio  Granile  from  the  west,  northwest  of  Santa  1*V.  The 
locality  is  a  narrow  valley  in  the  vicinity  of  very  high  mountains.  Position  from  Simpson's  map.  Alti- 
tude approximate. 

Saxta  Fe,  New  Mexico. — On  an  elevated  plateau,  near  forty  miles  eastward  of  the  Kio  Grande.  The  local  exposure  is 
very  free  and  open,  but  lofty  mountain  ranges  enclose  the  plateaus  and  the  immediate  valley  of  the  river. 
Position  and  altitude  by  Major  Emory. 

La.s  Veoas,  New  Mexico. — Near  fifty  miles  eastward  from  Santa  Fd,  on  the  sources  of  Pecos  river,  and  at  the  border  of  the 
Great  Plains.  The  locality  is  much  confined,  and  influenced  by  high  mountains  at  the  northwest  and 
northeast,  but  it  opens  freely  southeastward  over  the  high  plains  of  upper  Te.xas.  Position  and  altitude 
derived  from  points  of  Captain  Whipple's  line  of  survey,  1854. 

Fori  Uxion,  New  Mexico. — Northeastward  from  Santa  Ft?  about  fifty  miles,  on  the  Moro  river,  a  branch  of  the  Canadian. 
Locality  in  a  mountainous  region,  opening  eastward  to  the  Great  Plains.  Position  from  Assistant  Siu'- 
geon  J.  Byrne,  determined.      Altitude  from  the  same,  approximate. 

Rayado,  New  Mexico.— In  a  mountain  valley,  near  the  Cimarron  river,  a  branch  of  the  Canadian  from  the  west.  Locality 
mountainous.      Position  from  Simpson's  map  of  New  Mexico. 

Taos,  New  Mexico.— At  the  town  of  Taos,  north  of  Santa  Fd,  an  elevated  plateau,  near  a  tributary  of  the  Rio  Grande  from 
the  east.  Exposure  generally  open,  similar  to  Santa  F^  in  the  position  of  adjacent  mountains.  Position 
from  Lieutenant  Parke's  map,  1851.      Altitude  approximate. 

CANTON.MEXT  BuKGWiN,  New  Mexico. — Near  the  Rio  Grande,  nine  miles  northward  from  Taos.  A  rough  mountainous  district. 
Local  features  not  known.      Position  and  altitude  derived  from  those  of  Taos. 

Fort  iUssACHUSETTs,  New  Mexico. — In  a  sheltered  valley  on  Utah  creek,  opening  into  the  groat  valley  of  San  Luis.  Lofty 
mountains  rise  abruptly  on  the  east,  and  surround  San  Luis  valley  on  all  sides.  Position  and  altitude 
from  the  railroad  survey  of  Captains  Gunnison  and  Beckwith,  1854. 

Fort  Defia.nce,  New  Mexico. — In  a  greatly  elevated  district  of  m^sas  and  mountains,  west  of  the  principal  chain  of  the 
Sierra  Madre,  and  near  the  sources  of  the  Rio  de  Chelly,  a  tributary  of  the  Colorado  of  California.  The 
locality  is  "  a  narrow  Canada,"  affected  by  local  influences,  with  high  mountains  northward.  Position 
from  Sitgreaves'  and  Whipple's  surveys.  Altitude  derived  from  points  on  Whipple's  survey ;  ap- 
proximate. 

Fort  Yuma,  California.— On  the  west  bank  of  the  Great  Colorado,  eighty  miles  from  the  head  of  the  Gtdf  of  California. 
The  locality  is  a  rocky  bluff,  seventy-five  feet  above  the  river,  with  sand-hills  and  rocky  bluiTs  bordeiing 
the  wide  valley,  and  connecting  with  an  immense  sand  desert  on  the  west.  Position  and  altitude  from 
Major  W.  H.  Emory's  Mexican  Boundary  Survey. 

San  Dieqo,  California. — Near  the  town  of  San  Diego,  at  the  head  of  a  valley  six  miles  distant  from  the  Old  Presidio,  north- 
east, and  eight  miles  from  the  sea-shore.  The  valley  opens  upon  the  plain  extending  to  the  town  and 
shore  hills,  of  250  feet  elevation,  bordeiing  the  valley  and  a  range  of  mountains  lying  about  fifteen 
miles  east.o  Position  from  Lieutenant  Williamson's  survey  map,  1855,  based  on  Boundary  Commission 
and  Coast  Survey  positions  for  San  Diego.     Altitude  approximate. 

San  Ltis  Rev,  California  — At  a  town  of  that  name,  near  forty  miles  northwest  of  San  Diego.  The  lociility  is  in  a  wide 
valley  opening  to  the  sea,  and  but  four  miles  from  it.  Position  from  Lieutenant  Williamson's  survey 
map,  1854. 

Post  Raxcuo  del  Cui.vo,  Califor.ma.— In  a  wide  valley  near  the  Rio  Santa  Ana,  thirty-five  miles  from  the  coast,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles  north  of  San  Diego.  The  position  is  inland,  but  without  peculiar  local 
features.     Position  from  Williamson's  map,  1854.     Altitude  approximate. 

Post  Ra.vcho  de  Jirupa,  Cai.ifok.ma.— In  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Santa  Ana,  eighteen  miles  northeast  of  Del  Chino.  Tlic 
locality  is  elevated,  in  a  valley  three  to  four  miles  wide,  with  rough  hills  bordering  it.  (A.ssistant  Sur- 
geon R.  0.  Abbott,  September,  1852.)  Position  from  Lieutenant  Williamson's  Survey  of  the  Pasfes  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada.     Altitude  derived  from  that  given  by  Lieutenant  Williamson  for  San  Bernardino. 


iclnity 


The  local  descrjption  is  by  Assiitam  Surgeon  SuniiiiLra,  Oc«jber,  1853.    The  locality  is  said  to  have  been  changed  to  other  points  of  the  plain  and 

nitv. 


GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITIONS   OF    THE    MILITARY   POSTS.  507 

FoKT  Tfjox,  CALiFouxiA.--At  the  head  vf  tlie  San  Joaquin  valley,  in  a  deep  narrow  valley  opening  westward.  Position  and 
altitude  by  Lieutenant  Williamson,  Toijographical  Engineers. 

Fort  Millku,  California.— On  the  San  Joaquin  river,  at  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  abovit  midway  in  the  en- 
tire length  of  the  San  Joaquin  valley.  Tlie  locality  has  the  peculiar  features  of  this  deep  valley,  several 
hundred  miles  in  length,  and  about  fifty  in  width,  and  shut  in  by  lofty  mountain  ranges  both  from  the 
sea  and  the  interior.°     Position  and  altitude  by  Lieutenant  Williamson,  Topographical  Engineers,  1854. 

MoNTEHEY,  Califoenia. — On  the  south  shore  of  the  bay  of  Monterey,  near  seventy  miles  (direct)  south-southeast  from  San 
Francisco.  The  locality  is  a  low  plain,  with  a  gentle  slope  in  the  back-ground,  and  a  very  full  exposure 
to  the  sea.  The  mountains  are  too  far  distant  to  influence  the  position.  Position  from  Lieutenant  Wise, 
United  States  navy,  1847,  and  Coast  Survey,  1851.     Altitude  changed  in  1850,  and  again  in  1852. 

San  Francisco,  California. — At  Presidio  San  Francisco,  near  the  city.  The  locality  is  an  elevated  point,  three  miles  west 
of  the  city  towards  the  coast,  and  much  more  directly  exposed  to  the  sea.  The  entrance  to  San  Francisco 
bay  hounds  the  point  on  the  north.     Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey,  1853. 

Sonoma,  California. — On  a  small  stream  entering  into  San  Pablo  bay,  near  forty  miles  north  of  San  Francisco.  The 
locality  is  partially  protected  from  the  sea  exposure  by  spurs  of  the  coast  range  of  mountains,  and  its 
character  in  this  respect  is  intermediate  between  the  posts  of  the  coast  and  those  of  the  interior  of  Cali- 
fornia.    Bosition  derived  from  Coast  Survey  and  other  maps  ;  approximate. 

Bkmcia,  California. — At  the  town  of  Benicia,  entrance  to  Suisun  bay,  thirty  miles  northeast  of  San  Francisco.  The  locality 
is  one  mile  eastward  from  the  town,  with  an  exposure  over  water  surface  and  low  plains  in  all  directions 
except  north  and  northwest,  where  there  are  protecting  hills.  The  nearest  point  on  the  Pacific  coast  is 
southwest  thirty-five  miles ;  in  a  right  line  west  it  is  distant  fifty  miles.  Position  from  Com.  Ringgold's 
chart.  United  States  navy,  1850.     Altitude  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Griffin. 

Camp  Andkrson,  California. — At  Sutter  City,  near  Sacramento,  120  miles  northeast  from  San  Francisco.  The  exposure  is 
locally  over  low  plains,  with  much  water  surface,  in  the  wide  interior  valley  of  Sacramento.  Position 
from  Com.  Ringgold's  chart,  1850.     Altitude  approximate. 

Camp  Far  West,  California. — On  Bear  creek,  a  tributary  of  Feather  river,  near  fifteen  miles  from  its  mouth  and  from  the 
town  of  Marysville,  and  thirty-five  miles  north-northeast  from  Sacramento.  The  locality  is  a  confined 
valley  at  the  base  of  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  on  the  east  side  of  the  great  Sacramento  valley. 
Position  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Murray,  compared.     Altitude  approximate. 

Fort  Reading,  California. — On  a  small  tributary  of  Sacramento  river,  one  and  a  half  miles  from  that  river,  and  near  five 
miles  from  the  town  of  Trinidad.  The  locality  is  a  confined  valley,  with  dry  table-lands  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity.  It  is  near  the  upper  extremity  of  Sacramento  valley,  and  the  mountain  ranges  are  from 
twenty  to  forty  miles  distant  at  either  side.  Position  and  altitude  from  Lieutenant  Beckwith,  United 
States  army,  1854.      (Report  of  Pacific  Railroad  Explorations.) 

Fort  Humboldt,  California. — Near  the  town  of  Bucksport,  Humboldt  bay,  coast  of  California.  The  locality  is  a  plateau 
of  slight  elevation  fronting  the  bay  and  fully  open  to  the  Pacific.  From  the  coast,  eastward  two  miles. 
Position  and  altitude  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Deyerle,  derived  from  United  States  Coast  Surveys. 

Fort  Jones,  California. — At  Scott's  valley,  on  a  small  tributary  of  Klamath  river,  near  one  hundred  miles  from  the  head 
of  Sacramento  valley,  and  an  equal  distance  in  a  direct  line  from  the  Pacific  coast,  llie  locality  is  not 
closely  confined,  though  with  high  mountains — the  Siskiou  and  Salmon  ranges — on  the  south  and  east. 
Position  and  altitude  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Crane,  December,  1852. 

Port  Orford,  Oregon. — At  Port  Orford,  near  ten  miles  southward  from  Cape  Blanco  or  Orford.  The  locality  is  at  the  head 
of  a  bay  (Tichenor  bay  or  Ewing  Harbor)  opening  southward,  and  the  exposure  very  direct  to  the  Pacific. 
Position  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Milhau,  1854.  compared. 

Fort  Lanf.,  Oregon. — Near  Jacksonville,  Rogue  river,  in  a  large  valley  opening  westward,  with  high  mountain  ranges  in 
the  vicinity.      Position  from  surveys  of  Oregon,  through  Assistant  Surgeon  Crane,  1854. 

Astoria,  Oregon.— At  the  town  of  Astoria,  south  bank  of  the  Columbia  river,  near  ten  miles  from  the  coast  of  the  Pacific. 
The  locality  has  a  free  exposure  over  water  surface  and  low  plains  to  the  sea,  with  rough  hills  at  the 
south  and  east.      Position  from  United  States  Coast  Survey,  1853. 

Fort  Vaxcoc-s-er,  Columbia  Barracks,  Oregon.- On  the  north  bank  of  the  Columbia  river,  eighty  miles  in  a  direct  line 
from  the  Pacific  at  its  mouth.  The  valley  of  the  river  opens  northwestward  here,  and  the  coast  range 
of  mountains  protects  it  from  sea  exposure.  The  Barracks  and  old  Fort  Vancouver  have  been  occupied 
alternately  ;  the  difference  of  position  is  unimportant.  The  plain  is  low  and  wide,  with  much  water 
surface  in  the  vicinity.      Position  by  Dr.  Evans,  survey  of  Oregon,  1852. 

*  Assistnut  Surgeon  Sorrel,  Septumbcr.  1C5I. 


508  GEOGRAPHICAL   POSITIONS   OF   THE   MILITARY    POSTS. 

FoBT  Dalles,  Obegon. — At  the  passage  of  the  Columbia  river  through  the  eastern  portions  of  the  Cascade  range  of  mount- 
ains. The  locality  is  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  half  a  mile  from  it,  and  elevated  about  one  hun- 
dred feet.  The  exposure  is  over  bare  plateaux,  with  the  Cascade  ranjie  protecting  the  district  at  the  west. 
Position  from  Assistant  Surgeon  Summers.  Altitude  from  Lieutenant  Saxtou,  (of  the  North  Pacific  rail- 
road survey,)  1854. 

FoKT  Steilacoou,  Washington  Tiuiritorv. — At  Steilacoom,  the  southern  extremity  of  Puget's  sound.  Tlie  locality  is  one 
mile  east  from  the  shore  of  the  sound,  with  open  plains  and  much  water  surface  in  the  vicinity.  The 
Cascade  and  coast  ranges  of  mountains  enclose  the  area  of  the  sound  and  plains.  Position  from  the 
survey  of  Oregon,  1852. 

Cantorment  Lorixo,  Oregon. — Near  Fort  Hall,  upper  portion  of  Lewis'  Fork  of  Columbia.  The  post  is  about  etiuidistant 
from  Great  Salt  Lake  and  the  South  Pass,  north  and  west  respectively.  The  locality  is  on  tlie  east  bank 
of  the  river,  live  miles  above  Fort  Hall,  in  a  low  valley  three  to  five  miles  wide.  The  principal  mount- 
ains are  too  far  distant  to  affect  the  position  locally.  Position  and  altitude  derived  from  those  of  Fort 
Hall,  by  Fremont,  1843. 

Gbsat  Salt  Lake,  Utah. — On  a  plain  near  ten  miles  south  of  the  lake.  A  chain  of  mountains  is  quite  near  at  the  east, 
but  in  other  directions  the  exposure  is  open  and  free.  Position  by  Captain  Stansbury,  Topographical 
Engineers,  1850.  Altitude  from  five  months'  barometric  observations  by  Lieutenant  Beekmth,  United 
States  army,  1854. 

Note — Valuable  informaiion  respecting  the  local  features  of  several  posts  in  the  least  known  portions  of  Texas  and  New  Mexico  has  been  com- 
municated by  Assistant  Surgeon  White. 


CONSOLIDATED  TABLES  AND  SUMMARIES 


TEMPERATURE    SERIES. 


In  the  following  tables  the  mean  results  of  the  observations  of  temperature  are  given  for  each 
month,  season,  and  year  during  the  entire  period  of  observation  at  each  post,  with  a  summary  for  the 
whole  period.  A  part  only  of  the  records  from  1822  to  1830  was  published  in  the  first  preparation 
of  result.s  ;  and  in  the  second,  incomplete  years,  and  observations  not  continuous  for  a  series  of  years, 
were  also  omitted.  The  series  as  now  given  embrace  all  the  unpublished  as  well  as  published  records 
of  the  Army  Medical  Bureau,  from  the  complete  organization  of  the  system  of  meteorological  obser- 
vations in  1822  to  the  close  of  1854,  a  period  of  thirty-three  years. 


FORT  KENT,  MAINE. 
Latitude  47"  15'  N.,  Longitude  68°  35'  W.     Altitude  above  sea  515  feet. 


FORT  FAIRFIELD,  MAINE. 
Latitude  46°  46',  Longitude  67°  49'.     Altitude  415  feet. 


HANCOCK  BARRACKS,  MAINE. 
Latitude  46°  07',  Longitude  67°  49'.     Altitude  620/ee^. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April. 

May. 

1 
June. 

July. 

August. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov.    ' 

Dec. 

Spring. 

! 

Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1842  .. 

6.64 

14.04 

25.11 

33.59 

45.15 

57.20 

64.68 

64.05 

49.70 

40.34 

29.35 

12.02 

34  62 

61.96  1    39.80 

10.90 

36.82 

1843.... 

19.21 

8.53 

34.54 

40.00 

50.96 

62.10 

64.47 

68.70 

38.50 

65.09      

1844.... 



46.84 

59.19 

59.08 

59.68 

53.47 

39.82 

26.59 

10.70 

59.65       39.96 

1845.... 

7.44 

12.31 

20.94 

32.26 

44.49 

57.49 

61.73 

61.78 





32.56 

60.33      

Mean... 

11.10 

11.63 

23.53 

35.28 

46.86 

58.99 

62.49 

63.55 

51.59 

40.08 

27.97 

11.36 

35.22 

61.68       39.88 

11. .36 

37.04 

1842.... 
1843.... 

11.43 
19.90 

17.14 

10.17 

26.41 
23.18 

34.04 
38.40 

1 
46.66  , 

49.03  : 

56.15 
57.96 

65.40 
60  16 

65.07 
64.74 

49.93 

40.92 

30.05 

13.53 

35.70 

36.87 

62.21 
60.95 

40.30 

14.03  ! 

38.06 

Mi'an... 

15.66 

13.66 

24.80 

36.22 

47.84 

57.06 

62.78 

64.90 

49.93 

40.92 

30.05 

1 

13.53 

36.29 

61  58 

40.30 

14.28 

1 

38.11 

1829.... 

11.86 

15.15 

25.32 

41.31 

56.44 

61.70 

60.08 

62.46 

•19.29 

42.19 

26.94 

25.77 

41.02 

61.41 

39.47 

17.59 

39.87 

1830.... 

6.95 

13.54 

S7.92 

46.18 

52.46 

60.80 

68.12 

64.40 

53.9'. 

47. -19 

38.65 

27.19 

42.19 

64.44 

46.70 

15.89 

42.30 

1831.... 

12.51 

19.19 

31.31 

38.23 

56.71 

66.16 

68.73 

67.70 

57.44 

46.28 

36.07 

8.64 

42.08 

67.53 

46.59 

13.44 

42.41 

1833.... 

17.41 

12.68 

27.57 

33  06 

49.49 

55.60 

62.16 

66.33 

57.44 

46.36 

31.46 

15.41 

36.70 

61.37 

45.09 

15.17 

39.58 

1833.... 

14.14 

11.69 

23.56 

39.77 

53.72 

55.30 

63.66 

61.24 

52.88 

45.65 

31.26 

24.62 

39.02 

60.73 

42.26 

16.82 

37.46 

183-1.... 

10.12 

23.89 

27.20 

42.55 

•17.67 

59.69 

68.48 

63.45 

59.41 

41.94 

30.67 

11.24 

39.14 

63.85 

44.01 

15.08 

40.53 

1833.... 

16  70 

13.72 

23.28 

37.07 

47.18 

59.79 

64.99 

6-3.93 

53.23 

48.03 

27.97 

9.74 

35  84 

62.57 

43.08 

13.39 

38.73 

18:«.... 

16.41 

U  51 

28.37 

37.65 

49.23 

6J,73 

67.r, 

6-J.6-J 

55.18 

38.10 

30.10 

17.19 

38.42 

64.23 

41.13 

l.i.04 

39.70 

510 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND   SUMMARIES. 


HANCOCK  BARRACKS,  MAINE— Continued. 
Latitude  46°  07',  Longitude  6Y°  49'.     Altitude  midfeet. 


■ 
Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1837.... 

16.09 

16.37 

27.03 

39.42 

49.98 

60.79 

63.24 

63.09 

56.85 

41.20 

29.10 

17.96 

38.81 

62.37 

42.38 

16.81 

40.09 

1838.... 

90.60 

13.63 

34.76 

36.93 

50.62 

67.02 

68.27 

63.49 

56.44 

41.13 

27.59 

14.28 

40.74 

66.26 

41.72 

16.17 

41.23 

1839.... 

16.66 

19.41 

27.43 

42.92 

48.43 

57.  K> 

67.01 

65.89 

ii6.r)2 

45.14 

31.16 

25.48 

39.59 

63.58 

44.27 

20.52 

41.99 

1840.... 

9.81 

23.66 

28.77 

41.39 

52.46 

61.04 

67.84 

68.10 

56.16 

43.50 

31.96 

15.97 

40.87 

65.86 

43.87 

16.48 

42.02 

1841..   . 

91.52 

15.83 

26.87 

34.88 

48.67 

57.09 

64.86 

67.70 

59.48 

39.13 

32.77 

23.32 

38.81 

63.22 

43.79 

20.22 

41.01 

18'12... 

15.17 

20.84 

30.91 

38.18 

46.93 

58.76 

65.79 

66.24 

52.82 

43.98 

31.39 

14.90 

38.67 

62.04 

42.73 

17  04 

40.12 

1843.... 

22.44 

12.72 

25  98 

41.47 

50.75 

59.38 

62.00 

64.75 

51.50 

41.00 

27.66 

20.75 

39.40 

62.04 

40.05 

18.64 

40.03 

1844.... 

6.45 

18.07 

25.62 

41.63 

48.90 

60.37 

60.66 

61.75 

r>5.48 

42.74 

28.72 

17.50 

38.72 

60.93 

42.31 

14.01 

38.99 

1845.... 

15.39 

16.89 

26.82 

37.47 

48.77 

60.01 

62.99 

64.82 

37.69 

62.58 

Mean  ; 
17  y'rs  J 

14.72 

16.40 

27.57 

39.42 

50.47 

60.28 

65.18 

64.. M 

55.25 

43.37 

30.84 

18.12 

39.15 

63.33 

43.15 

16.41 

40.51 

FORT  SULLIVAN,  MAINE. 
Latitude  44°  54',  Longitude  66°  58'.     Altitude  110  feet. 


1822.... 

17.86 

22.98 

32.60 

37.17 

50.49 

57.99 

62.34 

62.24 

55.48 

46.68 

37.03 

24.64 

40.09 

60.86 

47.39 

21.83 

42.54 

1823.... 

21.02 

17.30 

28.91 

39.02 

47.61 

54.73 

62.67 

62.22 

54.97 

47.36 

31.65 

28.30 

38.51 

59.87 

44.66 

22.91 

41.31 

1834.... 

20.91 

21.11 

29.30 

40.38 

46.07 

55.85 

63.52 

62.97 

56.69 

45.33 

34.28 

27.67 

38.58 

eo..^ 

45.43 

23.23 

41.95 

1825.... 

21.18 

22.35 

32.92 

42.29 

50.14 

60  97 

67.33 

64.83 

56.57 

47.81 

37.94 

28.33 

41.78 

64.38 

47.44 

23.95 

44.39 

1826.... 

23.17 

22.72 

31.17 

39.61 

53.96 

60.07 

66.90 

67.53 

59.70 

48.71 

38.24 

27.83 

41.58 

64.83 

48.88 

24.57 

44.96 

1827.... 

20.48 

23.07 

32.00 

43.54 

51.54 

59.21 

66.17 

61.94 

60.81 

51.12 

42.36 

63.44 

1828.... 

22.44 

29.61 

31.62 

37.52 

50.08 

57.47 

61.50 

65.00 

58.42 

47.19 

38.53 

26.18 

39.74 

61.31 

48.05 

26.08 

43.79 

1829.... 

19.57 

21.29 

99  32 

40.93 

51.79 

58.01 

61.08 

61.49 

53.24 

45.89 

37.35 

31.67 

40.68 

60.19 

45.49 

24.28 

42.66 

1830.... 

18.17 

19.42 

31.05 

44.08 

49.69 

57.07 

63.63 

61.76 

54.37 

48.61 

41.92 

32.37 

41.61 

60.82 

48.30 

23.32 

43.51 

1831.... 

19.87 

24.57 

35.45 

42.81 

55.83 

60.27 

67.48 

66.58 

58.96 

48.97 

39.93 

14.77 

44.69 

64.78 

49.29 

19.80 

44.64 

1832.... 

25.78 

20.35 

98.52 

35.88 

49.25 

54.36 

57.53 

69.11 

55.07 

48.08 

36.43 

23.37 

37.88 

58.00 

46.86 

23.17 

41.48 

1833.... 

23.18 

90.19 

29.23 

41.95 

50.27 

54.68 

62.09 

60.50 

58.28 

48.51 

36.46 

29.90 

40.48 

59.09 

47.75 

24.42 

49.93 

1834.... 

19.48 

29.99 

33.21 

43.32 

47.77 

58.29 

62.71 

61.04 

58.64 

46.00 

36.96 

20.42 

41.43 

60.68 

47.20 

93.30 

43.17 

1835.... 

24.34 

22.20 

29.40 

38.11 

49.09 

55.38 

60.50 

59.67 

57.02 

50.45 

36.22 

17.28 

38.20 

58. K 

47.90 

21.27 

41.43 

1836.... 

21.49 

IT.  99 

27.73 

37.74 

45.47 

55.13 

36.98 

1841.... 

30.13 

23.97 

31.34 

36.30 

45.05 

56.68 

60.82 

62.10 

60.36 

44.25 

36.42 

28.85 

37.56 

59.87 

47.01 

27.65 

43.02 

1642  ... 

23.95 

97.96 

^.75 

39.77 

47.77 

53.15 

63.69 

61.41 

54.91 

45.45 

36.10 

22.88 

40.09 

59.41 

45.49 

24.93 

42.48 

1843.... 

29.07 

20.30 

27.40 

40.48 

49.26 

.57.08 

61.28 

61.18 

66.48 

47.72 

35.38 

27.56 

39.05 

59.85 

46.53 

25.64 

42.77 

1844.... 

16.17 

25.61 

33.40 

45.48 

50.33 

53.01 

59.19 

60.57 

58.75 

49.08 

36.89 

27.16 

43.07 

59.26 

48.24 

22.98 

43.39 

1845.... 

23.63 

2-1  11 

31.45 

40.78 

47.07 

57.45 

60.24 

63.24 

39.77 

60.31 

1849.... 





61.38 

62.36 

57.62 

47.80 

43.54 

23.28 

49.65 

1850.... 

93.88 

27.17 

27.29 

40.87 

46.55 

55.95 

61.69 

61.51 

57.80 

50.45 

39.71 

23.96 

38.24 

59.72 

49.32 

25.00 

43.07 

1851.... 

21.52 

26.48 

31.68 

41.77 

48.18 

54.31 

59.68 

61.55 

57.68 

51.88 

35.21 

ffi.41 

40.54 

58.51 

48.26 

23.47 

42.69 

1852.... 

^.16 

26.93 

30.38 

40.25 

49.51 

54.00 

61.08 

60.76 

57.72 

47.59 

38.28 

32.85 

40.05 

56.61 

47.86 

27.31 

43.46 

1853.... 

27.51 

27  31 

30.92 

40.65 

48.83 

56.12 

61.64 

61.20 

40.13 

59.62 

Mean  } 
25  y'rs  J 

22.37 

23.54 

30.79 

40.44 

49.23 

56.76 

62.33 

62.42 

57.25 

47.95 

37.35 

25.79 

40.15 

60.50 

47.52 

23.90 

43.02 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


511 


FORT  PREBLE,  MAINE. 
Latitude  43"  39',  Longitude  70°  20'.     Altitude  Id  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

TVinter. 

Year. 

1824.... 

24.82 

24.42 

33.92 

43.96 

51.51 

62.87 

68.66 

66.76 

60.79 

48.54 

34.98 

29  25 

43.13 

66.10 

48.08 

26.16 

45.87 

1835.... 

22.59 

24.63 

35.62 

46.56 

53.47 

68.00 

73.56 

68.05 

58.65 

49.97 

88.05 

28.26 

45.22 

69.87 

48.89 

25.16 

47.28 

1826.... 

21.52 

24.51 

34.76 

41.41 

59.46 

65.32 

72.33 

68.67 

61.34 

50.43 

37.05 

28.14 

45.21 

68.77 

49.61 

24.72 

47.05 

1827.... 

19.65 

24.56 

33.92 

46.74 

54.26 

62.91 

70.06 

66.74 

61.52 

50.53 

32.54 

27.74 

44.97 

66  57 

48.20 

23.98 

45.93 

1828.... 

27.02 

33.76 

34.83 

43.02 

52.86 

67.31 

70.85 

70.66 

62.18 

49.10 

39.13 

32.43 

43.57 

69.61 

50.14 

24.59 

46.98 

1829.... 

20.69 

20.64 

30.84 

44.06 

56.81 

64.53 

68.06 

66.45 

55.09 

48  21 

37.20 

32.73 

43.90 

66  35 

46.83 

24.69 

44.94 

1830.... 

19.93 

20.60 

34.04 

47.96 

54.04 

62.42 

69.87 

66.88 

57.88 

50.30 

44.53 

32.41 

45.35 

66.39 

50.90 

24.38 

46.75 

1831.... 

21.06 

24.47 

35.45 

46.02 

56.76 

68.85 

71.53 

70.48 

61.44 

50.84 

39.22 

15.14 

46.08 

70.29 

50.50 

20. K 

46.77 

1832.... 

23.41 

22.14 

32.96 

63.80 

66.30 

60.00 

51.51 

39.35 

26.97 

50.29 

24.17 



1833.... 

26.75 

21.64 

29.50 

44.77 

56.20 

60.25 

69.15 

65.15 

58.98 

48.28 

36.50 

26.96 

43.49 

64.85 

47.92 

25.78 

45.51 

1834.... 

20.36 

29.85 

33.83 

45.14 

51.58 

62.81 

71.40 

67.67 

61.47 

47.39 

36.29 

24.33 

43.52 

67.39 

48.38 

24.85 

46.01 

1835.... 

23.96 

21.24 

30.50 

40.93 

53,08 

63.26 

68.91 

66.08 

57.64 

51.17 

37.04 

19.79 

41  50 

66.08 

48.62 

21.66 

44.46 

1841.... 

27.13 

21.89 

30.19 

38.39 

48.49 

60.87 

64.39 

64.22 

59.94 

43.65 

36.26 

28.84 

39.02 

63.16 

46.62 

25.95 

43.69 

1842.... 

25.76 

30.04 

35.97 

41.89 

48.39 

57.67 

67.02 

63.01 

55.89 

47.81 

35.26 

24.47 

42.18 

62.57 

46.32 

26.76 

44.46 

1843.... 

29.06 

26.89 

40.68 

49.73 

58.36 

62.89 

65.38 

56.40 

46.73 

34.38 

29.09 

39.10 

62.21 

45.84 

1844.... 

14.36 

21.82 

31.03 

43.00 

51.25 

60.75 

63.00 

62.75 

58.00 

47.25 

35.90 

26.25 

41.76 

62.17 

47.05 

20.81 

42.95 

1845.... 

23.67 

22.50 

30.97 

40.70 

51.85 

62.27 

65.52 

66.17 

56.57 

41.17 

64.65 

1849.... 

68. !« 

69.69 

69.52 

63.20 

53.50 

50.79 

26. 14 

69.38 

41.87 



1850.... 

24.69 

27.41 

31.77 

40.25 

49.47 

62.26 

66.65 

64.86 

58.40 

50.27 

40.02 

22.40  > 

40.50 

64.59 

49.56 

24.83 

44.87 

1851.... 

20.01 

25.28 

33.30 

42.60 

51  61 

58.71 

66.59 

65.19 

60.00 

51.56 

35.09 

20.56 

42.50 

63.50 

48.88 

21.95 

44.21 

1852.... 

18.43 

23.04 

29.41 

39.10 

51.96 

63.71 

68.33 

64.70 

59.11 

48.16 

36.38 

32.00 

40.16 

65.58 

47.88 

24.49 

44.53 

1853.... 

23.25 

25.84 

33.41 

42.02 

53.66 

63.24 

68.12 

65.34 

43.03 

65.57 



Mean  ) 
22  y'rs  j 

iH.78 

24.52 

32.53 

42.96 

52.82 

63.  U 

68.20 

66.41 

56.91 

49.76 

37.80 

26.80 

42.77 

65.24 

48.16 

24.70 

45.22 

FORT  CONSTITUTION, 
Latit^ide  43°  04',  Longitude 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

10°  49'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


1824.... 

27.83 

36.25 

34.84 



1825.... 

27.13 

28.50 

37.60 

46.54 

153.59 

65.59 

71.32 

64.90 

59.23 

51.38 

39.41 

•■fi.ge 

45.91 

67.27 

50.00 

29.53 

48.18 

1826.... 

28.84 

31.79 

36.31 

43.05 

58.65 

62.71 

68.54 

67.61 

61  88 

51.73 

40.50 

30.21 

46.00 

66.29 

51.37 

30.28 

48.48 

1827.... 

21.31 

26.88 

35.52 

47.63 

53.61 

61.75 

67.64 

65.16 

60.44 

31. 40 

33.87 

29.42 

45.59 

64.85 

48.57 

S3. 87 

46.33 

1828.... 

29.37 

35.47 

36.14 

42.91 

59.25 

64.0,') 

69.16 

68.36 

62.24 

50.40 

41,85 

35.01 

46  10 

67.19 

51.50 

33.28 

49.52 

1829.... 

24.38 

22.79 

31.29 

43.86 

56.11 

62.64 

65.65 

65.00 

55.72 

48.54 

39.52 

36.48 

43.75 

64.43 

47,93 

27.88 

46.00 

1830.... 

22.92 

23.28 

35.43 

46.84 

53.15 

62.76 

69.12 

66  36 

57.95 

51.38 

46.04 

33.40 

45.15 

66.08 

51.79 

26.53 

47.39 

1831.... 

21.78 

25.28 

39.50 

45.64 

55.03 

66.58 

68.86 

68.52 

60.06 

51,71 

40.74 

17.07 

46.72 

67.99 

50.84 

21.37 

46.73 

1832.... 

25.69 

25.65 
23.48 

34.76 

40.12 

50.42 

59.65 

63.31 

64.62 

57.36 

51.30 

40.77 

29.36 

41.76 

62.53 

49.81 

27.34 

45.36 

1833.... 

28  66 

30.69 

44.96 

55.11 

59.41 

66.77 

63.43 

58  81 

48.73 

37.49 

31.13 

43.59 

63.20 

48.34 

27.42 

45.64 

1634.... 

20.10 

31.98 

34.49 

44.13 

51.07 

60.32 

68.14 

64.62 

60.91 

47.39 

39.21 

27.21 

43.23 

64.36 

49.17 

26.43 

45.80 

1835.... 

26.29 

24.22 

31.54 

41.83 

52.59 

61.35 

65.97 

63  32 

56.61 

,tO,77 

38.65 

22  52 

41.99 

63.55 

48.78 

34.34 

44.66 

iKie.... 

25.41 

19.69 

30.17 

39.67 

50.70 

55.76 

65.73 

60.48 

57.11 

44, lO 

36.63 

28.47 

40.18 

60.66 

46.08 

24.52 

42.86 

1837.... 

21.80 

24.14 

30.25 

41.45 

48.24 

59.12 

62.34 

61.20 

55.41 

47.30 

37.94 

29.12 

39,98 

60  89 

46.88 

23.03 

43.19 

1838.... 

31.83 

19.20 

34.64 

38.71 

49  99 

63  13 

68.10 

64.51 

56  05 

46.67 

34.51 

25.05 

41,11 

65.25 

46.41 

25.56 

44.58 

1839.... 

25.89 

27.66 

32.72 

43.62 

50.62 

57.77 

65.33 

64.09 

."^9.06 

.=.0.62 

37.34 

31.66 

42.32 

62.40 

49.01 

28.40 

45.53 

1840.... 

18.65 

31.98 

33.70 

4,'i.70 

d;).13 

61.75 

66.58 

6.1.09 

58.06 

.... 

14.18 

64.47 



1841.... 



50.42 

40.00 

32.51 





512 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  CONSTITUTION,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE -Continued. 

Latitude  43°  04',  Longitude  70°  49'.     Altitude  2Qfeet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Marcl). 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 
62.65 

Autumn 

Winter 

Year. 

1842.... 

26.38 

30.71 

37.19 

42.26 

50.61 

57.46 

65.61 

64.87 

57.33 

48.74 

37.66 

25.09 

43.35 

47.91 

28.06 

45.49 

1843.... 

31.69 

19.55 

26.58 

43.81 

55.25 

64.30 

68.45 

69.80 

62.13 

47.69 

35.71 

28.83 

41.88 

67.52 

48.51 

26.69 

46.15 

1844.... 

17.85 

25.32 

34.17 

45.40 

53.39 

61.91 

64.56 

63.79 

59.73 

48.68 

38.26 

29.46 

44.32 

63.42 

48.89 

34.21 

45.21 

1845.... 

36.00 

24.99 

33.86 

42.01 

53.99 

61.28 

67.66 

66.80 

42.95 

65.31 





Iti49.... 

68.74 

68.78 

61.28 

48.91 

44.70 

26.28 

51.63 

1850.... 

35.39 

28.57 

32.05 

40.66 

49.51 

64.33 

67.20 

65.41 

58.48 

50.02 

40.69 

23.91 

40.74 

65.65 

49.73 

25.96 

45.52 

1851.... 

2s.ea 

27.33 

34.98 

42.09 

52.37 

60.91 

67.70 

65.49 

58.65 

51.33 

34.22 

20.62 

43.11 

64.70 

48.06 

23.59 

44.87 

1852.... 

19.76 

25.02 

31.21 

39.00 

53.95 

64.20 

67.37 

63.95 

58.90 

48.23 

35.76 

^.13 

41.42 

65.14 

47.63 

25.64 

44.96 

1853.... 

24.20 

25.54 

K.92 

39.17 

52.84 

64.56 

67.45 

60.53 

59.46 

41.64 

64.18 

Mean  ) 
SSSy'raj 

24.95 

26.21 

33.71 

42.96 

53.00 

60.97 

67.10 

65.07 

58. K 

49.47 

38.75 

28.63 

43.22 

64.38 

49.05 

26.60 

45.81 

FORT  INDEPENDENCE,  BOSTON  HARBOR, 
Latitude  42°  20',  Longitude  71°  00'. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 
Altitude  50  feet. 


1824.... 

29.63 

28.40 

35.33 

46.16 

55.98 

64.57 

71.07 

67.78 

63.46 

52.89 

40.02 

•M.ia 

45.79 

67.81 

52.12 

30.75 

49.12 

1825  ... 

28.73 

30.45 

40.14 

48.76 

57.31 

68.66 

75.20 

71.54 

62.26 

54.44 

42.66 

32.61 

48.74 

71.87 

53.12 

30.60 

51.08 

1826.... 

29.40 

30.58 

36.38 

43.28 

62.02 

65.97 

71.01 

69.27 

63.80 

54.05 

41.64 

32.92 

47.23 

68.75 

53.16 

30.97 

50.03 

1827.... 

21.76 

27.98 

37.26 

49.01 

56.15 

63.67 

70.20 

68.52 

63  59 

53.70 

37.22 



47.47 

67.46 

51.50 

1828.... 

31.48 

36.14 

38.06 

43.44 

55.62 

67.06 

70.71 

71.21 

64.26 

53.18 

44.15 

36.75 

45.71 

69.66 

53.86 

34.96 

51.05 

1829.... 

26.58 

22.89 

30.46 

46.09 

57.55 

66.56 

67.53 

39.20 

52.47 

42.67 

39.56 

44.70 

51.45 

29.68 

1830.... 

27.39 

26.46 

38.39 

49.71 

58.06 

66.14 

71.32 

69.48 

61.84 

55.68 

48.80 

36.97 

48.72 

68.98 

55.44 

30.27 

50.85 

1831.... 

25.08 

26.62 

42.40 

49.48 

59.17 

70.55 

68.86 

71.55 

64.12 

55.70 

42.33 

20.26 

50.35 

70.32 

54.05 

23.98 

49.67 

1832.... 

29.12 

29.17 

37.46 

42.39 

52.60 

64.07 

67.75 

69.24 

62.17 

54.66 

44.75 

32.47 

44.15 

67.02 

53.86 

30.25 

48.83 

1633.... 

31.61 

26.50 

33  86 

49.90 

59.95 

64.10 

70.77 

68.47 

63.05 



47.90 

67.78 

1634.... 

24.55 

33.90 

36.59 

45.55 

53.23 

63.26 

73.32 

68.30 

62.78 

50.02 

39.18 

27.79 

45.12 

68.29 

50.66 

26.75 

48.20 

1835.... 

26.23 

23.33 

31.53 

42.09 

54.02 

66.02 

42.55 

1836.... 

25.88 

19.16 

30.81 

43.98 

59  27 

61.96 

72.11 

67.33 

61.70 

47.10 

36.84 

29.91 

44.69 

67.13 

48.55 

24.98 

46.34 

1837.   .. 

21.95 

25.07 

30.76 



1851.... 

56.32 

64.32 

71.11 

69.02 

61.72 

53  64 

36.92 

23.87 

68.15 

50.76 

1852.... 

23.19 

28.50 

32.98 

41.26 

56.51 

65.22 

72.09 

66.75 

62.91 

51.81 

39.75 

36.58 

43.58 

68-02 

51.49 

29.42 

48.13 

1853.... 

27.98 

30.33 

37.58 

45.67 

57.15 

67.57 

71.17 

69.98 

63.98 

50.72 

41.93 

28.67 

46.80 

69.58 

52.21 

29.00 

49.40 

1854.... 

25.52 

25.00 

32.92 

43  41 

58.76 

65.91 

74.07 

69.70 

63.71 

55.29 

44.27 

26.95 

44.70 

69.89 

54.42 

25.82 

48.71 

Mean  ( 
17y'rsi 

26.83 

27.67 

35.46 

45.57 

57.04 

65.57 

71.08 

69.10 

62.78 

53.02 

41.54 

31.39 

46.02 

«8.58 

52.45 

28.63 

48.»2 

WATERTOWN  ARSENAL,  MASSACHUSETTS. 
Latitude  42°  21',  Longitude  11°  09'. 


1837.... 

21.51 

25.92 

31.52 

44.20 

53.70 

63.68 

67.69 

65.16 

59.15 

49.09 

40.07 

29.36 

43.07 

65.51 

49.64 

25.59 

45.91 

1838.... 

32.96 

19.01 

35.64  i 

41.30 

54.57 

68.21 

74.04 

69.98 

62.25 

47.53 

35.72 

26.71 

43.83 

70.74 

48.50 

26.22 

47.35 

1839  ... 

27.24 

28.05 

36.41 

47.92 

55.56 

61.34 

71.79 

69.00 

63.25 

52.49 

37.58 

30.57 

46.63 

67.37 

51.10 

28.62 

48.43 

1840.... 

19.18 

33.45 

37.09 

47.66 

56.75 

66.16 

72.56 

71.15 

60.82 

51.38 

38.78 

27.18 

47.17 

69.95 

50. K 

26.60 

48.51 

1841.... 

30.82 

26.40 

35.28 

69.08 

69.04 

K.68 

44.86 

37.60 

31.48 



48.38 

29.57 

1843.... 

31.69 

19.55 

26.58 

43.61 

55.25 

64.30 

68.45 

69.80 

62.13 

47.69 

35.71 

28.83 

41.88 

67.52 

48.51 

26.69 

46.15 

Mean  ) 
6  y'rs  f 

27.23 

25.40 

33.75 

44.98 

55.17 

64.74 

70.60 

69.02 

61.71 

48.84 

37.58 

29  02 

44.63 

68.12 

49.38 

27.22 

47.34 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMAEIES. 


513 


FORT  ADAMS,  RHODE  ISLAND. 
Latitude  41°  29',  Longitude  71°  20'.     Altitude  iOfeet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1 
Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1842.... 

32.36 

35.43 

40.25 

46.02 

S5.20 

64.60 

73.11 

71.59 

63.13 

52.24 

38.06 

30.92 

47.15 

69.76 

51.14 

32.90 

S0.23 

1843.... 

34.40 

24.45 

29.80 

45.16 

^.42 

63.28 

73.S 

72.87 

64.69 

51.30 

37.13 

33.31 

43.46 

70.46 

51.01 

30.72 

48.66 

1844.... 

23.79 

29.02 

35.62 

47.69 

57.56 

66.80 

71.00 

71.11 

63.48 

53.63 

42.73 

34.20 

46.96 

69.64 

53.28 

29.00 

49.72 

1845.... 

32.49 

28.91 

37.75 

44.92 

53.55 

64.36 

71.83 

72.22 

62.84 

53.87 

46.67 

29.28 

45.41 

69.47 

48.35 

30.93 

48.36 

1846.... 

30.67 

25.70 

38.35 

45.83 

54.-52 

63.37 

70.55 

69.94 

65.27 

45.57 

67.95 

1848.... 



53.01 

41.00 

39.06 

1849.... 

26.01 

24.82 

38.15 

44.90 

53.19 

67.04 

71.49 

71.84 

63.50 

59.94 

50.38 

34.56 

43.41 

70.12 

55.61 

28.46 

49.90 

1650.... 

33.34 

M.D7 

35.40 

42.74 

53.04 

65.04 

72.63 

70.03 

63.64 

55.49 

45.98 

32.72 

43.73 

69.25 

53.04 

33.38 

50.35 

1851.... 

33.03 

34.55 

38.56 

46.33 

55. 8i 

64.50 

71.71 

69.13 

63.40 

56.79 

41.10 

28.38 

46.90 

68.44 

53.76 

31.99 

50.97 

1652.... 

26.49 

30  03 

35.26 

42.15 

55.15 

65.72 

72.33 

69.35 

63.76 

54.62 

42.72 

40.56 

44.19 

69.13 

33.70 

32.36 

49.84 

1853.... 

30.85 

33.20 

38.34 

45.34 

56.36 

67.48 

72.87 

70.84 

64.65 

46.68 

70.40 

^■a  ■■• 

Mean    ) 
lOy'rsj 

30.34 

30.02 

36.55 

43.11 

54.98 

65.43 

72.07 

70.89 

64.07 

53.76 

42.86 

30.30 

45.55 

69.46 

53.56 

30.23 

49.70 

FORT  WOLCOTl',  NEWPORT 
Latitude  41°  30',  Longitude 


HARBOR,  RHODE  IbL.\ND. 

71°  20'.     Altitude  IQfeet. 


1822.... 

26.54 

31.82 

38.44 

47.45 

59.93 

67.27 

74.35 

70.80 

68.58 

55.83 

47.95 

34.47 

48.61 

70.81 

57.43 

30.94 

51.95 

1823.... 

27.23 

26.50 

36.39 

45.80 

54.77 

64.47 

70.85 

71.08 

62.61 

52.49 

39.84 

35.80 

45.65 

68.80 

51.65 

29.84 

48.99 

1824.... 

33.54 

32.14 

37.61 

47.86 

55.15 

63.69 

71.46 

68.96 

64.19 

54.60 

42.71 

37.16 

46.87 

68.70 

53.83 

.34.28 

50.92 

1825.... 

31.51 

32.99 

40.86 

47.96 

56.61 

69.12 

74.63 

71.41 

63.16 

56.08 

44.63 

34.97 

48.48 

71.72 

54.62 

33.16 

51.99 

1826.... 

33.16 

33.63 

38.98 

44.03 

59.58 

64.24 

79.33 

71.26 

65.82 

55.66 

43.43 

34.62 

47.53 

69.98 

41.24 

37.13 

48.79 

1827.... 

25.05 

31.28 

38.30 

48.42 

55.59 

64.59 

71.16 

69.61 

63.70 

56.06 

37.70 

36.35 

47.44 

68.43 

52.49 

30.89 

49.81 

1828.... 

33.95 

38.68 

40.10 

44.93 

56.36 

67.43 

71.47 

72.70 

65.93 

34.23 

45.77 

38.40 

47.13 

70.54 

53.31 

37.34 

59.08 

ltH9.... 

98.90 

94.97 

39.88 

44.67 

55.83 

63.93 

65.52 

67.57 

58.39 

50.66 

42.72 

39.37 

44.46 

65.77 

50.59 

31.08 

47.98 

1830.... 

29.47 

27.52 

37.90 

46.53 

55.03 

63.84 

70.35 

68.24 

60.74 

54.42 

46.02 

37.59 

46.49 

67.48 

53.73 

31.53 

49.81 

1831 .... 

25.04 

26.66 

39.68 

47.44 

56.75 

67.43 

69.95 

71.62 

64.23 

35.88 

42.75 

22.71 

47.96 

69.67 

54.29 

94.80 

49.18 

18K.... 

29.27 

30.23 

36  30 

40.89 

50.56 

59.67 

65.78 

68.24 

61.70 

53.69 

44.43 

34.22 

42.58 

64.56 

53.27 

31.58 

46.00 

1833.... 

33.20 

28.29 

33.94 

46.55 

56.57 

61.13 

67.76 

66.36 

61.60 

52.90 

40.36 

34.39 

45.69 

65.08 

51.62 

31.96 

48.59 

1834.... 

26.79 

34.90 

37.23 

*46.26 

52.01 

61.79 

69.85 

67.98 

64.02 

50.66 

40.48 

31.57 

45.17 

66.54 

31.72 

31.09 

46.63 

1835.... 

29.24 

27.13 

32.69 

41.44 

53.82 

63.43 

69.31 

68.40 

60.43 

57.04 

43.64 

28.41 

42.65 

67.05 

53.70 

98.96 

47.91 

Mean 
14y'rs 

29.34 

30.56 

37.31 

45.73 

55.61 

65.23 

70.41 

69.59 

63.22 

54.30 

43.03 

34.99 

46.22 

68.41 

S3.S2 

34.73 

50.72 

FORT  TRUMBULL,  CONNECTICUT. 
Latitude  41°  21',  Longitude  12°  06'.     Altitude  23/eef. 


1833.... 

53.49 

61.94 

65.90 

72.38 

69.79 

65.10 

54.82 

1834.... 

27.11 

36.14 

38  37 

50.16 

57.37 

66.85 

75.80 

71.67 

65.49 

48.78 

1835.... 

97.79 

26.68 

34.12 

44.61 

57.93 

68.83 

73.33 

70.93 

59.43 

36.10 

1843.... 

32.59 

19.97 

23.85 

44.68 

53.88 

63.63 

67.67 

69.03 

63.21 

49.01 

1844.... 

20.92 

27.23 

35.28 

48.80 

57.00 

63.95 

68.44 

68.40 

61.47 

50.18 

1845.... 

31.44 

28.77 

37.94 

45.06 

54.00 

65.16 

70.93 

71.35 

62.56 

34.36 

43.76 
38.66 
43.36 
36.81 
39.59 
46.39 


33.98 

69.12 

S4.S6 

29.90 

48.63 

71.44 

50.93 

26.96 

45.55 

71.04 

52.96 

31.25 

41.47 

66.78 

49.68 

29.20 

47.03 

66.93 

50.41 

27.93 

45.67 

68.91 

54.44 

31.03 
97.14 
27.94 
25.78 
99.38 


S0.S9 
49.17 
46.47 
47.54 


S.  9B- 


-65 


614 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES  AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  TRUMBULL,  CONNECTICUT— Continued. 

Latitude  41°  21',  Longitude  72°  06'.     Altitude  23  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1846.... 

30.19 

25.62 

38.81 

48.10 

55.62 



47.31 





1849.... 

52.32 

66.04 

71.47 

71.14 

62.82 

S2.02 

48.97 

33.18 

69.55 

54.60 





1850.... 

33.31 

33.90 

36.10 

43.32 

53.69 

67.18 

72.69 

69.27 

62.  T7 

54.78 

44.82 

31.52 

44.37 

69.71 

54.12 

32.91 

50.28 

1851.... 

32.22 

33.15 

39.28 

47.30 

56.2S 

65.40 

72.08 

68.91 

63.67 

55.07 

39.88 

27.69 

47.61 

68.79 

52.87 

31.02 

50.07 

1852.... 

25.85 

30.S3 

35.90 

43.12 

57.63 

66.88 

79.34 

69.15 

63.37 

34.63 

41.20 

39.45 

45.55 

69.45 

53.07 

31.94 

50.00 

1853.... 

S9.60 

33.59 

39.25 

46.68 

58.01 

68.23 

71.74 

71.32 

66.15 

47.98 

70.43 

Mean  > 
lly'rs  j 

29.10 

29..W 

36.09 

46.85 

56.30 

66.12 

71.56 

70.12 

63.27 

52.97 

42.34 

31.11 

46.41 

69.27 

52.86 

29.92 

49.62 

FORT  COLUMBUS,  NEW  YORK  HARBOR. 
Latitude  40°  42',  Longitude  74°  01'.     Altitude  23  feet. 


1822.... 

26.17 

29.82 

42.15 

52.35 

63.35 

70.64 

78.. 39 

74.65 

70.88 

59.10 

48.38 

34.53 

52.62 

74.36 

39.43 

30.17 

54.20 

1823.... 

31.21 

25.29 

38.38 

49.60 

58.88 

68.95 

74.96 

73.43 

64.09 

51.75  1    38.23 

34  74 

48.28 

72.11 

51.36 

30.41 

50.54 

1824.... 

35.29 

31.28 

37.57 

49.94 

1     58.02 

68.26 

73.62 

70.37 

64.15 

55.08 

!    42.71 

38.51 

48.51 

70.73 

53.98 

35.03 

52.07 

1825.... 

K.74 

32.63 

43.71 

51.35 

j    62.5) 

74.58 

81.29 

73.99 

67.42 

57.11 

43.90 

31.70 

1    52.32 

76.62 

56.21 

32  36 

54.43 

1826.... 

28.89 

31.31 

37.67 

43.27 

64.88 

69.77 

73.94 

73.90 

68  83 

36.53 

43.66 

33.14 

'     48.61 

73.87 

56.35 

31.11 

!i2.48 

1827.... 

24.02 

31.95 

39.34 

52.06 

59.34 

68.60 

75.63 

74.34 

67.05 

55.90 

39.66 

33.21 

30.31 

72.86 

54.20 

29.73 

51.77 

1828.... 

33.59 

41.32 

40.75 

45.27 

60.07 

72.26 

74.67 

76.50 

66.79 

53.39 

44.94 

38.67 

48.70 

74.48 

55.04 

37.86 

54.02 

1839.... 

27.05 

25.44 

37.t8 

52.27 

63.85 

71.14 

73.73 

75.00 

64.14 

34  85 

43.87 

41.30 

51.33 

73.29 

34.29 

31.26 

52  54 

1830.   .. 

31.74 

31.93 

41.05 

52.88 

60.34 

70.45 

78.75 

77.04 

67.11 

38.67 

51.08 

36.96 

51.42 

75.41 

58.93 

33.54 

34.83 

1831.... 

25.73 

26.28 

41.98 

49.96 

61.17 

74.08 

76.41 

76.38 

66.68 

53.44 

43.27 

22.20 

,     51.04 

1 

75.62 

55.20 

24.74 

51.65 

18K.... 

28.51 

32.28 

38,98 

48.30 

56.11 

67.14 

73.32 

73.26 

65.40 

34.06 

44.72 

36.45 

47.80 

71.24 

54.73 

32.41 

51.54 

1833.... 

33.08 

30.91 

35.86 

51  34 

60.73 

60.13 

74.72 

70.37 

64.83 

52.19 

41.48 

34  38 

49.34 

70.47 

32.84 

33.52 

31.34 

1834.... 

28.28 

37.21 

39.64 

48.49 

56.34 

66.75 

76.19 

71.85 

64.22 

51.64 

40.99 

30  76 

48.22 

71.60 

52.28 

32.08 

51.04 

1835.... 

29.37 

27.22 

35.59 

45.80 

58.44 

67.12 

72.30 

69.78 

60.69 

56.46 

43.81 

28.36 

46.61 

69.80 

53.65 

28.32 

49.59 

1838.... 

27.82; 

.21.51 

33.21 

44.32 

38.01 

62.28 

73.01 

67.92 

63.97 

45.86 

38.66 

31.18 

44.83 

67.74 

49.50 

28.17 

47.56 

1837.... 

26.36 

29.85 

34.91 

46.03 

55.29 

64.32 

69.51 

68.64 

62.18 

32. « 

44.03 

35.60 

45.22 

67.55 

52.84 

30.60 

49.05 

1838.... 

34.49 

23.29 

37.81 

44.16 

56.16 

70.39 

77.18 

74.71 

63.38 

51.66 

40.02 

29.09 

46.04 

74.09 

52.35 

28.95 

50.35 

1839..  . 

30.48 

31.93 

38.64 

49.81 

57.76 

63.40 

72.97 

70.85 

66  72 

56.31 

39.93 

35.62 

48.74 

69.07 

54.32 

32.68 

51.20 

1840.... 

23.80 

34.85 

40.26 

51.47 

58.02 

67.05 

72.30 

73.32 

63.96 

55.17 

43.38 

30.36 

49.92 

70.89 

54.24 

29.67 

51.18 

1841.... 

30.84 

28.12 

37.40 

45.98 

66.49 

69.11 

73  93 

73.40 

68.58 

51.86 

44.68 

33.82 

46. 6e 

72.15 

55.11 

30.93 

51.20 

1842.... 

33.72 

38.14 

44.59 

51.53 

58.46 

67.19 

74.38 

72.91 

67.14 

51.73 

39.21 

32.12 

31.53 

71.49 

36.03 

34.66 

53.43 

1843.... 

36.47 

25.66 

30.31 

47.28 

39.08 

71.25 

74.11 

74.27 

68.03 

33.69 

40.50 

36.12 

45.59 

73.21 

54.07 

32.75 

51.40 

1844.... 

25.76 

29.74 

38.79 

53.35 

63.29 

69.22 

74.54 

72.93 

65.79 

53.52 

43.33 

33.97 

51.88 

72.23 

34.21 

29.82 

52.03 

1845.... 

35.03 

31.95 

42.12 

50.79 

60.54 

71.30 

76.60 

76.04 

63.49 

55.31 

45.68 

28.27  1 

31.13 

74.63 

55.49 

31.73 

53.26 

1846.... 

31.37 

27.41 

39.31 

30.33 

60.41 

67.36 

72.21 

73.25 

69.71 

54.00 

48.13 

33.90 

50.02 

70.94 

57.29 

30.89 

52.28 

1847.... 

32.40 

31.60 

36.01 

49.50 

39.51 

70.84 

75.61 

72.30 

64.73 

31  40 

46.04 

37.90 

48.34 

72.92 

54.06 

33.97 

32.32 

1848.... 

33.79 

31.21 

36.14 

50.10 

61.38 

69.11 

74.28 

73.34 

63.44 

54.15 

39.74 

39.29 

49.87 

72.31 

52.44 

34.76 

52.34 

1849.... 

25.78 

24.68 

37.84 

47.55 

55.00 

69.30 

72.80 

72.33 

64.31 

52.64 

48.19 

32.07 

46.80 

71.34 

33.05 

27.51 

50.22 

1850.... 

32.78 

33.42 

36.16 

,  44.08 

54.45 

68.63 

73.06 

71.04 

64.32 

53.78 

45.19 

33.23 

44.90 

71.24 

54.43 

33.14 

50.93 

1851.... 

32.15 

33.68 

39.71 

49.13 

38.24 

68.45 

75.64 

74.00 

67.86 

57.32 

42.24 

27.39  i 

49.02 

72.69 

53.80 

31.07 

32.13 

1852.... 

24.33 

30.74 

36.72 

43.73 

60.30 

69.70 

76.61 

73.27 

63.77 

53.61 

41.64 

40.45 

46.92 

73.19 

53.67 

31.84 

51.40 

1853.... 

32.08 

33.50 

39.58 

48.13 

60.25 

71.20 

72.77 

73.52 

66.41 

32.01 

44.31 

33.13 

49.32 

72.50 

54.24 

32.90 

32.24 

1854.... 

28.71 

28.17 

36.17 

45.09 

59.96 

68.49 

75.89 

72.88 

66.33 

55.71 

43.67 

27.52 

47.07 

72.42 

55.24 

28.13 

50.71 

Mean  ? 
33rrs! 

30.18 

30.44 

38.28 

48.65 

39.30 

68.30 

74.63 

73.16 

63.78 

54.19 

43.32 

33.52 

48.76 

72.10 

34.43 

31.38 

51.67 

Note.— The  record  for  1837  and  1838  was  at  Fort  Wood,  Bedloe's  Island ;  so  near  tliat  it  is  incorporated  in  the  mean  for  the  series  at  Fort  Columbus. 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


515 


FORT  HAMILTON,  NEW  YORK  HARBOR. 
Latitude  40''  37',  Longitude  74°  02'.     Altitude  25  feet. 


Jan. 

P.. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

fy^e- 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn'  Winter. 

Year. 

1W3.... 

37.27 

26.80 

30.80 

48.50 

56.90 

68.40 

71.90 

74.40 

68.45 

53.95 

42.10 

35.15 

45.40 

71.57 

54.83 

33.07 

51  .S 

1&44.... 

26.21) 

29.82 

38.04 

51.51 

61.50 

66.87 

71.39 

71.82 

66.07 

53.10 

43.42 

34.00 

50.35 

70.03 

54.20 

30.04 

51.15 

1845.... 

34.55 

31.91 

41.61 

49.59 

58  33 

68.73 

74.48 

75.42 

65.97 

57.24 

47.18 

28  .-97 

49.84 

ra.88 

56.80 

31.81 

52.83 

1846.... 

31.94 

27.04 

40.03 

49.26 

59  27 

65.67 

71.96 

73.04 

69.96 

54.32 

49.15 

35.19 

49.52 

70.a 

57.81 

31.39 

52.23 

1847.... 

32.80 

32.26 

36.71 

45.50 

54.97 

64.84 

74.74 

72.69 

65.24 

54.44 

47.23 

37.75 

45.73 

70.76 

55.64 

34.27 

51.60 

1848.... 

35.67 

31.14 

35.33 

48.59 

59.91 

67.66 

71.08 

73.10 

63.96 

55.00 

41.19 

39.98 

48.28 

70.61 

53.38 

35.60 

51.97 

1849.... 

26.74 

25.85 

38.33 

46.10 

54.13 

69.01 

71.57 

72.57 

65.02 

53.06 

49.72 

33.89 

46.19 

71.05 

55.93 

26.62 

49.95 

1850.... 

34.25 

35.37 

37.17 

45.00 

54.35 

68.90 

73.32 

72.12 

66.55 

55.72 

47.05 

34.67 

45.51 

71.35 

56.44 

34.76 

52.01 

1851.... 

34.90 

36.40 

40.72 

48.95 

58.62 

67.50 

73.56 

70.67 

65.35 

58.32 

43.67 

31.00 

49.43 

70.57 

55.75 

34.10 

52.46 

1852.... 

25.42 

30.48 

40.20 

46.20 

58.32 

68.70 

74  02 

71.02 

67.60 

58.72 

44.91 

39.01 

48.24 

71.24 

57.08 

31.64 

562.05 

1853.... 

29.72 

33.17 

39.92 

46.73 

58.63 

69.00 

73.52 

74.23 

67.66 

52.86 

46.91 

33.53 

48.43 

73  25 

55.81 

32.14 

Sl.K 

1854.... 

31.49 

30.95 

37.70 

45.57 

59.37 

68.69 

77.17 

74.67 

67.06 

56.15 

43.90 

28.31 

47.55 

73.51 

55.70 

30.25 

51.75 

Mran  ) 
12y'rs  i 

31.67 

30.93 

38.05 

47.62 

57.86 

67.83 

73.23 

72.98 

66.57 

55.24 

45.SS 

34.28 

47.84 

71.35 

55.79 

32.29 

51.82 

WEST  rOINT,  NEW  YORK. 

Latitude  41°  23',  Longitude  74°  00'.     Altitude  Wj/eet. 


1824.... 

1K5.... 

1826... 

1827.... 

1828.... 

1829.... 

1830  ... 

1831.... 

1832.... 

1833.... 

1834.... 

1835.... 

1836.... 

1837.... 

1838.... 

1839.... 

1840.... 

1641.... 

1842..., 

1843..., 

1844... 

1845... 

1846.. 

1817... 

1848... 

1849... 


K.08 

31.55* 

29.61 

23.31 

33.42 

27.10 

28.05 

24.41 

30.19 

33.12 

26.33 

26.83 

27.17 

21.78 

34.68 

28.41 

23.12 

29.69 

35.17 

33.40 

19.10 

28.53 

27.48 

23.90 

32.40 

23.98 


29.71 

31.97* 

a2.25 

31.87 

39.39 

^.83 

27.01 

23.98 

30.63 

27.96 

35.87 

25.40 

20.69 

27.54 

21.98 

32.59 

36.71 

26.01 

39.55 

21.40 

26.03 

28.20 

23  65 

28.20 

28.74 

21.85 


36.91 

44.73« 

39.11 

40.58 

41.77 

34.80 

40.07 

42.50 

40.33 

35.32 

39.60 

36.40 

32.23 

32.61 

38.62 

40.76 

41.13 

36.16 

46.65 

26.77 

36.00 

39.62 

37.33 

32.45 

34.36 

37.34 


51.70 

47. 61* 

46.41 

54.66 

47.72 

49.72 

54.19 

51.84 

48.24 

54.47 

51.24 

46.73 

45.69 

45.45 

42.55 

53.80 

50.83 

45.84 

54.25 

47.20 

53.04 

48.06 

50.00 

45.19 

48.. '>2 

46.22 


61.06 

59. 34* 

68.17 

61.94 

61.76 

64  31 

59.62 

62.63 

58.85 

63.07 

59.05 

59.70 

60.94 

56.61 

56.90 

60.80 

60.43 

57.33 

59.19 

59.00 

61.69 

57.79 

60.25 

58.38 

60.78 

55.35 


68.95 

77.34' 

71.90 

75.11 

69.30 

72.98 

73.85 

75.41 

69.66 

72.50 

69.13 

75.69 

74.85 

73.77 

66.24 

71.70 

66.93 

72.50 

67.44 

76.82 

67.92 

74.27 

65.56 

73.41 

67.16 

71.60 

71.92 

77.81 

65.43 

73.68 

67.30 

74.16 

71.90 

73.90 

67.10 

74.76 

71.00 

74.96 

67.42 

71.37 

69.06 

74.36 

67.32 

72.25 

64.83 

75.35 

68.46 

71.15 

67.47 

71.90 

75. 36*     64.11 


73.74 
ra.90 
76.58 
71.34 
75.35 
74  39 
70.83 
71.40 
73.92 
71.24 
67.55 
69.79 
74.57 
68.09 
73.82 
72.38 
70.52 
71.79 
68.99 
74.18 
72.55 
73.03 
71.52 
69.63 


67.00 
65.48 
68.64 
60.61 
66.73 
65.82 
62.81 
66.84 
65.41 
61.00 
64.85 
61.76 
67.07 
64.30 
63.30 
67.25 
63.82 
66.46 
62.40 
61.79 
69.07 
63.36 
61.48 
61.85 


59.22* 

58.11 

56.06 

54.45 

55.99 

53.16 

48.82 

56.87 

55.48 

53.45 

51.62 

59.00 

47.35 

51.31 

54.27 

56.37 

53.61 

45.99 

57.04 

48.81 

49.81 

52.60 

51.26 

50.48 

51.17 

50.46 


42.29*     39.27-      49.89 

44.34       33.76    :    50.56 
i 
32.02 

34.95 

39.97 

40.15 

37.33 

26.17 

34.50 

33.80 

30.31 

25.91 

29.19 

31.23 

29.05 

E.92 

29.13 

35.24 

31.31 

30.23 

30.06 

24.12 

30.74 

35.77 

36  20 


43.93 

37.90 

45  03 

41.71 

49.91 

44.73 

45.45 

40.94 

40.^  I 

43.21 

39.23 

42.13 

40.43 

39.68 

43.53 

39.02 

43.20 

36.41 

39.27 

43.32 

45.26 

44.45 

37.41 


47.60  I     31.45 


51.23 

52.39 

50.42 

49.61 

51.29 

52.32 

49.14 

50.95 

49.96 

47.61 

46.29 

44.89 

46.02 

51.79 

50.80 

46.44 

53.36 

44.32 

50.24 

48.49 

49.19 

45.34 

47.8 

46.30 


73.88 

55.21 

33.69 

32.43 

73.58 

55.66 

31.29 

71.73 

52.61 

30.04 

75.28 

56.55 

37.59 

71.17 

51.63 

30.03 

73.39 

55.15 

34.13 

74.34 

55.81 

24.85 

69.59 

54.58 

31.77 

70.27 

53.74 

31.63 

72.76 

52.62 

30.84 

71.14 

54.40 

36.05 

68.84 

50.48 

25.68 

69.52 

51.73 

26.65 

74.77 

53.92 

28.57 

69.07 

53.45 

31.31 

71.76 

53.48 

29.65 

72.73 

50.75 

30.31 

70.79 

54.69 

35.34 

72.58 

50.56 

28.34 

69.26 

50.49 

SS.06 

72.53 

52.57 

26.95 

70.71 

55.19 

27.29 

71.07 

53.10 

30.96 

70.38 

50.02 

3178 

69.67 

53.30 

25.76 

53.17 

52.91 
51.69 
54.96 
50.66 
53.49 
51.83 
51.24 
51.65 
51.54 
49.80 
47.82 
48.25 
50.82 
51.40 
51.42 
50.06 
53.54 
48.95 
48.76 
50.13 
50.59 
50.12 
S0.27 
48.76 


*  E.xtreme  hours  in  excess,  or  thermometor  protected.     "  Thermometer  removed  from  a  largo  to  a  small  building  "  in  June,  1825.    The  apparent  defects  of 

position  in  the  first  two  years  of  the  record  do  not  sensibly  aflect  the  mean  results. 


516 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


WEST  POINT.  NEW  YORK— Continued. 

Latitude  41°  23',  Longitude  74°  00'.     Altitude  1&1  feet. 


Jan. 

Fell. 

.Morel). 

AprU. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1850.... 

30.75 

32.75 

35.46 

44.62 

53.49 

63.49 

73.03 

68.69 

61.67 

51.91 

42.87 

29.37 

44.53 

68.40 

53.15 

30.96 

49.01 

1851.... 

29.45 

K.ae 

38.64 

46.85 

57.13 

65.51 

71.62 

68.65 

63.74 

53.89 

38.48 

25.00 

47.54 

68.59 

52.03 

28.90 

49.27 

IKia.... 

21.57 

28.69 

33.38 

42.49 

58.40 

68.30 

72.90 

67.75 

61.78 

53.56 

39.98 

36.46 

44.75 

69.65 

51.77 

28.91 

48.77 

1853.... 

26.28 

29.70 

38.60 

48.83 

50.88 

69.14 

70.80 

71.39 

64.76 

50.59 

44.38 

30.44 

49.10 

70.44 

53.24 

28.81 

50.40 

1854... 

28.00 

27.40 

36.35 

45.91 

60.57 

68.06 

75.59 

79.75 

64.25 

53.69 

42.39 

25.50 

47.61 

72.13 

53.44 

36.97 

50.04 

Mean 
31y'rs 

28.38 

28.80 

37.63 

48.70 

59.83 

68.41 

73.75 

71.83 

64.31 

53.04 

42  S3 

31.98 

48.72 

71.33 

53.19 

39.69 

50.73 

WATEKVLIET  ARSENAL,  NEW  YORK. 
Latitude  42°  43',  Longitude  73°  43'.     Altitude  50  .^  feet. 


1S24.... 

25.87 

25.47 

32.47 

48.43 

59.04 

68.03 

73.61 

71.24 

66.00 

54.01 

40.56 

34.34 

46.65 

70.96 

53.52 

28.56 

49.92 

18-23.... 

36.58 

29.06 

39.96 

49.91 

62.11 

70.32 

78.67 

73.34 

60.99 

53.01 

36.80 

30.02 

50.66 

74.07 

50.27 

38.55 

50.89 

1826.... 

27.46 

27.71 

36.87 

44.71 

67.23 

70.83 

73.10 

73.16 

65.03 

51.96 

41.37 

29.33 

49.60 

73.36 

53.79 

28.17 

50.73 

1827.... 

17.11 

36.64 

33.40 

50.62 

59.78 

70.  M 

74.54 

71.04 

64.11 

50.71 

33.14 

27.01 

47.93 

72.18 

49.32 

23.59 

48.26 

1K!8.... 

28.43 

31.92 

38.55 

43.33 

62.82 

73.16 

74.89 

75.77 

64.63 

52.62 

41.88 

32.18 

48.23 

74.61 

53.04 

30.84 

51.68 

1829.... 

21.63 

15.56 

29.88 

44.25 

65.38 

70.20 

72.93 

72.48 

58.67 

51.97 

39.70 

36.06 

46.50 

71.87 

50.11 

37.42 

48.97 

1830.... 

22.57 

21.03 

39.20 

51.60 

57.13 

67.58 

76.34 

72.76 

61.40 

48.82 

45.08 

33.50 

49.31 

79.29 

51.77 

25.70 

49.77 

1831.... 

20.89 

19.25 

39.04 

49.10 

60.01 

74.69 

73.73 

71.36 

63.40 

53.55 

40.93 

14.03 

49.38 

73.26 

52.29 

18.03 

48.24 

1832.... 

22.10 

32.86 

34.97 

44.61 

54.49 

68.87 

71.06 

68.73 

61.44 

49.94 

38.75 

39.03 

44.69 

69.55 

50.04 

24.66 

47.23 

18.13.... 

44.97 

55.97 

60  77 

73.77 

69.32 

63.65 

48.08 

35.75 

28.78 

67.96 

48.83 

1834.... 

20.59 

32.84 

34.98 

49.95 

57.30 

68.00 

77.66 

73.24 

61.51 

46.15 

38.45 

24.43 

47.41 

72.97 

49.70 

25.95 

49.01 

1835.... 

19.60 

30.25 

31.85 

43.99 

58.84 

67.90 

72.26 

68.83 

59.34 

5J.58 

37.35 

19.36 

44.93 

69.66 

49.76 

19.74 

46.03 

1836.... 

21.94 

14.01 

26.80 

42.39 

58.91 

66.. •« 

72.46 

65.06 

61.83 

41.95 

35.32 

24.93 

42.67 

67.97 

46.37 

20.29 

44.32 

1837.... 

15.18 

23.03 

29.07 

42.58 

54.99 

65.44 

70.37 

69.03 

58.67 

49.11 

41.36 

26.84 

42.31 

68.61 

49.71 

21.68 

45.55 

1838.... 

28.71 

14.66 

34.84 

37.19 

57.49 

70.91 

75.90 

72.15 

62.95 

48.53 

36.67 

21.12 

43.17 

72.99 

49.33 

21.50 

46.78 

1839.... 

31.93 

35.42 

31.92 

49.34 

58.24 

63.49 

73.42 

70.40 

62.44 

51.62 

36.37 

28.81 

46.50 

69.10 

50.14 

25.38 

47.78 

1840.... 

15.01 

31.20 

35.51 

49.89 

61.26 

66.46 

73.67 

71.10 

59.43 

50.30 

33.15 

36.85 

43.89 

70.41 

49.29 

34.35 

48.33 

1841.... 

28  22 

32.53 

33.39 

41.22 

56.83 

70.18 

•m.si 

71.90 

67.34 

45.54 

38.40 

29.55 

43.48 

71.53 

50.43 

26.77 

48.05 

1842.... 

30.31 

36.28 

41  99 

53.14 

57.89 

66.43 

79.69 

69.69 

58.10 

46.38 

34.70 

23.22 

51.01 

69.60 

46.39 

39.94 

49.23 

1843.... 

29.00 

15.30 

35.19 

42.70 

59.42 

66.15 

73.90 

71.60 

66.15 

46.43 

38.56 

31.20 

42.44 

70.22 

50.38 

25.17 

47.05 

1844.... 

14.15 

24.03 

35.29 

53.44 

60.72 

65.13 

68.17 

71.87 

61.82 

46.71 

35.31 

30.52 

49.^ 

68.39 

47.95 

33.90 

47.26 

1845.... 

25.78 

26.84 

f).65 

48.34 

55.86 

69.31 

74.51 

72.47 

55.61 

48.86 

39.80 

17.18 

48.28 

72.10 

48.09 

23.27 

47.93 

1846.... 

16.98 

17.39 

29.85 

47.07 

60.15 

67.50 

71.87 

71.98 

60.78 

47.89 

42.45 

25.43 

45.69 

70.45 

53.37 

19.93 

47.11 

1847.... 

25.98 

21.72 

28.52 

42.83 

59.29 

66.90 

73.95 

71.44 

62.36 

47.10 

44.03 

32  30 

43.55 

70.76 

51.16 

26.67 

48.03 

1848.... 

30.06 

23.48 

31.77 

47.51 

62.00 

69.92 

71.88 

71.89 

55.36 

48.97 

39.43 

33.66 

47.09 

71.23 

47.92 

29.07 

43.83 

1849.... 

19.81 

16.48 

36.14 

42.36 

54.28 

68.12 

73.58 

69.14 

60.49 

47.56 

43.14 

25.54 

44.26 

70.28 

50.40 

20.61 

46.39 

1850.... 

iS.52 

25.33 

30.29 

40.94 

53.44 

68.^ 

76.13 

67.64 

59.20 

48.05 

39.03 

21.40 

41.56 

70.66 

48.76 

23.08 

46.01 

1851.... 

22.03 

27.84 

37.35 

45.66 

57.94 

66.67 

72.14 

68.60 

61.83 

52.16 

36.00 

22.01 

46.98 

69.13 

50.00 

23.96 

47.52 

1852.... 

16.67 

25.77 

32.63 

44.42 

60.69 

68.68 

75.44 

71.54 

61.78 

56.60 

39.75 

37.62 

45.91 

71.89 

52.71 

26.69 

49.30 

1853.... 

30,14 

30.86 

37.78 

42.88 

55.39 

69.55 

70.74 

70  39 

61.38 

45.46 

39.02 

25.67 

45.33 

70.23 

48.62 

28.89 

48.26 

1854.... 

21,86 

19.54 

31.55 

41.27 

54.89 

67.10 

77.17 

69.77 

61.44 

48.18 

38.67 

19.38 

42.90 

71.33 

49.43 

20.26 

45.99 

Mean  > 
31  y'rs  i 

22.97 

S3. 81 

34.02 

45.84 

58.70 

68.^ 

73.61 

70.93 

61.84 

50.67 

38.90 

97.14 

46.19 

70.92 

50.47 

34.64 

M8.05 

»  Mean  of  33  years  at  the  Albany  Academy,  New  York  University  system,  48.30  degrees. 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AXD    SUMMARIES. 


517 


PLATTSBURG  BARRACKS,  NEW  YORK. 

Latitude  44°  41',  Longitude  73°  25'.     Altitude  18&/eet. 


1 

Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

I                1 
Summer  Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1839.... 

16.72 

32.43 

31.25 

45.13 

57.97 

66.28 

72.04 

68.75 

59.93 

48.12 

32.88 

24.94 

44.78 

69.03 

46.38 

21.36 

45.53 

1840.... 

12.62 

26.37 

29.33 

44.21 

60.67 

67.17 

73.11 

69.39 

58.13 

46.47 

re.45 

19.41 

44.73 

69.56 

45.08 

19.46 

44.85 

1841.... 

23.98 

67.52 

67.45 

60.37 

42.77 

33.10 

25.37 

45.41 

1842.... 

20.70 

25.31 

33.7S 

42.90 

50.92 

60.13 

67.61 

68.92 

56.81 

45.53 

33.86 

19.25 

42.53 

65.55 

45.40 

21.75 

43.80 

1843.... 

96.45 

13.78 

25.95 

43.75 

57.30 

65.41 

69.16 

71.22 

'64.78 

46.53 

36.25 

28.79 

42.33 

66.60 

49.19 

23.01 

45.78 

1844.... 

10.33 

19.68 

30.29 

47.74 

55.04 

61.01 

66.30 

64.90 

58,57 

42.89 

29.19 

18.95 

44.36 

64.07 

43.55 

16.39 

42.07 

1845.... 

18.68 

19.50 

30.85 

39.87 

51.41 

63.81 

67.42 

68.15 

54.65 

48.17 

37.15 

16.03 

40.70 

66.46 

46.66 

18.07 

42.97 

1846.... 

18.70 

I2.S 

31.05 

44.02 

54.12 

61.52 



43.26 

1849.... 

70.00 

68.48 

57.57 

46.03 

41.94 

^.10 



48.51 

1850.... 

21.45 

94.46 

98.80 

37.94 

49.64 

65.39 

68.97 

64.96 

58.88 

46.86 

38.95 

19.32 

38.46 

66.44 

48.23 

21.74 

43.72 

1851.... 

18.62 

24.20 

30.28 

42.08 

52.91 

61.65 

66.96 

66.37 

59.39 

51.57 

30.49 

19.07 

41.75 

64.99 

47.15 

20.63 

43.63 

185a.... 

13.90 

21.05 

27.^ 

38.06 

Mean  ) 
11  y'rs  5 

18.37 

30.96 

29.88 

42.63 

54.51 

63.60 

68.81 

67.86 

58.91 

46.49 

34.62 

21.32  1 

.  42.34 

66.76 

46.67 

20.22 

44.00 

NOTC. 

Mean 


— ^The  first  three  months  of  1839  were  observed  at  Rouae^s  Point, 

temperature  at  Vermont  University,  Burlin^on,  for  eleven  years— 18^  to  1852— 44.74  degrees.  Observations  by  Professor  Thompson,  Hist.  Vermont,  1853. 

MADISON  BARKACKS,  SACKETT'S  HARBOR,  NEW  YORK. 
Latitude  43°  oVj  Longitude  76°  15'.     Altitude  262  feet. 


1824»... 

28.41 

S7.S6 

31.77 

45.15 

52.13 

63.26 

69.17 

67.-^! 

K.93 

49.77 

36.84 

33.07 

43.03 

66.62 

49.85 

39.68 

47.31 

1825.... 

25,51 

30.46 

36.93 

72.69 

71.91 

62.57 

55.27 

41.42 

39.34 

.53.09 

28.44 

1K8.... 

27.92 

30.90 

35.58 

41.30 

61.65 

69.60 

72.26 

73.  K 

62.80 

53.58 

39.31 

95.69 

46.18 

71.63 

51.90 

28.17 

49.47 

1827.... 

14.29 

20.56 

30.73 

42.96 

53.34 

63,11 

69.03 

64.23 

43.34 

65.46 

1828.... 

25.77 

29.28 

35.03 

1829.... 

21.44 

20.61 

98,07 

45.27 

60.54 

68.48 

70.29 

71,59 

59.52 

51.28 

37.01 

36.11 

44.63 

70.12 

49.27, 

26.05 

47.52 

1830,... 

20.35 

22.40 

36.09 

54.03 

57.90 

65.07 

74.62 

69.65 

61.09 

53.81 

45.46 

K.62 

49.32 

69.78 

53.45 

25.12 

49.42 

1831.... 

18.23 

^.25 

41.41 

48.99 

58.15 

73.88 

72.34 

71.88 

64.40 

55.56 

41.63 

19.95 

49.S3 

72.37 

53.86 

30.14 

48.97 

1832.... 

27.58 

25.79 

39.11 





1838.... 

47.28 

32.92 

23.94 

1839.... 

49.08 

55.74 

60.13 

70.87 

68.46 

59.43 

51.95 

37.21 

27.73 



66.48 

49.53 



1840.... 

15.45 

30.73 

33.50 

70.85 

71.69 

58.76 

47.51 

36.85 

23.12 

1 

47.71 

23.10 

1841t... 

33.60 





67.10 



38.50 

66.62 

47.11 

37.35 

44.89 

1842.... 

26.01 

39.11 

37.30 

45.06 

50.44 

59.91 

65.89 

66.69 

56.30 

47.91 

34.39 

24.76 

* 
29.19 

44.26 

64.15 

46.20 

26.e 

45.30 

1843.... 

30  24 

14.18 

93.30 

42.30 

51.15 

59.23 

66.20 

67.20 

59.37 

44  30 

34.90 

38.^ 

64.21 

45.96 

94.54 

43.41 

1844.... 

12.74 

30.99 

30.60 

46.94 

56.00 

69.13 

66.90 

66.15 

60.63 

44.69 

33.79 

35.00 

45.18 

65.06 

46.37 

19.91 

44.13 

1845.... 

21.73 

31.85 

34,61 

43.06 

50.74 

62.00 

66.88 

68.93 

56.85 

49.94 

37.76 

17.88 

42.80 

65.93 

48.18 

30.39 

44.33 

1846.... 

21.53 

16.16 

31.62 

43.44 

56.83 

63.64 



I    44.63 

1849... 



39.66 

41.91 

53.46 

67.12 

72.04 

71  09 

61.43 

48.93 

46.08 

25.11 

42.68 

70.08 

53.14 

1850.... 

25.05 

34.43 

30.49 

40.55 

50.91 

67.90 

72.13 

68.88 

60.06 

48.02 

40.32 

19.73 

40.65 

69.64 

49.47 

23.07 

45.71 

ISol.... 

22.31 

27.80 

34.31 

41.93 

54.13 

62.01 

68.52 

65.45 

59.18 

50.60 

32.26 

22.49 

43.46 

65.33 

47.35 

24.53 

45.17 

1852.... 

14.93 

23.03 

98.79 

39.05 

{Mean  ) 
16  y'rs  i 

^.19 

24.30 

33.22 

44.69 

54.87 

64.43 

69.86 

69.02 

00.35 

30.ua 

37.65 

35.98 

44.26 

67.77 

49.34 

34.16 

46.38 

Mean  J 
last    8V 
V "rs-      ) 

21.89 

32.70 

31.52 

43.14 

52.96 

63.00 

69.75 

67.77 

59.12 

47.91 

38.97 

33.45 

'^.54 

68.84 

48.00 

fs.ee 

45.01 

•  Observations  taken  at  6, 3,  and  7,  in  the  second  quarter,  and  apparently  near  these  hours,  through  1824, 1825,  and  1826.  They  are  generally  incomplete  to 
1828,  inclusive. 

f  The  monthly  records  for  1S41  are  lost. 

}  The  mean  at  Toronto,  latitude  43'  39  06  ',  for  13  years,  (rom  1841  to  18jJ,  44.23  degrees— corrected  to  absolute  mean  temperature,  as  for  hourly  observationa 
bv  Col.  Sabliie.    The  nieau  for  the  corresponding  and  carefully  observed  years  of  this  scries  is  ver)-  nearly  accordant  with  that  at  Toronto. 


518 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


FORT  ONTARIO,  NEW  YORK. 

Latitude  43°  20',  Longitude  76°  40'.     Altitude  250/ee<. 


FORT  NIAGARA,  NEW  YORK. 
Latitude  43°  18',  Longitude  79°  08'.     AUitude  250  feet. 


1    Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

lS-13.... 

30.84 

17.97 

24.27 

42.76 

51.25 

59.06 

66.09 

68.50 

61.50 

45.10 

34.30 

30.50 

39.43 

64,55 

46.97 

26.44 

44.35 

1844.... 

17.40 

24.95 

33.35 

49.65 

57.57 

61.72 

68,57 

65.82 

61.07 

45.00 

35.85 

27.60 

46.86 

65.37 

47.31 

23.32 

45.71 

IMS.... 

25.66 

25.77 

36.46 

43.09 

49.74 

61.83 

67.44 

69.06 

58.50 

49.89 

39.55 

22.04 

43.10 

66.11 

49.31 

24.49 

45.78 

1846.... 

24.70 

21.36 

31.17 

45.02 

56.52 

6-1.18 

44.24 

1849.... 

20.29 

19.45 

34.04 

41.98 

51.20 

66.01 

73.50 

70.97 

61.00 

45.77 

44.25 

26.90 

42.41 

70.16 

50.34 

22.21 

46.28 

1850.... 

27.27 

27.06 

31.36 

40.18 

47.79 

65.96 

70.29 

69.58 

60.85 

48.40 

41.28 

23.68 

39.78 

68.61 

50.18 

26.00 

46.14 

1851.... 

25.69 

29.74 

34.71 

42.12 

52.06 

61.67 

68.82 

66.69 

63.07 

50.89 

34.54 

23.37 

42.96 

65.72 

49.50 

26.27 

46.11 

1852.... 

19.07 

24.98 

30.67 

37.49 

53.26 

63.46 

69.60 

67.59 

59.25 

50.24 

35.20 

32,07 

40.47 

66.55 

48.23 

25.37 

45.15 

1853.... 

24.87 

24.73 

31.^ 

41.31 

49.00 

66.44 

69.12 

40.74 

1854.... 



48.37 

38.78 

23.57 





Menn  ) 
9y'rs  i 

23.98 

24  00 

^.00 

42.62 

56.49 

63.26 

69.18 

68.31 

61.03 

46.71 

37.97 

26.21 

43.70 

66.92 

48.57 

24.73 

45.98 

1829.^. 

27.78 

21.65 

32.72 

45.46 

59.45 

69.27 

70.76 

71.54 

60.78 

55.51 

38.89 

39.62 

45.88 

70.52 

51.72 

29.68 

49.42 

1830.... 

23.94 

28.76 

36.06 

49.59 

60.09 

68.52 

48.58 

1831.... 

25.63 

25.55 

42.23 

45.02 

57.65 

7i.se 

73.57 

71.67 

62.50 

55.76 

41.72 

24.19 

48.30 

72  38 

53.33 

25.12 

49.78 

1833.... 

51.17 

62.12 

66.34 

72.72 

73.35 

66  99 



70.80 

1840  ... 

23.18 

31.69 

34.84 

44.01 

56.89 

60.44 

70.20 

70.72 

59.08 

49.94 

39.98 

26.26 

48.27 

67.14 

49.66 

27.37 

48.11 

1842.... 

30.53 

30.20 

38.54 

45.10 

52.49 

59.08 

68.34 

67.77 

60.78 

51.51 

35.75 

28.70 

45.37 

65.66 

49,34 

29.81 

47.54 

1843.... 

31.80 

20.08 

25.74 

41.75 

50.64 

61,31 

68.70 

69.38 

63.70 

45.95 

34.48 

^.14 

39.38 

66.46 

48,04 

28.01 

45.47 

1844.... 

22.17 

28.70 

33.78 

48.28 

57.24 

61.66 

67.20 

65.30 

61.35 

45.84 

38.40 

31.74 

46.43 

64.72 

48.53 

27.54 

46.80 

1845.... 

29.02 

29.17 

38.83 

44.55 

55.00 

65.01 

70.58 

70.32 

60.73 

50.67 

39.45 

24.33 

46.13 

68.64 

50.28 

27.51 

48.14 

1846*... 

28.75 

24.57 

35.20 

44.41 

55.07 

62.83 

44.89 

1849.... 

69.84 

68.27 

61.45 

50.03 

47.51 

29.44 

52.99 



1850..  . 

29.77 

28.51 

32.47 

39.98 

52.39 

67.65 

72.19 

69.29 

59.32 

49.43 

43.26 

27.59 

41.61 

69.71 

50  67 

28.62 

47.65 

1851.... 

28.69 

30.36 

35.52 

41.79 

53.59 

63.58 

68.67 

66.93 

61.58 

51  66 

36.55 

27.02 

50.85 

69.25 

50.89 

32.38 

50.84 

1858.... 

21.68 

26.97 

30.57 

38.53 

53.18 

63.10 

69.37 

69.17 

60.73 

51  91 

37.04 

34.54 

40.76 

67.21 

49.89 

27.73 

46.39 

1853.... 

27.35 

27.64 

34.00 

42.54 

55.88 

69.17 

69.92 

72.90 

62.84 

47.53 

41.30 

28.37 

44.14 

71.00 

50.56 

27.79 

48.37 

1854.... 

25.04 

23.23 

32.37 

41.41 

54.98 

• 

67.58 

72.84 

69.62 

64.02 

42.^ 

70.01 

Mean  > 
My'rs  \ 

26.85 

26.93 

34.49 

44.24 

5i.77 

65.16 

70.35 

69.73 

61. T7 

50.48 

39.53 

29.66 

44.83 

68.41 

50.59 

27.81 

47.91 

*  The  record  was  evidently  from  a  thermometer  in  a  building  or  protected  position  for  most  of  the  period.    Some  of  the  early  years  were  quite  inaccurate, 
and  portions  of  these  have  been  omitted. 


BUFFALO  BARRACKS,  NEW  YORK. 
Latitude  42°  53',  Longitude  78°  58'.     Altitude  660/ee^. 


1841.... 

25.24 

21.26 

26.97 

35.85 

48.81 

65.31  1 

63.23 

67.83 

64.30 

44.21 

37.35 

30,83 

37.21 

65.45 

48.62 

25.77 

44.26 

1842.... 

29.98 

29.45 

38.58 

45.41 

55  12 

61.90 

68.67 

68.44 

59.24 

48  86 

a5.io 

26,46 

46.37 

66.33 

47.73 

28.63 

47.26 

1843.... 

30.80 

18.17 

19,20 

43.30 

52.10 

63.04 

69.20 

71.15 

63.19 

45.12 

34.10 

32.80 

38,20 

67.80 

47.47 

27.26 

45.18 

1844.... 

22.40 

27.38 

33.19 

50.68 

56.48 

65.30 

69.33 

66.72 

61.34 

45.46 

36.78 

30,09 

46.85 

67.12 

47.86 

26.62 

47.11 

1845.... 

28.07 

28.36 

37,23 

45.56 

52.21 

64.75 

70.61 

45.00 

Mean  ) 
4iy'r3S 

27.30 

24.92 

31.05 

44.20 

52.95 

64.06 

68.21 

68.53 

62  02 

45.91 

35.83 

30.04 

«.73 

66.93 

47.92 

27.42 

46.25 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND   SUMMARIES. 


519 


ALLEGHANY  ARSENAL,   PI'lTSBURG,  PENNSYLVANL4. 
Latitude  40°  32',  Longitude  80°  02'.     Altitude  704  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1825..., 

31.15 

37.49 

45.15 

50.40 

64.06 

71.80 

76.04 

74.05 

63.09 

54. .'lO 

39.41 

30.85 

53.20 

73.96 

52.30 

33.16 

53.15 

1826.... 

28.13 

33.97 

43.69 

74.24 

79.67 

66.48 

S6.79 

43.93 

34.70 



55.73 

32.27 

1827.... 

26.08 

39.54 

48.40 

57.24 

62.33 

69.08 

74.49 

74.16 

65.93 

54.54 

42.69 

41.83 

55.99 

72.91 

54.39 

35.82 

54.78 

1836.... 

28.75 

20.13 

31  55 

54.09 

74.60 

73.02 

74.72 

68.49 

62.24 

38.15 

30. t4 

22.40 

53.08 

72.08 

43.74 

23.76 

48.16 

1837.... 

16.79 

25.65 

27.74 

31.26 

59  69 

70.33 

74.44 

72.00 

57.43 

52.30 

42.94 

32.31 

39.56 

72.36 

50.89 

24.92 

46.91 

1838.... 

33.22 

18.49 

41.55 

44.95 

53.96 

71.68 

77.79 

74.57 

66.05 

55.47 

40.23 

^.28 

46.82 

74.68 

50.58 

24.66 

49.18 

1839.... 

30.68 

aj.55 

37.09 

54.82 

60.97 

65.28 

72. K 

69.80 

63.48 

57.99 

35.99 

30. K 

50.96 

69.37 

52.49 

31.18 

51.00 

1840.... 

21.79 

39.12 

40.95 

53.13 

61.73 

69.59 

71.15 

69  50 

59.64 

52.05 

39.45 

29.39 

51.70 

70.08 

50.38 

30.10 

50.56 

1841.... 

29.95 

29  56 

38.24 

47.50 

57.51 

70.86 

63.26 

68.15 

66.12 

46  50 

41.14 

30.53 

48.08 

67.42 

51.25 

30.01 

49.19 

1642.... 

33.99 

36.06 

46.76 

54.41 

56.43 

65.41 

69.90 

68.10 

64.36 

49.75 

35.55 

31.01 

52.53 

67.80 

49.89 

33.69 

50.98 

1843.... 

35.77 

23.84 

26.05 

48.01 

57.64 

68.10 

72.38 

71.25 

66.84 

46.08 

37.41 

33.59 

43.90 

70.58 

50.11 

31.73 

49.08 

1844.... 

25.48 

31.35 

40.75 

59.52 

62.52 

68.17 

73.12 

68.97 

62.19 

47.15 

38.59 

31.88 

54.26 

70.09 

49.31 

29.57 

50.81 

1845.... 

33.53 

31.36 

39.49 

53.59 

58.34 

69.12 

70.60 

72.41 

62.10 

47.38 

38.07 

23.10 

50.47 

70.71 

49.18 

29.33 

49.92 

1846.... 

29.27 

27.74 

40.09 

54.28 

65.43 

68.^2 

73.27 

74.12 

68.50 

51.50 

45.30 

35.70 

53.26 

72.10 

55.10 

30.80 

52.81 

1847.... 

29.92 

32.62 

37.27 

50.31 

62.36 

66.97 

72  48 

68.67 

62.03 

49.41 

42.12 

33.10 

49.98 

69.37 

51.18 

31.88 

50.60 

1848.... 

33.63 

31  49 

36.37 

48.75 

64.28 

68.37 

70.97 

70.91 

58.14 

50.16 

36.60 

40.18 

49.80 

70.08 

48.30 

35.10 

50.82 

1849.... 

28.28 

28.08 

41.05 

47.84 

60.35 

70.93 

71.50 

69.79 

60.15 

50.22 

44.82 

30.22 

46.21 

70.74 

51.73 

28.86 

49.43 

1850.... 

33.63 

31.87 

35.50 

46.06 

53.97 

68.48 

76.10 

72.28 

62.51 

49.33 

42.08 

32.68 

45.18 

72.29 

51.31 

32.73 

50.38 

1851.... 

32.47 

37.67 

42.48 

48.75 

61.32 

66.41 

72.19 

69.15 

64.48 

51.66 

36.55 

27.02 

50.85 

69.25 

50.69 

32.38 

50.84 

1852.... 

23.62 

31.37 

40.20 

44.46 

59.  K 

66.23 

73.71 

69.38 

62.08 

57.22 

39.65 

36.62 

48.16 

69.77 

52.98 

30.54 

50.36 

1853.... 

29.31 

32.08 

38.60 

50.42 

60.90 

73.72 

72.21 

71.88 

65.02 

48.46 

44.38 

29.38 

49.94 

72.60 

52.95 

30.26 

51.44 

1854.... 

29.08 

33.49 

40.36 

49.30 

61.17 

71.15 

78.18 

76.38 

69.92 

53.32 

37.92 

30.53 

50.28 

75.24 

53.72 

31.03 

52.57 

Mean  ) 
23y'rs  J 

29.25 

31.16 

39.02 

49.96 

60.92 

69.22 

72.98 

71.21 

63.58 

50.91 

39.80 

31.35 

49.97 

71.47 

51.43 

30.59 

50.86 

CARLISLE  ]'..A.RRACKS,  PENNSYLVANIA. 
Latitude  40°  12',  Longitude  T7°  14'.     Altitude  500  feet. 


1839....] 



77.17 

72.76 

67.08 

56.30 

34.90 

29.33 



52.76 

1     

1840....! 

20.44 

35.64 

42.50 

52.52 

60.36 

67.69 

72.88 

71.64 

58.60 

50.66 

38.99 

26.82 

5)  .79 

70.74 

49.41 

27.63 

49.89 

1841.... 

29.15 

25.52 

33.62 

46.31 

59.53 

71.48 

70.64 

70.76 

64.86 

45.51 

39.33 

30.60 

46.49 

70.96 

49.90 

28.43 

48.94 

1842.... 

31.43 

33.37 

45.24 

51.29 

54.32 

67.23 

72.17 

68.83 

62.60 

48.56 

34.13 

29.09 

50.28 

69.41 

48.43 

31.28 

49.85 

1843.... 

33.74 

23.90 

26.88 

50.80 

60.15 

68.85 

72.70 

12.05 

67.90 

49.80 

37.50 

31.65 

45.91 

71.20 

51.73 

29.76 

49.66 

1844.... 

25.07 

31.26 

41.00 

59.06 

65.88 

70.09 

77.01 

73.10 

66.65 

54.36 

41.61 

32.93 

55.31 

73.40 

54.21 

29.75 

53.17 

18-15.... 

35.80 

J2.S6 

43.56 

54.11 

62.42 

75.95 

80.35 

78.91 

71.50 

57.16 

46.80 

28.33 

53.36 

78.40 

58.49 

32.34 

53.65 

1846.... 

34.58 

32.48 

39.90 

51  42 



1848.... 

31.50 

30.80 

35,81 

51.41 

64.75 

72.46 

71  27 

68.81 

58.59 

52.10 

35.34 

38.25 

50.66 

70.85 

48.68 

33.53 

50.93 

1849.... 

24.93 

24.92 

40.60 

48.90 

58.01 

71.92 

73.18 

72.32 

62.56 

51.19 

46.37 

29.81 

49.17 

72.47 

53.37 

26.55 

50.39 

1850.... 

30.13 

32.40 

."ie.ss 

46.46 

56.48 

71.15 

75.79 

71.58 

62.14 

50.20 

41.48 

32.05 

46.60 

72.84 

51.27 

31.53 

50.56 

1851.... 

31.38 

36.85 

41.47 

47.61 

60.72 

67.33 

71.90 

69.30 

63.83 

52.13 

36.95 

49.93 

69.81 

50.97 



1852....! 

23.00 

30.19 

37.09 

44.25 

61.73 

68.31 

74.16 

68.62 

61.31 

55.63 

38.55 

36.30 

47.69 

70.36 

51.83 

29.83 

49.93 

1853 

28.94 

32.21 

38.62 

48.18 

60.54 

73.00 

73.78 

ra.61 

65.72 

49.11 

73.13 

1854....' 

73.61 

68.66 

55.29 

41.60 

28.70 

55.18 

Mean  > 

ISy'rsJ 

29.24 

33.95 

38.78 

50.10 

60.41 

70.45 

74.08 

71.92 

64.43 

52.22 

39.50 

31.16 

49.76 

72.15 

SS.OS 

30.43 

51.10 

620 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  MIFFLIN,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Latitude  39°  53',  Longitude  75°  13',     Altitude  20  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1823.... 

31.95 

26.61 

39.11 

S5.77 

63.84 

75.22 

82.19 

78.81 

73.27 

58.27 

42.46 

35.11 

52.91 

78.74 

58.00 

31.22 

55.22 

1834.... 

35.13 

32.73 

38.27 

48.55 

03.09 

75.24 

80.96 

75.18 

73.44 

56.12 

46.33 

39.22 

49.97 

77.13 

58.63 

35.69 

55.35 

1843.... 

39.01 

27.78 

30.45 

50.36 

59.22 

70.43 

73.70 

74.82 

69.16 

51.28 

40.56 

34.42 

46.68 

72.98 

53.67 

33.74 

51.77 

1844.... 

28.28 

32.03 

42  54 

54.51 

65.79 

69.98 

74.53 

72.55 

65.82 

52.41 

42.59 

33.55 

54.28 

72.35 

53.51 

31.29 

52.86 

1843.... 

36.43 

33.56 

44.79 

.52.98 

60.84 

71.76 

76.58 

75.41 

66.67 

53.95 

44.57 

28.59 

52.93 

74.58 

55.06 

32.86 

53.86 

1846.... 

32.22 

28.75 

41.75 

.52.46 



1849.... 

29.67 

28.38 

42.24 

49.90 

57.74 

72.56 

73.35 

73.86 

66.54 

55.28 

51.86 

33.76 

49.95 

73.26 

57.89 

30.60 

52.92 

1850.... 

35.25 

37.72 

40.06 

47.50 

57.82 

71.46 

77.18 

73.35 

68.05' 

56.06 

36.30 

48.46 

74.00 

.36.42 

1851.... 

33.17 

37.00 

41.84 

50.66 

61.77 

69.49 

76.25 

73.49 

69.40 

61.05 

53.27 

34.90 

51.42 

73.07 

61.24.' 

35.02 

55.19 

1852.... 

33.16 

35.01 

40.77 

44.00 

63.34 

69.64 

79.97 

72.27 

67.58 

58.80 

42.40 

39.75 

49.37 

73.96 

55.26 

33.97 

53.89 

1853;.. . 

31.06 

34.76 

41.28 

50.59 

62.09 

73.70 

74.43 

74.37 

67.06 

54.66 

51.29 

74.17 

Mean) 
lOy're  5 

33.21 

32.21 

40.30 

50.65 

61.55 

71.95 

76.91 

74.41 

68.70 

55.81 

45.50 

35.07 

50.83 

74.42 

56.67 

33.50 

53.85 

FORT  DELAWARE,  DELAWARE. 

Latitude  39°  35',  Longitude  75°  34'.     Altitude  10  feet. 


1825.... 

36.57 

43.09 

53.04 

65.14 

74.31 

80.47 

75.35 

68.05 

61.47 

46.47 

35.42 

53.76 

76.71 

58.66 

1826.... 

35.15 

37.09 

39.50 

45.77 

69.46 

76.56 

77.72 

76.03 

76.59 

57.68 

50.64 

38.35 

51.58 

76.77 

61.64 

36.86 

56.71 

1827.... 

29.92 

40.44 

47.28 

58.70 

62.38 

70.64 

77.05 

•71.54 

79.26 

59.47 

43.41 

56.12 

76.08 

37.92 

1828.... 

42.38 

46.40 

49.02 

50.89 

67.18 

79.11 

79.29 

79.48 

68.65 

55.37 

47.60 

42.01 

55.70 

79.29 

57.21 

43.60 

58.95 

1829.... 

31.56 

26.92 

37.07 

52.82 

65.17 

71.80 

73.98 

74.98 

64.36 

55.51 

42.61 

40.10 

51.69 

73.59 

54.16 

32.86 

53.07 

1830.... 

31.94 

28.90 

41.76 

54.17 

63.33 

70.19 

79.42 

78.51 

68.62 

58.42 

45.62 

36.67 

53.09 

76.04 

57.55 

32.84 

54.88 

18!>4.... 

32.38 

34.56 

43.18 

50.98 

64.50 



53.89 

Mean  > 
6J  y'rs  i 

33.67 

35.84 

42.99 

52.34 

65.31 

73.77 

77.99 

75.98 

70.92 

57.99 

46.59 

39.33 

53.55 

75.91 

58.50 

36.28 

56.06 

*  August,  1827,  observed  at  Cape  May. 


FORT  McHENRY,   MARyL.,VND. 

Latitude  39°  17',  Longitude  76°  35'.     Altitude 


3&feet. 


1831.... 

28.66 

30.78 

47.33 

56.49 

64.34 

74.75 

75.51 

75.88 

67.07 

59.78 

43.72 

25.36 

56.05 

75.38 

56.86 

28.27 

54.14 

1832  ... 

31.81 

37.46 

44.50 

52.66 

62.76 

71.75 

76.52 

75.69 

71.60 

59.84 

46.78 

38.97 

53.31 

74.65 

59.41 

36.08 

55.86 

1833.... 

37.06 

37.40 

40.79 

56.64 

70.12 

72.71 

77.71 

74.12 

69.27 

54.69 

44.26 

38.49 

55.85 

74.85 

56.07 

37.65 

56.10 

1834.... 

29.71 

44.49 

47.15 

55.27 

61.07 

72.00 

80.41 

77.26 

66.78 

52.97 

44.63 

36.52 

54.50 

76.56 

54.80 

36.91 

55.69 

1835.... 

31.82 

29.09 

41.01 

49.03 

63.97 

71.18 

75.53 

72.46 

61.81 

58.39 

48.43 

33.31 

1     51.34 

73.06 

56.21 

31.41 

53.00 

1836.... 

33.77 

26.06 

32.80 

51.52 

63.43 

66.77 

74.76 

69.97 

68.52 

48.21 

41.61 

41.61 

;     49.25 

70.50 

52.78 

33.8! 

51.58 

1837.... 

28.77 

34.08 

40.83 

49.08 

62.26 

69.92 

74.72 

73.78 

64.49 

56.33 

46.66 

38.28 

50.72 

72.81 

55.83 

33.04 

53.10 

1838.... 

37.34 

26.79 

42.59 

48.35 

59.29 

74.46 

80., W 

77.38 

67.. 58 

51.32 

40.68 

31.08 

50.08 

77.46 

53.19 

31.74 

53.12 

1839.... 

32.41 

34.66 

43.30 

56.41 

66.25 

70.00 

77  10 

72.94 

67.10 

60.10 

40.23 

34.27 

55.32 

73.35 

55.81 

33.78 

54.56 

1840.... 

24.20 

38.68 

45.26 

54.25 

61.51 

71.16 

73.77 

74.47 

63.49 

55.72 

43.69 

29.88 

53.67 

72.80 

54.30 

30.92 

52.92 

1841.... 

30.45 

31.81 

40.36 

47.43 

55.72 

69.63 

76.42 

74.07 

70.64 

49.28 

42.07 

35.06 

47.84 

73.37 

54.00 

32.44 

51.91 

1832.... 

36.42 

38.14 

47.97 

54.19 

59.63 

68.98 

75.39 

73.42 

68.08 

54.43 

38.93 

32.68 

53.93 

72.60 

53.81 

35.75 

54.02 

1843.... 

38.39 

28.13 

30.14 

50.28 

60.97 

72.61 

75.73 

78.36 

71.15 

54.36 

41.90 

35.18 

47.13 

74.90 

55.82 

33.90 

52.94 

1844.... 

29.22 

32.10 

41.93 

55.88 

G6.46 

69.34 

77.36 

74.10 

66.62 

52.88 

41.08 

33.25 

54.76 

73.60 

53.53 

31.52 

53.35 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


521 


FORT  McHENRY,  MARYLAND— Continued. 
Latitude  39°  17',  Longitude  76°  35'.     Altitude  36/eet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Marcli. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

.Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1 
Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1845.... 

36.85 

31.09 

44.13 

54.55 

60.55 

71.77 

76.07 

53.08 



1846.... 

K.29 

29.64 

42.02 

52.98 

64.81 

68.09 

74.30 

74.16 

69.98 

54.32 

47.31 

34.79 

53.27 

71.85 

57.20 

32.24 

53.64 

1847.... 

30.71 

32.52 

38.00 

53.74 

64.19 

69.99 

77.62 

75.27 

68.33 

55.79 

49.21 

37.94 

52.64 

74.29 

57.78 

33.72 

54.61 

1848.... 

37.51 

36.17 

40.73 

.56.91 

67.86 

74.91 

75.26 

76.24 

65.23 

57.61 

42.23 

43.91 

55.17 

75.47 

55.02 

39.20 

56.21 

1849.... 

31.89 

30.94 

44.44 

52.05 

61.19 

75.17 

76.17 

75.47 

67.92 

57.07 

53.57 

37.10 

52.56 

75.60 

59.52 

33.31 

55.35 

1830.... 

38.18 

39.78 

42.75 

50.59 

61.20 

74.67 

78  55 

73.96 

67.88 

58.23 

51.36 

40.37 

51.51 

75.73 

59.16 

39.44 

56.46 

1851.... 

37.30 

39.54 

47.05 

54.73 

64.84 

71.39 

78.33 

73.64 

69.37 

58.86 

46.63 

32.67 

55.54 

74.45 

58.28 

36.50 

56.19 

1852.... 

28.01 

35  86 

42.95 

47.95 

63.18 

70.12 

74.85 

76.00 

65.86 

58.26 

43.97 

40.48 

51.36 

73.66 

55.69 

34.78 

53.87 

1853  ... 

33.27 

36.74 

42.75 

53.19 

64.33 

74.53 

76.01 

75.15 

69.83 

54.14 

48.66 

36.62 

53.42 

75.23 

57. M 

35.21 

55.33 

1854.... 

33.6! 

36.47 

44.40 

49.00 

64  29 

72.00 

78.32 

75.45 

71.29 

58.11 

50.55 

33,76 

53.56 

75.26 

59.98 

34.61 

55.60 

Mean  ) 
24y'rs  J 

32.86 

34.23 

42.29 

53.71 

63.10 

71.58 

76.71 

74.66 

67.82 

55.68 

43  10 

35.63 

52.70 

74.32 

56.20 

34.24 

54.36 

FORT  SEVERN,   MARY  LAND. 

Latitude  38°  58',  Longitude  76°  27'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


1822.... 

29.28 

35.13 

46.26 

55.05 

67.09 

73.16 

79.68 

77.23 

72.36 

61.55 

53.^ 

38.51 

56.13 

76.69 

62.58 

34.31 

57.43 

1831.... 

27.86 

27.82 

45.19 

.14.43 

64,33 

74  94 

77.54 

75.66 

68.37 

59,15 

44.64 

25.98  1 

54.64 

76.05 

57.39 

27.22 

53.ffi 

1833.... 

33.70 

37.78 

43.35 

51.84 

61.63 

71.97 

77.01 

75.44 

68.82 

58.38 

48.59 

43.24 

52.27 

74.81 

58.60 

37.91 

53.90 

1833.... 

36.68 

37.36 

40.84 

58.14 

66.74 

71.23 

77.95 

75.20 

70.95 

57.09 

45.83 

38.08 

55.24 

74.79 

57.96 

37.37 

56.31 

1834.... 

30.00 

40.79 

45.05 

49.70 

64.14 

72.95 

79.79 

78.10 

61.78 

58.08 

46.70 

36.83 

52.96 

76.95 

fr2.19 

33.87 

54.49 

1843.... 

32.46 

51.46 

60.40 

72.13 

75.66 

75.11 

70.40 

53,16 

41.95 

36.80 

48.11 

74.30 

55.17 

1844.... 

30.35 

32.85 

43.03 

55.20 

69,00 

72.04 

77.99 

75.45 

69.09 

55.91 

46.34 

37.46  : 

56.08 

75.16 

57.11 

33.55 

55.47 

1845.... 

39  31 

36.51 

46.59 

53.60 

62.50 

73.35 

77.72 



'■ 

54.90 

!Mean  ) 
8  yr's.  ; 

32.31 

35.46 

42.85 

54.05 

64.48 

72.72 

77.17 

76.03 

68.82 

57.62 

46.84 

36.70, 

53.79 

75.31 

57.76 

34.sa 

55.42 

Latitude  38°  53'  39",  Longitude  77' 


WASHINGTON  CITY.= 

2'  48".     {National  Observatory.) 


Altitude  50  to  ^Ofeet. 


1823... 

41.37 

35.15 

47.41 

59.69 

66.49 

73.27 

78.21 

76.67 

C8.42 

53.04 

37.75 

37.23 

57.86 

76.05  ' 

53.27 

si.aa 

58.28 

1824.... 

38,51 

34.66 

41.46 

55.35 

64.69 

73.60 

79.13 

74.98 

63.63 

57,27 

43.88 

40.28 

53,83 

75.90 

56  59 

37.K 

56.04 

1835.... 

35.41 

39.14 

48.87 

53.38 

61.98 

76.. 36 

79.27 

'  75.77 

67.51 

60.16 

44.63 

36,13 

56.74 

77.13 

57.40 

33.56 

56.31 

1826.... 

35.66 

41.33 

49.00 

33.36 

73.42 

76.51 

77.48 

76.25 

72.34 

58.68 

45.84 

36.31 

58.59 

76.75 

58.95 

37.77 

58.02 

1827.... 

30.20 

42.63 

47.41 

59,97 

66.22 

74.35 

79.93 

78.42 

70.15 

58.41 

44.87 

41.59 

57.87 

77.57 

57.81 

3S.I4 

57.85 

1828.... 

41.13 

47.26 

47.52 

50.44 

66.96 

79.29 

78.11 

79.09 

67.41 

54.79 

47.33 

41.74 

54.97 

78.83 

56.51 

43.38 

58.42 

1839.... 

32.74 

28.62 

39.63 

54.36 

65.53 

73.61 

74.80 

73.91 

64.29 

55.79 

42.69 

44.28 

53.17 

74.11 

54.23 

35.31 

54  18 

1830.... 

a-i.84 

33.70 

46.36 

56,33 

65.16 

73..54 

81.14 

77.95 

69.27 

58.66 

52.47 

37.33 

55.95 

77.54 

60.13 

34.98 

57.14 

1831.... 

26,83 

29.32 

46,82 

55.06 

63.32 

73.91 

74.96 

74.78 

67.37 

56.03 

42.13 

25.37 

55.07 

74  55 

55.18 

27.17 

52.99 

1833.... 

31.98 

37.13 

44,91 

1833.... 

35.59 

36.57 

41.63 

58.20 

70.03 

71.34 

77.59 

74.50 

68.88 

53.87 

43.30 

37.53 

56.62 

74.48 

55.03 

36.56 

55.67 

1834.... 

29.82 

43.15 

47.33 

55.82 

62.84 

72,37 

80.51 

77.22 

66.45 

53  31 

43.80 

36.54 

55.34 

76.67 

54.52 

36.50 

55.78 

183,5.... 

30.15 

29,01 

41.37 

53.45 

65.46 

75.14 

78.03 

73  97 

62.44 

59.77 

49.32 

33.57 

50.09 

76.38 

57.18 

30.91 

53.64 

Alean  j 
12y'rsS 

34.09 

36.74 

45.36 

55.70 

66.26 

74.41 

78.23 

76.29 

• 
67.76 

58.70 

44.83 

37.32 

J55.7, 

76.33 

56.43 

36.0.1 

.■*.14 

•  Obiicrvaiions  by  Iti-v.  Hnbirt  I.iiile  In  July,  1827,  anil  by  .\ssistaut  Surgeon  J.  A.  Brcreton  f  ubscqu  :nlly.    Tlic  looalily  w.ts  in  llic  first  case  near  Hie  ceiiuc 
of  tbe  ciry,  and  in  tlic  last  near  tlic  War  Pepaftmenl  buildings. 

S,  90 6ti, 


522 


CONSOMDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMAlilES. 


FORT  WASHINGTON,  JUKYLAND. 
Latitude  38°  43',  Longitude  77°  06'.     Altitude  60  Jeet. 


BELLONA  ARSENAL,  RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA. 

Latitude  37°  20',  Longitude  11°  25'.     Altitude  120  feet. 


FORT  MONROE,  VIRGINLi. 
Latitude  37°  00',  Longitude  76°  18'.     Altitude  8  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June, 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

00.. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year- 

1824.... 

43.67 

38.40 

45.34 

56.53 

65.96 

75.06 

79.63 

76.11 

68.32 

59.25 

47.50 

43.00 

55.94 

76.93 

58.38 

41.36 

58.15 

1825.... 

37.44 

40.47 

50.12 

58.90 

66.87 

78.23 

81.46 

78.79 

69.79 

63.56 

47  34 

39.13 

56.63 

79.47 

60.23 

39.01 

59.33 

1826.... 

38.41 

43.53 

51.20 

54.70 

74.00 

77.83 

78.61 

77.79 

73.32 

61.66 

49.83 

40.24 

59.97 

78.08 

61.60 

40.73 

63.34 

1827.... 

31.19 

46.13 

51.40 

62.72 

66.22 

74.35 

60.19 

46.85 

41.33 

60.11 

39.55 

1898.... 

43.64 

48.00 

49.00 

52.09 

69.37 

59.98 

49.65 

33.34 

56.82 

41.33 

1829.... 

33.70 

28.33 

41.05 

57.86 

70.28 

76.22 

77.44 

77.41 

67.90 

58.24 

45.08 

46.26 

56.43 

77.02 

57.07 

38.09 

56.65 

1830.... 

35.21 

36.05 

49.38 

60.69 

69.40 

77.28 

83.60 

79.08 

70.75 

62.14 

53.94 

38.43 

59.82 

79.99 

63.28 

36.56 

59.66 

1831.... 

31.33 

50.65 

59.43 

69.25 

79.48 

79.45 

77.72 

71.23 

61.74 

45.97 

26.16 

59.78 

78.88 

63.98 

1832.... 

56.68 

67.10 

76.54 

81.11 

77.26 

69.88 

59.10 

50.86 

39.89 

78.30 

59.61 

1833.... 

38.57 

38.71 

43.53 

62.00 

73.41 

76.24 

82.57 

78.42 

73.59 

56.47 

47.07 

38.24 

59.64 

79.07 

59.04 

38.50 

58.40 

1834.... 

31.29 

45  59 

44.45 

55.75 

64.88 

79.20 

83.03 

79.77 

71.41 

56.52 

43.17 

37.94 

55.03 

78.73 

57.03 

38.24 

57.25 

1835.... 

31.81 

28.89 

42.98 

78.23 

73.20 

62.94 

59.73 

49.83 

34.56 

57.17 

31.75 

1851.... 

66.04 

72.20 

78.48 

74.61 

68.08 

58.02 

43.09 

31.17 

75.09 

56.40 

1852....' 

29.31 

37.09 

45.31 

50.14 

67.30 

73.22 

78.03 

72.43 

67.38 

60.64 

43.76 

42.14  ' 

54.25 

74.76 

57.26 

36.18 

55.61 

1853.... 

34.00 

39.18 

44.71 

55.29 

65.85 
68.38 

76.64 

77.57 

78.01 

69.88 





55.28 

77.41 

Me.in  ( 
ISy'rs  j- 

35.50 

38.59 

46.86 

57.14 

76.35 

79.99 

76.96 

69.57 

59.80 

47.42 

37.99 

57.43 

77.77 

58.93 

37.36 

57.87 

1824.... 

41.44 

34.09 

42.10 

50.26 

57.48 

79.03 

76.47 

76.76 

63.00 

48.74 

41.64 

49.95 

77.43 

39.06 

1825.... 

35.54 

40.21 

56.51 

80.38 

79.85 

72.52 



48.34 

38.09 

37.95 

1826.... 

40.37 

46.97 

53.83 

61.06 

.49.74 

40.34 

42.56 

1827.... 

63.45 

66.18 

73.58 

79.89 

79.53 

70.32 

59.04 

54.33 

49.49 

77.67 

61.23 

1828.... 

43.25 

52.45 

50.79 

55.73 

73.23 

81.09 

79.60 

80.29 

71.95 

59.66 

53.88 

44.93 

59.93 

80.33 

61.50 

46.88 

63.16 

1829.... 

35.66 

40.65 

45.10 

58.83 

66.96 

74.99 

76.92 

75.80 

67.42 

58.75 

46.14 

46.68 

56.96 

75.88 

57.44 

41.00 

57.82 

1830.... 

39.21 

39.50 

51.55 

59.50 

67.18 

76.16 

81.38 

78.72 

69.10 

59.72 

53.66 

42.44 

59.08 

78.75 

60.83 

40.38 

59.76 

1831.... 

31.59 

34.97 

54.10 



1832.... 

38.08 

45.42 

50.27 

57.04 

70.67 

74.57 

78.19 

77.70 

70.14 

59.33 

50.87 

43.S! 

59.33 

76.8S 

60.11 

42.44 

59.67 

1833.... 

43.41 

43.47 

48.50 

63.74 

72.83 

76.72 

80.80 

74.58 

72.53 

61.69 

77.77 

Mean  i 
8y'rs  \ 

38.73 

41.97 

50.30 

58.36 

63.50 

76  58 

79.19 

77.90 

70.57' 

60.08 

50.59 

43.43 

57.39 

77.89 

60.41 

41.38 

59.37 

1835.... 

46.17 

47.96 

55.89 

59.80 

69  85 

75.30 

75.97 

77.88 

72.75 

67.23 

55.52 

44.05 

61  85 

76.38 

65.17 

46.06 

63.36 

1826.... 

43.55 

48.23 

54.87 

56.63 

71.57 

78.02 

79.98 

79.33 

76.51 

63.11 

50.23 

42.89 

61.02 

79.11 

63.28 

44.89 

62.07 

1827... 

36.58 

45.84 

51. oe 

61.85 

63.47 

71.39 

79.18 

80.21 

71.52 

62.79 

49.71 

50.86 

58.80 

76.93 

61.34 

44.43 

60.37 

1838.... 

49.71 

53.51 

52.77 

58.53 

70.27 

79.09 

79.58 

80.51 

71.31 

63.29 

56.98 

47.57 

60.52 

79.73 

63.86 

50.26 

63.59 

1829.... 

41.47 

36.07 

43.66 

56.85 

66.59 

74.40 

78.03 

78.90 

71.00 

64.59 

51.50 

50.77 

55.70 

77.11 

62.36 

42.77 

59.48 

1830.... 

43.84 

40.62 

50.95 

51.37 

67.35 

75.97 

81.46 

78.55 

73.23 

65.11 

59.05 

47.00 

56.52 

78.66 

65.80 

43.49 

61.12 

1831.... 

38.00 

37.84 

50.26 

57.46 

64.11 

76.54 

79.04 

78.19 

74.06 

61.27 

48.30 

28.97 

57.28 

77.92 

61.21 

34.27 

57.67 

1832.... 

33.65 

40.32 

42.92 

49.63 

59.54 

66.74 

72.36 

72.60 

67.66 

57.75 

48.85 

42.13 

50.70 

70.57 

58.09 

38.70 

54.51 

1833.... 

39.39 

38.70 

41.06 

53.67 

66.37 

69.56 

75.85 

76.03 

73.23 

63.63 

50.31 

43.98 

53.70 

73.81 

62.39 

40.46 

57.59 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


523 


FORT  MONROE,  VIRGINIA— Continued. 
Latitude  37°  00',  Longitude  76°  18'.     Altitude  8/eef. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May; 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

.Dec. 

Spring. 

1 
Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1834.... 

35.96 

46.46 

49.95 

57.19 

64.85 

75.27 

81.13 

79.20 

74.26 

65.07 

53.22 

45.98 

57.33 

78  53 

64.18 

49.80 

58,21 

1833.... 

42.53 

34.28 

43.76 

56.86 

65. K 

71.66 

77.46 

76.35 

69.96 

64.75 

56.87 

42.19 

55.98 

75.16 

63.63 

39.64 

61.10 

1836.... 

38.58 

31  95 

41.75 

55.43 

67.49 

71.23 

76.36 

75.52 

74.04 

57.32 

45  22 

37.90 

54.89 

74.37 

58.86 

36.14 

54.36 

1837.... 

^.93 

42.53 

45.93 

53  83 

64.40 

73.60 

80.11 

77.42 

68.50 

64.64 

54.91 

46.07 

54.72 

77.04 

62.68 

40.51 

58.74 

1833.... 

46.01 

33.51 

48.95 

53.92 

63.70 

74.55 

82.83 

81.14 

72.33 

60.45 

46.72 

38.SS  1 

55.29 

79.51 

59.83 

39.36 

58.50 

1839.... 

39.72 

43.13 

46  94 

56.62 

69.18 

73.14 

80.04 

76  17 

69.85 

63.84 

48.03 

40.15 

57.58 

76.45 

60.57 

37.67 

58.07 

1810.... 

34.26 

47.72 

53  IS 

61.38 

67.82 

74.83 

78.29 

79.00 

69.49 

63.37 

50.68 

41.48 

60.78 

T7.37 

61.18 

41.14 

60.12 

1841.... 

41. ,10 

39.11 

47.50 

54.32 

63.45 

77.53 

78.34 

76.94 

74.60 

56.96 

51.04 

45.49 

55.09 

77.67 

60.87 

49.01 

58.66 

1812.... 

45.09 

47.03 

57.18 

K.78 

66.99 

74.18 

77.42 

75.7a 

74.38 

62  39 

44.27 

38.40 

62.32 

75.77 

60.33 

43.51 

60.49 

1813.... 

44.12 

37.12 

37.09 

55.30 

64.18 

75.29 

78.19 

77.18 

75.98 

58.25 

48.80 

41.94 

32.19 

76.89 

60.78 

40.83 

57.67 

1814.... 

38.03 

37.92 

48.73 

59.32 

72.94 

74.91 

78.67 

74.13 

71. K 

60.56 

59.46 

41.84  1 

60.10 

73.90 

61.55 

38.28 

58.96 

1843.... 

44.79 

42.74 

51.01 

58.58 

65.94 

76.30 

79.02 

77.95 

■ra.oo 

61.07 

51.70 

34.77 

58.51 

77.76 

61.39 

40.77 

59.66 

1846.... 

40,90 

38.87 

48.91 

57.29 

70.00 

73.95 

78.86 

79.74 

74.20 

61.36 

54.46 

46.94  ^ 

58.73 

77.52 

63.41 

42.00 

60.41 

1847.... 

42.19 

42.65 

45.01 

54.91 

62.94 

72.24 

76  16 

74.35 

69.98 

60.50 

53.09 

43.88  1 

54.05 

74.95 

61.17 

43.24 

58.18 

1848.... 

41.45 

39.79 

47.49 

55.06 

67.77 

75.48 

75.48 

75.89 

69.98 

59.11 

46.^ 

51.79 

56.77 

75.62 

58.20 

44.34 

38.73 

1849.... 

37.50 

36.56 

46.40 

54.30 

61.65 

75.56 

75.45 

76.01 

70.70 

60.18 

54.94 

43.35 

51.12 

75.67 

61.94 

39.14 

57.72 

1850.... 

43.34 

43.01 

46.57 

51.07 

^.99 

73.09 

78.46 

76.85 

71.43 

60.65 

53.67 

45  75 

53.54 

76.13 

61.59 

44.04 

58.82 

1851.... 

42.44 

46.36 

49.S 

54.38 

65.49 

72.54 

79.00 

75.04 

69.66 

61.36 

48.46 

40.90 

56.39 

75.52 

59.82 

43.23 

59.57 

1852.... 

33.19 

42.62 

48.87 

53.44 

65.85 

72.74 

76.23 

74.12 

70.20 

63.39 

49.94 

47.87 

56.05 

74.36 

61.18 

41.89 

58.38 

1833.... 

38.&t 

44.00 

48.62 

56.13 

64.94 

74.49 

77.54 

76.96 

71,85 

59,90 

55.46 

43  09 

56.56 

76.33 

69.17 

41.98 

39.96 

1854.... 

41.47 

43.82 

50.82 

57.16 

68.74 

77.20 

80.91 

79  55 

76.60 

64.55 

52.85 

40.75 

58.91 

78.99 

64.67 

42.01 

61.14 

Mean  i 
30y-ref 

40.54 

41.67 

48.29 

56.17 

66.14 

74.92 

78.23 

77.23 

72.03 

61.60 

51.41 

43.13  , 

56.87 

76.57 

61.68 

41.45 

59.14 

FORT  MACON,  NORTH  CAROLINA. 
Latitude  34°  iV,  Longitude  76°  40'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


1833.... 
1834.... 
1833.... 
1836.... 
1843.... 
1844..., 


Slean  I      ^^  ,, 
5y'rs  \     ^-1^ 


41.16 
44.55 
46.00 
51.07 
43.06 


51.99 

55.37 

63.93 

70.94 

41.09 

50.78 

58.71 

68.70 

39.33 

46.34 

57.42 

67.69 

44.50 

43.03 

57.87 

67.50 

43.53 

51.91 

^.00 

71.60 

44.09 

49.49 

60.00 

68.89 

es.57  81.63 

77.66  78.66 

74.04  

75.93  80.05 

74.19  i  78.85 

I 


76.87       79, 


79.72 
78.10 


I    65.20 

76.53       66.34 
71.06      65.97 


80.14  ;    79.3!       62.60      53. 


71.66       61.97 


54.29 
57.42 
61.10 


74.64       64.«       56.51 


51.50 
46.03 


47.33 


63.42 
58.40 
57.15 
56.14 
61.84 


48.00 


59.46 


81.31 
78.14 


78.71 
76.83 


66.76 
66.04 


48.92  ] 
43.89 


64.93 
61.62 


65.03  I    47.63        61.88 


69.23 


FORT  JOHNSTON,  NORTH  CAROLINA, 
Latitude  34°  GO',  Longitude  78°  05'.     Altitude  10  feet. 


1822.... 

50.32 

52,97 

60.43 

66.73 

74.68 

78.74 

81.39 

80 .39 

76.12 

70.79 

66.69 

54.95 

67.28 

80.24 

71.20 

59.75 

67.87 

1823.... 

52.14 

46.55 

58.71 

67.29 

74.19 

76.92 

80.83 

79.91 

73.89 

65.91 

55.56 

54.30 

66.73 

79.as 

65.79 

51.00 

65.68 

1824.... 

55.34 

50.69 

58.42 

63.97 

71.90 

77.97 

82.93 

80.50 

75.19 

68.87 

60.40 

57.34 

64.76 

60.47 

68.15 

54.46 

66.96 

1825.... 

31.82 

54.34 

61.96 

62.11 

73.38 

79.98 

81.07 

80.19 

75.00 

68.85 

57.03 

48.47 

65.82 

80.41 

66.96 

51.54 

66.18 

1826.... 

47.47 

56.38 

63.08 

66.29 

74.34 

81.38 

81.61 

80.76 

79.39 

71.14 

60.98 

54.07 

67.90 

81 .33 

70.50 

52  64 

68.07 

1827.... 

43.41 

58.77 

5.0.63 

65.70 

57.46 

59.91 

5J.47 

laM.... 

.■a.  13 

61 .59 

62.00 

63.64 

74.17 

80.47 

79.66 

81.33 

74.17 

67.26 

61.38 

59.25 

66,60 

60.49 

67. S7 

59.66 

6S33 

524 


CONS0LID.\TED    TABLES    .'VND    SUMMARIE.S. 


FOKT  .TOHNSTON,  NORTH  CAROLINA— Continued. 
Latitude  34°  00',  Longitude  78°  05'.     AltUvde  20  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June.       July. 

Aug. 

Sept.  ^    Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

53.58 
41  58 
57.70 
47.59 
49.54 
48  36 

49.12 
48.50 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autmiiti 

Wiiiur. 

Vu.ir. 

1S39.... 
1830.... 

lis;)!.... 

1833.... 
1833.... 
1834.... 
1835.... 
1836.... 
1843.... 
1844.... 
1845.... 

50.81 
50.35 
43  03 
'    45.58 
50.43 
43.98 
45.42 
46.87 
52.00 
43.57 
50.94 

46. G3 
50.39 
44.27 
55.91 
51  09 
53.63 
39.92 
44.69 
47.00 
45.69 
48.99 

53.40 
59.18 
55.72 
54.47 
54.26 
57.23 
50.68 
48.51 
46.50 
54.34 
56.55 

62.30 
64.16 
64.15 
64.28 
63.88 
61.94 
63.38 

61.50 
64.64 
66.44 

70.90 
71.88 
70.80 
79.84 
76.12 
69.65 
72.85 

70.50 
76.90 
70.74 

79.19 
77.46 
79.67 
77.30 
80.83 
80.09 
79.96 

76.50 
77.77 
79.30 

80.43 

80.65 
80.22 
83.36 
83.14 
80.25 



82.50 
83.16 
82.76 

80.83 

80.93 
80.08 
77.29 
79.18 
79.63 

82.00 
79.18 

75.22 

78.19 
75.83 
76.92 
75.97 
71.34 

80.00 
75.33 

66.62 
68.05 
68.43 
64.23 
67.07 
65.58 

64.00 
63.61 

62.40 
56.83 
63.15 
53.73 
55.39 
61.19 

58.00 
59.77 

61.87 
63  07 
63.56 
63.86 
64.75 
62.94 
62.30 



59.50 
65.29 
64.58 

80.15 

80.42 
79.20 
80.16 
80.80 
79.71 

80.33 
79.80 

67.69 
68.80 
64.97 
66.14 
66.04 

67.33 
66.24 

51.44 
42.96 
53.03 
49.70 

48.72 
44.57 

49.37 
45.93 

63.66 
66.22 
64.87 
64.65 
63.15 

64.13 
64.31 

Mean  ) 
ISy'rif 

49.03 

50.53 

56.34 

64.17 

72.86 

78.92 

81.48 

80.17       76.04 

67.07 

59.26 

52.24 

64.46 

80.19 

67.46 

50.60 

65.68 

AUGUSTA  ARSENAL,  GEORGIA. 
Latitude  33°  28',  Longitude  81°  53'.     Altitude  &00?  feet. 


ItHG.... 

48  57 

56.21 

63.87 

68.09 

77.46 

79.26 

83.30 

81.22 

78  03 

68.24 

56.23 

47.65 

70.47 

81.26 

67.51 

50.81 

67.51 

1827.... 

44.57 

61.26 

59.30 

67.93 

70.92 

70.98 

82.88 

81.44 

75.10 

66.66 

57.63 

57.16 

66.05 

80.43 

66.46 

54.33 

66.82 

1838.... 

54.41 

57.66 

39.47 

64.28 

76.57 

83.37 

81.66 

81.61 

72.13 

71.40 

56.74 

54.44 

66.77 

82.21 

66.76 

55.50 

67.81 

1829.... 

46.97 

40.27 

49.93 

.'59.40 

69.18 

78.36 

78.58 

78.30 

72.21 

61.77 

50.45 

54.18 

39.50 

78.41 

61.48 

47.14 

61.63 

1830.... 

48.61 

50.39 

SS.30 

69.19 

72.41 

81.45 

84.40 

83.14 

73.  &3 

61.12 

60.71 

49.04 

66.63 

83.00 

65.26 

49.35 

66.06 

1831.... 

40.98 

45.57 

58.72 

65.69 

fi9..54 

77.94 

80.41 

77.74 

74.06 

65.12 

53.90 

37.23 

64.65 

78.50 

64.36 

41.26 

63.19 

1833.... 

45.52 

5S.8I 

54.93 

64.95 

72.94 

77.57 

81.72 

79.63 

73..'i8 

64.15 

36.28 

49.41 

64.04 

79.64 

64.67 

30.31 

64.64 

1833.... 

54.07 

57.04 

57.69 

63.21 

77.07 

84.39 

84.27 

80.41 

76.80 

60.61 

51.31 

44.72 

66.66 

83.02 

69.91 

51.94 

66.13 

1834.... 

44.24 

62.03 

50.82 

63.70 

72.03 

82.86 

85.95 

83.24 

74.65 

63.85 

52.97 

49.23 

62.18 

83.78 

63.82 

51.83 

65.40 

IS.'iS.... 

45.92 

•39.60 

50.77 

61.91 

72.84 

79.66 

79.82 

78.85 

68.21 

«3.38 

60.03 

47.15 

61.84 

79.44 

63.87 

44.  iH 

62.36 

1836.... 

45.05 

44.09 

50.34 

64.59 

72.62 

73.98 

79.43 

78.02 

75.70 

69.59 

77.81 

1837.... 

39.94 

49.21 

53.77 

r>8.6i 

70.84 

76.43 

86.37? 

81.71 

73.89 

61.07 

81.50 

1838.... 



64.65 

66.98 

79.92 

84.93 

83.01 

74.60 

56.79 

47.66 

40.35 

82.39 

39.68 

1839     .. 

44.65 

46.16 

53.10 

65.90 

70..38 

79.32 

79.71 

78.90 

79.47 

66.09 

47.91 

38.67 

63.86 

79.31 

63.16 

43.16 

69.05 

1840.... 

43.43 

54.17 

38.21 

64  80 

68.00 

73.41 

75.99 

75.23 

66.34 

63.94 

50.47 

43.84 

63.67 

75.55 

60.93 

47.15 

61.65 

1841t... 

47.00 

46.00 

53.94 

69.88 

70.30 

78.40 

80.47 

76.37 

71.53 

57.72 

52.62 

44.85 

62.37 

78.41 

60.63 

45.91 

61.83 

18.12.... 

48.74 

51.31 

64.26 

66.95 

71.58 

76.39 

77.45 

74.93 

74.96 

60.49 

46  98 

44.47 

67.60 

76.26 

60.33 

48.17 

63.14 

1843.... 

50.90 

46.69 

43.87 

64.76 

71.16 

78.23 

89.96 

79.20 

80.73 

64.75 

58.66 

52.27 

59.93 

80.13 

68.05 

49.95 

64.51 

1844.... 

44.78 

51.20 

56.09 

69.15 

77.43 

77.04 

81.49 

79.42 

74.43 

63.94 

57.14 

48.42 

67.56 

79.33 

65.17 

48.13 

65.04 

1845.... 

51.40 

52.92 

57.19 

70.55 

72.96 

83.47 

87.48 

80.94 

74. «) 

69.86 

50.71 

38.76 

06.90 

83.96 

63.81 

47.09 

65  34 

1846.... 

45.83 

46  52 

57.64 

65.56 







Mean  i 
21  y'rs  f 

46.73 

50.70 

55.80 

65.15 

72.17 

79.05 

81.92 

79.66 

73.89 

63.49 

53.80 

46.77 

64.37 

80.21 

63.37 

48.07 

64.01 

*  February  8,  1835,  thermometer— 4"  at  5  a.  m. 

t  First  nine  months  of  1841  cniiiputcd  from  obscr^-ations  at  sunrise  and  9  p.  m. ;  remainder,  7,  9,  and  9. 

Note — The  very  low  meiin  temperature  of  December,  1831,  will  be  obser^-ed  in  the  series  at  each  post. 


CONSOIilDATED    TABLES    AND    SCMMARIES. 


525 


FORT  MOULTRIE,  SOUTH  CAEOLINA. 
Latitude  32°  45',  Longitude  79°  51'.     Altitude  25  feet. 


Jan. 

Fel). 

Marcb. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

OcL 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

1               1               1 
Summer  .\utuinn  Winter. 

Tear. 

1K3.... 

48.56 

43.06 

57.09 

65.36 

75.12 

75.97 

81.17 

79.83 

76.43 

66.26 

56  80 

50.96 

63.88 

78.99 

66.50 

47.53 

64.72 

1834.... 

53.90 

49.43 

60.92 

64.57 

74.73 

79  76 

&2.81 

80.10 

75.95 

68.39 

58.33 

54.66 

66.74 

80.89 

67.36 

52.33 

61.88 

1^5.... 

50.29 

52.82 

61.39 

62.62 

72.88 

79.35 

82.09 

83.57 

77.38 

70.87 

1 

63.63 

81.67 

183S.... 

69.32 

73.80 

81.09 

81.99 

81.59 

81.02 

72.04 

62.78 

54.13 

81.58 

71.95 

1827.... 

44.93 

59.93 

62.45 

69.11 

73.67 

77.25 

83.33 

80.76 

78.73 

68.41 

80.45 

1828*... 

61.48 

M.73 

64  03 

65.09 

77.29 

85.-25 

RJ.66 

82.72 

78.19 

68.63 

62.92 

59.66 

68.80 

83  88 

69.92 

61.98 

71.14 

1829.... 

51.37 

46.41 

53.59 

63.73 

68.17 

^.80 

84.09 

84.29 

77.80 

1 

61.16 

83.73 



1830.... 

55.79 

54  48 

63.24 

67. K 

74.87 

79.45 

83.21 

eS45 

81.49 

74.25 

68.77 

5S.55  ' 

68.48 

81.70 

74.84 

f5.61 

70.18 

1831.... 

45.64 

48.46 

59.86 

68.64 

71.84 

79.58 

80.37 

81.36 

78.20 

71.70 

63.30 

41.55 

68.78 

80.44 

71.07 

45  22 

65.85 

ISH.... 

48.69 

57.35 

57.96 

64.12 

72.95 

76.93 

79.90 

79.96 

76.03 

B7.59 

59.22 

54.37 

65.01 

78.93 

67.62 

53  47 

66.26 

1833.... 

53.34 

55.32 

57.14 

64.38 

74.14 

77.80 

81.38 

79.39 

77.42 

66.16 

56.31 

50.32 

65.21 

79.aJ 

66.60 

52.96 

66.07 

1834.... 

49.25 

57.86 

58.25 

63.78 

71.28 

80.69 

K.36 

79.74 

76.46 

68.63 

59.38 

53.14 

64.44 

80.93 

68.16 

33.42 

66.74 

1835.... 

46. »t 

40.14 

51.69 

61.88 

73.73 

79.75 

79.87 

80.04 

72.94 

67.49 

64.51 

51.48 

62.43 

79.89 

68.31 

46.15 

64.19 

1840  ... 

47.94 

57.86 

61.36 

67.18 

73.40 

77.44 

79.29 

79.80 

73.03 

67.35 

57.53 

49.80 

67.31 

78.84 

65.97 

51.87 

66.00 

1841.... 

52.80 

48.^ 

55.33 

63.70 

69.51 

77.00 

82.79 

81.00 

76.68 

63.22 

61.32 

50.20  j 

63.18 

80.26 

67.07 

50.84 

63.16 

1842.... 

53.23 

53.43 

63.35 

66.78 

71.81 

77.03 

78.02 

75.71 

76.18 

66.28 

53.54 

49.33 

67.31 

78.92 

65.31 

52.00 

63.39 

1843.... 

53.67 

48.73 

48.82 

64.68 

71.61 

78.06 

81.47 

80.43 

80.85 

67.31 

59.62 

53.39 

61.70 

80.00 

69.26 

51.93 

65.72 

1844.... 

50.08 

51.71 

58.12 

66.95 

75.98 

79.85 

83.29 

81.53 

75.15 

66  60 

61.92 

52.76 

67.02 

81.56 

67.89 

51.52 

67.00 

18J5.... 

54.78 

53.11 

59.20 

68.87 

79.43 

80.67 

82.84 

80.52 

73.17 

67.31 

57.55 

44.61 

66.83 

81.34 

66.01 

50.83 

66.25 

1846.... 

50.65 

51.64 

58.03 

65.95 

74.38 

79.33 

80.65 

82.77 

78.9J 

61.46 

53  44 

66.31 

80.M 

51.% 

1S47.... 

52.71 

53.82 

54.42 

66.62 

69^ 

80.01 

81.07 

80.97 

76.55 

66.66 

60.51 

53.80 

63.45 

80.68 

67.90 

53.44 

66.37 

1848.... 

50. (e 

50.17 

59.-52 

66.05 

79.51 

81.75 

S.75 

77.07 

64.28 

52.05 

61.75 

81.34 

64.47 

53.95 

1849.... 

49.47 

49.00 

58.69 

64.73 

72.65 

81.31 

78.89 

81.25 

75.29 

67.94 

60.87 

54.24 

65.38 

80.48 

68.03 

50.90 

66. ID 

1830.... 

54.89 

50.68 

56.21 

62.. 53 

71.76 

76.84 

83  76 

83.31 

77.81 

66.23 

59.84 

55.58 

63-50 

81.30 

67.98 

53.72 

66.37 

1851.... 

51.09 

56.82 

60.87 

66.00 

73.45 

78.95 

82.84 

82.17 

74.32 

67.61 

56.88 

48.47 

66.77 

Sl.Si 

66.20 

52.13 

66.61 

1852  ... 

43.16 

52  96 

60.20 

ffi!.87 

73.80 

76.61 

81.40 

79.79 

75.76 

70.54 

58.48 

56.27 

83.62 

79.26 

68.26 

50.79 

65.98 

1853.... 

45.23 

53.20 

58.S 

66.63 

76.40 

79.39 

^.83 

80.85 

77.06 

65.70 

eo.ss 

54.19 

66.42 

81.02 

67.76 

S0.S7 

66.sa 

1854.... 

50.83 

53.09 

62.72 

62.76 

73.35 

78.55 

82.06 

82.37 

78.93 

67.  *2 

56.29 

47.97 
52.51 

6S.28 

81.00 

67.71 

50.63 

70.14 

Mean 
28)'rs 

50.73 

SSAl 

58.68 

65.44 

73.42 

79.01 

81.72 

80.94 

76.89 

67.88 

59.56 

6S.S 

80.59 

68.11 

51.88 

66.61 

*  Assistant  Surgeon  Stevenson  reports  the  mildness  of  the  winter  of  1828  as  verj'  remarkable.    The  only  frost  observed  wa.s  on  the  ITtll  of  March. 


OGLETHORPE  BARRACKS,  GEORGIA. 
Latitude  32°  n.")',  Longitude  81°  01'.     Altitude  iOfeet. 


1832.... 

49.93 

57.87 

59.18 

66.87 

74.88 

77.11 

80.11 

79.10 

77.02 

1 

70.31 

78.77 

1833.... 

77.90 

81.68 

81.42 

80.30 

77.51 

69.76 

56.26 

56  99 

81.13 

67.84 

1834.... 

5.-!.28 

63.87 

62.76 

68.15 

74.81 

83.70 

83.06 

81.85 

77.51 

70.27 

63.06 

58.29 

68.57 

82.87 

70.28 

58.47 

70.05 

1835.... 

53.68 

49.71 

59.64 

63.77 

76.66 

78.81 

78.98 

79.99 

72.99 

66.10 

63.38 

30.82 

66.69 

79.96 

67.48 

51.07 

66.13 

1843.... 

57.20 

53.17 

49.90 

66.90 

73.47 

78  96 

^.20 

81.13 

81.83 

67.33 

59.90 

53.48 

63.42 

80  76 

69.69 

54.62 

67.12 

1844.... 

49.00 

52.93 

57.30 

68.53 

78.92 

79.89 

81.74 

79.83 

74.42 

64.07 

60.00 

49.18 

68.25 

80.48 

66.16 

50.37 

66.31 

1845.... 

52.52 

53.62 

39  50 

72.02 

73.67 

81.40 

83.14 

.80.87 

77.12 

86  70 

56.31 

45.01 

68.40 

81.80 

66.78 

30.88 

66.84 

1&I6.... 

.■a.-TO 

53.71 

61.24 

64.07 

75.44 

78.41 

79.71 

81.05 

T7.50 

86.92 

79.72 

1850.... 



S5.5S 

59.57 

86.87 

73.38 

78.59 

ffi.81 

83.15 

77.25 

65.58 

58.30 

55.04  ^ 

66.61 

81.52 

67.04 

Mean  1 
9y,^{ 

54.44 

55.05 

58.64 

67.15 

73  46 

79.84 

81.46 

80.81 

77.02 

67.13 

59.67 

53.69 

67.08 

80.70 

67.94 

64.06 

67.44 

526 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  MARION,  ST.  AUGUSTINE,  FLORIDA. 

Latitude  29°  48',  Longitude  81°  35'.     Altitude  2b  feet. 


1 
Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1 
Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1834.... 

•>...■ 

..  .   . 

76.01 

67.18 

62.35 

..... 

1825.... 

61.10 

60.79 

70.14 

67.57 

76.71 

81.23 

83.03 

83  94 

80.76 

76.89 

67.82 

$6.60 

71.47 

82.73 

75.16 

59.50 

72.21 

1826.... 

56.69 

64.98 

70.63 

74.19 

78.26 

82.37 

84.17 

83.62 

81.97 

75.50 

61.78 

74.36 

83.02 

73.28 

1827.... 



74.35 

76.69 

80.20 

84.35 

82  43 

79.62 

72.75 

63.58 

65.59 

82.33 

71.98 

1828.... 

67.77 

71.61 

64.21 

68.95 

77.32 

81.43 

81.64 

82.00 

79.66 

72.03 

66.33 

66.90 

70.16 

81.69 

72.67 

68.76 

73.32 

1829.... 

57.28 

56.45 

58.18 

67.19 

73.61 

80.84 

81.32 

80.55 

79.61 

66  33 

80.90 

1830.... 

57.57 

63.50 

65.24 

69.53 

75.28 

80.70 

82.40 

82.10 

78.27 

71.90 

68.37 

60.63 

70.02 

81.73 

72.85 

60.23 

71.21 

1831.... 

52.13 

55.38 

64.40 

68.92 

73.37 

79.08 

80.25 

81.23 

78.82 

72.98 

65.76 

53.46 

68.90 

80.19 

72.52 

53.32 

68.73 

18^.... 

54.77 

63.71 

63.90 

71.23 

76  53 

77.81 

80.76 

80  35 

78.73 

73.58 

64.74 

61.09 

70.55 

79.64 

72.35 

59.86 

70.60 

1833.... 

59.38 

62.86 

61  92 

69.38 

76.  i« 

80.69 

82.43 

80.69 

79.80 

72.36 

63.00 

57.96 

69.23 

81.27 

71.72 

60.07 

70.57 

1834.... 

55.08 

64.43 

66.06 

68.35 

75.42 

82.36 

81.69 

78.67 

78.72 

69.94 

80.91 

1836.... 

80.31 

82.38 

78.10 

68.46 

57.47 

53.42 

68.01 

1837... 

51.65 

55.33 

59.01 

65.53 

73.19 

78.63 

79.82 

81.45 

76.86 

70.21 

62.44 

58.28 

65.91 

79  98 

69.84 

55  42 

67.79 

1838.... 

56.86 

53.36 

58  78 

65.06 

68.38 

74.72 

77.56 

76.71 

74.90 

74.27 

63.38 

56.77 

64.01 

76.33 

70.85 

55.33 

66.63 

1839... 

55.01 

61.33 

62.62 

62.67 

69  83 

78.97 

78.45 

79.08 

77.96 

71.45 

58.01 

49.57 

64.71 

78.83 

69.14 

55.30 

66.99 

1840.... 



73.30 

56.03 

49.39 

1 

1841.... 

56.86 

51.^ 

59.22 

63,89 

66.14 

75.19 

80.37 

79.16 

78.22 

69.16 

61.27 

58.77 

63.08 

78.24 

69.55 

55.62 

66.63 

1843.... 

59.89 

60.62 

70.07 

71.96 

64.51 

77.52 

75.76 

76.38 

78.11 

69.79 

62.90 

55.36 

68.85 

76.55 

70.27 

58.62 

68.82 

1843.... 

58.50 

58.09 

55.12 

67.50 

71.56 

77.05 

80.01 

78.58 

79.60 

70.77 

67.06 

59.09 

64.73 

78.55 

72.48 

58.56 

68.77 

1844.... 

57  02 

57.21 

61.82 

69.51 

74.15 

77.72 

80.96 

79.33 

76.93 

■  70.92 

67.33 

56.03 

68.49 

79.34 

71.73 

56.75 

69.10 

1845.... 

59.32 

59.18 

63.68 

71.60 

72.95 

79.69 

82.83 

77.78 

72.87 

61  92 

50.25 

69.41 

70.85 

56.25 

1846.... 

57.50 

56.75 

64.12 

69.05 

75.07 

77.82 

69.41 

1849.... 



79.14 

80.20 

83.14 

80.82 

1851.... 

63.70 

64.32 

09.33 

74.86 

79.14 

80.55 

80.54 

77.48 

73.35 

65.18 

57.45 

69.50 

80.07 

72.00 

1852.... 

49.26 

60.31 

63.34 

1 

Mean  ) 
aoy'rs  f 

57.03 

59.94 

68.78 

73.50 

79.64 

80.90 

80.56 

78.60 

72.42 

63.58 

57.26 

68  54 

80.37 

71.53 

58.08 

69.63 

FORT  SHANNON,  PILATKA,  EAST  FLORIDA. 

Latitude  29°  34',  Longitude  81°  48'.     Altitude  2a  feet. 


1838*... 

63.53 

53.44 

63.66 

82.54 

ffi.55 

78.74 

66.98 

60.60 

52.91 

68.77 

56.63 

1839.... 

53.31 

56.07 

60.11 

65.83 

75.07 

81.41 

80.25 

79.71 

77.07 

72.23 

60.74 

48.08 

67.00 

80.46 

70.01 

52.49 

67.49 

1840.... 

55  .<M 

64.40 

70.58 

75.80 

78.02 

81.90 

81.97 

82.25 

78.91 

75.63 

60.75 

57.31 

74.80 

83.04 

71.76 

58.92 

71.88 

1841.... 

59.23 

56.42 

63. K 

71.13 

78.20 

78.93 

83.45 

81.90 

79.13 

68.00 

62  14 

59.83 

70  88 

81.43 

69.76 

58.49 

70.14 

1842.... 

*7.89 

62.36 

69.34 

72.00 

75.00 

80.00 

78.65 

75.36 

79.30 

69.50 

62.13 

55.14 

72.11 

77.97 

70  31 

58.46 

69.71 

1843.... 

S8.97 

57.04 

.58.80 

70.86 

75.90 

79.08 

80  30 

79.45 

68.52 

79.61 

1819.... 

62.56 

62.62 

1850.... 

52.87 

Mean  I 
6  y'ni  f 

57.26 

58.29 

64.14 

71.13 

76.60 

80.26 

81.20 

80.33 

78.63 

70.47 

61.50 

56.00 

70.62 

80.56 

70.20 

57.18 

69.64 

*  At  Fort  lieileman,  thirty  miles  northward,  and  at  the  same  distance  as  Fort  Shannon  from  the  sea,  from  October,  1838,  to  December,  1839,  and  for  the 

first  three  niontlis  of  1841. 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND    SUMMARIES. 


527 


PICOLATA  AND  FORT  HEILEMAN,  FLORIDA;  AND  FORT  HENDERSON,  GEORGLi. 

Latitude  29°  48',  Longitude  80°  45'.* 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

p.  1840. 



76.95 

74.61 

61.00 

57.61 

70.85 

P.  1841. 

61.21 

56.80 

64.30 

72.60 

73.46 

78.60 

81.70 

80.50 

79.10 

70.12 

80.27 

71.57 

58.54 

70.12 

H.  1838. 

61.40 

53.40 

62.60 

66.98 

60.60 

52.91 



55.90 



H.  1839. 

53.31 

56.07 

60.11 

65.83 

75.07 

81.41 

80.25 

79.71 

77.07 

72  23 

60.74 

48.08 

67.00 

80.46 

70.01 

K.49 

67.49 

II.  1840. 

51.35 

59.90 

67.10 

74.26 

76.58 

82.34 



70.91 

57.38 

54.82 

72.65 

S@.36 

H.  1841. 

59.23 

56.42 

63.32 

71.65 

74.48 

69.82 

II-nl838 

^ 

... 

67.33 

59.33 

54.50 



H'nl839 

55.64 

58.27 

64.46 

70.52 

76.26 

82.03 

80.16 

79  76 

77.54 

70.41 

80.65 

68.07 

56.14 

68.82 

H.  mean 

56.32 

56.45 

64.28 

70.58 

75.38 

81.88 

80.25 

79.71 

77.07 

70.04 

69.57 

51.94 

70.08 

80.61 

72.23 

54.90 

69.46 

•The  latitude  of  Fort  Heileman  is  the  same,  the  longitude  82°  05' j  Fort  Henderson,  latitude  30°  51',  longitude  W  09". 

NEW  SMYRNA,  EAST  FLOHLDA. 

Latitude  28°  54',  Longitude  81°  02'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


*  At  Fort  Mellon,  a  few  miles  inland,  from  May,  1841,  to  March,  1842. 
FORT  PIERCE,  (CAPRON,)  EAST  FLORIDA. 

Latitude  27°  30',  Longitude  80°  20'.     Altitude  30  feet. 


FORT  DALL.VS,=  EAST  FLORIDA. 
Latitude  25°  55',  Longitude  80°  20'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


1840.... 

64.35 

66.33 

65.55 

75.05 

72.76 

78.64 

78.56 

78.32 

78.06 

72.77 

69.33 

64.53 

71.12 

78.51 

73.39 

65.07 

72.02 

1841*... 

64.81 

63.15 

65.60 

74.21 

78.81 

81.70 

79.50 

77.83 

70.50 

65.00 

62.50 

80.00 

71.11 

63.49 

1843.... 

63.00 

65.00 

72.50 

1853.... 

.57.44 

60.48 

66.64 

72.15 

76.76 

79.07 

79.05 

78  60 

78.59 

72.62 

71.85 

78.91 

Mean... 

62.40 

63.74 

67.57 

73.60 

74.34 

78.84 

79.77 

78.81 

78.16j 

71.96 

67.17 

63.51 

71.80 

79.14 

72.43 

63.23 

71.65 

1840.... 

64.27 

66.77 

69.33 

74.08 

76.44 

78.62 

79.61 

?8.95 

78.65 

75.89 

64.41 

61.51 

73.28 

79.06 

72.65 

64.18 

72.29 

1841.... 

65.46 

62.51 

67.76 

71.92 

75.83 

71.00 

64.67 

62.71 

73.56 

1842.... 

72.50 

74.25 

76.50 



1851.... 

71.53 

61.83 



1852.... 

54,91 

64.97 

69.82 

71.23 

78.68 

80.06 

80.02 

81.96 

79.  S4 

75.81 

70.78 

70.24 

73.24 

80.68 

75.51 

63.37 

73.20 

1853.... 

60.03 

62.83 

73.77 

79.27 

81.82 

81.03 

86.21 

85.23 

81.61 

74.54 

74.07 

59.21 

78.29 

84.16 

76.74 

60.69 

74.97 

1854.... 

67.91 

67.33 

73.01 

71.10 

78.41 

82.09 

84.16 

83.37 

83.18 

77.72 

65.90 

60.30 

74.17 

83.21 

75.60 

65.18 

74.54 

1855.... 

63.90 

63.24 

64.91 

73.63 

76.92 



Mean... 

62.75 

64.43 

69.77 

79.02 

82.50 

83.38 

80.85 

75.00 

68.56 

62.63 

73,44 

81.30 

74.80 

63.37 

73.20 

1839.... 

68.44 

71.77 

72.82 

79.15 

82.41 

81.11 

83.61 

78.75 

78.51 

71.87 

63.07 

74.58 

83.04 

76.38 

1840.... 

65.07 

69.12 

72.53 

77.91 

78.92 

81.63 

82.24 

81.63 

79.50 

78.20 

67.59 

64.75 

76.45 

81.83 

75.10 

66.31 

74.93 

1841.... 

68.71 

65.4''. 

70.31 

75.25 

75.67 

78.62 

81.40 

78.42 

77.45 



73.74 

79  48 



1850.... 

79.06 

79.22 

80  50 

83.74 

84.45 

82.64 

77.17 

74.36 

72.57 

83.90 

78.06 





1855.... 

65.35 

63.24 

66.73 

72.82 

76.90 

79.71 

73.15 

Mean.. 

66.38 

66.56 

70.45 

75.57 

77.97 

80.57 

82.12 

81.80  1 

79.59 

77.96 

71.27 

66.80 

74.66 

81.50 

76.27 

66.58 

74.75 

*At 
distance 


Fort  Lauderdale  from  January  to  September,  1839,  and  from  July  to  September,  1840.    This  post  is  a  few  miles  nortli  of  Fort  OaUus,  and  at  the  same 
from  the  sea. 


528 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


KEY  WEST,  FLOItlDA. 

Latitude  24°  32',  Longitude  81°  48'.     Altitude  Id  feet. 


FORT  MYERS,  SOUTH  FLORIDA. 
Lcditti.de  26°  38',  Longitude  82°  00'.     Altitude  50  feet. 


FORT  BROOKE,  TAMPA  BAY,   FLORIDA. 

Latitude  28°  00',  Longiitide  82°  28'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


I8S5.... 

60.41 

64.61 

67.39 

1826.... 

.  57.31 

69.. M 

72.90 

1827.... 

56.86 

09.68 

70.47 

1828.... 

,69.77 

71.51 

64.51 

1829.... 

59.82 

62.21 

60.12 

1830.... 

61.08 

63.55 

67.53 

IKil.... 

se.o.i 

60.09 

68.19 

1832.... 

60.73 

"0.01 

66.45 

1837.... 

1838.... 

64.99 

59.61 

64.71 

1839.... 

61.91 

61.86 

e.'i.sa 

1840..., 

57.89 

65.51 

68.37 

72.70 

7^70 

80.71 

80.72 

78  99 

78.46 

76.90 

70.50 

58.70 

72.60 

60.14 

75.29 

61.34 

74.77 

79.74 

79.11 

81.55 

80.06 

81.57 

76.27 

66.7S 

60.21 

75.80 

80.24 

74.86 

62.39 

75.38 

78.04 

81.35 

82.85 

82,73 

81.16 

74.79 

69.42 

67.62 

74.63 

82.31 

75,12 

64  72 

69.84 

76.07 

80.47 

81.17 

81.70 

79.33 

73.94 

68.28 

69.98 

70.14 

81.11 

73.85 

70.42 



80.08 

81.49 

79.87 

75.80 

62.90 

07.40 



73.86 

03.14 

71  27 

77.40 

81.51 

82.40 

81.67 

79.25 

74.29 

70.36 

65.59 

72.07 

81.86 

74.63 

63.41 

72.27 

74.67 

79.64 

81.06 

81.09 

81.15 

75.55 

67.69 

59.60 

71.71 

80.60 

74.80 

58.58 

70.55 

77.38 

80.71 

71.46 

84.11 

81.09 

78.93 

75.00 

66.95 

63.96 

73.63 

70.08 

73.30 

78  07 

78  29 

78.85 

77.50 

72.3-2 

67.0-1 

61.93 

69.00 

78.40 

72  32 

62.18 

71.59 

T7.88 

81.23 

81.46 

g2.43 

80.56 

77.19 

68.39 

54.75 

71.60 

81.71 

75.38 

59.61 

75.87 

76.00 

78.11 

77.71 

78.50 

76.86 

73.04 

63.31 

59.15 

73.41 

78,17 

71.07 

60.85 

Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

SuDimer 

Autumn  Winter. 

1 

Vear. 

1831.... 

67.-19 

69.38 

75.08 

75.96 

77.26 

80.39 

81.88 

81.57 

81.44 

77  97 

75.32 

69.58 

76.10 

81.28 

78.24 

68.82 

76.11 

1832.... 

68.40 

74.38 

72,35 

75,42 

80.17 

80,62 

83.28 

80.54 

80.38 

75.55 

71.14 

70.56 

75.98 

81.48 

75.69 

71.08 

76.06 

1833.... 

68.25 

71.67 

72,03 

68.47 

69.46 

1834.... 

71.94 

ra,20 

74,32 

74.03 

78.07 

82.98 

82.53 

82.96 

80.91 

76.76 

70.78 

70.52 

75.47 

83.83 

76.15 

71.55 

76.50 

1835.... 

67.57 

64,45 

71.16 

74.88 

78.60 

80.83 

81.96 

81.30 

79.66 

73.95 

75.74 

68.39 

74.88 

81.36 

J6.42 

66.80 

74.87 

1836.... 

79.38 

82.16 

81,67 

1837.... 

66.22 

68.80 

70.77 

73,12 

77.90 

81.35 

82.35 

82.01 

81.00 

77.85 

76.13 

70.29 

73.93 

81.90 

78,33 

68.44 

75.65 

1838.... 

71.14 

68.30 

70.62 

73,37 

77.02 

79  55 

82.15 

sa.83 

81.72 

78.54 

73.44 

70.22 

73.67 

81.51 

77,90 

69.89 

75.74 

1843.... 

78.14 

81.23 

84,02 

85.24 

84.17 

82,12 

79.89 

77.00 

72,88 

84.48 

79  69 

1844.... 

...... 

68.70 

70.96 

75.00 

78,93 

61,34 

83.64 

83.94 

83.50 

78.80 

77.29 

69.23 

74,96 

82.97 

79.86 

18-15.... 

69.98 

68.90 

74,06 

77,05 

78,63 

80,68 

83.52 

76.58 



18-19.... 

84,17 

82,96 

78,98 

1850.... 



85.34 

84.78 

83.15 

77,41 

73.54 

74.17 

! 

78.03 

....... 

1851.... 

73.85 

74.52 

74.02 

77,18 

79  57 

81.79 

83.48 

83.64 

81.31 

79,80 

75.46 

69.96 

76,92 

82.97 

78.85 

72.77 

77.68 

1852.... 

61,20 

70.02 

74.37 

76,06 

80.38 

82.81 

83.42 

83,86 

82.07 

79,38 

76.19 

74.93 

76.90 

83.36 

79.21 

68.72 

77.05 

1853.... 

68,01 

71,30 

74.08 

76,14 

79.87 

80.48 

83.47 

83,93 

,  82.56 

80.41 

75.76 

68.44 

76.60 

K!.61 

79.58 

69.35 

77.01 

1854  ... 

71.75 

71  95 

76.. 56 

73.89 

80.84 

83.34 

83.30 

82,59 

62.. le 

78.24 

72.70 

66.39 

77.10 

83.08 

77.83 

70.031     77.01 

1855.... 

67.18 

65.94 

70.28 

75.09 

79.13 

82.74 

74.83 

• 

t— •• 

Mean   ) 
14y'rs  5 

66,68 

69.88 

73.88 

75.38 

79.10 

81.63 

es.oo 

,  82,90 

81.92 

78.11 

74  66 

^.03 

75.79 

^.51 

78.23 

09,19 

76,43 

* 

« 

1851.... 

65.45 

69.03 

69.89 

73.88 

78.68 

79.59 

81.71 

TT- 

83.41 

■ *- 

80.40 

78.29 

72.74 

64.59 

74.15 

81,57 

77.14 

66.35 

74.80 

1852..., 

58,16 

68,01 

73.55 

74.28 

81.95 

82.41 

83.50 

82.93 

82.89 

78.40 

74.07 

72.43 

76,59 

82.94 

78.45 

66.19 

76.04 

1853.... 

63,59 

67,51 

71,57 

76.23 

80.76 

80.66 

84.38 

84.43 

81.12 

77.65 

72.50 

61.70 

76.19 

83.16 

77.09 

64.27 

75.18 

1854.... 

67.56 

67  39 

73.74 

71.07 

79  13 

82,35 

81.91 

81.85 

82.59 

76.72 

66.70 

60,18 

74.65 

82.04 

75.34 

65.04 

74.27 

Mean 
4yr's. 

63.39 

67.98 

72.19 

73.86 

80,13 

81.25 

82.87 

83,15 

81,75 

77.76 

71,. 50 

64,72 

75.39 

82.41 

77.00 

65.36 

75.04 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


529 


FORT  BROOKE,  TAMPA  BAY,  FLORIDA— Continued. 
Latitude  28°  00',  Longitude %1°  28'.     Altitude  2Q  feet. 


1&41.. 
1843.. 
1843.. 
1844.. 
1845.. 
1846.. 
184T.. 
18)8.. 
1849.. 
1830.. 
1651.. 
1852.. 
1853.. 
1854.. 


Jan. 


Feb.    ,  iMarcli.     April.  '    May.       June.       July. 


63.10 

62.87 
62.30 
61.02 
63.00 
.59.71 
65.05 
63.31 
63.61 
70.45 

52.70 
58.93 
62.94  I 


^0.06 

64.. 14 
59.92 
60.2.) 
60.82 
62.08 
60.98 
63.42 
61  39 
64.64 

62.56 
64.79 
63.36 


Mean  j 
25y'rs  j 


61.53       63.54 


66.72 

72.10 
62.67 
63.53 
67.25 
66.58 
63.29 
67.45 
71.60 
70  ^ 

70.26 
69.83 
70.06 


<2.12 

71.08 
72,56 
70.70 
73.91 
72.15 
72.83 
71.32 
72.41 
73.62 
72.27 
70.96 
73.81 
70.07 


67.34       72.aS 


74.21 

70.39 
74.90 
77.87 
75.24 
76.47 
74  37 
76.50 
79.22 
T6.4I 
76.46 
77.66 
78.13 
77.49 


78.59 
79.57 
76.55 
76.66 
79.56 
79.31 
81,09 
78.25 
80.71 
78.61 
78,66 
79.43 
78.79 
80.51 


80.64 
78.47 
77.35 
80.63 
79.42 
79.88 
80.66 
83.46 
81.70 
80.86 
80.16 
79.61 
83.52 
81.08 


Aug. 


76.64  I    79.46       80.72 


79.05 
79.01 
76.90 
78.67 
79.18 
80.01 
81.16 
80.71 
83.^ 
81.74 
80.22 
80.08 
83.47 
'79,59 


Sept. 


78.95 
78.91 
77.75 
77.35 
77.59 
79.24 
79.00 
80.22 
81.96 
81.56 
76.33 
79  04 
79.78 
80.71 


79.35 


69.S6 
71.80 
70.05 
72.24 
72  74 
73.02 
74.70 

75.83 
72.02 
73.87 
76.07 
75.55 
73.83 


74.02 


Nov. 


64.70 
64.47 
68.85 
69.64 
63.62 
66.10 
67.83 
63.17 
69,37 

66.61 
67.82 
71.90 
62.11 


Dec. 


63.08 
61.42 
63.00 
55.10 
55.74 
63.35 
55.70 
71.59 
70.05 

58.81 
66.34 
58.13 
56.52 


66.94  .    61.99 


Spring. 

Summer  , 

71.02 

79.43 

73.19 

-».(« 

70.01 

76.93 

70.70 

78.65 

72.13 

79.39 

71.73 

79.73 

70.83 

80.98 

71.74 

80.80 

74.41 

81.88 

73.65 

80.40 

79.68 

72.96 

79.37 

73.92 

81.26 

72.54 

I 

80.39 

■1 

,     73.08 

80.30 

.Autumn  Winter.     Year. 


I 


63.37  I  68,79 
62.94 
61.74 


T1.73 
72.32 
73.08 
70.98 
73.79 


59.51 
61.71 


73.84  60  58  1 

65.77 

75.72  65.02 

72.27  

74.01  60.53 

75  74  60.62 

72.33  60.61 


70.40 
71.72 
70.22 
70.30 
70.50 
71.49 
71.56 

74.26 


71.72 
72.88 
71.44 


1 


73.44       62.35         72.48 


FORT  MEADE,  FLORIDA. 
Latitude  28°  01',  Longitude  82°  00'.     Altitude  80  feet. 


1851..., 
1&V2.... 
1853..., 
1854..., 


52.10 
59.36 
63.75 


Mean...!    58.40 


76.35 

79.32 

80.24 

80.82 

63.54 

69.32 

70.38 

77.96 

78.88 

79.62 

80.54 

63  83 

67.09 

71  19 

76.16 

75.65 

79.01 

7^.76 

63.33 

70.64 

68.10 

76.31 

79.10 

80.17 

80.00 

63.23 

69.02 

«69.89 

76.69 

78.24 

79.76 

80.03 

76.49  72.57 

78.80  73.82 

80.39  !  74.44 

81.15  '  74,40 

79.18  73  81 


65.89 

57.68 

68.16 

68.59 

69.60 

56.98 

1 

70.37 

68.48 

61.08  ; 

I  80.13  71.64 

73.5.".  79.68  !  73.59 

71.48  ■  77.84  |  74.78 

71.68  '  79.75  '  73.27 


59  72 


71.87 


79.34 


73.82      60.90 


61.41  {      71.81 


70.96 


1.48 


FORT  MICANOPY,  FLORIDA. 
Latitude  29°  30',  Longitude  82°  28'.     Altitude  60.?  feet. 


1838.... 





80.99 

81.63 

77.13 

61.92 

ii8.il 



1839.... 

68.20 

60.00 

63.07 

70.27 

77.42 

83.91 

81.23 

80.47 

78.51 

72.81 

63.14 

52.48 

"     70.25 

81.  B7 

71.49 

60  23 

70.96 

1840... 

55.59 

64.78 

69.90 

77.46 

78.21 

78.64 

76.80 

77.64 

75.85 

73.35 

60.00 

55.89 

75.19 

77.69 

69.73 

58.75 

70.34 
63.36 

1841.... 

62.10 

56.15 

64.30 

67.83 

73.96 

77.63 

81.68 

78.45 

78.10 

66.50 

57.77 

55.81 

68.70 

79.25 

67.46 

58.02 

1842.... 

56.10 

60.82 

72.33 

72.56 

76.90 

76.93 

79.40 

78.51 

79.87 



77.89 

69.30 

63.20 

57.10 

73.60 

78.28 

70.46 

58.01 

70.09 

Mean  ) 
44  y-rs  f 

60.50 

60,44 

67.40 

72.03 

76.62 

79.28 

80.02 

79,34 

70  49 

61.01 

56.00 

72. K) 

79.55 

69.80 

58.98 

70.09 

S.  96 R7 


530 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  KING,  FLORIDA. 

Latitude  29°  10',  Longitude  82°  10'.     Altitude  50/eet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

.\utiunn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1832.... 



75.14 

66.44 

63.05 



1633.... 

60.23 

63.45 

65.00 

74.01 

79.56 

85.26 

84.70 

84.75 

81.43 

72.55 

61.15 

56.83 

72.86 

84.90 

71.71 

60.17 

72.41 

1834.... 

61.39 

67.li; 

66.11 

72.62 

78.10 

84.61 

83.34 

82.51 

81.62 

72.96 

62.81 

61.68 

72.27 

83.49 

72.46 

63.39 

72.90 

1835.... 

56.78 

52.86 

61.20 

70.47 

78.17 

•78.41 

77.93 

78.71 

74.23 

68.76 

68.58 

56.67 

69.95 

78.35 

70.52 

55.44 

68.56 

1836.... 

56  92 

5-1.. '>0 

61.71 



1837.... 

81.26 

79.35 

74.93 

1840.... 

61.53 

55.83 



1841.... 

60.14 

r.5.98 

62.52 

68.07 

71.72 

74.95 

80.94 

78.74 

77.33 

66.20 

59.56 

57.21 

67.44 

78.21 

67.70 

57.78 

67.78 

1842.... 

57.39 

58.50 

69.65 

71.90 

74.38 

75. V8 

75.85 

76.50 

79.56 

67.75 

62.28 

58.56 

71.98 

76.04 

69.86 

!)8.15 

69.01 

1M3.... 

56.49 

55.04 

Mean  ) 
6  y'ra.  (■ 

58.48 

58.21 

64.36 

71.41 

76.39 

79.78 

80.80 

80.09 

78.18 

70.56 

63.19 

58.55 

70.72 

-  80.S2 

70.64 

58.41 

70.00 

*  "  Position  of  thcrmoniPtcr  elianged  in  May.  (1835,)  to  n  more  favorable  one.    In  June,  received  a  new  thermometer,  which  ranged  2°  lower  than  the  old 
one." — ^issistant  Surgeon  Robert  ^•irchcr. 

FORTS  HARLEE,  RUSSELL,  WHEELOCK,  HOLMES,  AND  WACAHOOTEE,  INTERIOR  OF  FLORIDA. 


H.    1838 

...... 

85.33 

85.92 

77.95 

R.     IMO 

57.11 

R.    1841 

63.00 

58.00 

66.00 

7-J.OO 

77.00 

79.00 

84.00 

81.50 

78.00 

67.49 

59.78 

59.69 

71  67 

81.50 

68.42 

60.23 

70.46 

R.     1842 

60.60 

56.00 

74.00 

71.17 

74.00 

79.21 

73.06 

Wh  1841 

62.40 

56.40 

64.60 

81.90 

81.09 

79.40 

69.70 

62.68 

59.33 

70.59 

59.38 

H's  1S41 

62.75 

57.64 

64.48 

71.50 

73.58 

78.40 

69.85 



Wal841 

61.00 

56.00 

64.00 

69.67 

ra.oo 

75.00 

80.00 

78.00 

77.00 

63.67 

59.. -a 

56.33 

68.56 

77.67 

64.00 

57.78 

67.00 

Wal842 

57.25 

55.07 

70)12 





Note.— These  posts  are  in  the  vicinity  of  Forts  King  and  Micanopy.    Their  local  topngmphv  is  similar  to  that  of  theae  and  other  posts  in  the  interior  of 
Florida.  • 


CEDAR  KEYS.  FLORIDA. 

Latitude  29°  07',  Longitude  83°  03'.     Altitude  So  feet. 


1840... 

81.29 

80.45 

78.03 

76.03 

60.76 

57.00 

71.61 

1841.... 

59.33 

57.08 

63.90 

70.12 

76.36 

78.43 

82.70 

81.00 

78.78 

68.38 

63.21 

57.80 

70.11 

80.71 

70.12 

58.07 

69.75 

1842... 

57.77 

59.79 

67.42 

69.66 

73.14 

76.66 

76.90 

76.66 

80.16 

71.07 

62.91 

58  23 

70.05 

76.74 

71.38 

58.60 

69.19 

Mean... 

58.55 

59.46 

65.66 

69.86 

74.72 

77.55 

80.30 

79.37 

78.99 

71.83 

62.29 

57.68 

70.08 

79.07 

71.04 

58.22 

69.60 

FORT  WACASSASSA.o  ILORIDA. 


1840.... 

..... 

73.39 

57.83 

54.84 

1841.... 

61.58 

57.53 

65.65 

71.90 

73.84 

76.80 

81.42 

80.78 

78.16 

66.90 

59.80 

57.13 

70.46 

79.67 

68.29 

58.75 

69.89 

1842.... 

55.97 

58.25 

68.10 

69.00 

73.^ 

77.43 

76.90 

77.93 

78.77 

68.85 

61.46 

58.06 

70.11 

77.42 

69.69 

57.43 

68.66 

Mean. . . 

.58.78 

57.89 

66.87 

70.45 

73.53 

77.11 

79.66 

79.85 

78.46 

69.71 

59.70 

55.68 

70.28 

78.87 

69.29 

57.45 

68.97 

•  .^boul  thirty  miles  northeast  from  Cedar  Keys.    Fort  Fniining  is  at  the  same  distance  north  northeast  on  the  Suwance  river. 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND    SUMMARIES. 


531 


FORT  FANNING,  FLORIDA. 
Latitude  29°  35',  Longitude  83°  00'.     Altitude  50  feet. 


1 
Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April.  1 

May. 

Juin". 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

IS40... 
1841... 

iii4a... 

62.20 
57.16 

56.82 
59.71 

63.64 
70.35 

70.90 
70.44 



75.68 

75.64 

78.50 
79.75 

83.35 
79.75 

84.01 
80.38 

79.45 
81.45 

71.38  : 

74.52 
70.50 

58.03 

63.33 
60.50 

50.26 
60.03 
54.81 

70.07 
72.14 

81.95 
79.96 

72.43 
70.81 

59.68 
57.23 

71.03 
70.03 

Mean. . 

j    59.68 

58.26 

67.00 

70.67 

75.66 

79.12 

81.55, 

82.20 

80.45 

72.13 

60.62  ^ 

55.03 

71.11 

80.96 

,1.07 

57.66  1 

70.20 

FORTS  PLEASANT  AND  GAMBLE,  MIDDLE  FLORIDA.  = 


p.  1841. 



81.74 

80.71 

78.30 

67.80 

61.67 

58.97 

69.26 

P.  itwa. 

59.13 

61.71 

73.90 

72.10 

76.71 

82.33 

79.88 

79.93  ' 

81.13 

! 

74.24 

60.71 

G.  1840. 

52.95 

61.25 

65. K 

71.29 

73.85 

78.37 

78.70 

79.02 



70.32 

78.70  t 

G.  1841. 



79.44 

81.20 

80.85 

78.00 

66.90 

61.62 

54.71 



80.50 

68.84 

G.  1842 

58.11 

59.85 

70.90 

70.77 

76.50 

81.30 

76.93 

78.33 

"8.41 

67.93 

57.35 

53.58 

72.72 

78.85 

67.90 

57.18 

69.16 

Mean... 

55.53 

60.55 

68.36  1 

71.03 

■   75.17 

79.70 

78.94 

79.40 

78.20 

67.41 

59.48 

54.64 

1 
71.52 

79.35 

68.36 

56.91 

69.04 

*  These  posts  are  from  ten  to  thirty  miles  southeast  from  Tallahassee,  and  ten  to  twenty  miles  from  the  Gulf  coast  at  .\palachee  bay.    Lat.  30°  20',  long.  84°. 


FORT  BARRANCAS,  PENSACOLA,  FLORIDA." 
Latitude  30°  18',  Longitude  87°  27'.     Altitude  '20/eei. 


1822.... 

51.85 

51.34 

61.47 

68.82 

77.78 

84  16 

81.87 

82.22 

77.92 

69.87 

65.66 

54.49 

69.36 

82.75 

71.22 

52.56 

68.97 

1823  ... 

53.16 

50.49 

63.41 

70.62 

79.36 

79.72 

81.ffi> 

81.42 

77.90 

68.96 

55.62 

56.51 

71.13 

81.02 

67.49 

33.39 

68.26 

1824.... 

55.62 

53.80 

65.88 

67.  a-) 

75.79 

81.30 

83.35 

82.86 

77.00 

68.73 

61.44 

35.98 

69.34 

82.57 

69.06 

55.13 

69.02 

1826.... 

51.45 

58.71 

67.46 

70.72 

78.08 

79  96 

82.88 

81.90 

78.57 

72.03 

62.73 

54.50 

72.09 

81.58 

71.11 

54.89 

69.92 

1827.... 

51.36 

64.10 

63.23 

72.13 

72.12 

81.39 

84.62 

82.15 

76.87 

68.99 

62.37 

62.06 

69.16 

82.79 

70.08 

59.17 

70.98 

1828.... 

62.30 

61.13 

62.94 

65.55 

76.13 

81.04 

82.20 

82.20 

76.2! 

69.53 

62.00 

62.00 

68.21 

81.85 

69.25 

61.81 

70.28 

1^9.... 

54.76 

52.27 

56.07 

65.12 

73.93 

82.94 

83  68 

83.14 

81.94 

73.75 

59.29 

60.94 

65.04 

83.25 

71.66 

55.99 

68.73 

1842.... 

81.10 

80.66 

76.86 

71.42 

61.46 

55.27 

69.91 



1813.... 

56.25 

54.96 

52.14 

70.03 

75.58 

79.86 

80.32 

80.12 

82.53 

68.56 

64.90 

56.09 

65.92 

80.10 

71.99 

53.77 

68.44 

1&14.... 

56.27 

57.41 

60.90 

69.62 

78.44 

80.43 

83.64 

80.75 

77.93 

68.76 

63.11 

52.43 

69.65 

81.61 

69.94 

55.37 

69.14 

1845.... 

54.96 

56.17 

60.74 

70.86 

73.54 

79.26 

81.40 

56.91 

45.37 

68.38 

52.17 

1646  ... 

52.11 

53.53 

62.02 

66.90 

80.27 

79.92 

78.60 

67.91 

61.93 

57.82 

69.48 

54.49 

1847.... 

50.80 

54.02 

57.69 

69.28 

71.82 

66.26 

1849.... 

58.20 

53.09 

66.62 

68.  »2 

74.56 

79.96 

79.36 

'    69.73 

1851.... 

54.00 

58.98 

60.94 

67.96 

74.66 

80.73 

83.04 

81.37 

76.68 

58.83 

52.40 

67.85 

81.71 

55.12 

1852.... 

44.16 

57.15 

81.48 

80.28 

77.85 

71.35 

60.00 

61.64 

69.73 

51.32 

1853.... 

49.37 

54.69 

62.30 

69.27 

74.45 

79.42 

81.38 

81.49 

76.83 

51.71 

68.67 

80.76 

1854.... 

54.71 

54.56 

64.98 

62.93 

73.40 

81.00 

84.55 

84.10 

81.44 

71.34 

58.89 

49.60 

67.77 

83.22 

70.S6 

SS.96 

68.63 

Mean  ) 
17y'rsf 

53.61 

55.58 

61.80 

68.51 

75.45 

80.80 

82.26 

81.64 

78.47 

70.08 

61.02 

55.57 

68.59 

81.57 

69.86 

54.92 

68.74 

•  The  first  seven  years  of  this  series  were  observed  at  Cantonment  Clinch,  three  miles  from  Pensacola,  and  fourteen  from  Barrancas,  which  is  at  the  entrance 
of  the  harbor. 


532 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  MORGAN,  ALABAMA. 
Latitude  30°  14',  Longitude  88°  00'.     Altitude  2Qfeet. 


MOUNT  VERNON  ARSENAL,  ALABAMA. 
Latitude  31°  12',  Longitude  88°  02'.     Altitude  2m?  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

.\utumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1835.... 

55.52 

46.20 

55.41 

64.04 

75.65 

77.56 

80.06 

80.31 

75.46 



65.03 

79.31 

1841.... 

82.00 

1842.... 

64.16 

74-18 

79.91 

63.34 

80.30 

79.06 

71.26 

59.00 

52.00 

80.85 

69.77 

1843.... 

54.88 

54.17 

51.16 

68.43 

76.70 

80.08 

81.06 



52  00 

65.43 

Mean.. 

55.19 

50.18 

53.28 

65.54 

75.61 

79  19 

81.50 

80.30 

77.26 

71.26 

59.00 

64.81 

80.33 

69.17       53.68 

67.00 

1840.... 

78.83 

74.12 

67.65 

55.92 

50.53 



65.93 



1841.... 

50.50 

53.00 

58.00 

67.00 

72.25 

77.00 



65.75 

1842.... 

66.50 

67.12 

73.00 

78.50 

76.70 

75.50 

74.60 

65.82 

55.03 

49.05 

68.87 

76  90 

65.15 

1843.... 

52.50 

.i0.70 

47.70 

69.50 

75.30 

76.66 

82  35 

78.21 

78.86 

63.61 

59.56 

49.61 

64.17 

79.07 

67.34 

50.94 

65.33 

1844... 

77.51 

78.42 

81.17 

78.16 

73.97 

62.65 

57  07 

47.40 

79.25 

64.56 

lt!4S.... 

51.30 

53.14 

55.73 

70.49 

73.59 

80.08 

81.36 

81.04 

74.30 

62.62 

53.03 

42.53 

66.60 

80.83 

63.32 

48.99 

64.93 

1846.... 

48.93 

50.63 

61.57 

64.18 

72.72 

76.52 

77.43 

78.19 

77.60 

65.17 

58.87 

57.23 

66.16 

77.38 

67.21 

52.26 

65.75 

1847.... 

47.40 

55.02 

57.09 

69.99 

70.53 

77.90 

77.08 

77.33 

71.45 

66  30 

57.84 

47  U 

65.87 

77.44 

65.20 

49.84 

64.57 

1848.... 

52.98 

56.61 

60.44 

64.50 

73.95 

74.89 

78.22 

77.82 

72.76 

65.59 

51.19 

57.98 

66.30 

76.98 

63.18 

55.86 

65.58 

1849.... 

53  00 

49.86 

65.14 

64.75 

72.50 

76  90 

76.27 

79.05 

74.60 

64.21 

58.90 

54.22 

67.46 

77.41 

65.87 

52.36 

65.77 

1850.... 

56.30 

51.66 

61.55 

66.61 

73.18 

76.90 

79.89 

81.61 

78.33 

66.96 

55.57 

52.04 

07.11 

79.47 

66.95 

53.33 

66.72 

1851.... 

51.26 

57.04 

59.12 

67  52 

74.89 

79.83 

81.82 

79  22 

75.53 

66  83 

54  79 

49.82 

67.17 

80.29 

65.71 

52  71 

66.47 

1652.... 

42.15 

59.55 

64.17 

64.42 

76.43 

79.60 

82.29 

82.14 

79.01 

70.58 

56.87 

59.51 

68.34 

81.34 

68.82 

53.74 

68.06 

1653.... 

47.48 

53.84 

61.22 

70  96 

74.31 

79.86 

78.55 

80.44 

75.70 

65.88 

61.10 

47.31 

68.83 

79.62 

67.56- 

49.54 

66.39 

1854.... 

51.52 

53  18 

65.24 

62.30 

74.64 

79.17 

78.90 

81.17 

79.58 

69.17 

54.76 

49.22 

67.39 

79.75 

67.84 

51.31 

66.57 

Me.nn  I 
Hy'rsf 

50.44 

53.69 

60.26 

66.87 

73.92 

78.03 

78.62 

79.19 

75.03 

65.93 

56.47 

51.04 

67.02 

78.68 

65.81 

51.72 

65.81 

BAY  OF  ST.  LOUIS,  PASS  CHRISTIAN,  AND  EAST  PASCAGOULA,  MISSISSIPPI.^ 


SlL.1833    

StL. 183-1     

SlL.1835     

C. 

1843     

c. 

1844     

c. 

1845     

p. 

1848'    

p. 

1849     

p. 

1850    

p. 

18.il     

j 

p. 

1852    

p. 

1853    

Mean . . 


68.80 


78.76 


75.80 
78.11 


78  92 


77.56       80.94       82  87 


84.54 
63.08 
79  07 
81.76 
82.92 
82.70 


85.17 
83.98 
82.63 


81. 4U  I  79.19 

82.80  I  78  91 

80.23  I  75.30 

80.00  I  80.00 

81.80  '  78.68 


79.85 
85.10 
86.08 
84.05 
83.25 
S4.31 


74.31 
81.01 
83.44 
80.46 
80.89 
60.10 


79.11 


67.95 
68.45 


70.11 
69.78 


55.88 
66.00 


.07      60.94 


79.41 


84.09 


*  Tliese  are  ,-umiiicr  stations  for  troops  stationed  at  New  Orleans  and  otiier  posts  of  the  vicinity,  and  tlieir  po.«ition  and  e.\posure  are  so  nearly  alike  as  to 
permit  combination  of  the  observations  in  one  result.     Past  Christian  in  latitude  30'  20',  longitude  89"  25' ;  East  Pascagoula^  latitude  30"  20',  longitude  88*  42'. 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


533 


FORT  PIKE,  LOUISIANA. 
Latitude  30°  10',  Longitude  89°  38'.     Altitude  lO/eet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

AprU. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

.Vov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

18-24.... 

...^.. 

09.88 



1835.... 

S-2.43 

57.94 

68.45 

68  79 

78.60 

81.93 

83  62 

85.48 

78.11 



71.95 

83.68 

1826.... 

.... 

85.09 

84.26 

79.87 

73.. W 

63.64 

35.11 

72.02 

1827.... 

50.81 

65.08 

62.66 

72.15 

73.19 

83  61 

81.50 

82.41 

80.63 

69.19 

62.53 

62.74 

69.33 

83.51 

70.78 

59.54 

70.79 

1828.... 

60.00 

64.67 

64.33 

70.47 

79.08 

83  43 

83.26 

83.32 

78.62 

74.04 

67.03 

64.28 

71.29 

83.34 

73.23 

62.98 

72.71 

1833.... 

55.63 

51.17 

58.55 

63.78 

75.52 

82.72 

82.90 

83.33 

81.51 

72.28 

60.84 

61.13 

66.62 

83.00 

71  ..M 

55.98 

60.28 

1830.... 

57.51 

59.56 

68.17 

71.60 

77.63 

82.05 

85.10 

84.83 

81.36 

72.99 

67.99 

59.52 

72.47 

83.99 

74.18 

58.20 

72.21 

1831.... 

49.31 

51.54 

65.77 

69.45 

74.46 

80.97 

83.24 

80.48 

78.17 

70.91 

63.49 

47.27 

69.89 

81.56 

70.86 

49.37 

67.ie 

1832.... 

54.57 

65.27 

63.52 

71.21 

77.90 

80.58 

82.26 

63.83 

78.21 

73.10 

60.11 

59.42 

70.88 

82. S 

70.14 

59.75 

70.75 

1833.... 

58.76 

60  ai 

62.10 

72.  S9 

78.79 

82.76 

82.63 

81.11 

81.32 

67.87 

61.02 

56.37 

71.29 

82.17 

70.07 

.58.45 

70.49 

1834.... 

51.41 

58.88 

64.57 

71.26 

76.44 

82.93 

83.13 

84.28 

78.22 

73.11 

62.69 

56.67 

70.76 

83.45 

71.01 

55.65 

70.22 

1835.... 

54.37 

47.21 

.•iB.lo 

67.49 

BU.21  , 

82.42 

69.90 

64.89 

55.54 

68.62 

52.37 

1836.... 

55. U 

55.17 

60.77 

..  ..; 



1S38.... 

62.33 

51.09 

63.79 

72.93 

71  89 

83.16 

85.46  ' 

85.19 

78.05 

1842.... 

79.20 

79.00 

75.75 

67.84 

57.76 

31.06 

67.12 

1843.... 

52.47 

52.30 

49.63 

71.40 

77.60 

80.10 

81.45 

81.43 

79.80 

67.75 

64.65 

54.70 

es.sa 

81.00 

70.73 

53.16 

67.78 

1844.... 

56.20 

57.55 

61.53 

72.11 

81.10 

81.47 

85.06 

62.29 

78.33 

67.07 

59.60 

52.66 

71.60 

82.94 

68.33 

55.47 

69.58 

1845.... 

55.29 

57.70 

61.65 

73.64 

75.96 

82.59 

83.97 

45.38 

70.42 



52.7'J 

1846.... 

49.98 

54.51 

63.83 

67.03 

1 



^ 



Mean  1 
14  y'rs  f 

54.76 

56.86 

62.34 

70.53 

77.03 

82.19 

83.39 

82.94 

79.16 

70.33 

62.80 

55.77 

69.97 

82.84 

70.83 

55.60 

69.86 

FORT  WOOD,  LOUISIANA. 
Latitude  30°  08',  Longitude  89°  51'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LOLTSIANA. 
Latitude  29°  57',  Longitude  90°  00'.     Altitude  10  feet. 


1832.... 

78.02 



83.00 

82.27 

77.62 

73.00 

62.28 

57.65 

70.63 

1833.... 

59.55 

60.32 

60.38 

70.88 

82.51 

83.56 

83.18 

81.26 

66.20 

58.05 

54.23 

69.76 

83.08 

65.17 

58.10 

69.03 

1834.... 

50.48 

61  26 

63.79 

71.29 

75.93 

82.93 

70.00 

■'>.•■• 

1835.... 

51.65 

49.64 

60.43 

68.00 

79.54 

81.80 

81.07 

83.01 

75.58 

69.93 

63.71 

5.1.87 

69  33 

81.96 

70.08 

51.54 

68.38 

1843.... 

54.58 

52.38 

51.41 

71.12 

78.30 

78.24 

81.43 

80.21 

80.58 

68.20 

65.15 

55.90 

66.94 

79.97 

71.31 

54.29 

68.13 

1844.... 

57.60 

58.36 

1 

61.62 

72.12 

79.92 

81.59 

84.28 

^.03 

79.07 

68.20 

61.81 

53.42 

71.22 

82.63 

69.69 

56.46 

70.00 

1845.... 

55.59 

58.05 

61.33 

73.49 

73.76 

80.76 

82.60 

82.15 

78.21 

67.03 



70.19 

81.84 

1846.... 

.  53.93 

54.83 

62.40 

69.29 

Mean  I 
ety'rsf 

54.77 

58.44 

60.19 

70.88 

77.91 

81.30 

83.66 

83.14 

78.90 

68.60 

62.20 

55.01 

69.66 

82.03 

69.90 

55.41 

69.25 

1825.... 

53.26 

53.33 

67.80 

1826.... 

53.20 

63.27 

70.71 

1827.... 

56.74 

66.85 

64.31 

1828.... 

64.58 

66.01 

65.34 

18K.... 

1833.... 

55..37 

00.33 

C0.71 

1834.... 



66.90  I  81.82 

72.54  77.61  ' 

73.03  '  74.00 

66.50  74.23 


88.54 
83.24 

82  65 

78.64 


82.95 

84.33 

84.16 

85.15 

82.75 

SJ.52 


80.17 
80.64 


77.65 


72.97 
67.57 


62.60 
65.55 
62.04 


70.74       63.08       59.10 


44.04 
58.28 
62.00 


72.17 
73.62 
70.11 


85.27 
84.18 


81.30 


50.21 
58.25 
61.88 


72.27 


534 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LOOISLAN A— Continued. 
Latitude  29°  57',  Longitude  90°  00'.     Altitude  10/eet. 


FORTS  ST.  PHILIP  AND  JACKSON,  LOUISIANA,  o 
Latitude  29°  25',  Longitude  89°  30'.     At  sea  level. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

AprU. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Bee. 

Spring. 

1 
Summer  Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1835.... 

41.02 

50.70 

61.29 

69.73 

65.81 

58.11 



49.94 

1838.... 

56.61 

52.38 

64.10 

67.19 

68.65 

82.07 

82.47 

82.11 

77.35 

68.39 

57.07 

62.85 

66.65 

82.22 

67.60 

53.95 

67.61 

1839.... 

56.22 

54.48 

60.96 

70.98 

77.33 

83.03 

82.48 

ffi.25 

79.22 

75.39 

57.40 

48.09 

69.76 

82.59 

70.67 

52.93 

68.99 

1840.... 

55.09 

61.77 

69.15 

74.38 

77.30 

79.97 

85.56 

84.96 

78.91 

74.32 

65.66 

56.13 

73.61 

83.50 

72.96 

57.66 

71.93 

1841   ... 

55.46 

55.61 

64.81 

71.62 

76.17 

84.35 

87.02 

83.86 

79.48 

69.17 

61.83 

55.40 

70.87 

85.08 

70.16 

55.49 

70.40 

184i2.... 

56.96 

58.50 

71.35 

69.80 

74.96 

80.56 

80.25 

79.58 

78.63 

69.03 

59.06 

53.29 

72.03 

80.13 

68.91 

56.25 

69.33 

1643.... 

55.43 

54.16 

52.03 

70.85 

75.79 

78.50 

68.13 

55.77 

66.22 

80.08 

69.03 

55.12 

67.61 

1844.... 

58.54 

59.28 

63.55 

72.52 

78.46 

79.80 

65.02 

57.18 

71.51 

81.51 

70.75 

58.33 

70.52 

1845... 

57.25 

59.91 

62.11 

72.75 

73.20 

79.46 



69.35 

1846.... 

61.50 

67.16 

75.28 

80.14 

82.73 

68.82 

63.94 

62.14 

67.S8 



1847.... 

54.85 

57.30 

61.90 

71.48 

76.56 

78.75 

81.83 

82.68 

77.85 

71.16 

64.37 

53.25 

69.98 

81.08 

71.13 

55.13 

69.33 

1848.... 

58.18 

61.67 

64.33 

68.39 

76.47 

82  86 

80.42 

81.25 

79.51 

73.67 

59  58 

59.43 

69.73 

81.51 

70.92 

59.76 

70.48 

1849.... 

60.89 

56.08 

70.17 

71.00 

76.82 

81.08 

'   81.10 





72.63 

1850.... 

59.31 

55.32 

63.89 

68.13 

72.26 

76.12 

82.54 

66.41 

60.58 

55.49 

68.09 

56.71 

1851.... 

54  43 

59.79 

61.64 

68.24 

69.67 

60.89 

55.21 

56.48 

1853.... 

46.59 

62.10 

66.96 

67.27 

74.25 

61.37 

61.98 

56.89 

1853.... 

50.65 

56.51 

62.70 

70.42 

74.33 

80.23 



69.15 

Mean 
aOy'rs 

55.27 

58.35 

64.15 

70.06 

75.62 

81.11 

82.94 

82.77 

78.94 

TO.  75 

62.44 

55.98 

69.94 

82.27 

70.71 

56.53 

69.86 

StP1826 

83.36 

80.34 

80.83 

74.27 

64.59 

59,50 

TJ.23 

StP1828 

62.81 

64.22 

60.85 

SlP  1831 

48.32 

48.24 

57.20 



J. ..1831 

82.33 

80.07 

80.89 

71.80 

68.05 

47.59 

73.58 

J. ..1832 

61.14 

67.17 

66. K 

73.55 

78.13 

81.52 

84.21 

83.95 

T9.96 

76.81 

65.87 

65.39 

72.83 

82.89 

73.21 

64.57 

73.62 

J.. .1833 

64.44 

63.17 

62.59 

61.96 

58.75 



62.12 

J. ..1834 

60.58 

64. K 

65.73 

72.16 

75.87 

82.46 

68.95 

54.45 

63.64 



62.85 

J. ..1835 

59.53 

53.30 

60.5! 



Mean  .. 

59.47 

60  14 

62.37 

72.86 

77.00 

81.99 

82.97 

81.43 

80.56 

72.96 

62.98 

58.97 

70.78 

82.14 

72.17 

59.53 

71.15 

•  The  post'  are  on  opposite  sides  of  the  Mississippi  river,  fifty  miles  southeast  of  New  Orleans,  and  twenty  miles  from  the  Delta  proper. 
Gulf  is  much  nearer  at  the  southwest. 

BATON  KOUGE,  LOUISIANA 

Latitude  30°  26',  Longitude  91°  18'.     Altitude  41  feet. 


The  coast  of  the  ' 


1822.... 

52.37 

49.71 

62.05 

67.99 

78.16 

84.80 

81.20 

81.07 

76.13 

66.67 

63.94 

51.77 

,    69.40 

82.36 

68.92 

51.28 

67.99 

1824.... 

57.13 

51.41 

64.90 



1825.... 

49.80 

57.58 

64.79 



!    



1828.... 



71.39 

62.81 

60.76 



1829.... 

^.SI 

49.90 

53.57 

63.80 

74.35 

81.87 

80.70 

80.43 

77.17 

70.14 

57.51 

57.31 

64.57 

81.00 

68.27 

54.53 

67.09 

1830.... 

54.61 

57.07 

64.81 

65.87 

73.04 

79.47 

82.43 

82.63 

78.31 

70.27 

63.59 

54.62 

67.91 

81.51 

70.72 

55.43 

68.89 

1831.... 

46.16 

48.61 

G1.41 

66.46 

73.00 

79,84 

80.89 

76.58 

75.79 

66.25 

57.67 

43.57 

66  96 

79.10 

66.57 

46.11 

64.68 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


535 


BATON  ROUGE,  LOUISIANA— Continned. 
Latitude  30°  26',  Longitude  91°  18'.     Altitude  41  feet. 


1    Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1KB... 

49.86 

61.77 

61.00 

68.41 

75.27 

78.55 

82.16 

81.48 

76.19 

68.51 

58.75 

57.98 

68.23 

80.73 

67.ffi! 

56.54 

68.44 

1833... 

57.85 

58.11 

58.62 

70.49 

77.87 

82.63 

^83.55 

82.31 

79.18 

63.56 

57.56 

54.59 

68.99 

82.83 

66.77 

56.85 

68.61 

1834... 

50.08 

60.56 

63.23 

70.01 

75.69 

83.86 

83.02 

82.29 

74,32 

68.61 

60.00 

55. a5 

69.64 

83.06 

67.64 

.55.33 

68.92 

1835... 

;     55.19 

45.52 

56.38 

64  89 

77.88 

81.09 

78.43 

80.01 

73.31 

66.39 

59.70 

54.16 

66.38 

79.84 

66.47 

51.62 

66.08 

1836... 

55.11 

54.82 

56.92 



1837... 

66.41 

76.71 

81.61 

85.56 

85.14 

79.25 

71.39 

65.74 

53.79 

84.10 

72.13 

1838... 

54.14 

45.94 

63.71 

73.05 

72.31 

83.86 

84.05 

83.05 

76.82 

69.69 

83.65 

1839... 

.'-.4.52 

51.19 

61.95 

74.08 

78.96 

84.65 

82.05 

80.23 

79.86 

65.80 

54.18 

50.27 

71.66 

82.31 

66.61 

51.99 

68.14 

1840... 

55.82 

63.59 

71.56 

77.95 

77.59 

82.02 

81.52 

82.44 

78.37 

75.70 

81.99 

1843... 

55.08 

54.50 

51.47 

72.76 

76.98 

79.74 

82.09 

80.80 

80.10 

65.03 

66.46 

55.75 

67.07 

80.78 

70.53 

55.11 

68.37 

1844... 

57.35 

59.49 

61.77 

77.91 

77.10 

78.75 

81.84 

80.34 

75.41 

66.28 

63.43 

50.94 

70.26 

80.28 

68.37 

55.93 

68.71 

1845... 

.'•)4.79 

56.77 

59.86 

70.99 

73.90 

79.80 

80.92 

80.65 

76.63 

66.23 

57.68 

47.23 

68.25 

80.46 

66.85 

52.93 

67.12 

1848... 

52.00 

54.10 

62.30 

68.07 

75.60 

78.86 

81.37 

80.21 

80.01 

67.13 

62.64 

59.60 

68.66 

80.14 

69.93 

55.23 

68.49 

1847... 

49.84 



80.08 

80.05 

81.04 

80.36 

1848... 



77.40 

81.23 

82.18 

74.65 

69.69 

54.13 

58.04 

80.27 

66.18 

1849... 

58.16 

54.30 

67.81 

67.63 

79.77 

83.42 

78.45 

68.51 

64.18 

61.41 

70.38 

57.96 

1850... 

64.01 

58.51 

63.47 

72.84 

76.90 

78.59 

84.81 

83.67 

78.57 

65.47 

51.17 

71.07 

82.36 

57.90 

1851... 

52.94 

57.16 

61.17 

67.32 

75.21 

78.80 

81.43 

80.19 

75.14 

65.43 

55  06 

51.72 

67.90 

80.14 

65.21 

53.94 

66.80 

1852... 

42.78 

59.81 

65.87 

64.53 

74.42 

77.74 

79.69 

79.17 

75.11 

68.32 

56.00 

58.06 

68.27 

78.86 

66.48 

53.55 

66.79 

1853... 

47.38 

53.62 

59.60 

68.61 

71.65 

78.3.') 

78.59 

79.79 

65.82 

51.10 

66.62 

78.91 

50.70 

1854... 

53.43 

56.48 

66.24 

64.63 

75.10 

80.61 

80.09 

81.52 

78.11 

69.95 

57.07 

52.17 

68.66 

80.74 

68.38 

54.03 

67.95 

Me.in  1 

24  y'rs  ; 

'     53.47 

55.02 

61.93 

69.30 

75.60 

80.56 

81.81 

81.26 

•• 
77.14 

67.58 

59.90 

54.15 

68.94 

81.21 

66.21 

54.21 

68.14 

FORT  JESUr,  LOriSIAXA. 
Latitiide  31°  33',  Longitude  93°  32'.     Altitude  80  ?  feet. 


1833.... 

51.00 

43.33 

60.66 

71.57 

77  10 

77.87 

83.04 

83.21 

75.95 

69.81 

58.45 

57.40 

69.78 

81.37 

68.07 

50.58 

67.45 

1824.... 

58.98 

54.25 

63.93 

64.44 

76.55 

84.81 

85.93 

83.87 

77.98 

66.03 

57.94 

56.61 

68.30 

84  90 

67.32 

56.61 

69.28 

1825.... 

52.69 

59  83 

64.67 

66.97 

77.75 

80.98 

82.79 

85.11 

77.56 

63.77 

57.10 

45.11 

69.80 

82.96 

66.14 

52.54 

67.86 

1826.... 

46.82 

57.76 

68.49 

70.23 

77.91 

79.82 

85.45 

83.98 

76.07 

68.75 

60.28 

52.83 

72.21 

83.08 

68.37 

51.80 

68.86 

1827.... 

51.05 

62.85 

60.33 

69.54 

72.22 

81.45 

83.62 

82.96 

81.55 

67.17 

60.29 

57.65 

67.36 

82.68 

69.67 

57.18 

69.23 

1828.... 

55.64 

58.86 

61.19 

64.97 

74.94 

82.79 

83.33 

82.11 

73.45 

67.75 

59.43 

54.57 

67.03 

82.74 

66.88 

56.36 

68.35 

1829.... 

51.79 

45.27 

53.08 

62  34 

74.31 

80.55 

81.20 

79.35 

77.28 

68.56 

55.63 

53.09 

63.24 

80.37 

67.16 

50.05 

65.20 

1830.... 

50.44 

50.58 

62.01 

64.42 

70.82 

79.30 

82  93 

83.08 

77.27 

70.10 

59.29 

48.12 

65.75 

81.77 

68.89 

49.71 

66.53 

1831... 

41.43 

45.37 

59.43 

66.07 

72.75 

80.93 

81.09 

76.58 

73.53 

62.74 

53.76 

38.67 

66.08 

79.53 

63.34 

41.82 

63.69 

1833.... 

46.54 

55.26 

58  29 

67.74 

73.94 

78.76 

82.29 

80.99 

75.73 

64.76 

53.33 

55.34 

66.66 

80.68 

64.61 

52. 71 

66.16 

1833.... 

55.79 

53.85 

55.87 

67.44 

75.07 

81.15 

83.95 

83.82 

78.63 

61.85 

56.70 

S3  10 

66.13 

82.97 

65.73 

54.25 

67.27 

1834.... 

44.95 

60  61 

62.15 

69.83 

73.61 

82.88 

82.06 

82.12 

72.95 

69.07 

61.65 

50.15 

68.53 

82.35 

67.86 

51.90 

67.66 

1835.... 

50.21 

43.64 

55.34 

63.44 

70.76 

80.53 

79.58 

80.68 

73.66 

64.77 

53.92 

52.37 

63.18 

80.26 

64.13 

48.74 

64.07 

1836.... 

50.74 

54.14 

55.08 

67.85 

70.57 

76.67 

80.35 

78.58 

75.69 

59.84 

49.61 

46  58 

64.50 

78.53 

62  05 

50.49 

63.89 

1837.... 

45.21 

50.36 

55.73 

62.57 

71.50 

79.66 

80.44 

80.44 

74.27 

67.56 

63.65 

51.50 

63.27 

80.18 

68.49 

49.03 

65  24 

1838.... 

51.12 

42  79 

61.27 

69.12 

68.54 

80.94 

81.00 

80.07 

74.27 

64.44 

52.17 

45.83 

66.31 

80.67 

63.63 

46.S8 

64.30 

1839.... 

52.63 

50.36 

59.71 

70.59 

73.30 

81.85 

81.25 

83.51 

78.53 

73.03 

55.46 

48.85 

J 

67.87 

83.20 

69.01 

.'.0.61 

67.42 

IMO.... 

.■50.49 

57.38 

64.52 

71.30 

73.87 

SO. 08 

82.06 

83.30 

76.39 

70.07 

55.03 

50.59  , 

69.90 

81.81 

67.16 

53. i2 

67.99 

536 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  JESUP,  LOUISIANA— Continued. 
Latitude  31°  33',  Longitude  93°  32'.     Altitude  80?  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Aututnii 

Wiiitir. 

Venr. 

1841.... 

45.09 

51.89 

58.13 

69.69 

70.75 

78.S 

84.21 

80.19 

73.50 

62.63 

56.34 

48.73 

66.19 

80.87 

64  15 

48.57 

64.94 

1842.... 

53.14 

56.13 

64.12 

70.43 

76.92 

8Q.68 

78.16 

78.65 

76.93 

64.79 

50.74 

47.02 

70.59 

80.14 

64.15 

52.10 

66.74 

1843.... 

54.95 

47.90 

41.60 

69.65 

75.34 

77.30 

81.75 

76.25 

78.60 

61.82 

57.99 

48.30 

62  20 

78.43 

66.14 

50.15 

64.23 

1844.... 

52.82 

53.88 

57.51 

70.66 

76.57 

79.18 

83.90 

80.94 

73.68 

60.93 

58.54 

48.43 

68.95 

81.11 

63.72 

51.71 

6G.20 

1845.... 

51.72 

55.65 

57.42 

68  64 

70.49 

77.41 

81.10 

76.56 
76.09 

65.57 

57.92 

43.91 

65.52 

66.68 

50.43 

Mean  i 

50.63 

52.69 

59.45 

67.80 

73.72 

80.95 

82  S2 

81.35 

65.90 

56.60 

49.68 

66.99 

81.27 

66.22 

51.00 

66.39 

FORT  SABINE,  LOUISIANA. 
Latitude  29°  45',  Longitude  93°  50'.     At  sea  level* 


1837.... 
1838.... 


51.60       43.ffi 


59.12       70.26     (68.54)       79.05 


79.53 

78.35 

72.39 

71.37 

64.62 

53  84 

63.97 



79.00 

66.05 


•  The  post  was  on  the  low  shore  of  Sabine  lake,  eight  miles  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  southwartl,  and  surrounded  by  water  and  innrsh  lands 

FORT  TOWSON,  INDIAN  TERRITORY. 
Latitude  34°  00',  Longitude  95°  33'.     Altitude  300?/ee<. 


1832.... 

39.59 

79.39 

75.20 

69.98 

61.16 

47.80 

47.00 

59.65 

1833.   .. 

51.29 

45.34 

46.99 

63.56 

72.24 

72.84 

85.70 

80.55 

74.44 

57.81 

49.33 

43.83 

60.93 

79.70 

60.53 

46.83 

63.00 

1834.... 

32.32 

50.49 

55.14 

65.93 

68.95 

79.52 

80.93 

81.94 

67.57 

62.54 

56.69 

42.19 

63.34 

80.80 

62.97 

41.63 

62.01 

1833.... 

44.30 

34.94 

51.12 

60.14 

72.06 

76.87 

76  51 

76  03 

68.14 

59.75 

43.04 

43.09 

61.11 

76.47 

56.98 

41.44 

.59.00 

1836.... 

41.17 

44.77 

47.94 

61.59 

69.66 

75.63 

78.76 

79.39 

74.16 

58.31 

48.99 

41.36 

59.73 

77.93 

60.30 

42.43 

61.00 

1837.... 

40.51 

46.91 

52.94 

58.68 

66.75 

77.44 

81.85 

80.20 

72.21 

64.31 

57.98 

45.80 

59.19 

79.83 

64.83 

44.41 

62.05 

1838.... 

43.69 

34.18 

56.90 

66.42 

62.98 

78.80 

K.02 

81.06 

70.54 

59.06 

43.95 

37.12 

62.10 

80.63 

57.85 

38.33 

59.74 

1839.... 

46.76 

46.31 

56.19 

68.60 

72.53 

79.17 

82.88 

80.05 

72.57 

66.34 

47.44 

39.99 

05.79 

80  70 

62.19 

44.39 

63.95 

1840.... 

42.20 

49.91 

57.93 

65.99 

70.94 

76.81 

80.118 

83.21 

71.77 

60.30 

50.96 

44.72 

64.95 

80.03 

61.01 

45.61 

62.90 

1841.... 

42.14 

49.73 

52.97 

69.93 

68.95 

73.76 

81.76 

76.06 

66.69 

56.98 

46.97 

35.42 

61.62 

77.19 

56.65 

42  43 

59.47 

1842.... 

43.03 

53.70 

65.12 

67.86 

73.58 

78.76 

80.96 

78.61 

76.60 

63  06 

46.26 

43.22  1 

68.85 

79.44 

61.97 

46.65 

64.94 

1843.... 

49.40 

43.60 

39.00 

66.51 

70.30 

75.10 

78.80 

73,95 

76.15 

59.10 

53.50 

45.65  . 
42.33 

58.60 

76.62 

63.93 

46.18 

61.08 

1844.... 

44.40 

49.^ 

51.73 

68  36 

72.53 

77.91 

82.80 

80.75 

71.97 

59.64 

53.16 

64.21 

80.49 

61.59 

45.32 

63.90 

1845.... 

46.57 

50.71 

52.20 

67.70 

68.49 

77.31 

81.59 

79.73 

75.44 

60.10 

49.30 

35.79 

62.80 

79.54 

61.68 

44.36 

63.09 

1846.... 

43.60 

42.60 

53.85 

61.27 

1 


1849.... 



76  11 

78.18 

79.16 

74.26 

59.11 

56.53 

42.00 

77.82 

63.30 

1850.... 

46.10 

47.13 

53.48 

59.81 

67.92 

76.06 

80.57 

82.49 

75.98 

63.12 

51.71 

39.29 

60.17 

76.37 

63.37 

44.14 

61.01 

1851.... 

44.31 

44.88 

56.35 

60.38 

71.91 

78.30 

82.23 

82.54 

78.75 

63.25 

47.60 

62.51 

81.02 

63.20 

1852.... 

68.17 

66.05 

48.80 

43.68 

58.34 

1853.... 

41.78 

43.75 

51.84 

64.24 

67.25 

78.02 

79.69 

81.40 

73.40 

60.27 

54.95 

42.48 

61.11 

79.70 

63.87 

42.67 

61.59 

1854.... 

30  39 

49.29 

59.55 

61.90 





Me.an  1 
aOy'rsf 

43.14 

45.97 

53.40 

64.00 

69.77 

76.97 

80.82 

79  69 

72.53 

61.04 

50.24 

43  65 

62.39 

79.16 

61.37 

43.92 

01.69 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND   SUMMARIES. 


537 


FORT  WASHITA,  1XDL\N  TERRITORY. 
Latitude  34°  14',  Longitude  96°  38'.     Altitude  645  feet. 


1 

Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Scj.t. 

Oct. 

1 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Tear. 

1343... 

47.50 

41  .TO 

36.50 

65.30 

69.70 

76.70 

80.30 

77.00 

T5.40 

63.90 

52.40 

47.20 

57.17 

73.00 

62.23 

45.47 

60.72 

1S14.... 

45.02 

51.16 

53.44 

63.27 

73.41 

77.18 

62.89 

82.54 

71.20 

60.64 

54.99 

45.91 

1    65.04 

80.69 

63.28 

47.36 

63.81 

1S45.... 

4T.29 

53.64 

53.17 

69.18 

69.25 

T3.SS 

84.31 

79.18 

76.00 

CO. 71 

49.52 

89.03 

63.87 

80.62 

62.10 

46.67 

63.31 

IBIO.... 

47.80 

44.90 

55.94 

63.46 

72.63 

74.79 

81.76 

81.09 

76.13 

65.09 

55.09 

48.87 

63.99 

79.88 

65.4i 

47.02 

64.03 

1S47..., 

85.83 

45.60 

49.16 

67.73 

66.90 

76.84 

79.47 

78.48 

73.46 

65.52 

51.16 

44.00 

60.96 

73.10 

63.33 

41.81 

61.  C6 

1848.... 

47.44 

51.72 

55.95 

53.59 

74.82 

75.37 

79.74 

81.08 

73.62 

68.55 

44.87 

82.08 

63.12 

78.73 

60.63 

43.73 

6!  .56 

1849... 

36.96 

44.90 

58.66 

61.85 

69.83 

76.04 

77.88 

79.88 

78.85 

60.T4 

57.65 

41.49 

63.28 

7T.92 

64.08 

41.12 

61.60 

1S50.... 

47.06 

46.39 

62  96 

59.50 

66.31 

74.62 

81.01 

83.81 

77.04 

65.53 

53.57 

87.16 

59.59 

79.64 

65.3S 

43.50 

62.03 

1S51.... 

43.93 

44.18 

56. S8 

60.84 

72.89 

79.56 

82.41 

84.71 

80.25 

61.72 

46.70 

42.24 

63.87 

82.23 

62.69 

43.45 

62.93 

1352  ... 

37.71 

49.41 

55.20 

53.05 

69.50 

73.51 

78.62 

T8.17 

69.77 

64.90 

47.63 

41.37 

60.91 

T6.T6 

60.73 

42.83 

60.83 

IS-W.... 

42.05 

42.37 

51.44 

63.94 

65.46 

76.90 

78.41 

81.50 

74.08 

60.73 

54.18 

42.63 

60.23 

78.94 

63.01 

42.85 

61.14 

1554.... 

86.76 

43.94 

60.41 

61.43 

69.80 

75.43 

83.13 

88.40 

77.30 

66.83 

51.56 

43.70 

63.S.S 

80.67 

65.05 

43.13 

63.18 

* 

Me'.n  ) 
12y'r3/ 

42.91 

47.  «7 

53.81 

63.18 

69.93 

76.23 

SO.  73 

SO. 86 

74.S4 

68.29 

■ 

51.61 

43.43  j 

62.16 

79.29 

63.25 

44.14 

62.21 

FORT  SMITH,  ARKANSAS. 

Latitude  35°  23',  Longitude  94°  29'.     Altitude  460  feet. 


1342.... 

42.99 

44.77 

61.50 

63.54 

69.64 

T4.78 

77.19 

74.56 

73.49 

5T.75 

41.36 

38.34 

61.89 

75.61 

57.20 

42.03 

59.91 

1S13.... 

41.70 

36.83 

31.53 

60.28 

67.72 

T4.38 

78.79 

T4.S3 

73.71 

54.14 

47.83 

40.25 

53.16 

T6.00 

58.63 

39.59 

36.88 

1844.... 

3S.34 

45.77 

43.12 

66.53 

71.15 

76.71 

81.13 

76.82 

63.06 

56.20 

48.65 

37.94 

61.93 

TS.22 

6T.69 

40.65 

69.61 

1845.... 

43.49 

47.39 

50.05 

63.82 

68.50 

78.61 

S2.47 

"8.27 

72.55 

65.34 

44.98 

31.88 

62.46 

T9.T8 

57.62 

40.75 

60.15 

1846... 

3D.  82 

83.70 

52.46 

63.56 

71.24 

73.50 

80.65 

73.80 

75  73 

61.55 

51.21 

46.47 

62.09 

T7.65 

62.88 

41.66 

61.06 

1347.... 

84.43 

40.  IT 

47.96 

65.71 

65'.76 

75.71 

TT.86 

75.88 

71.01 

62.34 

47.75 

43.40 

59.80 

76.48 

60.87 

83.ST 

53.87 

1S4S.... 

44. S7 

48.07 

62.69 

69.61 

T2.61 

T5.0T 

79.01 

79.45 

68.T4 

60.93 

42.98 

34.01 

61.64 

77.84 

57.68 

42.32 

69.88 

1849.... 

35.78 

40.91 

57.65 

59.46 

64.43 

T6.S0 

TD.86 

80.86 

74.82 

60.83 

59.60 

49.90 

60.51 

79.01 

64.71 

39.20 

60.86 

1850.... 

46.50 

51.51 

67.73 

53.51 

61.27 

76.62 



62.22 

1S52.... 

58.92 

67.91 

72.74 

73.07 

T6.61 

69.06 

63.53 

46.53 

39.60 

74.10 

59.72 

■  •>■ 

1833.... 

40.20 

41.67 

50.66 

63.97 

64.93 

76.21 

77.93 

80.57 

71.53 

58.79 

63.14 

89.80 

69.85 

78.24 

61.15 

40.56 

69.95 

1354... 

33.92 

47.01 

57.01 

60.62 

67.51 

75.4S 

63.15 

82.70 

TT.3S 

64.70 

47.97 

40.83 

61.71 

80.44 

63.33 

40.59 

61.52 

Mean  i 
12y'rsf 

40.18 

43.89 

51.53 

62.33 

69.91 

75.55 

79.19  ' 

73.07 

T2.23 

59.65 

4S.8G 

39.37 

61.29 

77.60 

60.08 

41.11 

60.02 

FORT  GIBSON,  INDIAN  TERRITORY. 
Latitude  35°  47',  Longitude  95°  10'.     Altitude  560  feet. 


162-.... 



81.93 

82.98 

78.58 

66.66 

87.00 

46.68 

67.41 

1328.... 

41.26 

47.63 

54.74 

59.06 

71.36 

81.16 

81.75 

82.04 

69.72 

66.02 

55.89 

47.66 

61.72 

81.65 

63.71 

46.58 

68.34 

1829.... 

44.52 

23.65 

48.82 

59.51 

74.16 

78.09 

80.76 

82.92 

75.08 

62.6T 

60.14 

50.29 

60.66 

80.69 

63.63 

41.15 

61.26 

1680.... 

47.64 

47.48 

67.46 

65.26 

69.95 

80.63 

81.95 

81.83 

79.04 

69.15 

56.84 

40.46 

64.22 

82.43 

63.84 

45.19 

<5.06 

1S31.... 

80.14 

84.54 

53.70 

68.18 

68.09 

75.34 

83.71 

76.66 

70.69 

60.28 

50.84 

81.89 

61.61 

73.31 

60.42 

82.19 

63.13 

1382.... 

41.31 

41.92 

55.21 

64.25 

69.67 

77.81 

80.25 

77.83 

72.30 

62.94 

60.43 

47.48 

63.01 

73.81 

61.86 

48.72 

61.76 

18-33.... 

47.52 

41.42 

50.47 

63.93 

T0.98 

76.86 

81.63 

80.70 

75.43 

57.50 

52.28 

48.62 

61.73 

79.57 

61.-1 

45.25 

62.03 

1S34.... 

23.17 

50.80 

52.51 

67.83 

72.81 

79.81 

83.06 

88.22 

78.87 

65.31 

64.97 

41.06 

64.24 

88.70 

64.83 

39.84 

63.16 

1S35.... 

43.83 

82.74 

61.19 

60.17 

T1.48 

78.55 

77.93 

77.89 

70.19 

61.06 

48.19 

48.64 

60.95 

73.12 

68.16 

89.57 

69.19 

1SS6  ... 

40.43 
S 

43.06 
.96 

46.14 

—68 

63.44 

71.26 

74.73 

79.45 

80.12 

74.54 

66.09 

4T.83 

89.66 

60.95 

78.W 

69.49 

41.03  1 

S9.90 

538 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES 


FORT  GIBSON,  INDIAN  TERRITORY— Continued. 
Latitude  35°  47',  Longitude  95°  10'.     Altitude  560  feet. 


J.iii. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Autumn 

Winter.' 

Year. 

188T.... 

36.92 

44.64 

CO  .20 

58.74 

66.36 

T6.6S 

83.91 

82.91 

72.24 

65.44 

69.19 

43.52 

57.48 

81.17 

65.02 

41.66 

61.47 

18SS.... 

40.99 

28.81 

68.70 

65.70 

62.28 

79.21 

88.07 

83.18 

74.42 

56.40 

40.87 

83.65 

60.66 

81.82 

67.06 

84.32 

68.44 

1S89.... 

43.  C9 

43.30 

63.68 

68.96 

71.66 

75.83 

62.79 

82.68 

74.64 

67.21 

47.24 

89.73 

64.78 

80.88 

63.08 

42.24 

62.59 

ISIO.... 

86.  S2 

46.41 

54. 51 

63.49 

69.10 

77.15 

77.74 

78.86 

69.83 

69.78 

45.92 

42.22 

62.87 

77.76 

58.34 

41.  S2 

60.07 

1841.... 

85.27 

41.87 

62.14 

61.85 

68.14 

75.58 

81.95 

80.04 

69.72 

56.70 

51.85 

42.09 

60.71 

79.17 

59.26 

89.64 

59.67 

1&12.... 

45.90 

46.57 

03.22 

64.18 

70.12 

73.66 

77.12 

75.06 

74.86 

60.67 

43.86 

41.12 

65.49 

75.85 

59.63 

44.63 

01.25 

1S43.... 

43.80 

88.17 

39.50 

62.40 

66.93 

74.50 

76.83 

74.17 

78.20 

66.65 

50.25 

45.20 

66.28 

75.16 

61.70 

42.22 

68.84 

1844.... 

40.67 

47.81 

60.45 

66.80 

69.89 

75.77 

80.00 

77.40 

68.67 

57.91 

60.41 

41.73 

62.21 

77.72 

69.00 

43.24 

60.54 

1845  ... 

46.24 

50.65 

60.54 

68.46 

67.02 

77.25 

83.80 

78.94 

75.58 

68.25 

47.12 

84.40 

62.01 

79.83 

60.82 

43.76 

01 .48 

184G.... 

42.78 

38.44 

52.61 

61.87 

70.00 

71.32 

79.74 

78.95 

74.50 

62.44 

53.59 

45.93 

61.49 

76.67 

03.18 

42.87 

60.98 

1847.... 

83.55 

42.78 

47.16 

66.01 

65.52 

72.75 

77.92 

74.62 

70.29 

61.56 

52.67 

41.16 

69.56 

75.06 

61.47 

89.15 

68.81 

1S4S.... 

45.88 

49.11 

53.13 

57.30 

70.72 

75.83 

77.95 

76.68 

68.00 

62.89 

43.81 

80.48 

00.38 

76.83 

88.07 

41.81 

69.27 

1S49.... 

83.19 

89.65 

65.  S4 

60.46 

68.87 

75.77 

77.79 

77.80 

72.59 

56.45 

54.61 

36.69 

61.72 

76.96 

61.22 

86.51 

69.10 

1850.... 

42.15 

42.89 

49.42 

65.85 

66.63 

76.54 

81.00 

83.78 

"5.46 

62.48 

60.52 

36.01 

57.13 

80.44 

62.65 

40.61 

60.28 

1851.... 

41.91 

42.27 

64.09 

58.28 

72.26 

77.16 

82.60 

84.80 

78.82 

60.76 

44.34 

86.81 

61.58 

81.49 

01.14 

40.33 

01.12 

1852.... 

84.82 

47.08 

54.00 

63.80 

TO. 18 

74.31 

81.60 

76.97 

69.36 

63. 96 

44.95 

37.89 

60.97 

77.62 

69. 4B 

89.74 

59.44 

1853.... 

39.63 

39.90 

49.40 

63.81 

64.79 

78.11 

80.23 

82.86 

73.31 

59.80 

53.11 

41.22 

69.17 

80.28 

62.07 

40.25 

60.43 

1854.... 

33.72 

46.88 

56.67 

60.49 

67.61 

75.74 

84.62 

85.20 

79.61 

66.67 

47.80 

41.50 

61.56 

81.65 

64.68 

40.58 

62.12 

Me&n 
27i  yr's. 

[•40.15 

42.41 

62.19 

62.13 

68.79 

76.82 

80.76 

80.24 

73.50 

61.56 

49.72 

40.84 

61.04 

79.41 

61.66 

41.18 

60.81 

FORT  SCOTT,  MISSOURI. 
Latitude  31°  45',  Longitude  94°  35'.     Altitude  1000?  feet. 


1843.... 

87.11 

28.05 

24.65 

53.95 

68.50 

71.95 

75.46 

73.40 

70.70 

50.90 

42.85 

87.90 

47.83 

73.60 

64.66 

34.35 

62.48 

1844.... 

80.55 

80.70 

45.34 

63.27 

64.86 

72.07 

80.27 

74.24 

62.85 

61.84 

42.00 

85.26 

67.66 

75.53 

52.28 

8t.l7 

64.90 

1845.... 

89.04 

42.71 

45.85 

02.50 

65.01 

72.28 

78.84 

76.02 

09.20 

52.23 

89.01 

25.87 

67.79 

75.68 

58.68 

86.01 

65.75 

1846.... 

87.88 

29.93 

46.05 

67.84 

68.97 

69.26 

78.40 

75.86 

70.09 

54.83 

44.91 

87.31 

67.45 

74.60 

66.61 

34.80 

55.85 

1847.... 

22.70 

38.82 

87.17 

67.88 

61.57 

70.93 

76.06 

72.23 

07.83 

50.27 

41.85 

88.89 

62.21 

78.07 

65.00 

29.97 

62.66 

1848.... 

87.41 

89.68 

45.21 

63.81 

68.63 

72.71 

74.94 

76.08 

64.77 

66.42 

85.28 

21.95 

65.85 

74.58 

62.16 

33.01 

63.90 

1849.... 

22.91 

80.10 

49.03 

63.17 

63.47 

73.60 

76.12 

74.58 

68.79 

62.64 

50.14 

29.88 

64.22 

74.48 

67.19 

27.46 

68.07 

1850.... 

84.66 

35.69 

42.27 

43.68 

61.87 

78.47 

79.84 

81.24 

71.68 

58.20 

46.09 

27.41 

60.89 

78.02 

58.04 

82.55 

65.02 

1851.... 

88.71 

36.82 

48.14 

68.46 

69.50 

78.40 

78.23 

70,03 

73.59 

53.11 

89.02 

81.30 

67.03 

70.09 

66.90 

83.78 

55.95 

1852.... 

23.45 

89.11 

47.82 

68.28 

67.62 

71.46 

76.03 

75.07 

67.17 

01.40 

88.40 

31.13 

66.24 

74.18 

66.65 

82.91 

54.74 

1858.... 

36.24 

88.30 

43.00 



Mean  } 
lOy'rs  ( 

82.91 

84.98 

43.18 

55.72 

65.48 

72.11 

77.22 

75.63 

68.62 

55.28 

41.91 

31.09 

54.78 

74.95 

55.27 

82.99 

54.60 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND   SUMMARIES. 


539 


JEFFERSON  BARRACKS, 
Latitude  38°  28',  Longitude  90°   1 


MISSOURI. 

5'.     Altitude  472  feet. 


ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL,  MISSOURI. 

Latitude  38°  40',  Longitude  90°  05'.     Altitude  450  feet. 


1S43.  .. 

1844.... 
1S45  ... 
1S46... 
1S4T..., 
ISIS... 


81.44 
SS.69 
ST.20 
24.64 
85.57 


1S49....1     25.12 
1S50....!    84.08 


22.64 
36.57 
40.51 
27.93 
83.41 
."!T.90 
2S.44 
83.76 


25. 2S  56.08 

42.11  !  64.88  I 

44.34  60.99 

45.71  I  54.91 

8S.06  56.65 

42.16  :  51.03 

I 

46.40  53.36 

41.38  43.55 


66.79 
66.23 
61.71 
63.97 
62.19 
66.14 
63.90 
61.47 


74.30 

79. S3 

76.32 

72.59 

75.29 

81.03 

74.34 

66.75 

73.60 

79.S2 

75.85 

75.08 

71.11 

79.95 

77.87 

72.SS 

72.64 

78.60 

74.10 

67.85 

7S.1P 

76.65 

74.67 

02.96 

76.69 

75.04 

78.71 

66.62 

75.01 

78.83 

77.89 

67.81 

63.39 
51.04 
68.95 
54.05 
52.38 
54.23 
50.30 
54.14 


41.74 
44.45 
40.55 
42.73 
43.63 
87.25 
49.02 
44.73 


35.93 
36.43 
24.13 
37.46 
31.30 
30.20 
23.96 
29.  So 


49.37 
55.74 
55.63 
56.53 
52.30 
53.18 
54.57 
50.45 


77.15 
77.25 
T6.22 
76.81 
75.11 
74.81 
75.14 
77.79 


55.91 
54.03 
56.51 
56.40 
54.61 
51.43. 
65.31 
55.89 


31.54 
S4.S1 
34.44 
84.20 
29.73 
34.5<! 
27.51 
81.24 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

ADg. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1327.... 

82.09 

44.55 

50.93 

61.22 

'    65.52 

78.62 

80.15 

81.67 

72.95 

53.98 

50.40 

39.09 

59.24 

78.48 

60.78 

88.58 

59.27 

1823.... 

87.17 

42.32 

49.43 

55.85 

70.08 

80.69 

79.41 

81.56 

67.89 

50.75 

50.55 

44.S5 

1    53.44 

80.55 

56.40 

41.61 

59.25 

1S29.... 

36.81 

20.52 

42.60 

60.17 

73.73 

77.21 

T6.82 

76.97 

65.30 

5S.87 

37.11 

42.31 

53.68 

77.00 

53.26 

88.05 

55.53 

18.30.... 

82.79 

87.55 

4S.00 

61.83 

66.86 

75.63 

79.78 

78.74 

67.63 

60.74 

51.43 

42.05 

53.68 

78.07 

59.98 

87.80 

58.61 

1S31.... 

21.58 

27.22 

43.37 

75.46 

71.96 

63.05 

53.73 

40.35 

18.54 

52.83 

22.48 

1S82... 

81.10 

31.17 

50.35 

58. S3 

63.35 

80.55 

76.53 

78.94 

66.04 

53.60 

44.99 

36.33 

57.69 

77.01 

66.54 

33. C5 

56.07 

1833.... 

83.13 

35.89 

42.76 

61.81 

70.68 

78.88 

81.24 

79.28 

71.21 

62.18 

44.83 

38.80 

53.25 

77.97 

56.06 

S7.44 

57.43 

1534.... 

21.84 

44.04 

45.29 

89.81 

67.56 

75.91 

81.60 

81.27 

64.93 

54.93 

45  21 

32.45 

57.55 

79.59 

55.06 

82. 6S 

56.22 

1S35.... 

83.64 

21.75 

42.02 

54.05 

69.78 

74.47 

74.41 

73.10 

61.42 

59.26 

40.79 

85.00 

55.27 

73.99 

53.82 

80.13 

63.30 

1686.... 

46.79 

89.25 

29.17 

1387.   .. 

23.52 

87.37 

40.78 

49.15 

61.70 

70.52 

77.05 

75.63 

65.03 



74.40 

1833.... 

52.56 

67.67 

78.53 

79.77 

77.83 

67  22 

51.32 

82.48 

25.61 

77.04 

50.52 

13.39.... 

37.06 

36.95 

43.80 

'62.11 

62.82 

69.10 

78.81 

72.40 

65.76 

63.95 

83.03 

28.02 

56.24 

71.77 

55.91 

30.63 

58.65 

1S40.... 

24.96 

89.43 

44.23 

52.73 

76.44 

76.16 

76.89 

56.  C2 

55.00 

41.66 

M.S2 

76.33 

58.89 

38.09 

1841.... 

27.53 

30.22 

41.57 

58.16 

65.61 

74.61 

79.  S6 

75.  C5 

67.75 

58.70 

44.33 

34.59 

».45 

76.51 

55.26 

80.73 

54.25 

1S42.... 

33.70 

87.02 

53.73 

64.81 

65.12 

71.09 

75.09 

71.79 

71  24 

59.64 

37.67 

84.38 

62,88 

72.66 

56.13 

36.70 

67.10 

1S43.... 

36.16 

23. 7S 

25.80 

52.66 

65.84 

72.36 

76  58 

74.56 

70.00 

49  56 

42.61 

87.12 

47.88 

74.67 

54.06 

32.85 

52.23 

1844.... 

31.82 

37.72 

44.03 

02.91 

65.20 

70.37 

77.58 

73.78 

64.99 

52.73 

44.05 

80.52 

57.33 

77.78 

63.94 

85.19 

66.07 

li!45.... 

39.13 

43.05 

46.32 

65.63 

66.36 

77.62 

79.35 

76.60 

70.40 

54  45 

41.53 

25.03 

59.60 

77.99 

65.43 

35.74 

57.20 

1S46.... 

87.73 

80.02 

46.85 

59.85 

69.65 

69.82 

73.42 

77.68 

72.93 

53.39 

45.08 

83.59 

53.63 

75.14 

57.80 

35.46 

56.76 

1S47.... 

87.57 

.. 

69.60 

77.41 

67.66 

31.64 

1548.... 

33.49 

40.99 

42.42 

56.61 

63.53 

71.48 

72.51 

73.97 

63.33 

54.46 

87.93 

81.63 

54.87 

75.99 

52.09 

37.05 

95.00 

1S49.... 

23.06 

81.13 

49.40 

55.23 

65.15 

73.53 

75.19 

74.87 

67.41 

62.24 

49.71 

29.33 

56.63 

74.53 

56.79 

29.54 

54.87 

1550.... 

34.04 

85.86 

42.51 

43.54 

62.27 

76.11 

81.44 

80.13 

69.57 

57.46 

47.23 

81.04 

51.14 

79.24 

53.09 

33.48 

55.43 

1S51.... 

85.48 

88.29 

48.18 

50.83 

63.27 

73.62 

79.53 

76.05 

73.53 

67.52 

41.09 

29.78 

55.74 

76.40 

57.33 

34.52 

56.01 

1S52... 

23.20 

83.88 

45.25 

58.31 

67.27 

71.76 

77.60 

73.60 

67.31 

68.90 

89.41 

36.50 

56.27 

74.32 

57.04 

34.01 

55.41 

1353.... 

86.80 

83.73 

44.87 

57.42 

64.46 

78.48 

76.66 

77.07 

70.34 

53.81 

49.93 

34.51 

55.42 

77.40 

53.21 

34.35 

56.47 

1S54.... 

23.48 

40.04 

4S..34 

56.79 

63.44 

74.78 

55.80 

82.12 

75.39 

61.19 

44.21 

86.02 

57.86 

80.90 

60.43 

34.85 

53.51 

Mean  ) 
26y'r3  f 

32.53 

35.16 

45.03 

57.06 

66.82 

74.11 

78.00 

76.46 

68.07 

65.68 

43.15 

38.31 

56.15 

76.19 

55.68 

33.85 

55.46 

53.49 
55.97 
55.71 
55.8e 
S2.95 
53.49 
53.13 
63.72 


540 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND    SUMMARIES. 


ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL,  MISSOURI— Continued. 
Latitude  38°  40',  Longitude  90°  05'.     Altitude  450  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S51.... 

82.50 

36.31 

46.32 

50.61 

66.49 

72.41 

73.85 

77.09 

71.71 

66.18 

89.89 

29.21 

54.47 

75.95 

65.41 

32.69 

54.63 

1S52.... 

27. S4 

85.28 

46.79 

62.00 

65.98 

72.40 

78.12 

78.56 

67.40 

69.91 

88.43 

33.87 

54.90 

74.69 

5').  26 

82.16 

64.25 

1S63.... 

88.25 

31. 8S 

42.95 

66.63 

64.53 

7S.13 

76.00 

76.27 

69.01 

51.70 

46.96 

82.14 

64.69 

76.60 

55.69 

82.42 

64.95 

lSo4.... 

25.47 

36.  SC 

46.10 

65.41 

66.86 

74.75 

82.25 

81.80 

75.88 

69.70 

41.68 

34.34 

65.90 

79.48 

53.89 

82.16 

66.01 

Mi-an  1 
12.v,-sf 

81.44 

83.48 

42.80 

55.08 

65.  or 

74.20 

78.22 

76.16 

69.68 

64.20 

42.55 

81.93 

61.15 

76.19 

55.44 

32.27 

64.61 

Mean  for  sixteen  years  at  St.  Louis,  1833  to  1S48,  by  Dr.  Ungelmann,  .'16.27  degrees. 

NEWPORT  BARRACKS,  KENTUCKY. 

Latitude  39°  05',  Longitude  84°  29'.     Altitude  500  feet. 


Tile  last  summary  is  of  observations  at  Cincinnati  by  Professor  Kay. 

DETROIT,  MICHIGAN.* 
Latitude  42°  20',  Longitude  82°  58'.     Altitude  580  feet. 


1847.... 

78.60 

75.28 

70.51 

55.04 

40.62 

33.67 



57.36 

1S4S.... 

80.76 

37.00 

48.25 

65.64 

69.08 

73.88 

75.60 

76.00 

63.75 

54.81 

39.96 

41.27 

66.29 

74.79 

52.85 

88.84 

55.67 

1S49.... 

33.08 

81.08 

49.00 

54.50 

65.20 

76.84 

75.19 

73.50 

00.77 

56.26 

61.16 

82.14 

66.23 

75.01 

57.72 

32.10 

65.27 

1850..,. 

87.47 

86.54 

42.44 

51.10 

59.32 

74.64 

79.69 

76.60 

66.87 

54.40 

47.18 

61.30 

70.91 

56.16 

1851.... 

80.42 

42.87 

48.66 

63.82 

07.13 

72.46 

70.30 

75.10 

69.77 

65.48 

43.07 

81.28 

56.38 

74.64 

56.11 

86.80 

55.98 

1562.... 

27.20 

87.95 

46.62 

51.01 

64.87 

6S.97 

76.74 

72.20 

65.79 

00.44 

41.92 

40.15 

64.00 

72.04 

50.06 

85.12 

64.45 

1868.... 

85.52 

84.55 

41.60 

55.00 

68.93 

76.00 

73.41 

74.43 

67.86 

61.36 

45.98 

84.38 

53.51 

74.01 

65.00 

84.98 

54.54 

1S54.... 

31.75 

89.60 

46.74 

53.20 

64.00 

72.13 

79.54 

78.18 

74.34 

59.75 

41.89 

85.37 

64.65 

70.00 

68.06 

35.67 

60.37 

Menn  ) 
7^  y'rs  f 

84.04 

30.94 

45.40 

63.89 

64.72 

78.49 

76.48 

75.02 

63.21 

55  81 

44.71 

34.84 

64.52 

75.00 

66.24 

85.27 

55.26 

Mean  1 
ISyVsf 

88.50 

84.10 

43.40 

64.. W 

63.50 

71.10 

76.80 

73.70 

65.50 

53.00 

42.30 

83.80 

53.80 

78.70 

53.60 

83.80 

63.70 

1S80  ... 



44. S7 

66.76 

63.89 

67.15 

00.52 

58.13 

89.90 

83.12 

24.79 

63.69 

43.74 

1837.... 

21.57 

24.29 

29.  S4 

33.81 

51.63 

62.74 

66.22 

05.41 

68.74 

46.95 

89.69 

26.03 

1    39.94 

64.79 

48.43 

24.10 

44.88 

1838.... 

27.72 

12.11 

33.77 

89.63 

60.62 

6S.12 

73.78 

68.07 

59.51 

62.66 

29.81 

17.00 

43.02 

70.19 

48.83 

19.14 

44.05 

1339.... 

25.69 

27.38 

82.77 

50.74 

69.85 

65.02 

72.07 

66.07 

56.68 

57.46 

83.04 

28.03 

47.79 

68.12 

50.38 

27.03 

43.83 

1S40.... 

20.87 

33 .23 

35.19 

48.14 

60.78 

66.75 

07.80 

66.67 

50.89 

48.48 

87.80 

28.89 

48.04 

67.00 

47.71 

27.35 

47.54 

1S41.... 

25.90 

25.70 

31.47 

42.04 

51.89 

67.16 

68.06 

63.16 

01.81 

45.64 

36.83 

31.81 

41.60 

08.13 

48.76 

27.  OS 

40.57 

1842.... 

82.07 

81.74 

44.89 

49.17 

54.13 

60.36 

66.09 

67.21 

01.00 

51.14 

84.93 

29.57 

49.40 

04.05 

49.02 

81.80 

48.59 

1S43.... 

30.48 

19.25 

22.46 

46.83 

54.86 

64.83 

66.00 

66.08 

05.48 

44.62 

84.96 

81.85 

41.21 

65.47 

43.35 

27.03 

45.61 

1S44.... 

23.48 

29.87 

84.90 

64.57 

58.49 

63.93 

70.73 

60.67 

02.25 

47.27 

38.11 

80.08 

'    49.82 

67.13 

49.21 

27.01 

43.32 

1S46.... 

80.07 

29.92 

89.70 

48.60 

65.40 

66.17 

7U.92 

71.92 

69.70 

4S.S5 

35.50 

21.95 

47.90 

69.67 

48.01 

27.31 

48.22 

1S46.... 

29.32 

24.62 

80.85 

50.03 

62.92 

66.27 

49.93 

1849.... 

54.69 

20. C3 

39.10 

45.69 

56.11 

69.85 

72.60 

69.84 

63.81 

49.71 

46.77 

26.95 

46.96 

70.76 

63.43 

25.89 

49.26 

1650.... 

80.77 

29  66 

85.37 

44.81 

66.04 

09  63 

74.69 

71.69 

00.04 

49.63 

44.21 

25.93 

44.97 

71.97 

61.46 

28.80 

49.30 

1651.... 

28.47 

32.66 

89.66 

44. C9 

66.  S2 

40.79 

Mc:m  1 
13  J'ls  f 

27.01 

20.02 

35.40 

46.82 

66.02 

65.62 

C9.71 

07.47 

00.05 

47  69 

88.20 

26.83 

45.75 

67.60 

43.67 

20.84 

47.21 

*  At  DeUoit  Arsenal,  Dearboniville,  tcu  miles  west  of  Uic  city,  to  the  close  of  1S39 ;  subsequently  at  Detroit  BarracliB. 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND    SUMMARIES. 


641 


FORT  GRATIOT,  MICHIGAN. 
Latitude  42°  55',  Longitude  82°  23'.     Altitude  598 


feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Marcli. 

Api-il. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1830.... 

52.00 

54.40 

61.93 

78.69 

71.23 

62.26 

55.80 

46.56 

28.03 

68.92 

M.37 

1881.... 

21.26 

20.17 

88.65 

44.22 

56.07 

70.15 

72.08 

70.61 

59.83 

62.23 

88.40 

15.82 

46.31 

70.98 

50.00 

19.06 

46.53 

1882.... 

25.16 

21.09 

85.29 

48.84 

53.57 

67.85 

70.99 

68.98 

62.73 

53.96 

89.10 

81.97 

44.23 

69.87 

51.95 

26.17 

47.93 

1833.... 

29.65 

24.80 

81.67 

48.19 

57.70 

62.03 

70.40 

68.90 

61.95 

47.04 

89.98 

84.92 

45.85 

67.13 

49.66 

29.79 

48.11 

1884.... 

21.89 

34.80 

84.96 

47.80 

53.44 

64.10 

75.16 

70.79 

60.77 

47.94 

40.27 

80.86 

46.90 

70.02 

49.66 

28.63 

48.81 

1885.... 

28.49 

23.06 

82.95 

44.60 

53.07 

65.80 

68.55 

66.87 

55.94 

62.96 

88.66 

26.46 

45.21 

67.07 

49.19 

26.00 

46.87 

1636.... 

26.63 

17.68 

24.67 

39.61 

62.29 

53.93 

68.08 

61.15 

58.68 

41.00 

86.63 

27.14 

88.82 

62.74 

45.42 

23.78 

42.09 

1687.... 

23.21 

25.08 

23.93 

30.74 

47.70 

87.81 

1839.... 

69.64 

65.16 

55.82 

55.48 

34.24 

26.09 

43.33 

1840.... 

16.71 

81.42 

84.75 

46.26 

58.69 

65.37 

fS.15 

69.32 

63.95 

40.87 

35.59 

24.61 

46.57 

67.78 

46.80 

24.25 

46.3S 

1841.... 

28.70 

20  31 

80.87 

40.32 

50.13 

64.20 

71.60 

60.65 

63.27 

44.61 

87.48 

81.18 

40.46 

68.48 

48.45 

25.05 

45.61 

1842.... 

80.26 

29.46 

89.28 

48.05 

51.36 

68.41 

64.84 

66.52 

58.23 

50.10 

34.71 

27.93 

46.23 

63.26 

47.68 

29.22 

46.60 

1848.... 

29.13 

18.46 

19.96 

89.94 

50.00 

60.46 

63.32 

67.81 

63.50 

44.90 

84.80 

31.90 

36.63 

63.86 

47.73 

26.51 

48.68 

1844.... 

22.57 

2S.S2 

83.62 

58.40 

53.18 

60.97 

66.82 

65.25 

60.43 

45.56 

86.24 

29.79 

4S.40 

64.85 

47.41 

26.89 

46.64 

1845.... 

28.46 

29.43 

38.49 

44.49 

52.13 

63.13 

69.52 

69.69 

58.81 

47.94 

30.05 

20.64 

45.05 

67.46 

47.60 

26.18 

46.5T 

1846  ... 

26.53 

22.96 

34.68 

45.36 

50.54 

62.15 

45.51 

1349.... 

70.83 

65.87 

60.00 

48.53 

45.25 

25.58 

51.24 

1850.... 

29.43 

26.89 

29.62 

41.71 

48.91 

66.87 

71.25 

68.67 

67.48 

43.03 

42.25 

24.42 

40.08 

63.98 

49.23 

26.91 

43.79 

1S51.... 

25.67 

29.55 

35.09 

40.83 

53.16 

62.00 

67.56 

04.34 

62.46 

50.76 

35.14 

24.63 

43.02 

64.63 

49.45 

26.62 

45.93 

1852.... 

21.90 

26.17 

31.01 

36.61 

60.89 



89.51 

\ 

Mean 
174  y'ra 

25.30 

25.26 

33.16 

44.08 

63.80 

63.44 

69.55 

67.10 

60  81 

43.66 

33.24 

26.55 

48.63 

66.70 

49.07 

25.70 

46.29 

FORT  MACKINAC,  MICHIGAN. 
Latitude  45°  51',  Longitude  84°  33'.     Altitude  728  feet. 


1825.... 

65.26 

47.92 

88.60 

20.70 

47.26 



1826.... 

18.93 

17. C6 

20.32 

82.65 

50.59 

01.14 

66.74 

63.29 

54.81 

48.63 

85.60 

23.41 

80.69 

63.72 

46.86 

20.00 

41.  ST 

1828.... 

21.14 

20.06 

23.17 

85.96 

47.60 

67.31 

61.53 

63.35 

55.13 

46.48 

86.12 

20.25 

87.24 

61. C6 

45.92 

22.43 

41.67 

1829.... 

19.87 

11.44 

22.78 

37.09 

55.52 

60.95 

63  89 

66.95 

53.20 

47.56 

29.60 

29.79 

38.46 

63.60 

48.45 

20.10 

41.40 

1830.... 

16.28 

21.45 

23.51 

43.62 

46.31 

56.44 

70.12 

64.85 

53.16 

49.76 

43.40 

24.76 

89.43 

68.81 

48.77 

20.83 

43.22 

1831.... 

16.48 

14.97 

80.83 

37.68, 

48.27 

61.64 

64.75 

65.56 

53.02 

45.62 

34.14 

13.94 

83.91 

63.95 

44.20 

15.18 

40.55 

1S3S.... 

18.89 

8.00 

27.94 

83.22 

44.83 

69.03 

61.69 

63.54 

64.88 

46.73 

81.  S5 

27.01 

86.65 

61.44 

44.32 

17.80 

89.93 

1883.... 

21.64 

16.29 

23.16 

83.97 

43.97 

58.60 

62.05 

64.14 

55.66 

41.73 

85.36 

82.86 

87.03 

69.93 

44.25 

23.40 

41.15 

1834... 

16.42 

24.64 

26.92 

89.63 

44.69 

53.19 

65.57 

65.39 

54.87 

41.08 

84.95 

21.76 

87.05 

61.88 

43.63 

20.94 

40.78 

1835.... 

22.37 

10.03 

24.50 

86.01 

47.73 

69.45 

62.83 

62.27 

50.25 

48.65 

29.53 

19.33 

86.13 

61.62 

41.11 

17.61 

89.10 

1836  ... 

18.22 

12.33 

15. .M 

82.42 

46.4-1 

53.77 

63.82 

57.72 

60.79 

37.73 

84.11 

22.55 

81.47 

59.10 

40.59 

17.70 

37.29 

1837  ... 

17.44 

17.89 

20.07 



1642.... 

26.49 

24.01 

83.42 

40.93 

45.30 

51.61 

61.62 

65.90 

55.90 

47.88 

82.50 

24.69 

89.88 

59.71 

45.26 

25.03 

42.4T 

1843.... 

25.40 

9.25 

10. S7 

86.66 

44.38 

50.86 

69.62 

64.98 

67.70 

42.29 

80.60 

27.75 

82.60 

60  45 

43.53 

20.80 

S9.81 

1844.... 

16.23 

23  01 

26.29 

42.42 

48.30 

54.10 

63.64 

62. W 

65.62 

43.46 

84.81 

24.41 

89.17 

60.18 

44.60 

21.43 

41.38 

1845.... 

22.67 

22.53 

SO  01 

86.83 

47.73 

56.60 

61.15 

64.46 

63.76 

44.10 

81.78 

19.86 

88.04 

61.73 

43.21 

21.69 

41.17 

1846  ... 

83.92 

15.00 

80.14 

83.32 

50.41 

63.77 

66.00 

68  07 

61.25 

42.64 

87.97 

25.82 

89.62 

64.23 

46.95 

28.SS 

43.86 

!847.... 

13.14 

15.56 

19.60 

83.32 

46.70 

53.12 

65.41 

60.97 

52.19 

43.69 

S-2.60 

22.57 

32.87 

59.83 

42.83 

17.(9 

».16 

1848  ... 

JO.86 

20.69 

23.21 

87.31 

48.14 



20.78 

as.2i 



20.76 

542 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   StXMMARIES. 


FORT  MACKINAC,  MICHIGAN— Continued. 

Latitude  45°  51',  Longitude  84°  33'.     Altitude  728  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 
35.92 

Summer. 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 

18.93 

12.86 

28.10 

83.80 

46.06 

6S.90 

66.93 

61  64 

50.15 

44.10 

41.58 

20.17 

62.49 

45.26 

15.50 

89.77 

1850.... 

23.65 

23.09 

25.67 

88.92 

48.10  ! 

61.80 

6S.00 

67.25 

68.91 

45.22 

36.14 

19.68 

35.90 

65.52 

46.76 

22.11 

42.57 

1851.... 

19.47 

25.36 

80.21 

86.26 

44.T9 

57.61 

66.75 

63.87 

63.95 

49.55 

27.71 

16.67 

87.08 

62.33 

45.37 

20.47 

41.88 

1852.... 

15.80 

20.14 

24.17 

85.78 

64.47 

65.65 

65.13 

45.97 

82.87 

25.46 



44.49 

20.47 

1858.... 

22.85 

1T.6S 

27.12 

8S.1S 

46.76 

.56.00 

68.S1 

65.06 

67.22 

44.24 

88.75 

23.66 

37.84 

61.62 

45.07 

21.40 

41  86 

1854... 

13.09 

15.89 

26.40 

87.06 

47.62 

59. 9G 

67.12 

62.47 

59.72 

49.61 

83.66 

21.41 

87.08 

63.13 

47.66 

16.80 

41.17 

Mean  ; 
24  y'rs  ) 

19.87 

17.60 

25.68 

87.03 

47.47 

67  81 

64.55 

64.05 

55.08 

45.17 

81.30 

23.12 

86.73 

01.97 

43.85 

20.08 

40.65 

FORT  DEARBORN,  CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS. 
Latitude  41°  52',  Longitude  87°  35'.     Altitude  591  feet. 


FORT  BRADY,  MICHIGAN. 
Latitude  46°  30',  Longitude  84°  43'.     Altitude  600  feet. 


1832  ... 

71.25 

71.95 

63.40 

64.43 

40.10 

33.88 

62.64 

1833.... 

29.92 

27.81 

83.69 

60.88 

60.71 

64.25 

73.00 

70.83 

64.55 

45.91 

40.00 

84.29 

43.89 

69.86 

60.15 

80.67 

49.64 

1834.... 

18.51 

85.06 

36.94 

47.75 

65.25 

63.54 

74.37 

71.66 

60.53 

46.69 

40.54 

29.79 

46.93 

70  02 

49.27 

26.12 

43.10 

1885.... 

28.32 

14.15 

32.27 

42.92 

55.22 

68.71 

07.66 

65.92 

54.76 

48.33  ' 

84.35 

25.08 

43.80 

65.76 

45.81 

22.50 

44.47 

1386.... 

22.63 

21.94 

26.41 

42.77 

S4.12 

69.18 

67.09 

62.41 

57,20 

47.24  ' 

84.51 

24.87 

41.10 

62.89 

46.32 

22. 9S 

43.32 

Mean  1 
44  y'rs  f 

23.60 

24.74 

82.80 

46.08 

56.32 

62.67 

70.77 

68.55 

60.10 

43.54 

87.90 

29.37 

44.90 

67.83 

48.85 

25.90 

40.75 

1823.... 

22.10 

9.47 

20.48 

89.69 

46.96 

59.77 

63.44 

64.17 

53.20 

42.49 

29.72 

19.69 

35.71 

64.18 

41.80 

17.09 

89.63 

1824.... 

19.95 

12.65 

25.19 

89.84 

43.54 

60.07 

64.56 

62.87 

57.86 

42.61 

31.85 

26.45 

87.69 

62.50 

48.94 

19.63 

40.95 

1825.... 

13.73 

25.62 

30.97 

41.64 

62.65 

61.96 

67.39 

67.99 

51.34 

45.70 

86.77 

17.48 

41.69 

65.78 

46.77 

20.61 

48.46 

1826.... 

17.62 

16  58 

25.87 

32.36 

54.08 

62.16 

45.37 

83.44 

21.98 

87.42 



13.63 

1827.... 

17.86 

22.73 

25.85 

39.89 

49.92 

69.63 

63.60 

63.67 

53.87 

45.12 

31  16 

20.83 

83.39 

62.28 

45.05 

20.14 

41.46 

IS28.... 

18.43 

20.88 

2S.T8 

39.35 

52.80 

61.23 

67.20 

64.86 

64.86 

45.53 

34.60 

23.74 

40.29 

64.43 

44.96 

20.83 

42.68 

1329.... 

16.46 

9.83 

23.16 

88.21 

55.20 

59  76 

47.64 

28.81 

23.56 

33.86 



13.23 

1830.... 

18.19 

18.67 

27.92 

46.13 

43.48 

69.85 

71.00 

62.38 

65.22 

49.50 

44.08 

24.66 

40.86 

64.23 

49.60 

13.84 

43.48 

1831.... 

15.43 

16.86 

83.72 

89.19 

51.56 

62.49 

65.11 

66.75 

68.76 

46.19 

34.97 

12.88 

41.49 

64.45 

44.97 

14.69 

41.45 

1832.... 

13.21 

9.65 

23.88 

40.96 

48.55 

62.69 

69.55 

63.13 

55.41 

40.60 

82.50 

24.16 

39.46 

65.12 

45.84 

17.81 

41.93 

1838.... 

17.74 

14.01 

23.85 

40.63 

54.15 

67.56 

62.98 

64.86 

54.55 

89.84 

83.05 

83.96 

89.33 

61.62 

42.48 

21.90 

41.84 

1334.... 

14.80 

21.24 

27.70 

40.68 

61.59 

66.82 

67.93 

66.83 

53.10 

40  37 

34.64 

18.76 

89.99 

68.73 

42.67 

18.27 

41.16 

1835.... 

21.50 

10.06 

25.14 

38.3* 

62.37 

61.65 

64.29 

62.49 

51.69 

43.83 

80.55 

19.00 

33.62 

62.81 

42.04 

16.85 

40.08 

1836.... 

17.72 

11.83 

16.12 

33.63 

48.73 

68.67 

62.48 

55.69 

49.89 

87.56 

33.19 

19.91 

32.84 

63.91 

40.05 

16.34 

87.03 

1837.... 

18.40 

13.61 

16.07 

80.44 

42.96 

65.87 

57.68 

88.65 

58.10 

40.28 

34.58 

20.95 

29.82 

67.87 

42.62 

15.99 

86.45 

1833.... 

16.77 

8.23 

31.17 

80.71 

44.90 

69.00 

67.35 

68.20 

66.54 

41.13 

24.05 

12.21 

35.69 

68  85 

40.26 

12.40 

37.90 

1839.... 

16.20 

20.73 

28.02 

45.44 

45.85 

57.46 

66.16 

64.83 

62.66 

48.44 

31.88 

27.90 

33.10 

62.98 

44.16 

21.61 

41.71 

1340.... 

16.08 

21.69 

28.82 

38.85 

68.87 

62.19 

64.07 

60.-0S 

62.45 

40.77 

31.44 

19.87 

41.85 

62.10 

41.55 

13.85 

41.09 

1841.... 

16.88 

16.46 

22.84 

83.60 

46.23 

63.39 

61.41 

68.48 

54.99 

41.02 

81.78 

22.82 

84.02 

62.74 

42.53 

18.37 

39.43 

1842.... 

18.17 

19.49 

30.85 

89.21 

42.14 

60.52 

53.45 

62.93 

61.12 

43.17 

29.07 

20.78 

37.40 

67.80 

41.12 

19.43 

88.82 

1343... 

21.81 
'    10.51 

8.69 

12.70 

35.96 

44.60 

55.610 

..  67.90 

62.98 

63.80 

88.04 

28.25 

25.80 

81.09 

62.14 

89.86 

17.10 

87.55 

ISH...; 

20.42 

23.77 

42.67 

47.95 

53.89 

61.06 

60.17 

63.35 

39.85 

29.82 

20.91 

83.13 

68.21 

41.01 

17.23 

38.66 

1343.... 

17.90 

19.76 

27.80 

35.57 

44.62 

60.27 

61.20 

63.77 

64.92 

46.42 

81.50 

18.25 

85.80 

60.41 

43.93 

18.63 

89.70 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  BRADY.  MICHIGAN— Continued. 
Latitude  46°  30',  Longitude  84°  43'.     Altitude  600  feet. 


FORT  WILKINS,  MICHIGAN. 
Latitude  47°  30',  Longitude  88°  00'.     Altitude  620  feet. 


FORT  HOWARD,  WISCONSIN. 
Latitude  44°  30',  Longitude  88°  05'.     Altitude  620 


/ee<. 


1    Jan.         Feb. 

j               i 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July.    '    Aug. 

I                              i                1                ■                1 
Sept.        Oct.         Not.        Dec.    '  Spring.  Sammer.  Autumn.  Winter. 

Year. 

1846.... 
1S47.... 

i&ts.... 

ISoO  ... 
1S51.... 
1S52.... 
1S53.... 
1S54.... 

23.50 
12.40 
18.53 

21.80 
17.69 
11.69 
21.88 
11.02 

17.13 
13.26 
21.80 

21.74 
21.96 
14.13 
18.20 
12.95 

31.70 
19.87 
25.14 
26.92 
23.64 
18.03 
27.70 
23.14 

42.17 
35.03 
39.11 
86.88 
88.20 
84.S2 
38.96 
40.87 

62.95 
61.87 
50.11 
47.81 
44.47 
48.9; 
48.97 
46.86 

61.72 
55.64 

62.64 
53.46 

59.88 
60.54 

66.99 

65.88 
62.46 

62.04 
65.20 

63.48 

64.49 
61.23 

68.14 

61.27 

61.62 
54.71 

54.46 
66.82 

54.08 
58.04 

44.87 
44.25 

45.29 
44.78 

40.59 
44.00 

.39.72 
82.85 

87.88 

26.64 
35.65 
82.51 
29.76 

25.75 
23.10 

18.66 

17.29 

25.06 

1 
20.47 

15.26 

42.27 
85.42 
88.12 
87.04 
87.10 
88.82 
83.54 
86.79 

61.69 

64.84 
59.07 

61.69 
62.34 

48.74 
43.94 

45.71 
42.57 

42.39 
43.98 

22.12 
15.92 

20.78 
18.93 
16.96 
20.02 
13.09 

89.24 

41.96 
89.43 

40.66 
89.04 

Mean 

17.22 

16.20 

25.15 

88.81 

49.84 

58.40      64.T8  i    62.90 

54.57      43.56 

82.60  1    21.60 

87.60 

62.01  1    48.54      18.81        40.87 

1344.... 

66.78 

68.30 

63.10 

55.82 

41.64 

29.54 

22.67 

j 

61.06 

42.00 

1S45.... 

21.40 

23.70 

25.99 

86.88 

44.80 

55.85 

63.80 

61.24 

55.75 

44.18 

30.81 

18.43 

85.89 

60.80  ' 

43.53 

2)  .18. 

40.24 

1S46.... 

25.40 

19.09 

31.88 

39.26 

52.03 

57.41 

40.96 

Mean  .. 

28.40 

21.40 

28.94 

83.07 

48.41 

56.68 

63.55 

62.17 

65.79 

42.91 

80.17 

20.55 

j    88.47 

60.80 

42.96 

21.78 

41.00 

1822.... 

1 
13.20 

21.40 

84.S7 

41.18 

61.15 

66.48 

72.45 

69.59 

59.18 

43.47 

86.82 

9.37 

45.73 

69.51 

46.82 

14.66 

44.05 

1828.... 

19.74 

15.17 

23.93 

42.60 

52.23 

66.01 

71.73 

69.09 

58.45 

42.56 

29.91 

20.06 

40.37 

68.94 

41.97 

13.32 

42.85 

1824.... 

24.45 

17.95 

28.48 

42.19 

53.53 

65.12 

73.07 

67.92 

69.54 

42.52 

30.50 

27.25 

41.40 

68.70 

44.15 

23.22 

44.87 

1825.... 

18.51 

23.15 

34.05 

47.29 

56.98 

69.26 

79.13 

68.56 

56.55 

48.95 

87.25 

16.19 

46.09 

72.82 

47.53 

20.95 

46.73 

1826.... 

19.19 

13.85 

29.39 

89.51 

62.85 

67.89 

70.74 

68.24 

57.26 

50.92 

86.29 

20.92 

48.75 

63.96 

48.16 

19.65 

45.13 

1827.... 

16.21 

25.10 

31.00 

43.20 

65.61 

63.15 

72.14 

70.17 

64.12 

46.95 

34.19 

20.42 

48.27 

70.15 

48.42 

20.58 

45.60 

1828.... 

18.97 

23.4S 

36.60 

41.84 

56.79 

69.73 

09.75 

69.69 

65.30 

48.48 

84.60 

24.58 

45.03 

69.72 

46.11 

22.34 

45.81 

1829.... 

18.95  ' 

6.83 

27.10 

40.16 

61.21 

63.76 

68.51 

67.46 

56.00 

49.73 

26.51 

29.39 

42.82 

68.24 

44.03 

18.41 

48.89 

ISSO.... 

14.04 

24.47 

33.21 

51.55 

54.53 

64.00 

75.72 

63.77 

57.05 

54.07 

43.04 

20.81 

46.43 

69.50 

51.89 

19.77 

46.77 

1831.... 

9.93 

12.71 

83.69 

40.90 

56.51 

68.88 

72.08 

70.04 

53.68 

46.18 

81.21 

3.86 

43.70 

70.82 

43.69 

8.83 

41.63 

1832.... 

16.67 

9.27 

34.49 

47.23 

53.95 

68.44 

71.65 

66.61 

53.54 

45.22 

63.87 

1833.... 

21.48 

20.12 

30.62 

47.89 

58.74 

64.04 

72.65 

70.40 

60.97 

42.74 

87.27 

83.47 

45.75 

69.00 

47.00 

85.02 

46.69 

1834.... 

11.65 

81.30 

33.05 

46.77 

5S.4S 

68.53 

75.23 

71.19 

58.53 

46.66 

39.98 

26.47 

46.10 

69.98 

48.37 

28.11 

46.89 

1S35.... 

25.84 

11.73 

31.95 

43.06 

59.98 

67.34 

69.83 

67.32 

53.56 

47.34 

29.18 

19.79 

45.00 

68.00 

43.36 

19.14 

43.88 

1886.... 

20.97 

20.60 

23.89 

41.84 

56.86 

63.78 

69.15 

62.67 

65.00 

40.88 

84.63 

28.69 

40.86 

65.20 

43.84 

21.75 

43.79 

1887.... 

24.16 

23.44 

25.65 

SS.03 

47.95 

62.84 

67.70 

64.72 

56.94 

45.56 

39.66 

26.43 

87.21 

64.92 

47.89 

34.67 

48.55 

1883.... 

21.62 

12.54 

37.67 

89.69 

51.03 

66.79 

71.51 

69.82 

56.30 

42.57 

25.34 

15.64 

43.63 

69.87 

41.57 

16.57 

42.58 

1839.... 

24.11 

j    25.12 

80.15 

52.91 

53.93 

61.25 

71.31 

1    65.28 

55.46 

M.29 

82.07 

27.18 

45.66 

65.95 

47.21 

25.47 

46.07 

1840... 

16.03 

22.67 

83.59 

46.36 

69.54 

63.39 

63.91 

65.68 

66.97 

45.94 

88.00 

21.01 

46.50 

67.61 

45.24 

19.92 

44.82 

1849... 





44.77 

42.17 

15.46 

^    

1850... 

21.79 

23.83 

28.98 

87.83 

50.11 

66.75 

70.87 

6S.08 

56.81 

47.83 

84.63 

17.84 

83.97 

68.22 

46.11 

21.00 

48.87 

1851... 

20.15 

21.89 

1    83.47 

89.96 

50.19 

62.26 

67.82 

61.56 

61.16 

46.11 

81.10 

17.69 

41.20 

64.71 

1 

46.12 

20.91 

1 

45.28 

Mean  1 

21j'rs 

18.93 

19.96 

31.33 

48.43 

55.79 

66.17 

71.49 

cr.ss 

57.28 

46.54 

34.26 

20.88 

'    43.52 

65.51 

46.01 

19.91 

44  49 

644 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  WINNEBAGO,  AVISCONSIN. 
Latitude  43°  31',  Longitude  89°  28'.     Altitude  770?  feet. 


*  The  summer  months  of  tliis  year  are  reported  as  unprecedentedly  hot  and  dry  in  Wisconsin. 

FORT  CRAWFORD,  WISCONSIN. 

Latitude  43°  05',  Longitude  91°  00'     Altitude  642  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer.  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1329.... 

25.49 

9.64 

83.77 

46.83 

64.01 

68.40 

70.08 

70.36 

61.11 

65.45 

31.00 

33.75 

48.20 

69  61 

49.19 

22,96 

47.49 

1880*... 

17.48 

28.20 

33.40 

67.85 

61.97 

71.88 

83.65 

76.20 

68.33 

60.21 

47.62 

28.24 

52.67 

77.08 

57.22 

22.96 

62.46 

1881.... 

18.  T7 

18.94 

40.12 

49.18 

61.44 

78.55 

74.49 

72.46 

61.87 

51.97 

83.  S5 

9.88 

60.25 

73.60 

49.06 

14.16 

46  74 

1832.... 

24.40 

16.52 

41.58 

58.52 

67.40 

72.75 

76.04 

71.83 

64.95 

65.69 

87.02 

82.63 

60.88 

78.89 

52.65 

24.62 

50.83 

18SS.... 

29.82 

28.81 

42.20 

54.06 



1834.... 

69.73 

47.85 

89.00 

22.61 

1885.... 

21.18 

7.8S 

80.83 

48.08 

53.94 

61.10 

67.99 

64.85 

61.18 

45.75 

27.14 

18.62 

44.28 

65.48 

41.86 

15.71 

41.71 

1S36.... 

15.95 

17.66 

20.49 

40.84 

56.65 

62.06 

67.56 

61.67 

54.83 

36.75 

81,25 

16.93 

89.16 

63.76 

40.78 

18.63 

89.81 

1687.... 

16.67 

19.68 

23.30 

86.44 

60.34 

61.73 

63.29 

04.12 

65.77 

46.31 

35.05 

20.77 

36.69 

64.71 

45.71 

19.04 

41.61 

1838.... 

17.95 

6.04 

37.89 

87.50 

49.35 

66.57 

73.01 

63.22 

66.49 

89.21 

21.68 

12.93 

41.68 

69.27 

89.11 

12.81 

40.57 

1839.... 

22.36 

22.79 

30.47 

83.97' 

54.73 

60.57 

68.56 

64.02 

51.22 

52.42 

23.16 

22.83 

46.41 

64.83 

43.93 

22.49 

44.80 

1840.... 

12.78 

22.97 

81.62 

44.76 

58.95 

65.38 

66.52 

64.49 

64.45 

43.82 

30.00 

16.45 

45.08 

C5.46 

42.76 

17.40 

42.67 

1811.... 

12.03 

15.03 

28.93 

39.69 

65.99 

66.27 

67.97 

63.96 

54.50 

42.60 

81.67 

23.49 

41.52 

66.07 

42.89 

16.87 

41.84 

1842.... 

20.52 

21.95 

39.70 

60.68 

52.83 

67.76 

66.16 

65.39 

67.63 

47.89 

20.76 

18.81 

47.72 

63.10 

44.69 

20.26 

43.79 

1848.  .. 

22.08 

8.75 

12.38 

44.31 

68.22 

64.26 

70.59 

07.04 

61.83 

89.29 

29.83 

37.24 

86.64 

67.80 

48.67 

19.84 

41.74 

1814.... 

16.67 

24.47 

35.02 

55.17 

63.21 

71.10 

60.43 

69.10 

43.69 

32.11 

20.87 

66.91 

44.98 

20.64 



1845.... 

23.58 

27.54 

84.96 

48.40 

67.41 

66.57 

72.22 

69.06 

46.92 

69.48 

Mean  1 
lOyrs  \ 

19.52 

18.50 

32.60 

47.20 

66.66 

65.63 

70.95 

67.81 

57.88 

47.90 

82.14 

21.83 

45.49 

67.96 

45.96 

19.73 

44.80 

1822.... 

14.86 

28.78 

88.01 

43.99 

60.45 

69.25 

78.66 

72.70 

61.16 

44,87 

34.26 

9.53 

47.43 

71.87 

46.60 

1G.04 

45.50 

1824.... 

24.59 

20.14 

26.96 

43.86 

53.46 

67.90 

71.34 

70.12 

61.84 

46.58 

41.86 

26.66 

43.09 

69.79 

46.74 

28.76 

45.81 

1625.... 

18.65 

30.45 

40.96 

1829.... 

71.00 

73.76 

63.05 

64.81 

30.26 

31.98 

49.37 

1830.   .. 

20.21 

27.84 

83.42 

56.76 

61.10 

73.53 

81.46 

77.07 

61.45 

65.97 

45.90 

19.23 

53.09 

77.35 

64.44 

23.44 

61.88 

1831.... 

9.92 

18.90 

86.80 

47.26 

61.90 

72.69 

76.66 

71.98 

60.17 

52.00 

29.54 

6.97 

43.65 

73.73 

47.24 

11.60 

45.80 

1833.... 

IS. 42 

9.96 

87.48 

51.34 

85.92 

72.75 

74.40 

70.06 

62.03 

52.01 

85.13 

28.90 

49.40 

72.40 

49.70 

19.09 

47.66 

1888.... 

_  27.57 

23.94 

84.85 

68.86 

61.92 

70.49 

73.72 

76.67 

70.27 

43.79 

39.47 

32.68 

62.83 

75.20 

51.13 

23.06 

51.84 

1884.... 

7.96 

34.16 

84.74 

67.44 

51.07 

63.  S8 

80.49 

77.65 

69.56 

43.63 

41.99 

27.93 

47.75 

75.61 

60.04 

23.85 

49.19 

1835.... 

26.27 

9.47 

3S.74 

46.45 

61.57 

63.77 

78.88 

70.25 

66.45 

49.57 

29.74 

21.69 

43.92 

70.96 

45.25 

19.14 

46.06 

1836... 

17.72 

20.08 

24.22 

45.78 

68.91 

67.45 

72.95 

67.26 

60.49 

41.71 

34.83 

20.51 

44.62 

69.22 

45.63 

19.42 

45.58 

1837.... 

13.43 

25.84 

26.86 

42.66 

66.71 

64.03 

73.74 

70.97 

61.14 

50.06 

89.66 

21.67 

42.02 

69.00 

60.29 

21.95 

45.96 

1333.... 

22.08 

6.92 

48.48. 

45.16 

66.68 

72.40 

78.22 

78.95 

63.99 

45.  S7 

27.45 

17.86 

48,41 

74.86 

45.77 

15.60 

46.16 

1389  ... 

27.88 

23.88 

35.65 

61.56 

63.44 

69.51 

78.71 

72.05 

58.  SI 

69.53 

38.55 

25.49 

63.65 

78.42 

60.63 

27.25 

61.46 

1846.... 

16.21 

26.46 

87.15 

61.34 

65.97 

78.69 

73.31 

70.60 

69.45 

47.91 

85.63 

28.42 

61.49 

72.67 

47.67 

22.08 

48.44 

1841.... 

16.79 

21.78 

86.92 

44.99 

04.78 

71.48 

74.25 

69.16 

59.49 

47,61 

86.87 

25.62 

49.90 

71.61 

48.99 

21,46 

47.74 

1842.... 

20.31 

22.71 

43.95 

69.63 

59.61 

67. 6S 

73.73 

71.13 

62.74 

53.89 

29.14 

19.47 

64.42 

70.85 

48.46 

20.63 

48.64 

1818.... 

20.17 

7.70 

8.29 

45.60 

56.22 

67.16 

74.00 

71.10 

65.13 

40.22 

81.27 

28.61 

86.70 

70.76 

45.66 

18.88 

42.96 

1844.... 

17.25 

24.70 

87.63 

67.24 

60.63 

66.12 

74.19 

70.00 

60.43 

46.74 

85.79 

20.47 

51.67 

70.10 

47.05 

20.81 

47.61 

1845.... 

24.43 

28.06 

88.27 

52.57 

61.01 

68.07 

75.25 

72.88 

60.62 

71.88 

Mean  1 
19.v'rs  f 

19.43 

21.67 

84.. 58 

60.88 

60.63 

69.55 

75.26 

72.03 

61.54 

48  92 

34.66 

22.65 

48.66 

72.28 

i 

48.34 

21.25 

47.63 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


545 


FORT  ARMSTRONG,  ILLINOIS. 
Latitude  41°  30',  Longitude  90°  40'.     Altitude  528/eet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

i 
June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

1 
Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1824.... 

29.58 

24.57 

33.92 

49.17 

61.64 

70.05 

76.47 

74.06 

64.21 

50.47 

34.23 

29.55 

47.91 

73.53 

49.64 

27.90 

49.74 

1825.... 

21.59 

33.04 

42.04 

54.35 

65.12 

74.64 

79.91 

77.51 

65.92 

52.04 

41.95 

a. 98 

53.84 

77.35 

53.30 

25.87 

52.59 

1826.... 

19.26 

22.74 

37.16 

44.95 

68.89 

74.28 

76.41 

72.20 

63.59 

57.52 

43.54 

26.63 

50.33 

74.30 

&1.88 

22.86 

50.60 

1827.... 

21.75 

31.37 

40.43 

51.18 

63.83 

72.31 

78.38 

76.66 

67.43 

52.26 

38.64 

27.74 

51.81 

75.78 

52.78 

26.95 

51.83 

1828.... 

24.28 

31.08 

35.69 

48.25 

62.03 

75.54 

76.85 

76.73 

60.84 

54.29 

40.89 

33.47 

48.66 

76.37 

52.01 

29.61 

51.66 

1829.... 

25.75 

12.41 

32  56 

49.73 

67.08 

74.12 

75.10 

74.88 

62.94 

54.78 

29.80 

34.60 

49.79 

74.70 

49.17 

24.25 

49.48 

1830.... 

23.45 

30.29 

41.18 

.'iS.90 

62.38 

72.26 

81.36 

76.58 

62.87 

57.00 

49.99 

26.39 

53.15 

76.73 

56.62 

26.69 

53.30 

1831.... 

13.10 

17.72 

38.89 

48.56 

59.64 

70.45 

74.34 

72.13 

59.56 

50.90 

35.57 

9.56 

49.03 

72.31 

48.68 

13.46 

45.87 

1832.... 

23.35 

17.43 

41.06 

54.92 

58.42 

73.24 

51.47 

1833.... 

31.30 

28.12 

37.68 

55.68 

63  30 

65.88 

74.62 

73.24 

64.90 

43.43 

39.97 

32.90 

52.32 

71.25 

49.43 

30.77 

50.93 

1834.... 

12.82 

36.17 

39.07 

54.44 

59.70 

67.64 

76.87 

75.38 

59.64 

48.81 

40.89 

30.00 

51.07 

73.30 

49.78 

26.33 

50.13 

1835.... 

27.38 

11.28 

35.22 

45.66 

60.10 

66.26 

71.03 

69.84 

60.82 

53.38 

33.75 

24.91 

46.99 

69.04 

49.32 

21.19 

46.63 

Mean 
lily's 

23.80 

24.68 

37.82 

51.06 

62.70 

71.39 

76.49 

74.47 

63.90 

52.26 

39.02 

27.16 

50.53 

74.12 

51.73 

34.88 

50.31 

1 

FORT  ATKINSON,  IOWA. 
Latitude  43°  00',  Longitude  92°  00'.     Altitude  700  .^  feet. 


FORT  DES  MOINES,  IOWA. 

Latitude  41°  32',  Longitude  93°  38'.     Altitude  180/eef. 


FORT  GAINES,  (RIPLEY,)  MINNESOTA. 
Latitude  46°  19',  Longitude  94°  19'.     Altitude  l,ldO/eet. 


1843.... 

18.07 

20.76 

32.51 

54.90 

56.94 

62.31 

70.13 

70.76 

65.96 

55.91 

31.80 

19.17 

51.45 

67.73 

51.32 

19.33 

47.43 

1843.... 

21.17 

8.39 

7.53 

44.40 

55.08 

66.31 

72.73 

67.17 

62.10 

38.24 

29.90 

26.90 

35.67 

68.73 

43.44 

18.62 

41.66 

1844.... 

14.32 

23.61 

35.01 

55.39 

57.32 

64.10 

73.39 

67.40 

58.36 

43.25 

32.23 

18.76 

49.24 

68.30 

44.61 

16.89 

45.26 

1845.... 

22.48 

26.59 

34.90 

49.00 

58.67 

66.34 

73.53 

69.. 15 

59.59 

45.20 

31.02 

16.71 

47.52 

69.74 

45.27 

21.93 

46.11 

1846.... 

29.70 

22.35 

38.00 

45.58 

64.21 

! 

1 

49.26 

Mean... 

21.15 

20.34 

31.59 

49.85 

58.44 

64.76 

73.44 

68.67 

61.50 

45.65 

31.25 

20.38 

46.63 

68.62 

46.13 

30.62 

45.50 

1843.... 

•••■•■ 

43.50 

34.93 

31.50 

1844.... 

31.08 

33.97 

38.88 

59.24 

59.33 

64.88 

76.46 

71.61 

59.36 

45.86 

35.70 

36.90 

£2.46 

70.98 

46.97 

27.32 

49.44 

1845.... 

38.96 

33.08 

40.20 

52.30 

59.11 

67.99 

76.52 

71.86 

62.98 

50.54 

72.12 

1846.... 

32.35 

23.90 







Mean. . . 

27.43 

39.98 

39.54 

55.77 

59.22 

66.43 

76.49 

71.73 

61.17 

44.68 

35.31 

29.20 

51.51 

71.55 

47.05 

36.87 

49.74 

1849.... 



67.68 

64.38 

56.83 

43.05 

37.26 

4.94 

1 

1    

45.71 

1850.... 

7.94 

13.03 

20.27 

32.54 

50.99 

63.76 

66.21 

67.84 

54.60 

43.65 

30.50 

6.03 

34.60 

65.94 

42.65 

8.99 

38.05 

1851.... 

9.25 

14.46 

31  33 

39.81 

48.44 

60.04 

61.61 

60.03 

43.36 

24.33 

7.41 

39.66 

42.57 

10.37 

1852.... 

10.08 

17.53 

31.21 

38.55 

55.96 

63.05 

68.00 

66.58 

53.43 

45.01 

22.56 

9.37 

37.90 

65.87 

40.33 

12.33 

39.11 

1853.... 

13.61 

7.11 

22.46 

43.85 

52.02 

62.92 

65.70 

66.34 

56.53 

41.45 

34.20 

15.74 

'    39.44 

64.98 

40.73 

13.15 

39.32 

1854... 

—  2.10* 

10.88 

37.36 

45.58 

52.11 

64.01 

68.93 

61.78 

58.59 

48.27 

29.52 

18.19 

:    41.65 

64.91 

45.46 

8.99 

40.25 

1855.... 

8.42 

8.22 

23.69 

46.16 

57.69 

63.90 



43.51 



Mean  ) 
6  y'rs  5 

7.67 

11.87 

34.37 

40.75 

52.87 

62.78 

67.30 

64.74 

56.67 

44.00 

28.06 

10.28 

>    39.33 

64  94 

43.91 

10.01 

39.30 

S.  96- 


-G9 


*3.10  degrees  betow  zero. 


54G 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  SNELLING,  MINNESOTA. 
Latitude  44°  53',  Longitude  93°  10'.     Altitude  820  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

.March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

.ec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn  Winter 

Year. 

1819.... 





44.13 

33.04 

20.00 

ISJO.... 

0.92 

21.29 

26.43 

52.72 

60.64 

70.86 

68.86 

68.33 

62.01 

30.71 

10.83 

46.60 

69.35 

11.01 

1821.... 

7.38 

14.51 

29.04 

40.63 

57.08 

74.27 

72.26 

75.06 

59.00 

48.72 

30.74 

10.58 

42.25 

73.86 

46.15 

10.82 

43.27 

18-S.... 

11.68 

19.92 

37.39 

43.75 

61.28 

70.19 

75.47 

72.77 

60.58 

42.56 

30.58 

3.26 

47.47 

72.81 

44.57 

11.62 

44,12 

1823.... 

13.16 

S.95 

29.87 

49.26 

56.94 

73.96 

75.83 

72.00 

56.03 

47.13 

31.75 

13.56 

45.36 

73.94 

44.97 

10.89 

43,79 

1824.... 

17.17 

14.20 

23.8fi 

41.78 

56.39 

66.03 

73.03 

70.50 

61.03 

41.92 

29.96 

22.33 

40.31 

69.85 

44.30 

17.87 

43,08 

1825.... 

14.84 

26.25 

36.29 

55  19 

60.90 

70.67 

75.54 

73.01 

62.87 

45.98 

33.94 

14.36 

50.79 

73.07 

47.60 

18.48 

47,48 

1826.... 

13.09 

16.15 

29.60 

37.68 

66.76 

72.05 

73.8.5 

70.24 

55.32 

49.13 

35.29 

19.15 

44.68 

72.05 

46., 58 

16.13 

44.86 

1827.... 

17.26 

24.86 

31.74 

44.76 

62.93 

71.95 

74.06 

70.35 

61.02 

49.26 

31.99 

13.01 

46.48 

72.12 

47.42 

18.38 

46.10 

1828.... 

10.43 

16.80 

32.24 

45.04 

60.28 

71.82 

76.40 

74.46 

58.83 

50.12 

35.18 

34.87 

45.85 

74.23 

48.04 

17.36 

46,37 

1829.... 

15.97 

7.51 

29.87 

48.03 

68.17 

73.63 

73.57 

71.34 

57.77 

50.46 

27.14 

25.08 

48  69 

72  83 

45.12 

16.19 

45,71 

IMO.... 

14.18 

23.60 

34.00 

51.77 

59.70 

70.31 

81.66 

73.21 

58.70 

54.74 

42.79 

15  64 

48.49 

75.06 

52.08 

17.81 

48.36 

1831.... 

8.84 

14.04 

32.28 

45.13 

61.11 

70.06 

73.81 

71.51 

54.78 

48.28 

31.16 

3.28 

46.17 

71.79 

44.74 

8.72 

42.85 

1832.... 

17.16 

6.46 

.38.05 

53  97 

55.89 

66.94 

73.72 

67.61 

60.50 

50.67 

33.54 

35.77 

49.30 

69.42 

48.24 

16.46 

45.85 

1833.... 

21.19 

20.93 

34.09 

51.76 

61.09 

67.97 

75.17 

70.75 

63.61 

41.43 

37..  11 

31.37 

48.98 

71.26 

47.05 

34.50 

47.95 

1834.... 

5.63 

31.16 

32.32 

51.67 

61.76 

67.18 

77.75 

73.32 

56.69 

45.82 

40.02 

31.84 

48.58 

72.75 

47.51 

19.54 

47.09 

1835.... 

23.49 

9.28 

32  72 

43.99 

62.56 

68.30 

70.65 

68.00 

54.63 

45.69 

24.38 

17.29 

46.42 

68.98 

41.57 

16.69 

43.41 

I83G.... 

13.42 

17.04 

20.25 

43.67 

64.29 

67.38 

72.13 

66.12 

56.80 

41.94 

34.37 

19.00 

42.74 

68.54 

44.37 

16.15 

42.95 

1S37.... 

19.47 

25.08 

24.54 

41.33 

54.06 

64.50 

71.32 

67.92 

58.39 

46.53 

37.79 

17.81 

39.98 

67.58 

47.50 

30.79 

43.95 

1838.... 

9.74 

4.4S 

37.44 

41.78 

53.07 

70.43 

75.64 

72.67 

61.12 

42.72 

20.53 

11.36 

44.10* 

72.91 

41.46 

8,52 

41.75 

Ili39.... 

22.49 

34  80 

29.63 

57.28 

57.18 

67.13 

73.89 

71.14 

56.34 

54.40 

30.14 

22.05 

48.03 

70.72 

46.96 

33,11 

47,20 

1840,... 

12.43 

21.85 

34.81 

47.50 

63.83 

69.60 

70.47 

65.93 

56.88 

40.92 

29.47 

24.14 

48.71 

68.67 

42.42 

19,47 

44,82 

1841.... 

13.82 

20.48 

33.19 

38.15 

59.72 

69.83 

72.32 

68.33 

54,38 

44.80 

30  41 

19.78 

43.69 

70.16 

43.20 

14.69 

42.93 

1842.... 

17.80 

19.54 

39.15 

49.83 

51.87 

56.03 

68.40 

67.69 

58.17 

49.29 

34.60 

18.03 

46.95 

64.04 

44.02 

18.46 

43.39 

1843.... 

20.70 

2.01 

4.67 

43.55 

52.35 

62.98 

69.90 

66.56 

57.95 

47.72 

26.61 

33.14 

33.49 

66.48 

44.09 

15.28 

39  83 

1844.... 

9.41 

22.33 

32.94 

51.45 

55.08 

62.64 

69.82 

65.61 

55.57 

41  45 

28.10 

17.05 

46.49 

66.02 

41.71 

16.26 

42.62 

1845.... 

19.49 

35.60 

34.57 

47.62 

60.83 

67.64 

74.19 

69.47 

59  79 

45.64 

29.50 

14.10 

47.67 

70.43 

44.98 

19.73 

45.70 

1846.... 

38.81 

19.53 

38.41 

46.37 

63.65 

66.82 

74.21 

73.86 

62.80 

43.87 

39  85 

21  57 

49.48 

71.62 

48.51 

33,30 

48.23 

1847.... 

4.24 

19.70 

23.88 

46.18 

52.64 

65.24 

71.90 

66.73 

57.99 

46.66 

30.45 

16.36 

40.90 

67.96 

45.03 

13,43 

41.83 

1848.... 

16.94 

19.46 

38.23 

44.79 

60.11 

67.45 

67.00 

67.16 

53.97 

50.19 

25.68 

8.62 

44.37 

67.20 

43.28 

15,01 

42.46 

1849.... 

5.42 

13.93 

30.26 

39.69 

54.77 

68.22 

71.63 

63.85 

61.54 

47.23 

41.60 

8.76 

41  91 

67.90 

50.12 

9.04 

42.37 

1850.... 

13.84 

17.83 

24  05 

35.43 

55.81 

70.51 

75.85 

73.90 

61.06 

49.22 

33.73 

13.42 

37.76 

73.42 

48.00 

14,69 

43.47 

1851.... 

14  95 

22.10 

39.37 

50.14 

57.99 

67.80 

76.34 

68.41 

69.08 

52.05 

30.27 

11.16 

49.17 

70.85 

50.46 

16.07 

46.54 

1852..   . 

12.82 

23.14 

26  80 

43.07 

58.48 

70.06 

73.68 

71.57 

54.20 

53.13 

25.73 

11.67 

42.78 

71.77 

44.35 

15.88 

43.69 

1853.... 

14.03 

6.69 

23.00 

44.97 

54.97 

67.83 

70.60 

71.27 

60.04 

45.60 

29.60 

18.23 

40.98 

69.90 

45.08 

12.98 

46.74 

1854.... 

1.30 

15.40 

30.74 

48.54 

57.82 

70.01 

75.04 

71.12 

61.66 

52.10 

32.30 

20.65  I 

45.70 

72.06 

48.69 

12,45 

44,73 

1855.... 

17.09 

12.  G2 

25.30 

49.86 

61.29 

66  15 

58.86 



45.48 

Mean 
35}  y'rs. 

i 13.76 

17.57 

31.41 

46.34 

58.97 

68.46 

73.57 

70.05 

47.15 

31.67 

16.89 

45.57 

70.69 

45.89 

16,07 

44.55 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


547 


FORT  LEAVENWORTH,   KANSAS. 

Latitude  39°  21',  Longitude  9-1°  44'.     Altitude  896/ee<. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1830.... 

34.18 

40  58 

48.52 

58.87 

64.18 

74.34 

80.71 

78.97 

67.21 

62.51 

46  84 

36.71 

57.19 

78.01 

58.85 

33.82 

56.97 

1831.... 

ia.51 

24.40 

46.41 

55.14 

64.14 

70.24 

76.60 

71.06 

62.18 

53.51 

40.94 

18  21 

55.23 

72.63 

52.21 

30.71 

50.19 

1832.... 

36.85 

18.56 

46.34 

59.48 

61.31 

72  44 

76.53 

73.03 

68.02 

56.49 

41.30 

35.25 

55.71 

74.00 

55.17 

30.iS 

54.77 

1833.... 

35.66 

35.72 

40.92 

59.12 

67.11 

71.78 

79.08 

77.16 

68.33 

53.02 

45.93 

37.51 

42.38 

76.01 

55.77 

36.30 

52.61 

1834.... 

13.51 

35.79 

40.92 

58.89 

65.10 

72.04 

78.04 

78.06 

61.53 

54.23 

44.95 

30.67 

41.23 

76.05 

53.57 

36.66 

49.38 

1835..   . 

29.50 

19.37 

40.98 

51.46 

67.01 

78.35 

52.65 

32.93 

31.94 

53.15 

28.94 

1836.... 

25  62 

29.73 

33.07 

53.98 

66.31 

68.68 

73.94 

70.85 

64.08 

46.63 

39.39 

27.54 

51.12 

71.16 

50.00 

24.30 

49.14 

1837.... 

26.34 

34.42 

36.57 

47.21 

59.27 

71.23 

81.46 

75.71 

64.90 

55.76 

49.79 

36.94 

47.68 

76.13 

56.82 

32.57 

53.30 

1838.... 

27.73 

17.38 

46.90 

58.04 

61.10 

74.88 

82.34 

77.91 

68.69 

51.00 

28  59 

24.05 

55.35 

78.38 

49.43 

23.05 

51.55 

1833.... 

33.84 

36.36 

48.22 

64.06 

64.15 

70.34 

75.57 

72.37 

61.35 

59.78 

37.57 

27.84 

57.14 

72.83 

52.90 

33.35 

54.05 

1840.... 

22.80 

34.61 

42.92 

55.79 

63.11 

70.91 

72.35 

72.22 

60.68 

53.72 

38.93 

33.15 

53.94 

71.83 

51.11 

30.19 

51.77 

1841.... 

27.73 

27.80 

42.00 

51.47 

63.55 

72.21 

77.60 

70.51 

59.15 

50.54 

39  37 

31.08 

52.34 

73.44 

49.69 

28.87 

51.08 

1842.... 

34.98 

35.59 

53.42 

60.56 

62.97 

67.48 

72.89 

71.15 

66.64 

58.(B 

32.52 

25.67 

58.98 

70.51 

52.06 

33.08 

53.41 

1843.... 

28.96 

20.50 

17.45 

49.76 

60.40 

70.50 

74.46 

72.25 

67.24 

49.04 

40.20 

36  12 

42.54 

72.40 

53.16 

28.53 

48.91 

1844..   . 

25.88 

33.66 

40.19 

63.46 

62.04 

68.75 

77.47 

73.91 

63.44 

51.46 

38.39 

32.18 

55.23 

73.88 

51.10 

30.57 

52.57 

1843.... 

36.05 

37.52 

44.44 

59.. W 

63.29 

70.27 

78.70 

75.62 

69.53 

52.96 

41.14 

26.66 

55.76 

74.86 

54.54 

33.61 

54.69 

1846.... 

38.22 

31.01 

46  65 

54.92 

66.80 

68.87 

77.85 

77.06 

69.04 

54.36 

45.00 

33.08 

56.12 

74.59 

56.13 

34.10 

55.86 

1847.... 

18.16 

31.26 

!)4.95 

57.90 

59.45 

69.91 

75.83 

69.24 

65.63 

55.70 

38.24 

30.00 

47.43 

71.66 

53.19 

26.47 

49.69 

1848.... 

32.96 

35.35 

40.67 

52.70 

66.49 

69.03 

72.34 

69.74 

53.29 

70.38 

« 

1849.... 

18.25 

24.78 

45.65 

53.00 

63.45 

73.32 

74.57 

73.K 

69.27 

52.84 

50.31 

26.68 

54.03 

73.74 

57.47 

23.24 

52.12 

1850.... 

29.49 

31.34 

37.22 

45.58 

61.51 

72.44 

76.86 

77.93 

67.80 

55,84 

42.19 

25.20 

48.10 

75.74 

55.37 

28.87 

51.94 

1831.... 

32.00 

33.16 

47.11 

50.20 

65.25 

70.62 

75.77 

73.37 

71.60 

54.49 

35.35 

36.28 

54.19 

73.35 

53.78 

31.13 

53.09 

1852.... 

24.42 

34.82 

43.89 

50.26 

64.68 

69.96 

74.79 

73.42 

63.42 

58.38 

33.51 

23.77 

52.94 

72.72 

51.77 

S8.34 

51.44 

1853.... 

32.03 

30.53 

39.87 

54.98 

59.97 

72  82 

72.72 

75.71 

68.24 

53.39 

44.18 

31.76 

51  61 

73.75 

55.37 

31.44 

53.02 

1854.... 

24  68 

35.53 

45.14 

56.06 

65.45 

72  85 

81.19 

79.10 

73  71 

60.64 

41.37 

34.38 

55.55 

77.71 

58.57 

31  53 

55.84 

1855.... 

38.13 

38.23 

52.26 

60.24 

64.61 

69.78 

77.12 





59.04 

Mean 

244  y'fs- 

1 28.00 

31.15 

42.22 

55.47 

63.64 

71.31 

76.67 

74.18 

66.16 

54.46 

40.36 

29.77 

53.78 

74.05 

53.66 

39.64 

sa.78 

COUNCIL  BLUFFS,  NEBRASKA. 

Latitude  41°  30',  Longitude  95°  48'.     Altitude  1,250  feet. 


1820.... 

8.83 

29.38 

34.12 

58.01 

62.72 

74.12 

75.44 

75.08 

.68.01 

46.21 

32.87 

18.41 

51.62 

74.88 

49.03 

18.87 

48  80 

1821.... 

10.78 

34.14 

37.00 

45.06 

58,59 

75.00 

72.14 

7^.76 

64.16 

54.89 

33.94 

14.92 

46.88 

74.97 

51.66 

16.81 

47.53 

1822.... 

21.02 

33.87 

44.81 

49.31 

63.92 

74.01 

79.62 

77.27 

67.81 

49.13 

35.34 

12.80 

52.68 

76.97 

50.76 

22.23 

50.66 

1823.... 

32.37 

16.07 

38.87 

55.04 

61.82 

78.99 

79.00 

76.70 

66.83 

55.69 

41.44 

27.48 

51.91 

78.33 

54.65 

21.97 

51.69 

1624.... 

37.19 

27.46 

28.42 

47.37 

63,34 

67.45 

75.92 

75.13 

64.45 

51.30 

30.07 

23.81 

46  38 

73.84 

46.61 

26.83 

48.66 

1825.... 

30.42 

32.91 

40.34 

59.45 

66.98 

73.05 

75.30 

76.66 

64.34 

54.74 

43.05 

34.17 

55.59 

75.00 

54.04 

23.63 

53.61 

1843*.. . 

24.90 

13.78 

12.88 

48.63 

58.33 

68.25 

73.77 

69.46 

63.80 

39.90 
49.38 

70.49 



Mean  > 
7  yVsj.  J 

19.36 

25.23 

33.77 

51.84 

62.33 

72.98 

75.88 

75.44 

65.63 

53.00 

35.45 

20.60 

74.76 

51.36 

SI. 73 

49.98 

■  The  observalions  in  1843  were  at  fort  OrogAon,  Iowa,  twenty  miles  south  of  Council  Blufls. 


548 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  KEARNY.  NEBRASKA. 
Latitude  40°  38',  Longitude  98°  57'.     Altitude  2,360  feet. 


I'ORT  LARAMIE,   NEBRASKA. 

Latitude  42°  12',  Longitude  104°  31'.     Altitude  4,519  /ee<. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 

7.10 

15.77 

35.80 

46.92 

38.24 

67.95 

70.95 

68  92 

65.23 

46.74 

40.94 

17.89 

47.00 

69.27 

30.97 

13.59 

45.20 

1830.... 

23.92 

27.28 

31.74 

39.94 

58.90 

68.20 

74.95 

73.00 

63.85 

41.98 

35.31 

19.15 

43.52 

72.03 

47.04 

23.11 

46.43 

1851.... 

27.00 

28.11 



45.58 

60.63 

67.00 

76.17 

70.82 

69.58 

50.45 

30.38 

19.69 

71.33 

50.14 

24.93 

1852.... 

23.07 

30.93 

33.34 

43.30 

60.09 

67.80 

72.62 

72.01 

38.77 

33.35 

28.17 

15.07 

45.57 

70.81 

46.10 

23.02 

46.38 

1853.... 

26.08 

24.61 

36.50 

48.58 

53.39 

70.26 

71.52 

73.15 

63.00 

48.94 

34.16 

29.26 

46.22 

71.64 

48.70 

26.65 

48.30 

1854.... 

18.26 

30.37 

36.76 

51.22 

39.31 

68.92 

75.16 

76.10 

66.10 

55.91 

37.44 

30.15 

49.10 

73.39 

33.15 

26.26 

50  47 

1853.... 

23.33 

25.69 

32.86 

54.39 

60.89 

69.44 

49.38 

Mean  1 
6iy'r4 

21.14 

25.11 

34.50 

47.13 

58.81 

68.31 

73.56 

72.33 

64.42 

49.56 

34.07 

21.87 

46.81 

71.47 

49.35 

23.04 

47.67 

1849.... 

61.98 

43  50 

37.28 

23.92 

47.59 

1850.... 

27.35 

36.27 

35.50 

43.25 

56.04 

66.91 

72.87 

73.51 

67.13 

34.58 

35.05 

26.62 

44.93 

71.10 

52.25 

30.08 

49.59 

1851.... 

35,57 

31.21 

41.00 

47.45 

33.15 

67.21 

77.38 

72.69 

69.32 

51.56 

33.24 

24.74 

47.86 

72.43 

51.37 

30.50 

50.54 

1832.... 

30.68 

33.02 

30.00 

42.80 

57.11 

67.18 

75.05 

73.10 

58.77 

49.56 

25.23 

19.92 

43.30 

71.78 

44.52 

27.87 

46.87 

1853.... 

34.11 

29.71 

36.92 

48.57 

51.62 

65.59 

72.97 

73.14 

61.11 

49.67 

41.73 

33.72 

45.70 

70.57 

50.84 

32.51 

49.90 

1854.... 

22.60 

36.40 

41.06 

50.62 

36.92 

67.73 

75.24 

76.46 

66.95 

56.59 

42.44 

38.94 

49.53 

73.14 

55.33 

32.65 

52.66 

1855.... 

35.85 

29.01 

35.41 

32.94 

59.82 

69.44 

49.72 

Mean 
6  y'rs. 

31.03 

32.60 

36.81 

47.60 

56.11 

67.34 

74.70 

73.78 

64.21 

50.91 

35.83 

27.98 

46.84 

71.94 

50.32 

31.14 

50.08 

FORT  ARBUCKLE,  INDIAN  TERRITORY. 

Latitude  34°  27',  Longitude  97°  09'.     Altitude  1,000?  feet. 


1850.... 

60.68 

52.92 

34.15 

#... 

1851.... 

39.28 

43.11 

34.62 

56.96 

69.11 

78.03 

81.83 

84.55 

77.13 

62.80 

45.56 

39.47 

60.23 

81.47 

61.83 

40.62 

61.04 

1852.... 

36.77 

47.07 

33.76 

59.77 

70.25 

73.71 

78.26 

78.04 

69.05 

63.11 

45.10 

38.82 

61.26 

76.67 

59.09 

40.89 

59.48 

1833.... 

41.33 

40.68 

31.24 

64.26 

66.23 

77.35 

79.50 

81.81 

74.51 

60.77 

52.91 

42.44 

60.58 

79.55 

62.73 

41.48 

61.08 

185-1.... 

36.16 

47.73 

37  39 

60.82 

68.64 

74.96 

83.29 

83.95 

77.28 

66.35 

49.91 

42.90 

62.98 

80.73 

64.51 

41.94 

6J.37 

1855.... 

41.94 

39.86 

49.09 

67.43 

73.39 

77.61 

85.67 

67.30 

Mean... 

39.10 

43.69 

53.22 

61.85 

69.93 

72.33 

81.71 

82.09 

• 
74.49 

62.74 

49.28 

39.56 

61.67 

78.71 

62.17 

40.78 

60.83 

FORT  BELKNAP,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  33°  08',  Longitude  98°  48'.     Altitude  1,600?  feet. 


1851.... 



83.31 

84.70 

79.93 

66.20 

46.64 

41.93 

64.28 

1852.... 

39.40 

49.77 

56.26 

60.08 

71.15 

73.88 

80.58 

79.93 

71.48 

U6.15 

49.35 

44.11 

62.49 

78.80 

62.39 

44.43 

62.03 

1853.... 

44.86 

43.28 

54.51 

67.31 

68.41 

78.12 

81.72 

84.59 

79.29 

65.29 

35.45 

46.07 

63.41 

81.48 

66.68 

44.74 

64.08 

1854.... 

41.01 

52.33 

63.15 

65.77 

71.66 

78.79 

83.86 

80.75 

78.71 

69.62 

53.59 

46.53 

66.86 

81.13 

67.31 

46.62 

65.48 

1853.... 

43.92 

44.49 

53.69 

70.00 

76.80 

79.12 

66.83 



Mean... 

43.80 

47.47 

58.90 

65.79 

72.00 

77.98 

82.37 

82.50 

77.33 

66.81 

51.31 

44.63 

64.90 

80.96 

65.15 

44.98 

63.99 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


549 


FORT  WORTH,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  32°  40',  Longitude  9Y°  25'.     Altitude  1,100?  /ee<. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 

59.46 

44'.34 



IS-W.... 

49.96 

50.61 

55.63 

61.96 

67.98 

77.63 

81.76 

85.70 

79.69 

66.82 

53.67 

38.87 

61.^ 

81.69 

66.06 

46.48 

64.01 

1851.... 

45.78 

46.71 

56.64 

61.10 

72.70 

79.29 

82.23 

84.55 

78.66 

66.23 

48.80 

44.12 

63.48 

82.02 

64.36 

45.33 

63.90 

1852.... 

40.88 

51.42 

68.49 

61.49 

73.79 

76.83 

81.73 

79.62 

71.27 

65.61 

51.52 

46.30 

64.59 

79.39 

62.80 

46.20 

63.25 

1853.... 

45.70 

46.39 

54.44 

65.71 

67.47 

76.02 

78.24 

61.61 

62.54 

78.62 

Mean.. 

43.58 

48.78 

56.30 

62.56 

70.48 

77.44 

80.99 

82.87 

76.54 

66.22 

53.36 

43.38 

63.11 

80.43 

65.37 

43.25 

63.54 

PHANTOM  HILL,  CLEAR  FORK  OF  BRAZOS,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  32°  30',  Longitude  99°  45'.     Altitude  2,300?  feet. 


1851.... 



•      •••  • 

46.09 

1852.... 

42.33 

51.10 

56.50 

63.68 

74.74 

75.96 

80.47 

79.70 

72.04 

64.16 

50.28 

46.10 

64.97 

78.71 

62.16 

44.88 

62.67 

1853.... 

45.98 

46.39 

55.46 

69.11 

69.12 

76.97 

81.00 

83.29 

76.82 

63.02 

56.24 

46.60 

64.36 

80.42 

65.36 

46.32 

64.16 

1854.... 

40.44 

50.43 

62.11 

46.26 

1 

Mean.. 

42.92 

49.31 

58.02 

66.39 

71.93 

76.46 

80.73 

81.49 

74.43 

63.59 

53.26 

63.45 

79.56 

63.76 

46.16 

63.73 

FORT  CHADBOURNE,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  32°  02',  Longitude  100°  05'.     Altitude  2,120  feet. 


1852.... 

67.81 

73.37 

79.13 

77.91 

69.44 

63.07 

50.29 

47.64 

76.87 

09.93 

1853.... 

45.25 

47.44 

33.78 

64.88 

65.32 

70.32 

75.92 

75.08 

70.49 

54.71.' 

54.24 

46.61 

61.33 

73.84 

39.81 

46.43 

60.35 

1854.... 

38.73 

46.94 

63.58 

63.17 

70.08 

74.00 

78.54 

82.94 

76.01 

69.57 

55.13 

45.72 

65.61 

78.49 

66.90 

43.80 

63.70 

1853.... 

48.89 

45.87 

56.68 

68.51 

74.84 

77.06 

1 



Mean.. 

44.29 

46.75 

58.01 

65.52 

69.51 

73.79 

77.87 

78.64 

71.98 

62.45 

53.22 

46.62 

J    64.35 

76.77 

62.36 

43.87 

62.38 

FORT  GRAHAM,  TEXAS. 

Latitude  31°  56',  Longitude  91°  26'.     Altitude  dOO?  feet. 


1850.... 
1851.... 
1852.... 
1853.... 

48.27 
44.01 
51.58 

49.92 
55.02 
51.49 

57.84 
58.38 
58.98 
57.16 

62.28 
62.69 
64.29 
67.00 

68.45 
74.92 
74.97 
72.02 

78.84 
81.45 
77.76 
79.75 

83.90 
84.90 
84.39 
79.33 

85.07 
87.20 
82.01 
84.33 

78.43 
80.15 
73.60 

66.62 
68.37 
67.93 

53.94 
53.89 
56.65 

40.35 
48.26 
50.84 

62.84 
65.33 
66.08 
65.06 

82.60 
84.51 
81.39 
81.21 

66.99 
67.47 
66.13 

48.82 
49.96 



66.33 

63.89 

Mean . . 

47.95 

51.81 

58.09 

64.31 

72.59 

79.45 

83.13 

84.70  j     77.46 

67.64  1     55.49 

46.48 

64.99 

8e.43 

66.86 

48.75 

65.76 

FORT  GATES,  TEXAS. 

Latitude  31°  26',  Longitude  97°  49'.     Altitude  1,000?  feet. 


1849.... 

67.25 

65.37 

49.59 



1850.... 

36.21 

54.33 

39.97 

64.59 

68.58 

76.28 

80.80 

82.51 

78.26 

68.51 

54.72 

40.17 

64.03 

79.86 

67.16 

50.24 

65.32 

1851.... 

47.84 

47.43 

58.39 

62.75 

74.49 

81.59 

85.04 

87.68 

80.10 

66.00 

30.82 

47.66 

65.21 

84.77 

65.64 

47.63 

65.82 

Mean . . 

52.02 

30.90 

59.18 

63.67 

71.53 

78.93 

K.92 

85.09 

79.18 

67.23 

56.97 

45.81 

64.79 

82.31 

67.80 

49.58 

66.12 

650 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SOMMAEIES. 


FORT  CROGHAN,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  30°  40',  Longitude  98°  31'.     Altitude  'i, 000?  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

M.irch. 

-April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Au". 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

.Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1949.... 

78.75 

80.90 

81.19 

76.57 

65.57 

60.27 

44.56 

80.28 

67.47 

1830.... 

54.14 

53.66 

62  33 

63.73 

63.55 

74.35 

79.62 

83.46 

80.50 

70.58 

56.94 

43.41 

63.20 

79.14 

69.34 

50.40 

65.52 

IbSl.... 

51.20 

52.34 

60.01 

63.72 

75.52 

81.70 

83.42 

86.65 

78.38 

64.90 

50.22 

47.13 

66.43 

83.92 

64.50 

50.22 

66.96 

1852.... 

42.89 

55.03 

62.13 

66.67 

75.70 

78.56 

81.31 

82.27 

74.66 

68.14 

56.98 

52.44 

68.16 

80.71 

66.59 

50.12 

66.40 

1853.... 

48.93 

47.ffi 

57. U6 

68.50 

71.40 

78.35 

80.03 

79.22 

62.32 

79.20 

Mean... 

49.29 

52.21 

60.38 

65.65 

71.54 

78.34 

81.06 

82.56 

77.53 

67.30 

56.10 

46.88 

65.66 

80.65 

66.98 

49.46 

65.74 

FORTS  MARTIX  SCOTT,  MASON,  TERRETT,  AXD  McKAVEPr,  TEXAS. 


1849.. ..1 

74.79 

70.57 

60.05 

55.66 

1 

62.09 

1850.... 

54.15 

52  39 

57.10 

62.87 

65.92 

73.45 

75.67 

78.86 

73  53 

62.05 

51.47 

39.18 

61.96 

75.99 

62.35 

48.57 

62.31 

1851.... 

42.95 

47.76 

54.10 

62.08 

71.09 

77.51 

78.84 

80.76 

74.74 

64.(e 

50.10 

4T.01 

62.42 

79.04 

62.95 

45.91 

62.58 

1852.... 

41.44 

57.20 

61.63 



Me.in 
Ft.  M.S. 

U6.I8 

53.45 

57.61 

62.47 

68.50 

75.48 

77.20 

78.14 

72.95 

63.04 

52.41 

43.09 

62.86 

76.94 

62  80 

47.24 

62.46 

M.   1852 

72.42 

77.68 

75.74 

77.62 

80.70 

73.15 

68.27 

54.32 

49.37 

78.02 

65.25 

M.   1853 

46.57 

47.45 

56.84 

69.35 

71.30 

76.96 

79.53 

80  60 

76.69 

65.57 

58.16 

65.83 

79.03 

66.81 

T.    1852 

65.25 

75.85 

77.96 

80.04 

80.53 

73.19 

66.51 

53.90 

48.59 

79.51 

64.53 

T.    185:) 

44.43 

45.98 

56.91 

67.45 

69.80 

73.97 

76.37 

77.10 

73.52 

63.66 

58.57 

50.59 

61.72 

73.8! 

65.25 

47.00 

63.20 

Mc.1852 

67.16 

76.13 

75.72 

79.07 

79.66 

71.19 

64.29 

53.09 

47.82 

78.15 

63.86 

Mc.1853 

44.62 

44  58 

56.02 

66.75 

68.58 

73.36 

77.56 

78.76 

63.78 

76.56 

.Mc.1854 

42. S9 

51.52 

63.50 

64.04 

70.33 

76.80 

78.74 

80.10 

75.57 

67.50 

54.19 

43.66 

65.62 

78.55 

65.75 

46.02 

63.98 

Mc.1855; 

46.74 

44.51 

53.66 

67.05 

73.61 

73.84 



64.77 



Mean 
Fl.MeK. 

1  44.75 

46.87 

57.39 

66.25 

72.16 

74.93 

78.46 

79.51 

73.38 

65.89 

53.64 

45.74 

65.27 

77.63 

64.30 

45.79 

63.23 

Fort  Martin  ScoU— Latitude  30° 
rcM— Latitude  30°  23'.  longitude  100' 


10',  longitude  99°  05';  altitude  1,300  feet.    Fort  ifoMn-LaUtude  30°  48',  longitude  99°  15';  altitude  1,200.'  feet.    Fnt  Ter- 

16' ;  altitude  1,320  Icct.    Fort  i/cA'ciicH— Latitude  30°  55',  longitude  100°  05' ;  altitude  2,060  feet. 


SAN  ANTONIO,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  29°  25',  Longitude  98°  25'.     Altitude  600/ee<. 


1849.... 

i 



80.48 

79.34 

78.94 

71.90 

63.59 

53.66 

i    

72.14 

1830.... 

57.28 

56.78 

62.53 

69.33 

72.55 

80.61 

84.75 

85.88 

83  06 

73.27 

63.63 

47.67 

74.67 

83.74 

73.32 

53.91 

71.41 

1851... 

54.51 

53.66 

60.83 

66.06 

74.76  ' 

78.88 

79.16 

83  96 

77.85 

71.00 

56.28 

51.51 

67.22 

80.67 

68.38 

53.32 

67  37 

1832.... 

47.18 

62.19 

66.22 

72.90 

81.88  1 

82.07 

83.74 

86.41 

79.29 

72.54 

73.66 

84.07 



Mean... 

53.26 

57  54 

63.19 

69.44 

76.40  '- 

i 

80.52 

82.03 

83.^ 

79.78 

72.18 

61.83 

50.95 

69.68 

^.16 

71.36 

53.^2 

69.35 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND    SUMMARIES. 


551 


FORT  MERRILL,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  28°  17',  Longitude  98°  00'.     Altitude  lad?  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

.-Vprll. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

■'Vug- 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

.Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1851.... 

69.57 

77.34 

82.30 

81.82 

84.95 

78.70 

72.00 

59.64 

59.50 

83.02 

70.11 

1S32.... 

72.46 

79.67 

80.30 

81.85 

1 

1853.... 

83.96 

79.96 

75.18 

66.36 

58.66  , 

73.80 

1854.... 

55.14 

59.56 

75.50 

76.54 

80.73 

84.82 

85.91 

84.39 

81.09 

75.00 

61.76 

52.17  j 

77.59 

85.04 

72.62 

55.66 

72.73 

1855.... 

54.51 

54.65 

01.83 

74.50 

81.13 

80.11 



72.48 



56.27 

Mean... 

54.82 

57.20 

68.66 

73.27 

79.72 

81.88 

83.19 

84.43 

79.92 

74.06 

62.55 

56.78  ! 

73.88 

83.17 

72.18 

71.37 

FORT  E^VELL,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  28°  05',  Longitude  98°  57'.     Altitude  200  ?  feet. 


1852.... 



79.54 

73.38 

65.13 

58.71 

72.68 

1 

1853.... 

55  37 

57.10 

63.87 

75.61 

79.38 

83.80 

86.52 

84.47 

80.79 

71.49 

64.41 

55.08 

72.95 

84.93 

72.23 

55.85 

71.49 

1854.... 

50.47 

58.12 

70.34  I 

72.50 

77.45 

81.61 

82  22 

83.  K 

81.38 

\ 

73.43  ; 

i 

82.35 



Mean... 

52.92 

57.61 

67.00 

74.05 

78.41 

82.70 

84.37 

83.84 

80.57 

72.43 

64.77 

56.89 

73.15 

83.64 

72.59 

55.81 

71.30 

CORPUS   CHRISTI,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  27''  47',  Longitude  97°  27'.     Altitude  20  feet. 


1815.... 

62.22 

51.% 

1846.... 

56.30 

56.98 

63.21 

68.50 

77.29 

80.10 

82.22 

82.04 

81.15 

73.69 

69.66 

81.45 

1849.... 



81.25 

81.11 

81.01 

74.36 

72.24 

62.21 

75.87 

1851.... 

69.96 

71.23 

79.86 

K.62 

82.86 

84.74 

80.38 

72.12 

60.21 

56.50 

73.69 

83.44 

71.23 

!  

1854.... 



76.61 

83.27 

83.40 

84.61 

81.62 

83.43 

Mean... 

56.30 

56.98 

66.59 

69.86 

77.89 

82.00 

82.46 

83.12 

81.04 

73.39 

64.89 

56.88 

71.45 

S.53 

73.11 

56.72  j     70.95 

The  observations  in  1849  were  at  Point  Isabel,  south  of  Corpus  Chiisti. 
FORT   BROWN,  TEXAS,  (MATAMOROS.) 

Latitude  25°  53'  16.3",  Longitude  97°  26'  22.5".     Altitude  50  feet. 


1846..   . 

75.36 

72.81 

1847.... 

56  51 

64.14 

67.60 

77.29 

82.38 

84.79 

85.43 

84.56 

80.88 

76.32 

70.25 

61.37 

75.78 

84.93 

75.82 

61.34 

74.47 

1848.... 

65.43 

66.17 

69.61 

72.03 

81.22 

1 

74.29 

1849.... 

78.97 

71.01 

68.97 

62.sa  ' 

72.98 

1850  ... 

62.49 

66.03 

70.61 

73  24 

74.31 

80.43 

84.87 

84. TB 

84.74 

76.26 

67.26 

58. !S 

73.32 

83.32 

76.08 

62.24 

73.49 

1851.... 

60.54 

65.21 

66.69 

75.18 

81.60 

83.11 

82.41 

85.83 

79.83 

73.23 

61.89 

57.94 

74.49 

83.45 

72  65 

61.23 

T2.95 

1852.... 

55.48 

69.77 

71.04 

75  81 

80.40 

81.14 

82.51 

83.05 

80.30 

77.09 

69.68 

65.57 

75.78 

82.23 

75.69 

63.61 

74.31 

1853.... 

56.35 

59.84 

69.94 

78.73 

78.97 

82  06 

84.43 

82.76 

78.91 

71.11 

09.37 

62.26 

75.88 

83.09 

73.13 

59.48 

79.89 

1854.... 

59.34 

62.45 

71.87 

73.90 

81.00 

83.67 

84.06 

82.00 

81.06 

76.44 

70.35 

60.73 

75.59 

83.24 

75.95 

60.91 

73.93 

1855... 

60.23 

61.60 

66.24 

74.98 

81.77 

81.05 



73.25 

Mean... 

59.80 

64.40 

69.21 

75.14 

80.91 

82.32 

83.95 

83.83 

80.67 

74.49 

69.14 

62.64 

74.85 

83.37 

74.77 

63.28 

73.82 

Note. 
ihe  river. 


-The  observniioiii  arc  repoitcd  aa  from  Matamoros  for  most  of  iJie  period  previous  to  1849,  though  generally  taken  at  positions  on  the  north  side  of 


552 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND    SUMMARIES. 


RINGGOLD  BARRACKS,  TEXAS. 

Latilude  26°  22'  30.5",  Longitude  98°  46'  37.93".     Altitude  o2l/eet. 


FORT  McINTOSH,  LAREDO,  TEXAS. 

Latitude  27°  30'  08",  Longitude  99°  29'  07".     Altitude  80&/eet. 


FORT  DUNCAN,  EAGLE  PASS,  TEXAS. 

Latitude  28°  42'  43.7",  Longitude  100°  30'  26.7"     Altitude  l,460/ee«. 


FORT  INGE,  TEXAS. 

Latitude  29°  10'  18.4",  Longitude  99°  47'  10".     Altitude  8^5  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 
61.09 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 

72.97 

69.85 



1850.... 

65.48 

65.57 

70.95 

76.92 

76.97 

85.17 

88.94 

89.06 

83.08 

77.08 

66.60 

55.65 

74.64 

87.72 

75.58 

62.23 

75.54 

1851.... 

59.68 

63.04 

72.50 

77.55 

83.80 

86.39 

84.33 

87.07 

80.58 

75.01 

63.19 

59.36 

77.62 

85.93 

78.59 

60.69 

75.71 

1852.... 

52.77 

69.84 

73.50 

77.67 

83.41 

83.60 

85.69 

87.00 

81.68 

75.47 

68.97 

62.92 

78.19 

85.43 

75.37 

61.84 

75.21 

1M3.... 

57.32 

60.59 

67.43 

77.59 

82.07 

83.80 

87.32 

S4.50 

80.62 

73.28 

69.34 

61.03 

75.86 

85.31 

74.41 

59.65 

73.78 

1854  ... 

55.72 

62.38 

74.10 

76.39 

81.74 

84.30 

82.65 

83.01 

81.31 

75.98 

65.42 

56.44 

77.41 

83.32 

74.24 

58.18 

73.29 

1855.... 

59.38 

59.03 

65.54 

76.21 

83.51 



Si.l5 

75.09 

Mean) 
6  y'ra.  i 

58.39 

63.41 

70.67 

77.05 

82.00 

84.65 

85.18 

86.13 

81.45 

74.98 

67.23 

59.41 

76.57 

85.32 

74.54 

60.40 

74  21 

1849.... 

86.38 

84.60 

80.76 

71.19 

66.11 

56.65 

72.68 

1850.... 

60.78 

61.85 

68.62 

74.04 

76.42 

82.23 

86.09 

90.12 

86.64 

75.73 

62.85 

50.80  , 

73.02 

86.68 

75.07 

57.47 

73.06 

1851.... 

57.67 

61.17 

67.^ 

74.81 

^.92 

86.02 

86.41 

90.32 

82.46 

73.24 

60.25 

55.14  1 

75.22 

87.58 

71.98 

57.99 

73.19 

1852.... 

50.59 

67.72 

71.54 

77.58 

84.52 

84.67 

87.36 

89.61 

82.16 

75.15 

66.62 

59.58 

77.88 

87.21 

74.64 

59.29 

74.76 

1853.... 

55.18 

56.97 

66.36 

78.24 

81.73 

84.26 

87.71 

85.72 

82.39 

72.92 

67.98 

57.71 

75.44 

85.90 

74.43 

56.62 

73.10 

1854.... 

53.02 

60.02 

74.23 

77.19 

81.41 

83.69 

84.06 

84.50 

81.16 

77.19 

64.33 

53.80 

77.61 

84.08 

74.23 

55.61 

72.88 

1855.... 

56.63 

57.30 

65.29 

78.08 

84.20 

82.73 

64.69 

55.61 

75.86 

Mean) 
6  y'rs.  j 

55.64 

60.84 

68.99 

76.66 

81.87 

83.93 

86.33 

87.48 

^.59 

74.24 

75.84 

85.91 

73.84 

57.36 

73.24 

1849.... 

68.55 

62.71 

53.89 

1850.... 

58.63 

58.74 

66.19 

69.97 

75.44 

80.78 

83.44 

86.49 

84.38 

74.70 

63.49 

50.22 

70.46 

83.57 

74.19 

^.86 

71.02 

18S1.... 

55.58 

57.88 

65.01 

74.15 

81.33 

85.39 

86.07 

88.25 

83.76 

74.62 

62.15 

53.57 

73.49 

86.57 

73.51 

55.68 

72.31 

1852.... 

47.96 

63.03 

66.62 

74.42 

82.76 

64.80 

65.67 

88.17 

80.71 

72.61 

58.80 

54.45 

77.80 

86.21 

70.71 

55.81 

72.63 

1853.... 

49.47 

52.95 

62.85 

74.67 

79.86 

81.20 

84.65 

61.79 

80.67 

69.64 

62.98 

51.80 

72.46 

82.55 

71.10 

51.41 

69.38 

1854.... 

50.25 

58  20 

68.67 

72.18 

78.92 

81.87 

83.52 

84.98 

81.74 

75.75 

61.(6 

50.14 

73.26 

83.46 

72.84 

52.86 

70.60 

1855.... 

50.51 

53.25 

61.24 

75.26 

80.00 



72.17 

Mean  1 
6y>™.  r 

52.07 

57.34 

65.10 

73.44 

79.72 

82.81 

84.67 

85.96 

82.25 

72.64 

61.86 

52.34 

72.75 

84.48 

72.25 

53.92 

70.85 

1849.... 



78.45 

66.20 

60.22 

52.81 

1850... 

54.91 

55.87 

61.86 

63.11 

70.98 

78.42 

81.87 

83.60 

81.91 

68.02 

61.14 

45.81 

64.98 

81.26 

70.39 

52.19 

67.20 

1851.... 

57.11 

62.18 

67.25 

78.90 

81.38 

81.70 

83.13 

78.40 

68.00 

55.00 

53.04 

69.44 

82.07 

67.13 



1852.... 

44.59 

60.32 

62.96 

68.84 

76.95 

77.45 

79.77 

81.69 

75.30 

68.32 

57.57 

52.79 

69.58 

79.63 

67.06 

52.57 

67.21 

1853.... 

48.37 

52.38 

60.00 

70.38 

75.12 

77.84 

81.27 

80.68 

77.53 

66.76 

60.75 

54.00 

68.50 

79.93 

68.35 

51.56 

67.09 

1854.... 

47.34 

56.04 

67.54 

64.06 

74.  S9 

81.91 

83.03 

83.95 

80.71 

73.95 

60.29 

50.34 

68.83 

82.96 

71.65 

51.21 

6S.66 

1855.... 

52.21 

50.63 

61.iS 

74.48 

Mean  1 
6yra.f 

49.46 

55.39 

62.63 

68.02 

75.37 

79.40 

81.53 

82.61 

78.72 

68.54 

59.16 

51.46  j 

68.67 

81.18 

68.81 

52.10 

67.69 

CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   A^fD   SUMMARIES. 


553 


FOET  LINCOLX,  TEXAS. 
Latitude  29°  22',  Longitude  99°  33'.     Altitude  900?  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

.  June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer, Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1849... 



80.61 

78.03 

65.93 

53.67 

1850... 

57.00 

56.53 

62.32 

64.39 

68.85 

76.77 

81.47 

82.52 

81.65 

77.15 



65.19 

80  25 



1851... 





81.98 

84.43 

79.61 

66.% 

S5  64 

53.92 

67.39 

1852... 

46.53 

61.52 

64.32 

69.23 

77.60 

79.88 

83.37 

70.38 

Mean.. 

51.74 

59.02 

63.32 

66.81 

73.22 

78.32 

82.27 

82.52 

79.76 

70.00 

55.64 

53.79 

67.78 

81.04 

68.47       54.85 

68.03 

FORT  CLARK,  'mXAS. 

Latitude  29°  17',  Longitude  100°  25'.     Altitude  1,000  ?  feet. 


1852.... 

' 

80.51 

74.80 

68.46 

58.38 

53.21 

67.18 

1853.... 

49.16 

50.77 

56.89 

70.09 

73.85 

77.18  1 

79.96 

78  74 

76.45 

66.22 

62.23 

52.92 

66.94 

78.63 

68.30 

50.95 

66.30 

1854.... 

48.41 

55.01 

66.37 

68.72 

75.00 

79.81 

81.97 

83.93 

80.45 

73.32 

60.32 

51.70 

70.03 

81.90 

71.36 

51.71 

68.75 

1855.... 

44.06 

42.36 

61.11 

71.72 

78.13 

80.45 

70.35 

Mean 
3  y'rs.  f 

47.21 

49.38 

61.46 

70.18 

75.66 

79.15 

80.96 

81.06 

77.23 

69.33 

60.31 

52.61 

69.10 

80.39 

68.96 

49.73 

67.04 

FORT  FILLMORE,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  32°  13'  38.5",  Longitude  106°  15'.     Altitude  3,937 /ee<. 


1851.... 

1 


79.60 

63.18 

48.17 

44.14 

...... 

63.98 

1852.... 

39.69 

49.73 

48.43 

56.53 

68.67 

78.05 

79.59 

76.42 

74.27 

59.03 

46.00 

44.11 

57.87 

78.01 

59.77 

44.51 

60.04 

1853.... 

41.71 

44.98 

52.66 

65.54 

72.50 

81.84 

85.36 

81.39 

77.53 

65.00 

57.48 

50. K 

63.53 

K.86 

66.67 

45.84 

64.72 

1854.... 

48.62 

50.41 

59.71 

66.10 

68.59 

80.61 

85.12 

81.24 

77.43 

70.37 

53.23 

46.73 

64.80 

K.32 

67.00 

48.59 

65.68 

1855.... 

47.88 

50.62 

61.03 

69.39 

75.51 

83.19 



68.64 



Mean.. 

44.47 

48.93 

55.46 

64.39 

71.32 

80.92 

83.36 

79.68 

77.21 

64.39 

51.22 

46.45 

63.72 

81.32 

64.27 

46.62 

63.98 

FORT  WEBSTER,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  32°  47'  53",  Longitude  108°  0-1'  39".     Altitude  6,350  feet. 


1852.... 

40.31 

44.54 

49.02 

57.12 

68.97 

73.53 

67.70 

61.48 

52.11 

38.11 

40.63 

50.23 

70.07 

50.57 

1853.... 

40.59 

40.64 

47.87 

57.18 

61.75 

71.25 

76.76 

72.08 

64.68 

55.59 

49.12 

45.02 

55.61 

73.36 

56.40 

42.08 

36.86 

T.  1854. 

41.81 

40.57 

50.73 

60.42 

67.06 

^.37 

78.27 

73.92 

69.95 

60.13 

44.30 

41.05 

59.40 

74.85 

58.13 

41.14 

58.38 

T.  1855. 

39.44 

47.65 

54.86 

65.01 

71.81 



63.89 

Mean... 

40.59 

40.47 

46.21 

53.08 

59.43 

70.11 

75.14 

69.89 

63.08 

53.75 

43.61 

42.82 

52.90 

71.71 

53.48 

41.29 

54.84 

The  obserYations  in  continuation  of  this  record  for  1854  and  1855  were  at  Fort  Thorn,  laiiuide  32°  3* ,  bngitude  107°  10  ;  altitude  4,500  feet.     They 
arc  not  included  in  the  mean. 


S.  9G 70 


554 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES    AND    SUMMARIES. 


FORT  CONRAD,  NEW  JIEXICO. 

Latitude  33°  34',  Longitude  107°  09'.     Altitude  4,576  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1891.... 

60. SB 

41.26 

36.65 



1852.... 

32.27 

45.11 

53.31 

58.05 

66.65 

73.06 

78.36 

78.15 

86.62 

56.45 

42.87 

40.18 

59.67 

76.52 

61.98 

39.52 

59.42 

1853.... 

38.68 

39.78 

50.53 

63.68 

66.76 

75.35 

79.76 

75.92 

71.36 

57.29 

46.66 

38.37 

60.32 

77.01 

58-44 

38.94 

58.68 

1854.... 

36.82 

41.08 

50.08 

60.78 

63.56 

75  51 

82.14 

78.85 

72.80 

64.90 

47.53 

38.90 

■    58.14 

78.83 

61.74 

38.93 

59.41 

1855.... 

40.54 

46.04 

55.19 

63.67 



Mean... 

37.08 

43.00 

52.28 

61.54 

65.66 

74.64 

80.09 

77.64 

76.93 

59.89 

45.58 

38.52 

59.83 

1 

77.46 

60.80 

39.S3 

S9.40 

From  April,  1854,  llie  obser\  atioiis  were  at  Fort  Craig,  eiglil  miles  south  of  Fort  Conrad. 

ALBUQUERQUE,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  35°  06',  Longitude  106°  38'.     Altitude  5,032  feet. 


1849.... 

69.09 

56.95 

48.32 

38.22 

58.12 

1850.... 

35.20 

40.50 

46.20 

50.20 

61.02 

70.76 

75.90 

74.44 

68.07 

55.52 

40.81 

25.96 

52.47 

73.70 

54.80 

33.89 

53.57 

1831.... 

30.70 

36.07 

47.26 

53.01 

61.80 

70.19 

75.72 



54.02 

1852.... 



42.92 

38.43 

1853.... 

41.97 

40.25 

46.42 

59.24 

65.10 

73.43 

78.58 

70.86 

58.80 

47.88 

41.09 

56.92 

59.18 

41.00 

1854.... 

36.46 

40.70 

49.35 

59.02 

62.47 

73.83 

78.87 

76.39 

69.42 

62.64 

40.66 

36.48 

56.95 

76.36 

57.57 

47.88 

59.69 

1853.... 

34.57 

40.61 

50.43 

59.69 

67.30 



59.15 

Mean... 

35.78 

39.63 

47.94 

56.23 

63.54 

72.05 

77.27 

75.41 

69.38 

58.48 

44.12 

36.04 

53.90 

74.91 

57.33 

37.15 

56.32 

CEBOLLETA  AND  LAGUNA,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  35°  03',  Longitude  107°  14'.     Altitude  6,000' feet. 


1849... 



33.43 

1850.... 

34.80 

40.08 

45.25 

49.82 

59.05 

68.85 

76.33 

76.90 

70.31 

59.06 

41.03 

25.54 

51.37 

74.03 

56.80 

33.47 

53.92 

1851.... 

31.00 

31.77 

43  76 

52.90 

64.25 

76.19 

78.56 

74.41 

66.60 

57.43 

46.38 

40.10 

53.64 

76.38 

54.83 

34.29 

54.78 

1852.... 

38.91 

46.24 

43.70 



Mean... 

34.90 

39.36 

44.50 

51.36 

61.65 

72.52 

77.44 

75.65 

68.45 

58.24 

33.69 

52.50 

75.20 

56.80 

35.98 

55.12 

The  position  here  given  is  that  ofLaguna,  Cebolleta  is  twenty  miles  northward,  and  a  little  more  elevated.  The  record  was  at  this  last  place  until  October,  1851. 

SANTA  FE,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  35°  41',  Longitude  106°  02'.     Altitude  &,8iG  feet. 


1849.... 

32.87 

35.14 

43.18 

52.96 

54.70 

71.33 

70.22 

64.37 

48.90 

39.59 

33.46 

50.28 

50.95 

33.82 

1850.... 

30.25 

31.91 

40.94 

50.72 

76.20 

75.25 

55.75 

23.25 

1851.... 

34.01 

34.15 

49.40 

59.02 

69.43 

72.90 



1852.... 

59.56 

47.87 

34.39 

29.62 

47.27 



1853.... 

31.16 

28.00 

37.86 

53.92 

60.34 

66.40 

69.37 

66.71 

62.74 

48.27 

40.30 

31.39 

50.71 

67.49 

50.44 

30.18 

49.70 

1854.... 

28.51 

34.07 

41.46 

49.80 

54.18 

68.18 

71.80 

67.73 

61.04 

55.56 

40.00 

33.32 

48.46 

69.24 

52.20 

31.97 

50.47 

1855.... 

31.88 

36.26 

40.09 

50.89 



Mean... 

31.45 

33.25 

40.71 

51.28 

57.06. 

68.84 

79.57 

69.98 

61.93 

51.27 

38.57 

30.21 

49.68 

70.46 

50.59 

31.64 

50.59 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES  AND    SUMMARIES. 


555 


LAS  VEGAS,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  35°  35',  Longitude  105°  16'.     Altitude  6,418 /ee<. 

FORT  UNION,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  35°  54',  Longitude  104°  57'.     Altitude  6,670  feet. 


Jan.        Feb. 

1 
March.     April. 

May.      June.       July. 

Aug. 

Sept.       Oct.        Not. 

Dec. 

!                     1 

Spring.  Summer  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1850.... 
1851.... 
1851.... 
1852.... 
1853.... 
1834.... 
1855.... 

38.15       34.30 

28.57       28.10 

29.69  1    35.94 
33.80  1    31.11 
32.:H  i    36.02 
35.93       34.95 

41.28       46.20 
33.19       47.93 

40.88       50.34 
39.78       52.21 
40.91       48.01 
39.84       50.73 

51.77      64.18 

61.06       71.46 

57.05  ;    60.79 
56  69       64.52 
54.18      68.18 
57.34      

67.93 

74.90 

67.46 
64.84 
71.80 

73.01 

64.49 
64.60 
64.29 
67.73 

66.47 

SI.  70 
56.44 
58.38 
61.04 

48.88 

46.62 
47.91 
46.37 
55.56 

32.98 

35.91 
34.27 
42.56 
40.00 

21  73 

31.71 
33.05 
34.12 
33.32 

46.42 
47.39 

!  

49.42 
49.56 
48.48 
49.30 

68.37 

. 


64.28 
64.55 
69.24 

49.44 

46.74 
46.21 
49.10 
52.20 

31.39 

33.56 
33.01 
31.97 

48.90 

48.37 
49.06 
50.47 



Mean... 

33.08  !    33.40 

1 

39.31        49.24 

56.35       65.83 

69.39 

66.83 

58.80 

49.07        37.14       31.19 

48.30 

67.35 

48.34 

32.56 

49.14 

The  position  and  exposure  of  these  posts  is  such  as  to  permit  combination  of  the  records  in  one  mean  result.   The  change  to  Fvrt  Union  was  made  in  August,  1851 . 

FORT  MASSACHUSETTS,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  37°  32',  Longitude  105°  23'.     Altitude  8,365 /ee^. 


1852.... 
1853.... 

1854  ... 
1855.... 

20.30 
19.09 

18.84 
25.04 

31.28 

45.23 
44.41 

47.73 
49.41 
51.19 



38.91 

57.50 

63.89 
64.07 

61.58 
62.84 

48.67  1    40.12 

53.67      

53.74       45.94 

24.39 
29.77 

19.15 
21.43 

41.41 

61.13 
61.47 

37.73 
42.82 



Mean. . . 

19.69 

22.24 

31.28 

44.83 

49.44 

58.20 

63.48 

62.21 

51.62       43.03 

27.08 

20  29 

41.84 

61.29 

40.58       20.74         41.11 

FORT  DEFIANCE,  NEW  MEXICO. 
Latitude  35°  44',  Longitude  109°  15'.     Altitude  1,200?  feet. 


1851.... 



27.72 



1852... 



52.72 

64.75 

68.16 

66.96 

50.07 

45.63 

32.45 

28.70 

66.63 

42.72 

1853... 

29.47 

28.06 

37.57 

48.15 

51.63 

64.86 

70.52 

69.00 

61  39 

44.21 

36.43 

28.65 

45  78 

68.13 

47.34 

88.73 

47.50 

1854... 

24.33 

30  63 

37.04 

46.54 

51.08 

63.40 

70.95 

64.94 

57.11 

48.89 

38.09 

33.03 

44.89 

66.10 

48.03 

29.01 

47.01 

1855... 

24.72 

33.62 

40.28 

43.06 

49.16 

44.83 

Mean. . 

26.18 

30.78 

38.30 

46.58 

50.99 

64.00 

69.88 

66.96 

56.19 

46.24 

35.66 

29.27 

45.29 

67.61 

46.03 

28.74 

46.92 

FORT  TCMA,  CALIFORNIA." 
Latitude  32°  32'  3",  Longitude  114°  36'  9".     Altitude  355  feet. 


1850.... 

i   



1 

51  70 

1831.... 

'    54.40 

53.15 

62.64 

72.93 



1853.... 



87.00  ' 

88.65 

88.10 

83.55  ! 

72.90 

61.46 

55.47 

87.93 

72.64 

1853.... 

59.32 

58.60 

67.61 

73.23 

77.66 

89.49 

94.12 

92.16 

89.33  ' 

79.44 

65.74 

57.10 

72.83 

91.92 

78.17 

58.34 

75.31 

1854.... 

54.17 

39.18 

64  50 

74.71 

74.12 

83.40 

94.05 

90.63 

85.48 

77.25 

66.  U4 

59.17 

71.11 

90.02 

76.26 

57.61 

73.75 

1835... 

57.92 

61.20 

69.73 

72.96 

78.41 

73.70 

' 

Mean.. 

\    56.45 

58.03 

66.12 

73.46 

76.73 

87.29 

93.27 

90.29 

86.13 

76.33 

64.41 

55.93 

1 

/2.10 

89.95 

75.69 

56.80 

73.62 

*  See  letter  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Horace  R.  Wirtz,  p.  437. 


556 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES    AND   SUMMARIES. 


SAN  DIEGO,  CALIFORNIA. 
Latitude  32°  42',  Longitude  11Y°  14'.     Altitude  150 /ee<. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Marcli. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 

1 

74.27 

75.33 

69.93 

64.15 

56.40 

51.04 

63.49 

1850.... 

51.25 

52.42 

54.87 

59.41 

61.86 

64.00 

67.39 

74.49 

71.44 

66.38 

56.52 

48.69 

58.71 

68.63 

64.75 

50.79 

60.79 

1851.... 

51.38  , 

50.30 

55.19 







56.38 

52.67 



1852.... 

53.07 

55.76 

55.07 

57.74 

61.39 

67.09 

73.25 

72.50 

73.. 'iT 

65.13 

57.19 

51.71 

58.03 

70.95 

65.30 

53.31 

61.95 

1853.... 

53.78 

52.92 

57.83 

63.66 

63. ''.4 

68.43 

72.85 

72.88 

70.74 

68.94 

58.39 

53.52 

61.31 

71.39 

66.02 

53.41 

63.03 

1854.... 

51.90 

52.50 

54.62 

62.60 

60.69 

65.04 

73.14 

73.23 

67.64 

63.99 

56.65 

52.60 

59.30 

70.47 

62.43 

62.33 

61.13 

1853.... 

50.11 

55.72 

58.42 

63.72 

66.06 

72.40 

62.73 

Mean. . . 

51.90 

53.27 

56.00 

61.23 

62.67 

67.39 

72.72 

73.68 

70.87 

65.50 

56.93 

51.70 

59.97 

71.26 

64.43 

52.29 

62.00 

POSTS  DEL  CHINO  AND  JURUPA,  CALIFORNIA. 

Latitude  34°  00',  Longitude  117°  25'.     Altitude  1,000  ?  feet. 


1851.... 
1852.... 
1652.... 
1853.... 
1854.... 

55.43 

56.29 
50.32 

56. S3 

54.70 
53.08 

56.57 

59.29 
54.49 

60.75 
64.42 

63.75 
63.56 

68.76 
71.83 

71.89 
73.19 

76.22 

73.68 
71.57 

74.51 

70.06 

74.07 

68.58 

64.81 
69.00 


60.39 

56.03 
57.00 

53.61 

51.12 
53.63 

60.36 
62.42 

71.17 
74.19 

66.34 
66.69 



54.87 

64.54 

Mean... 

54.01 

54.87 

56.78 

62.58 

63.66 

70.29 

73.77 

73.25 

72.06       67.46 

57.81 

52.78 

61.01 

72.44 

65.78 

53.89 

63.28 

Tlie  longitude  is  that  of  Jwrupo,  the  other  position  being  twenty  miles  westward  in  the  same  valley.    The  change  of  po^^ition  was  made  in  September,  1852. 
These  posts  are  designated  Raneko  del  China  and  Rancho  iJe  JurupOj  in  the  registers. 

MONTEREY,  CALIFORNIA. 

Latitude  36°  36',  Longitude  121°  52'.     Altitude  140  feet. 


FORT  MILLER,  CALIFORNIA, 
Latitude  37°  00',  Longitude  119°  40'.     Altitude  402  feet. 


1847.... 

55.39 

57.90 

58.64 

59.26 

61.16 

57.91 

53.40 

i 
50.60 

58.60 

56.82 



1848.... 

51.:i8 

46.62 

50.15 

52.82 

55.35 

58.05 

54.40 

60.08 

52.74 

57.51 



1849.... 

61  77 

56.69 

61.70 

58.03 

57.22 

58.91 

55.20 

50.87 

58.81 

57.11 

1850.... 

49.25 

50.15 

50.67 

54.59 

55.84 

56.72 

57.58 

57.70 

59.56 

57.01 

53.49 

49.09 

53.70 

57.3.T 

56.69 

49.39 

54.78 

1851.... 

57.06 

62.84 

59.14 

59.96 

55.56 

53  16 



58.29 

1852.... 

56.11 

54.63 

53.53 

53.87 

55.56 

59.90 

61.55 

54.32 

Mean... 

53.25 

50.47 

51.45 

53.76 

56.76 

57.85 

58.49 

59.58 

59.27 

58.45 

54.16 

50.93 

53.99 

58.64 

57.29 

51.22 

55.39 

1851..  . 





82.71 

75.41 

69.87 

55.26 

48.00 

68.84 

1853... 

48.37 

55.74 

55.37 

63.45 

72-33 

88.55 

83.82 

81.45 

66.33 

53.51 

48.54 

63.72 

66.76 

50.85 

1853.... 

49.75 

53.09 

58.61 

64  23 

70.  J6 

84.57 

89  56 

82.56 

75.00 

68.77 

55.72 

46.41 

64.33 

85.56 

66.50 

49.75 

66.54 

1854.... 

43.60 

49.57 

52.98 

62.54 

66.80 

76.17 

90.92 

74.48 

65.12 

58.41 

49.10 

60.77 

66.00 

47.72 

1855.... 

46.54 

53.66 

59.75 

61.22 

65.96 

83.37 





Mean. . . 

47.04 

53.01 

56,68 

62.86 

68.81 

83.16 

90.24 

83.03 

76.09 

67.52 

55.48 

48.01 

62.78 

85.48 

66.36 

49.35 

66:00 

CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


557 


SAN  FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA. 
Latitude  37°  48',  Longitude  122°  26'.     Altitude  150  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

1 
Summer  Autumn 

i 

Winter. 

Year. 

1847.... 

57.55 

50.23 

50.79 

1848.... 

49.33 

50.49 



1850.... 

49.79 

54.45 

55.21 

57.20 

53.15 

1852.... 

59.86 

58.10 

58.50 

55.46 

54.62 

50.09 



56.12 



1853.... 

51.00 

49.91 

53.06 

54.93 

56.38 

57.60 

56.58 

56.90 

58.96 

59.66 

55.94 

51.28 

54.79 

57.03 

58.19 

50.73 

55.18 

1854.... 

47.93 

51.72 

52.00 

56.11 

53.56 

55.30 

57.25 

56.65 

57.31 

58.98 

56.45 

52.03 

53.89 

56.40 

57.58 

50.76 

54.66 

1855.... 

50.14 

54.99 

56.61 

55.98 

56.01 

57.35 

56.20 

Mean... 

49.60 

51.78 

52.87 

55.37 

55.29 

56.86 

57.90 

57.22 

58.26 

57.91 

54.31 

51.20 

54.51 

57.33 

56.83 

50.86 

54.88 

BENICIA  BARRACKS,  CALIFORNIA. 
Latitude  38°  03',  Longitude  122°  08'.     Altitude  QAfeet. 


1849.... 
1850.... 
1851.... 
1852.... 
1853.... 
1834.... 
1855.... 

47.37 
49.54 
48.20 
48.63 
42.59 
45.78 

49.16 

50.08 
52.43 
49.85 
58.85 
52.17 

51.20 
55.42 
52.16 
52.90 
50.27 
56.38 

60.12 
56.89 
56.13 
57.00 
56.91 

61.83 
58.65 
60.62 
56.40 
58.29 

69.77 
65.16 
65.71 
68.68 
62.45 
70.66 

67.50 
65.68 
70.09 
65.14 
68.37 

66.74 
70.07 
67.83 
63.98 
64.42 

65.00 
64.08 
67.98 
64.37 
61.68 

64.30 
65.86 
60.58 
64.50 
58.91 

46.15 

54.44 
56.93 
55.86 
56.29 
55.90 

47.95 

46.45 
49.03 
49.04 

46.57 
48.67 



59.12 

55.90 
56.55 
54.56 
57.19 

68.00 
66.97 
67.87 
65.93 
65.08 

61.25 
62.29 
61.47 
61.72 

58.8:j 

47.66 
49.55 
49.89 
48.35 
46.70 

59.48 
58.78 
58.14 
56.29 

Mean... 

47.02 

52.09 

53.05 

57.41 

59.16 

67.07 

67.36 

66.61 

64.62       62.83 

54.26 

47.95 

56.54 

67.01 

60.57 

49.02 

58.29 

SACRAMENTO,  AND  CAMP  FAR  WEST,  CALIFORNIA. 
Latitude  38°  33',  Longitude  121°  20'.     Altitude  50  feet* 


1849.... 

72.25 

69.60 

64.42 

63.96 

51.52 

45.58 

60.00 

1850.... 

44.05 

45.88 

49.20 

57.55 

71.88 

66.00 

50.25 

43.09 

59.54 

44.34 



1851.... 

45.34 

48.03 

52.62 

60.84 

62.13 

71.66 

75.53 

76.29 

69.34 

64.70 

54.33 

46.61 

58.53 

74.49 

62.76 

46.66 

60.61 

1852.... 

46.61 
45.33 

51.44 

52.06 

Mean. . . 

48.45 

51.29 

59.20 

67.00 

71.66 

73.89 

73.00 

66.88 

64.89 

52.04 

45.09 

59.16 

72.83 

61.27 

46.29 

59.89 

*  Camp  Far  West  is  in  lat.  39°  07',  long.  121°  18',  and  150  or  200  feet  above  tlie  sea.    The  observations  were  taken  at  this  post  after  October,  1850. 


FORT  READING,  CALIFORNIA. 
Latitude  40°  30',  Longitude  122°  05'.     Altitude  Qli/eet. 


1852.... 

58.66 

79.00 

80.37 

78.75 

72.33 

59.76 

51.80 

43.42 

79.37 

61.30 

1853.... 

48.04 

49  12 

52.37 

58.77 

65.96 

78.51 

84.76 

78.76 

70.70 

65.05 

53.12 

46.23 

59.03 

80.68 

62.96 

47.80 

62.62 

1854.... 

40.00 

47.26 

53.61 

60  36 

66.92 

72.47 

83.75 

79.76 

72.42 

62.23 

53.80 

44.80 

60.30 

78.66 

62.ffi! 

44.02 

61.45 

1855.... 

44.64 

51.56 

57.31 

59.92 

64.44 

81.65 

60.56 

Mean... 

44.23 

49.31 

54.43 

59.45 

65.77 

77.91 

82.96 

79.09 

71.78 

62.35 

52.91 

44.82 

59.88 

80.00 

62.35 

46.12 

62.09 

558 


CONSOLIDATED   TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


FORT  HUMBOLDT,  CALIFORNIA. 
Latitude  40°  46',  Longitude  124°  09'.     Altitude  50  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

1854.... 

40.83 

43.54 

47.37 

54.06 

53.94 

1855.... 

45.50 

49.97 

52.59 

56.56 

Ft.Ross* 

47.20 

48.00 

49.90 

51.30 

55.30 

June.   1    July. 


58.04  I    56.71 

59.19 

56.90      57.90 


57.00 


S8.40 


Sept. 


57.02 


Oct. 


53.00 


48.62 


Dec. 


45.69 


48.90 


Spring. 


Summer 


51.79 


57.55 


Autumn  Winter. 


52.88 


53.10 


Year. 


43.35        51.39 


48.00 


52.80 


*  A  mean  of  four  years  of  observation  by  Kussian  authorities.    Fort  Ross  is  in  latitude  38*  35^,  and  on  the  coast  between  Humboldt  Bay  and  San  Francisco. 

FORT  JOXES,  CALIFORNLV. 

Latitude  41°  36',  Longitude  122°  52'.     Altitude  2,510/eet. 


1853.... 

35.07 

37.96 

42.01 

47.14 

55.87 

64.36 

79.04 

53.67 

42.74 

33.42 

48.34 

35.48 

1854.... 

31.36 

35.02 

41.16 

51.02 

53.55 

58.76 

71.07 

68.66 

62.72 

50.00 

40. «9 

31.58 

48.58 

66.16 

51.20 

32.65 

49.65 

1855.... 

27.68 

39.41 

46.17 

49.70 

54.65 

50.17 



Mean. . . 

31.37 

37.46 

43.11 

49.29 

54.69 

61.56 

71.56 

68.66 

62.72 

51.84 

41.81 

K.50 

49.03 

67.26 

52.12 

33.78 

51.40 

FORT  ORFORD,  OREGON. 

Latitude  42°  44',  Longitude  124°  29'.     Altitude  50  feet. 


1852.... 

60.47 

61.33 

62.69 

59.18 

54.70 

50.59 

44.15 

61.49 

54.82 

1853.... 

48.72 

46.47 

47.92 

51.55 

57.06 



52.18 

1854.... 

58.14 

59.50 

58.65 

55.07 

53.25 

48.19 

55.66 

1855.... 

48.04 

49.30 

51.23 

50.63 

52.54 

57  58 

51.47 

Mean... 

48.38 

47.88 

49.57 

51.09 

54.80 

59.03 

59.73 

61.09 

58.91 

54.88 

51.87 

46.17 

51.82 

59.95 

55.22 

47.48 

53.KS 

FORT  VANCOUVER,  (COLUMBIA  BARRACKS,)  WASHINGTON  TERRITORY. 
Latitude  45°  40',  Longitude  122°  30'.     Altitude  50  feet. 


1849... 
1850... 
1851... 
1852... 
1853.. 
1854.., 
1855... 

Mean.. 


38.14 

40.99 

42.01 

42  90 

42.74 

42.19 

37.81 

42.13 

38.05 

42.12 

43.71 

40.56 

41.66 

37.29 

45.29 

40.66 

46.58 

45.00  ! 

50.04 


56.61       60.19       61. K       67.40       66.65       61.62  1    53.83 


48.08 
54.16 
52.43 
51.46 


44.14 


59.81 

67.11 

60.00 

63.09 

70.83 

57.18 

56.85 

67.90 

57.57 

64.97 



S8.9S 

62.67 

68.71 

64.04 
66  00 


j    53.90 

60.28      53.51 
60.54  I    51.96 


45.08 
45.37 
52.40 


34.60 
35.78 
36.89 
33.20 
41.78 
36.81 


60.81  I    53.30  I    46.51       36.51 


51.36 

49.52 
53.58 
51.54 
53.02 


51.88 


66.00 
63.58 


52.85 


53.05 
55.00 


65.65 


53.54 


38.30  51.91 

40.60        

39.37        

40.57  53.30 


39.54 


52.65 


FORT  DALLES,  OREGON. 
Latitude  45°  36',  Longitude  120°  55'.     Altitude  350/eef. 


1850  . 
1851.. 
1852.. 
1853.. 
1854.. 
1855.. 


Mean. 


37.95  '    41.39 


K.27 
21.98 
40.16 


37.14 
38.94 
42.57 


46.69 

13  76 

53.41 

62.14 

66.58 

74. iS 

70.21 

46.00 

53.51 

58.94 

63.51 

71.51 

71. M 

49.33 

52.02 

57.66 

71. IS 

57.43      52.64      37.93       32.55 


63.71 
64.00 


33.09  I    40.01  I    46.45  I    52.98      59.58      67.09 


73.22   70.77 


53.57   41  25 
55.35   41.80 


52  88 


44.34 


53.61   41.33 


24.95 
40.07  I  53.10 
37.07  I  52.89 
l!  53.00 


33.66 


70.57 
68.79 


70.36 


49.33 


53.62       36.49 
53.74       32.66 


52.22       35.59 


53.44 
52.00 


52.79 


CONSOLIDATED    TABLES   AND   SUMMARIES. 


559 


FORT  STEILACOOM,  WASHINGTON  TERRITORY. 
Latitude  47°  10',  Longitude  122°  25'.     Altitude  300  ?  feet. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

AprU. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer  Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 





46.81 

36.29 

1850.... 

35.87 

39.12 

40.51 

47.33 

55.60 

61.11 

64.25 

63.40 

56.52 

51.87 

41.31 

37  15 

47.81 

62.93 

49.86 

37.38 

49.49 

1851.... 

40.60 

40.79 

43.17 

51.49 

54.38 

61.26 

62.93 

66.8a 

57.01 

52.90 

46.27 

41.15 

49.68 

63.67 

52.06 

40.78 

51.55 

1853.... 

43.26 

42.60 

40.18 

46.49 

57.10 

63  00 

63.51 

63.88 

57.06 

51.69 

43.75 

33.28 

47.92 

63.46 

50.83 

39.71 

50.48 

1853.... 

39.73 

39.78 

41. » 

48.74 

57.62 

60.47 

66.73 

62.11 

58.56 

53  58 

45.10 

44.62 

49.43 

63.10 

52.41 

41.38 

51.58 

1854.... 

30.61 

39.64 

43.87 

50.83 

55.57 

58.96 

63.71 

62.80 

59.61 

51.73 

46.67 

43.06 

50.09 

61.82 

53.67 

37.77 

50.59 

1855.... 

41.95 

43.15 

47.75 

48.39 

54.79 

59.11 

50.31 

Mean... 

38.67 

40.S8 

42.90 

48.88 

55.84 

60.65 

64.23 

63.80 

57.75 

52.35 

44.97 

39.26 

49.21 

62.89 

51.69 

39.50 

50.82 

ASTORLi,  OREGON. 
Latitude  46°  11',  Longitude  123°  48'.     Altitude  50/eet. 


1850... 

1 

62.22 

59.38 

55.45 

46.44 

40.66 

...... 

53.76 

J8ol... 

1    43.00 

43.62 

45.73  [ 

53.76 

55.00 

59.53 

61.55 

63.76 

58.13 

i 

51.16 

61.58 

42.43 

52.23 

CANTONMENT  LORING,  (FORT  HALL,)  OREGON. 

Latitude  43°  04',  Longitude  112°  27'.     Altitude  4,800  feet. 


1849.... 

I 

! 

63.39 

59.62 

47.97 

34.67 

93.50 



47.42 



1850.... 

24.31 

24.06 

25.23 

42.71 



33.62 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE,  UTAH. 

Latitude  40°  46',  Longitude  112°  06'.     Altitude  4,351 /eef. 


1850.... 
1853.... 
1854.... 
1855.... 

26.40 

24.20 

30.75 

32.20 

35.46 

37.38 

35.58 



40.50 
43.17 

48.00 
52.40 

65  a5 

71.29 

80.55 



41.73 

36.57 
31.65 

49.61 


1     

35.44       



Mean... 

27.12 

35.01 

39.75 

50.20 

65.25 

71.29 

80.55 

41.73 

34.11 

51.73 

75.92 

32.08        53.34 

To  obtain  a  nearer  approximation  to  the  temperature  of  this  district  the  obser\'ations  of  Captain  Stansbury,  in  1850,  and  those  of  Liautenant  Beckwilh, 
from  December,  1853,  to  April,  1854,  are  incorporated. 


SERIES  OE  MONTHLY  AND  ANNUAL  MEASUREMENTS  OF  RAIN. 


The  entire  amount  of  water  falling  in  rain  and  snow  is  in  all  cases  intended  to  be  included  in 
the  summaries  given  in  the  original  record,  and  of  which  the  results  for  separate  years  are  here 
consolidated  to  determine  the  mean  for  a  series  of  years.  In  some  cases  the  amount  falling  in  snow 
is  not  fully  given  as  water,  and  some  such  omissions  have  been  supplied  by  taking  one-tenth  of  the 
reported  depth  of  snow  as  its  equivalent  in  water. 


HAKCOCK  BARRACKS,  MAINE. 


1836... 
1837... 
1836... 
1839... 
1840... 
1841... 
1842... 
1843... 
1844... 
1845... 


Mean  1 
9ly'rsf 


Feb.     March. 


9.00 
1.85 
2.55 
1.34 
5.99 
2.82 
2.02 
2.80 
4.37 


2.86 


4.40 
0.62 
0.94 
1.35 
0.81 
3.41 
3.15 
0.79 
1.73 


1.91 


1.82 
0.12 
1.% 
2.67 
2.13 
1.68 
2.79 
1.66 
1.70 


1.84 


April. 


2.99 
1.40 
4.24 
5.32 
3.31 
1.19 
3.92 
1.57 
1.48 


2.83 


May. 


2.21 
3.87 
3.35 

1.52 
4.74 
2.64 
2.80 
2.87 
2.51 


2.95 


0.46 
2.95 
6.69 
5.17 
5.93 
5.80 
3.94 
2.37 
2.73 
2.10 


3.82 


July. 


3.89 
4.80 
2.81 
7.20 
3.09 
1.98 
9.40 
2.70 
3.55 
8.86 


4.83 


Aug. 


3.28 
3.90 
3.54 
4.50 
2.97 
0.12 
1.56 
8.93 
1.80 
2  15 


2.27 


Sept. 


2.33 
3.54 
3.78 
1.74 
3.09 
4.52 
2.74 
1.10 
1.85 


2.94 


3.01 
2.40 
5.42 
0.53 
5.58 
1.84 
4.00 
7.84 
4.62 


1.74 
2.87 
6.72 
3.89 
4.11 
2.53 
2.47 
2.14 
3.13 


3.92    I    3.29 


4.79 

1.80. 

1.55 

2.70 

3.62 

3.20 

1.75 

1.58 

3.43 


2.71 


Spring. 


Summer 


7.02 
5.40 
9.55 
9.51 
10.18 
5.51 
9.51 
6.10 
5.69 


7.6: 


7.63 
11.65 
13.04 
17.40 
11.99 

7.90 
14  90 
13.99 

8.08 
13.11 


11.92 


7.07 
8.51 

15.92 
6.16 

14.78 
8.89 
9.61 

11.08 
9.60 


8.20 
4.02 
5.35 
6.31 
10.00 
7.98 
6.75 
7.02 


Year. 


35.68 
38.37 
38.77 
41.91 
36.97 
37.60 
41  33 
30.80 


7.48  I      36.97 


FORT  KENT,  MAINE. 


1844.... 
1845.... 


3.75 


2.60 


1.36 


3.36 


5.46 


11.65 


9.64 


9.71 


36.46 


FORT  SULLIVAN,  MAINE. 


1841.... 

5.15 

0.79 

2.55 

6.54 

1.51 

2.94 

5.10 

1.15 

2.48 

1.73 

2.99 

5.18 

10.60 

■9.19 

7.20 

11.12 

38.11 

1842.... 

3.54 

3.61 

2.75 

1.60 

2.15 

2.00 

1.75 

6.15 

2.85 

5.45 

4.00 

4.80 

6.50 

9.90 

12.30 

11.95 

40.65 

1843.... 

2.15 

2.80 

3.38 

3.05 

2.35 

1.55 

3.83 

3.75 

0.95 

3.55 

3.40 

4.70 

8.78 

9.13 

7.90 

9.65 

38.46 

1844.... 

1.95 

1.65 

2.75 

0.70 

3.65 

0.82 

5.34 

4.48 

2.35 

2.54 

4.25 

7.06 

7.10 

10.64 

9.14 

10.66 

37.54 

1845.... 

3.12 

2.62 

2.95 

2.53 

5.17 

2.00 

6.51 

3.85 



.... 

.... 



9.95 

12.36 

..  .  . 

1849.   .. 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



5.24 

1.86 

2.25 

2.47? 

9.65 

1850.... 

3.83 

2.32 

2.80 

1.50 

5.10 

6.10 

7.10 

2.58 

4.80 

3.24 

3.00 

4.80 

9.40 

15.78 

11.04 

10.95 

47.17 

1851.... 

2.81 

4.10 

4.60 

3.30 

2.80 

1.40 

3.35 

0.90 

3.30 

4.50 

3.00 

2.60 

10.70 

5.65 

10.80 

8.91 

36.06 

1852.... 

4.30 

3.60 

2.90 

4.10 

0.30 

2.20 

4.00 

4.80 

3.40 

3.50 

4.20 

2.50    1 

7.30 

11.00 

11.10 

10.40 

39.80 

1853.... 

1.70 

7.20 

4.50 

1  90 

3.30 

0.35 

1.70 

4.90 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

9.70 

6.95 

Mean 

SJy'ra  ' 

3.17 

3.18 

3.16 

2.80 

2.92 

2.15 

4.28 

3.62 

3.17 

3.29 

3.39 

4.26 

8,88 

10.05 

9.85 

10.61 

39.39 

SERIES    OF    MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS    OF    RAIN. 


561 


FORT  PREBLE,  MAINE. 


1 

Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

'   July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Tear. 

1840.... 

.... 

... 

.... 

.•  .  . 

4.52 

2.20 

1S41.... 

4.23 

0.79 

1.89 

5  05 

2.87 

1.83 

0.74 

4.43 

4.08 

1.43 

8.67 

6.38 

9.81 

6.55 

9.18 

11.45 

37.00 

1S43.... 

1.01 

3.40 

1.86 

l.SO 

2.40 

4.26 

2.95 

8.59 

4.53 

0.98 

3.53 

5.83 

6.06 

10.  SO 

9.09 

8.69 

36.64 

1S48.... 

1.S7 

5.20 

4.42 

4.05 

4.79 

1.81 

6.30 

0.89 

5.21 

8.64 

1.04 

13.67 

12.40 

9.24 

ISH.... 

8.43 

0.75 

8.59 

0.34 

3.74 

8.34 

1.76 

2.27 

1.70 

4.66 

2.92 

4.10 

7.67 

T.87 

9.34 

8.28 

82.66 

1345.... 

8.75 

2.07 

2.37 

1.44 

8.14 

1.66 

5. 86 

2.93 

2.57 





6.95 

10.85 

1S49.... 

.... 

2.70 

4.60 

5.80 

8.95 



12.60 

1S50.... 

4.85 

8.20 

2.70 

4.60 

15.50 

4.80 

2.90 

8.85 

6.95 

8.45 

2.80 

4.50 

22.80 

11.  C5 

12.20 

12.55 

89.00 

1S51.... 

3.65 

5.S0 

2.45 

7.35 

8.90 

8.87 

3.65 

2.22 

4.41 

8.43 

6.58 

2.89 

18.70 

9.74 

19.42 

12.24 

46.10 

1SS2.... 

4.79 

2.56 

3.59 

8.64 

2.82 

5.02 

8.19 

8.81 

3.42 

5.80 

6.38 

6.10 

14.95 

16.52 

15.10 

13.45 

60.02 

1S53.... 

1.S7 

8.55 

2.61 

3.76 

7.03 

1.47 

2.68 

8  58 

18.45 

7.73 

IVIean  I 
Si  y'rs  f 

3.87 

8.89 

2.92 

4.14 

5.05 

8.89 

2.78 

4.11 

3.31 

4.25 

4.37 

4.17 

12.11 

10.28 

11.93 

10.98 

45.25 

FORT  CONSTITUTION,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 


1886.... 

.... 

3.27 

1.29 

2.97 

1.78 

2.05 

0.61 

3.91 

8.57 

4.26 

6.S0 

8. 09 

1337.... 

1.91 

1.53 

2.29 

4.37 

5.21 

4.09 

1.05 

1.65 

0.85 

1.48 

2.01 

1.72 

11.87 

6.79 

4.84 

5.16 

23.16 

1S38  ... 

2.62 

0.97 

1.14 

2.21 

8.88 

8.81 

2.00 

3.79 

3.93 

4.24 

8.85 

0.65 

6.73 

9.10 

11.57 

4.44 

81.84 

1839.... 

0.97 

2.06 

0.80 

8.28 

3.85 

2.71 

2.70 

2.55 

1.58 

0.S3 

2.05 

3.65 

7.93 

7.96 

4.46 

6. 68 

20.93 

1840.... 

0.90 

1.87 

3.87 

4.05 

1.93 

2.02 

LSI 

2.99 

1.26 

.... 

9.85 

5.82 

1342.... 

1.84 

2.68 

8.08 

1.59 

3.13 

4.43 

3.13 

4.23 

2.61 

0.66 

2.41 

4.45 

7.80 

U.S4 

5.63 

8.47 

83.79 

1S43.  .. 

1.28 

8.57 

1.40 

2.77 

0.60 

6.53 

1.70 

7.16 

0.43 

8.83 

2.67 

2.72    1 

4.77 

15.83 

6.48 

7.67 

34.15 

1844.... 

2.83 

1.43 

8.60 

0.85 

2.75 

1.45 

1.36 

2.23 

2.67 

4.54 

2.99 

6.65 

6.70 

5.04 

9. CO 

9.81 

30.65 

1845.... 

3.01 

2. 83 

8.20 

1.15 

8.15 

1.89 

7.83 

2.72 

.... 

T.50 

11.94 

1849.... 

.... 



1.35 

4.07 

1.69 

6.01 

8.50 

8.86 

11.40 

1S50.... 

6.14 

2.72 

8.45 

4.70 

8.81 

2.73 

2.04 

6.50 

6.68 

2.76 

2.4S 

2.22 

16.46 

11.27 

11.92 

11.08 

50.73 

1S51.... 

2.13 

5.12 

0.55 

7.13 

2.55 

8.67 

4.30 

1.92 

3.23 

5.47 

6.10 

8.18 

10.23 

9.89 

14.80 

10.48 

45.35 

1852.... 

3.51 

2.65 

2.26 

6.60 

1.42 

2.79 

2.63 

6.20 

2.71 

2.92 

4.35 

4.65 

10.28 

11.52 

9. OS 

10.71 

42.49 

1353.... 

2.35 

4.82 

0.29 

8.23 

6.96 

0.52 

0.92 

5. IS 

8.21 

10.48 

6.62 

Moan  I 
13  y'rs  t 

2.42 

2.64 

2.16 

8.44 

3.43 

8.01 

2.40 

8.80 

2.43 

8.29 

3.23 

8.82 

9.03 

9.21 

8.95 

8.38 

85.67 

WATERTOWN  ARSENAL,  MASSACHUSETTS. 


1836.... 

.... 

.... 



4.26 

2.45 

1.11 

0.99 

2.87 

4.45 

4.69 



7.82 

8.31 

1837.... 

2.46 

2.95 

2.56 

3.43 

5.92 

4.34 

1.84 

2.18 

0.51 

1.71 

1.74 

2.47 

11.91 

8.81 

8.96 

7.68 

82.06 

1888.... 

8.16 

2.18 

2.18 

2.75 

3.85 

4.90 

2.07 

4.94 

7.74 

4.90 

4.80 

1  02 

8. 78 

11.91 

16.94 

6.86 

43.99 

1SS9.... 

1.08 

2.39 

1.24 

6. 86 

4.73 

2.74 

4.50 

4.63 

1.96 

8.26 

2.07 

8.4S 

12.83 

11.87 

6.29 

11.90 

42.39 

1340.... 

2.91 

2.76 

3  76 

5.18 

2.48 

2.82 

2.84 

6.10 

2.62 

4.19 

8.96 

4.46 

11.42 

10.76 

15.77 

10.13 

43.03 

1341.... 

5.06 

1.46 

8.17 

.... 



2.01 

6.C5 

4.29 

3.21 

8.95 

4.19 



11.45 

10.71 

1343.... 

1.96 

6.74 

6.41 

3.60 

1.86 

4.50 

2. 63 

8.00 

1.12 

5.30 

8.89 

8.45 

10.87 

15.08 

10.81 

12.15 

43.41 

1344.... 

3.51 

1.64 

4.73 

0.88 

3.67 

1.69 

2.79 

3.80 

4.72 

5.80 

8.05 

.... 

8.83 

7.78 

13  63 

Mean  } 
7  y'rs.  J 

2.87 

2.85 

8.80 

8.70 

3.75 

8.61 

2.64 

4.41 

8  00 

8.35 

8. 93 

4.11 

10.75 

10.66 

10.83 

9.83  I 

42.0T 

S.  96- 


-71 


562 


SERIES    OF   MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS    OF    RAIN. 


FORT  INUEFENDENt'E,  MASSACHUSETTS. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Deo. 

Spring. 

1 

Summer.  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S61.... 

1.00 

1.44 

1.24 

8.95 

4.40 

1.28 

9.50 

1S52.... 

8.50 

1  82 

1.20 

4.00 

1.20 

2.71 

1.92 

5.35 

1.60 

1.42 

2.94 

8.00 

6.40 

9.98 

5.96 

7.82 

80.22 

1858.... 

2.16 

8.48 

1.10 

2.77 

0.81 

2.55 

4.04 

4.70 

8.90 

2.74 

4.93 

2.71 

10.24 

11.29 

11.16 

8.85 

41.04 

1854.... 

2.50 

8  36 

2.S5 

5.40 

4.2S 

2.00 

4.44 

0.50 

8.34 

1.47 

6.57 

8.23 

12.28 

6.94 

10.88 

9.(19 

88.64 

1855  ... 

6.34 

3.30 

1.10 

2.72 

1.02 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

5.5a 



Mean    ) 

8.62 

2.84 

1  53 

3  72 

8.85 

2.42 

S.OO 

3.00 

2.52 

2.39 

4.86 

2.55 

8.00 

8.42 

9.27 

9.01 

85.30 

Note. — The  measurement  of  rain  at  I^rt  Indtpcndntcc  appears  deficient  for  most  of  this  period.    The  record  of  Cambridge  Observatory  gives  40.5  inches  for 
1552,  and  5S.8  inches  for  1850,  the  dilTercnces  from  tlicse  measures  being  quite  equally  distributed  ttirough  the  monthly  results. 


FORT  ADAMS,  RHODE  ISLAND. 


1841.... 

.... 

.... 

... 

.... 

4.81 

6.69 

T.22 

1842.... 

4.48 

6.95 

4.54 

3.18 

4.05 

10.92 

8.88 

4.33 

2.97 

0  80 

8.06 

5.48 

12. .37 

19.18 

7.43 

15.80 

54.79 

1S4S.... 

4.22 

6.43 

6.68 

7.56 

3.09 

2.05 

2.88 

9.12 

1.90 

10.02 

6.84 

7.10 

16.98 

14.05 

18.82 

17.81 

07.eif 

1814  ... 

6.85 

1.21 

8.17 

1.49 

5.21 

1.77 

6.78 

4.72 

5.25 

8.30 

8.81 

2.98 

9.87 

12.27 

16.86 

10.07 

49.07 

1845... 

2.90 

8.15 

2.49 

1.67 

8.22 

2.81 

2.78 

8.54 

2.96 

4.74 

9.49 

3.44 

T.88 

8.63 

17.19 

9.49 

42.09 

1840.... 

2.49 

1.98 

2.88 

1.95 

2.75 

0.79 

2.&4 

8.70 

1.18 

.... 

.... 

.... 

7.58 

7.83 

1S48.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.55 

5.48 

1849.... 

1.C6 

3.27 

6.25 

2.10 

4.20 

2.80 

1.07 

S..S3 

2.30 

7.07 

4.52 

8.85 

12.61 

7.80 

13.95 

8.77 

42.08 

1650.... 

5.24 

8.51 

6.82 

4.97 

5.75 

2.42 

4.01 

8.05 

5.23 

3.58 

2.39 

O.SS 

17.54 

10  08 

11.20 

15.88 

54.15 

1851.... 

3.12 

5.CS 

1.41 

7.  or, 

•1.10 

2.10 

0.62 

8.05 

3.49 

4.47 

6. 84 

8. .32 

1.3.47 

12.27 

14.80 

12.12 

.'12. 70 

1852.... 

4.43 

5.41 

6.90 

8.67 

8.92 

1.70 

2.10 

6.90 

2.55 

2.60 

6.63 

6.53 

18.49 

10.70 

11. T7 

16.39 

57.88 

1858.... 

6.68 

5.18 

4.65 

10.48 

7.56 

2.83 

4.92 

6.84 

8.25 

.... 

22.09 

12.04 

Mean  I 
10  y'rs  J 

4.10 

4.17 

4.38 

5.00 

4.51 

2.87 

8.74 

4.88 

3.12 

5.15 

5.39 

5.20 

18.89 

11.44 

13.66 

18.47 

52.46 

Note.- 
esq.,  gives 


—The  measurements  ot  Fort  Adams,  particularly  for  1S48,  appear  somewhat  in  excess.    A  record  at  New  Bedford,  for  forty  years,  by  Samuel  Rodman, 
42  inches  as  the  mean  annual  fall,  and  thai  at  Brown  Universily  for  twenty  years  is  very  nearly  the  same  measure. 


FORT  TRUMBULL,  CONNECTICUT. 


1848.... 

2.05 

3.42 

6.92 

4.20 

8.35 

2.47 

2.51 

10.14 

1.03 

7.45 

5.79 

3.80 

13.47 

16.12 

14.92 

9.27 

52.73 

1844.... 

5.92 

1.81 

0.01 

1.19 

8.47 

1  94 

3.81 

2.72 

2.40 

5.89 

3.40 

2.23 

10.67 

8.47 

11.19 

9.96 

40.29 

1845.... 

8.54 

3.57 

8.40 

3.00 

2.89 

8.05 

3.69 

1.00 

1.74 

8.65 

7.90 

4.72 

10.29 

8.34 

13.35 

11.83 

43.81 

1840.... 

8.04 

2.24 

8.35 

2.12 

4.09 

.... 

.... 

.... 

10.16 

Mean  I 
8*  y'rs  r 

8.64 

8.76 

4.07 

2.08 

3.60 

2.49 

3.34 

4.82 

1.94 

5.50 

5.73 

3.58 

10.90 

10.65 

18.16 

30.98 

45.69 

FORT  HAMILTON,  NEW  YORK. 


1889.... 
1840.... 
1843.... 
1814.... 
1845.... 
1846.... 
1S47.... 
IMS 


1.80 
2.50 
0.70 
2.97 
4.26 
6.15 
6.04 
r    2.20 


2.72 
2.80 
1.90 
0.93 
6.70 
5.55 
7.06 
1.17 


1.90 

4.20 
4.33 
2.21 
2.82 
6.04 
1.81 


8.84 
4.85 
5.70 
0.52 
1.00 
2.40 
0.71 
1.75 


6.22 
8.88 
1..33 
2.80 
1.47 
9.84 
1.03 
9.32 


6.41 
5,11 
1.67 
2.82 
8.60 
2.14 
8.87 
6.19 


4.55 
1.8S 
4.87 
1.95 
7.09 
4.82 
l.SO 


6.83 
6.20 
14.05 
1.72 
4. 48 
4.84 
3.80 
0.91 


4.74 
1.73 
3.75 
4.. 30 
2.28 
0.20 
10.60 
1.05 


2.35 

4.10 
8.78 
1.76 
1.53 
4.25 
2.95 


1.70 
2.05 
2.95 
8.90 
5.20 
1.82 


8.70 

3.21 
2.05 
8.45 
2.63 
7.18 
2.50 


11.40 

14.54 

15.86 

11.89 

13.22 

11.22 

17.00 

9.55 

6.81 

7.65 

8.91 

10.18 

6.95 

4.68 

10.13 

0.99 

18.41 

15.06 

18.67 

10.68 

18.83 

7.38 

15.99 

20.05 

19.27 

12.91 

7.98 

6.42 

8.S7 

51.11 

44.18 
32.64 
85.21 
52.69 
62.09 
86.18 


SERIES   OF    MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


563 


FORT  HAMILTON,  NEW  YORK— Continued. 


Jan 

Ffb. 

.M   rch. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nor. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

AutumD. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S49.... 

0.44 

2.12 

5.11 

0.62 

8.75 

0.82 

2.76 

3.01 

2.84 

4.50 

1.45 

2.43 

1 

1      9.8S 

6.59 

•     8.79 

4.99 

29.75 

1S50... 

4.69 

1.74 

5.55 

1  44 

6.74 

2.11 

8.63 

6.16 

4.20 

1.83 

1.98 

5.77 

18.73 

11.95 

8.01 

12.20 

45.89 

1S51.   .. 

2..S9 

4.44 

8.SS 

5.82 

2.88 

l.CS 

3.29 

2.64 

1.81 

2.99 

4.39 

2.66 

,    12. C8 

7.61 

8.69 

9.49 

87.87 

1S52.... 

1.91 

2.27 

4.U 

6.06 

S.20 

2.80 

2.64 

4.46 

1.99 

2.25 

4.14 

8.80 

'    13.87 

9.90 

8.33 

8.01 

39.66 

1S58.... 

4.58 

7.24 

5.79 

4.78 

6.02 

4.42 

5.83 

5.23 

8.75 

2.7.* 

8  71 

;  16 

16.59 

15.43 

10.19 

12.93 

55.24 

1854.... 

8.05 

4.45 

0.65 

9. 53 

6.C9 

4.25 

2.23 

0.26 

8.50 

1.19 

5.70 

3.85 

16.83 

6.74 

10.89 

10.85 

44.30 

Mean. . . 

2.9S 

3.57 

3.65 

3.42 

4.62 

3.65 

3.55 

4.44 

8.88 

2.80 

3.75 

3.84 

11.69 

11.64 

9.93 

10.39 

43.65 

FORT  COLUMBUS,  NEW  YORK. 


18.36.... 

1.09 

2.01 

1.31 

2.66 

0.63 

6.46 

1.44 

2.37 

3.40 

2.00 

1.90 

2.8J 

4.60 

10.27 

7.80 

5.40 

27.57 

IS-ST*... 

2.70 

3.70 

8.20 

7  50 

9.50 

8.50 

5.90 

C.30 

2.10 

2.11 

2.90 

6.10 

25.20 

20.70 

T.ll 

12.50 

65  61 

1833.... 

3.98 

3.70 

4.10 

2.50 

3.99 

3.12 

1.33 

4.79 

4  96 

3.64 

8.10 

2.24 

10.59 

9.74 

11.70 

9.87 

41.90 

1S.39.... 

0.69 

2.05 

2.46 

3.35 

8.37 

4.94 

1.85 

4.92 

3.59 

1.45 

2.19 

7.61 

14.18 

11.21 

7.28 

10.85 

42.97 

1S40.... 

1.34 

1.84 

2.92 

2.03 

2.39 

2.40 

1.80 

4.25 

1.84 

4.59 

2.90 

1.00 

7.34 

8.45 

9.33 

4.68 

29.80 

an.... 

5.30 

O.SO 

2.35 

3.93 

3.95 

4.65 

4.90 

2.50 

2.90 

4.40 

8.70 

2.70 

10.23 

12.05 

11. CO 

8.80 

42.03 

1342..   . 

1.07 

2.85 

1.25 

3.60 

3.60 

8.8a 

3.30 

2.81 

2.10 

4.30 

1.80 

3.50 

8.45 

8.91 

8.20 

7.42 

32.98 

184.3.... 

1.00 

2.81 

2.13 

2.14 

1.00 

0.70 

1.64 

15.26 

3.06 

5.91 

2.82 

3.34 

5.27 

17.66 

11.79 

6.65 

41.87 

1S44.... 

2.66 

1.03 

4.50 

0.65 

3.41 

2.87 

6.00 

2.73 

4.50 

4.08 

1.78 

2.82 

8.46 

11.10 

10.81 

6.51 

86.38 

1S45.... 

4. 87 

8.22 

3.33 

1.22 

1.75 

3.70 

1.75 

8.21 

2.62 

2.S0 

8.40 

2.51 

6.30 

8.66 

8.52 

10.60 

34.08 

1846.... 

S.92 

3.01 

3.82 

4.01 

9.70 

1.39 

6.01 

8.8S 

0.48 

1.34 

8.86 

2.99 

17.53 

11.28 

10.18 

9.92 

48.91 

1S47.... 

4.62 

5.74 

8.4S 

1.53 

2. IS 

6.73 

1.62 

6.93 

12.20 

2.13 

6.29 

6.35 

12.19 

15.33 

20.62 

16.71 

64.85 

1348.... 

1.75 

1.63 

2.23 

1.16 

7.28 

4.56 

2.64 

1.41 

1.87 

6.61 

1.59 

4.02 

10.67 

8  61 

10.07 

7.45 

36.80 

1849.... 

0.61 

2.26 

4.87 

0.62 

3.47 

0.78 

1.48 

4.63 

1.55 

6.68 

l.SS 

4.01 

8.96 

6.84 

9.06 

6.S8 

81.74 

1550.... 

5.57 

2.64 

4.64 

2.72 

9.20 

3.07 

8.92 

T.21 

4.71 

3.16 

2.33 

5.36 

16.56 

14.20 

10.20 

13.57 

54.53 

1351.... 

1.46 

4.50 

1.70 

6.94 

4.73 

0.90 

4.72 

3.47 

1.26 

2.95 

4.53 

3.72 

13.37 

9.13 

8.74 

8.63 

39.97 

1S52.... 

2.92 

8.03 

4.43 

4.74 

2.24 

2.11 

3.25 

6.20 

2.29 

2.06 

6.07 

4.45 

11.41 

11.56 

10.42 

10.45 

43.84 

1853  ... 

4.14 

4.98 

2.03 

3.32 

5.80 

4.80 

4.40 

5.50 

5.49 

3.90 

6.80 

1.04 

11.15 

14.70 

16.19 

10.16 

52.20 

1S54.... 

2.60 

4.00 

0.70 

8.80 

7.70 

2  20 

1.90 

1.03 

1.90 

I. SO 

3.95 

8.60 

17.20 

5.13 

7.65 

15  20 

45.18 

Mean... 

2.73 

2.92 

3.44 

s.as 

4.78 

8.46 

3.17 

4.70 

3.31 

3.40 

3.59 

3.93 

11.55 

11.83 

10.80 

9.6S 

42.23 

*  At  Furl  WimI,  Bedlue's  Island,  from  January,  18.37,  to  September,  1839. 

WEST  POINT,  NEW  YORK. 


1336.... 

.... 

1.80 

5.95 

13.90 

10.60 

3.85 

4.30 

7.07 

9.15 

16.65 

28.85 

20.52 

50.14 

1837.... 

4.15 

6.10 

11.00 

7.75 

13.35 

13.10 

8.75 

7.40 

3.55 

4.20 

2.60 

2.05    i 

82.10 

29.25 

10.85 

11.30 

83.03? 

13-33.... 

2.25 

2.45 

5.30 

5.15 

12.90 

12.27 

5.90 

5.85 

12.50 

S.05 

6.10 

4.65    '. 

23.35 

24.02 

26. C5 

9.35 

83.37? 

1839.... 

0.75 

3.95 

1.40 

9. 75 

11.25 

6.50 

9.83 

5.72 

4.59 

2  13 

1.44 

6.66 

22.40 

21.55 

8.16 

17.86 

69.47? 

1340.... 

2.50 

2.50 

3.41 

4.59 

3.85 

2.S0 

2.73 

5.18 

3.03 

8.33 

8.10 

6.25 

16.35 

10.71 

14.51 

11.25 

47  63 

1841.... 

9.95 

2  00 

5.25 

6.60 

4.37 

5.97 

3.40 

2.80 

3.05 

2.10 

8.85 

5.10 

16.22 

12.17 

13.50 

17.05 

63.94? 

1342.... 

3  00 

2.60 

0.75 

4.95 

4.S0 

3.23 

5.19 

9.92 

5.60 

4.20 

2.93 

4.40 

10.50 

13.34 

12.73 

9  60 

50.63 

1313.... 

2.70 

3.02 

5.05 

3.40 

2.23 

1.95 

3.0O 

11.83 

8.62 

6.95 

4.60 

2.70 

10.73 

16.23 

15.17 

3.43 

50.60 

1344.... 

5.25 

3.10 

4.20 

0.50 

5.1J 

3.45 

7.90 

5. 28 

3.53 

4.93 

1.05 

4.12 

9  SO 

16.(» 

9.47 

12.47 

48.87 

1*45.... 

5.15 

2.83 

8.40 

1.80 

4.10 

1.82 

2  33 

7.72 

2.60 

2.98 

6.36 

8  24 

9.30 

11.93 

10.89 

11.27 

43.33 

1S40.... 

8.42 

2.78 

8.99 

3.04 

6.62 

2.30 

6.14 

2.93 

0.17 

2.46 

10.02 

2.S0 

13.56 

11.37 

12.63 

9.00 

46.56 

1347.... 

4.01 

6.22 

3.49 

0.79 

2.70 

2.27 

2.62 

2.20 

3.53 

1.97 

1.8^ 

3.5i1 

6.93 

6.99 

7.35 

13.78 

85.05 

564 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


WEST  POINT,  NEW  YORK— Continued. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S4S.... 

1.87 

3. 98 

2.71 

2.90 

7.15 

7.87 

4.42 

0.49 

3.67 

4.43 

6  76 

5.04 

12.70 

12.28 

14. SO 

10.89 

60.79 

1849  ... 

1.03 

2.07 

4.55 

0.90 

6.10 

1.08 

8.15 

4.84 

0.48 

7.03 

2.31 

4.11 

11.55 

9.07 

10.42 

7.21 

88.25 

1850.... 

6.06 

8.83 

4.84 

4.30 

8.26 

8.83 

5.89 

5.18 

8.14 

2.84 

2.17 

5.65 

17.40 

14.85 

12.65 

16.04 

57.94 

1S31.... 

0.82 

5.09 

2.56 

724 

4.34 

1.68 

4.44 

2.63 

1.22 

4.02 

4.81 

2.45 

14.14 

8.55 

9.55 

8.86 

40.60 

is-ia.... 

1.80 

S.SO 

2.68 

4.66 

1.85 

2.80 

4.07 

6.39 

2.39 

2.99 

4.47 

5.31 

9.19 

18.86 

9.85 

10.91 

48.81 

1S5S.... 

8.27 

6.45 

8.28 

5.84 

7.99 

8.77 

10.48 

7.S7 

8.95 

8. 65 

5.00 

2.26 

17.06 

22.12 

13.40 

10.98 

68.56 

ISM.... 

3.52 

5.04 

2.81 

10.68 

5.03 
0.18 

1.63 
4. 79 

3.73 

0.46 

4.00 

1.93 

5.65 

2.64 

18.42 

5.81 

11.68 

11.20 

47.06 

Mc.in    1 

3.50 

3.44 

3.71 

4.55 

5.50 

5.15 

3.89 

4.81 

4.89 

4.71 

,    14.44 

15.44 

12.62 

11.65 

54.15 

M'n  l.nst 
12  years 

[S.24 

8.90 

3.62 

8.82 

5.13 

2.77 

4.89 

4.77 

8.11 

8.87 

8.76 

3.65 

12.6T 

12.48 

10.74 

10.79 

46.53 

WATERVLIET  ARSENAL,  NEW  YORK. 


1636.... 

2.21 

2.42 

7.08 

2.89 

2.00 

0.99 

4.15 

2.58 

4.53 

11.47 

7.72 

183-.... 

2.49 

2.82 

2.17 

1.31 

6.14 

4.73 

2.92 

8.91 

1.15 

2.12 

0.80 

1.45 

9.65 

11.56 

4.07 

6.76 

32.04 

163S.... 

0.(3 

1.02 

1.25 

0.63 

4.09 

4.37 

2.67 

5.95 

2.96 

2.66 

3  32 

0.55 

«.67 

12.99 

8.84 

2.40 

30.80 

1889.... 

2.20 

0.65 

1.80 

8.03 

2.91 

4.60 

3.61 

1.08 

3.67 

1.22 

2.81 

2.10 

7.84 

9.24 

7.70 

4.95 

29.73 

1840.... 

0.27 

0.20 

2.79 

4  60 

1.95 

8.45 

2.64 

2.96 

4.72 

4.24 

2.95 

1.61 

9.84 

8.95 

11.91 

2.08 

32.23 

1811.... 

8.69 

2.20 

2.50 

4.84 

1.75 

3.r9 

1.08 

4.25 

5.44 

1.41 

2. 89 

3.16 

!      6.69 

8.42 

9.74 

9.04 

85.79 

1842.... 

0.95 

3.28 

3.47 

4.93 

1.87 

4.98 

5.08 

4.86 

7.69 

4.18 

2.86 

.... 

1      9.77 

14.37 

14.23 

1S43  ... 

1.90 

1.30 

4.26 

8.25 

6.05 

4.89 

7.02 

2.61 

4.83 

2.75 

1.60 

8.81 

17.46 

10.89 

1845.... 

4.25 

2.95 

8.36 

8.25 

5.C2 

2.09 

3.81 

1.19 

8.12 

2.04 

3.41 

2.56 

11.68 

6.59 

8.57 

9.75 

86.61 

1846.... 

2.86 

2.20 

2.85 

0.86* 

3.S9 

2.96 

2.60* 

2.90 

1.10 

2.16 

5.00 

2.81 

7.00 

8.36 

8.26 

7.87 

81.49 

1817.... 

1.84 

1.38 

2.50 

2.28 

2.45 

8.83 

6  01 

1.74 

8.06 

3.16 

1.97 

1.64 

!      7.18 

11.57 

8.19 

4.86 

81.80 

1848.... 

2.02 

2.27 

8.22 

1.40 

6.61 

3.62 

6.57 

2.9S 

2.25 

3.44 

2,23 

4.32 

1    11.23 

11.37 

7.92 

8.61 

89.18 

1S49.... 

0.65 

.... 

1.19? 

1.01 

5.53 

5.52 

0.67 

5.84 

1.61 

2.93 

7.78 

7.62 



1850.... 

1.80 

0.40 

0.64 

2.92 

4.70 

1.91 

5.27 

3.84 

4.23 

8.37 

1.69 

2.75 

8.46 

10.52 

9.29 

4.96 

83.28? 

1851.... 

1.82 

8.86 

0.97 

3.68 

2.83 

3.60 

4.43 

2.89 

1.66 

2.63 

4.01 

2.86 

7.88 

10.42 

8.29 

8.04 

84.08 

1852.... 

2.88 

1.10 

2.06 

4.16 

1.67 

1.28 

2.87 

2.73 

2.67 

2.67 

4.70 

2.85 

1      7.89 

6.88 

10.04 

6.88 

81.14 

1S5S.... 

1.78 

4.08 

2.72 

8.36 

6.84 

1.62 

8.54 

3.06 

7.56 

2.47 

5.37 

1.43 

!    11.92 

8.21 

15.40 

7.29 

42.82 

1S54.... 

8.50 

2.77 

2.78 

3.9S 

1.53 

2.81 

1.54 

0.84 

2.32 

2.05 

2.40 

0.98 

8.29 

4.69 

7.27 

7.25 

27.50 

Mean  .. 

2.07 

2.08 

2.19 

2.92 

8.55 

8.73 

8.51 

8.10 

3.24 

3.00 

2.98 

2.3-$ 

8.66 

10.84 

9.17 

6.33 

84.55 

•  This  series  is  generally  incomplete  in  measurement  of  water  falling  as  snow.    A  series  of  twenty  years'  observation  at  Albany  gives  40  incbes  as  the  mean 
annual  fall  of  water. 


PLATTSBURG  BARRACKS,  NEW  YORK. 


1840.... 

1.10 

0.20 

5.05 

5.25 

2.60 

2.75 

8.00 

4.60 

6.25 

1.10 

2.00 

2.00 

12.80 

10.26 

9.35 

3.30 

85.70 

1841.... 

2.00 

0.81 

1.25 

.... 

1.75 

1.50 

8.46 

0.60 

1.47 

2.44 

5.43 

6.23 

1842.... 

0.47 

1.82 

2.40 

2.26 

0.80 

2.23 

4.09 

2.41 

3.69 

3.84 

2.84 

3.12 

6.46 

8.78 

9.67 

4,91 

29.02 

1843.... 

1.26 

1.46 

2.88 

1.48 

4.88 

6.43 

6.09 

5.22 

4.47 

4.68 

8.08 

0.74 

11.84 

15.79 

12.43 

3,66 

43.72 

1S44.... 

0.84 

0.64 

2.44 

2.61 

5.40 

4.41 

4.78 

6.40 

3.33 

4.68 

2.40 

1.53 

10.45 

15.65 

10.28 

2,90 

89.28 

1S45.... 
1S46.... 

2.84 
1.13 

2.67 
0.74 

2.C9 
1.86 

2.02 
0,62 

1.88 
2.91 

2.15 
3.11 

2.09 

1.31 

8,66 

2.26 

3.49 

1.20 

5.91 

4.S9 

6. .55 

9,41 

6.73 


27.03 

SERIES    OF    MONTHLY   AND   ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


565 


PLATTSBURG  BARRACKS,  NEW  YORK— Continued. 


Mean  of  eighteeo  years*  obserration  at  Burlington,  Vermont,  33.9  inches. — Professor  Thompson. 


MADISON  BARRACKS,  NEW  YORK. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

Joly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Antumo. 

Winter. 

Tear. 

1S49.... 

0.95 

8.60 

0.70 

4.20 

2.80 

1.20 



7.20 

1850... 

1.10 

0.98 

0.28 

8.78 

T.18 

2.53 

4.12 

1.83 

4.56 

7.64 

8.10 

7.25 

11.19 

8.03 

15.80 

9.33 

43.90 

ISol.... 
1S52.... 

2.19 
0.90 

1.99 
1.83 

2.03 
2.02 

1.61 
8.42 

8.61 

5.35 

8.09 

8.22 

3.86 

4.61 

3.30 

1.S4 

7.25 

11.66 

11.27 

6.02 

86.20 

Mean... 

1.88 

1.20 

2.18 

2.55 

8.63 

8.51 

8.22 

8.80 

8.72 

3.67 

2.66 

2.87 

8.86 

10.03 

10.05 

4.95 

83.39 

1S40.... 

1.15 

3.53 

2.53 



4.80 

3.62 

8.T8 

8.16 

2.35 

10.56 

7.53 



ISil.... 

3.18 

0.51 

8.00 

2.73 

1.74 

1.58 

4.14 

1.59 

5.86 

1.S8 

8.85 

8.11 

7.47 

7.31 

10.79 

6.80 

82.87 

1812.... 

0.94 

1.93 

3.24 

8.16 

1.76 

4.43 

3.81 

8.38 

4.21 

4.11 

4.33 

1.96 

8.16 

11.62 

12.70 

4.83 

87.31 

1843.... 

2.85 

1.85 

2.57 

2.15 

1.44 

4.70 

2.79 

1.85 

2.66 

6.91 

2.44 

2.06 

6.16 

9.84 

12.01 

6.26 

83.77 

1844.... 

2.74 

0.85 

1.91 

1.79 

3.31 

8.74 

3.78 

3.80 

0.41 

8.52 

1.62 

1.70 

7.07 

11.82 

5.55 

5.29 

29.28 

1845.... 

3.50 

2.92 

2.55 

2.04 

4.16 

1.85 

6.45 

0.57 

3.18 

2.64 

2.24 

1.27 

8.75 

7.87 

8.06 

7.69 

32.87 

1846... 

2.61 

2.24 

2.23 

1.96 

3.49 

1.93 

7.78 

1849.... 



1.89 

2.07 

0.91 

4.06 

6.51 

5.21 

4.99 

4.85 

7.04 

16.71 

1S5D.... 

3.16 

8.55 

2.13 

a.87 

6.15 

1.64 

7.57 

8.12 

4. To 

12. .39 

8.93 

6.26 

11.15 

12.33 

21.07 

12.97 

67.51? 

1851.... 

2.39 

4.52 

4.38 

3.95 

5.03 

2.78 

7.67 

3.53 

3.85 

6.09 

5.85 

4.25 

13.86 

13.93 

15.29 

11.16 

58.79? 

1852... 

2.90 

2.79 

5.89 

3.29 

Mean  .. 

2.49 

2.47 

3.05 

2.66 

3.23 

2.75 

4.51 

2.97 

8.73 

5.13 

8.60 

8.14 

8.94 

10.23 

12.51 

S.IO 

89.73 

The  last  years  of  this  record  appear  over-measured,  by  comparison  with  other  stations  and  with  previous  summaries  here. 


FORT  ONTARIO,  NEW  YORK. 


1844.... 

1.43 

0.19 

1.54 

1.40 

8.74 

3.20 

1.42 

6.50 

0.54 

4.89 

1.02 

8.71 

6.63 

16.12 

6.45 

5.88 

84.53 

1345.... 

3.01 

2.68 

0.35 

2.43 

2.39 

4.73 

1.58 



3.63 

5.60 

2.65 

8.62 

,    5.62 

11.88 

9.31 

1846.... 

2.80 

2.93 

1.55* 

1  29 

1.82 

1.33 

1    4.66 

1849.... 

1.16 

1.15 

2.62 

1.65 

8.00 

1.66 

0.69 

1.61 

2.26 

6.30 

2.77 

2.09 

,    ^-^ 

3.96 

11.88 

5.40 

27.96 

1850.... 

1.63 

1.08 

0.87 

3.39 

8.04 

2.03 

6.09 

1.25 

2.40 

5.59 

4.31 

2.90 

6.80 

7.87 

12.30 

5.66 

82.63 

1851  ... 

2.61 

2.31 

3.97 

1.91 

1.31 

2.55 

2.87 

1.32 

1.74 

2.43 

4.97 

4.41 

7.19 

6.44 

9.19 

9.33 

32.15 

1852.... 

2.76 

2.14 

8.66 

0.63 

0.36 

4.06 

1.18 

0.53 

8.31 

4.80 

4.47 

4.09 

5.20 

5.77 

12  53 

8.99 

32.54 

1858.... 

1.17 

4.12 

0.89 

8.04 

2.01 

0.72 





i    5.94 

1854.... 





0.32 

1.09 

1.69 

Mean... 

2.02 

2.07 

1.93 

1.98 

2.27 

8.17 

2.22 

2.24 

2.81 

4.35 

3.11 

8.21 

6.18 

7.63 

9.77 

7.80 

30.33 

FORT  NIAG.\R,A,  NEW  YORK. 


2.50 

3.90 

4.10 

5.61 

2.27 

2.74 

1.80 

0.58 

1.52 

1.75 

1.17 

1.94 

1.90 

1.15 

1.20 

4.20 
2.81 
0.84 
2.07 
1.08 


2.40 
2.39 
2.74 
2.57 
2.03 


7.25 
5.67 
2.59 
1.16 
1.62 


6.32 
4.23 
2.28 
1.14 


3.50 
1.49 
2.26 
2.81 


5.05 
4.72 
0.26 
3.06 


0.77 
8.70 
2.24 
1.47 
1.42 


1.20 
4.82 
1.54 
0.94 
1.21 


3.40 
2.75 
1.36 
1.63 
0.81 


10.70 
7.94 
5.10 

6.53 
4.86 


17.07 

13.57 

9.15 

11.39 

S.SO 

9.24 

7.18 

S.67 

8.96 

5.11 

5.69 

8.23 

50.49 
87.07 
18.86? 
20.61? 


566 


SKRIES   OP   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


FORT  NIAGARA,  NEW  YORK— Continued. 


Jan. 

Fib. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 

.... 

2. 63 

7.21 

5.00 

4.14 

3.65 

2.91 

12.79 



1S50.... 

4.01 

0.07 

0.49 

0.46 

•O.TO 

6.64 

6.87 

5.17 

7.25 

3.10 

8.06 

1.82 

1.65 

18.18 

13.41 

6.60 

89.74 

1851.... 

1.20 

8.32 

0.37 

2.01 

2.49 

1.69 

3.18 

2.26 

2.99 

2.63 

2.40 

1.42 

4.87 

7.13 

7.97 

5.94 

25.91 

1852... 

l.OD 

i.n 

4.46 

2.87 

2.56 

2.91 

1.98 

2.60 

6.00 

8.30 

2.62 

6.97 

9.69 

7.49 

10.93 

8.63 

87.04 

1853.... 

1.11 

1.64 

2.S4 

8.40 

8.70 

1.60 

2.71 

1.50 

8.55 

i.sr 

2. IS 

1.17 

9.64 

5.87 

7.04 

8.92 

26.47 

1854.... 

1.63 

2.52 

1.87 

2.25 

3.90 

1.71 

4.08 

1.52 

2.61 

8.02 

7. 20 

6.41 

Mean  .. 

2.25 

1.89 

2.12 

2.20 

2.55 

8.23 

3.49 

3.04 

8.95 

2.37 

2.86 

2.27 

6.87 

9.81 

8.68 

81.77 

*  Twelve  days. 


BUFFALO  BAilRACKS,  NEW  YORK. 


1842... 

.... 

.... 

2.10 

2.00 

7.60 

2.50 

6.20 

2.40 

16.20 

1843.... 

8.52 

1.70 

8.28 

8.61 

1.65 

2. 86 

8.77 

2.90 

7.10 

7.76 

S.27 

3.38 

'      8.44 

9.68 

IS. 13 

8.60 

44.70 

1844.... 

2.40 

0.64 

3.06 

1.55 

5.05 

8.60 

4.77 

5.84 

0.22 

3.90 

2.10 

2.20 

9.60 

18.61 

6.28 

6.24 

84.79 

1845.... 

4.08 

2.29 

2.91 

2.70 

1.78 

1.96 

1.64 

.... 

.... 

7.89 

Mean  .. 

8.83 

1.54 

8.08 

2.59 

2. S3 

2.77 

8.05 

3.41 

4.94 

4.72 

3.88 

2.66 

8.60 

9.23 

13.54 

7.58 

88.80 

ALLEGHENY  ARSENAL,  PENNSYLVANIA. 


1886.... 

.... 

.... 

8.28 

1.55 

2.04 

1.59 

2.18 

5.18 

1887.... 

2.66 

2.27 

1.27 

1.00 

4.64 

7.60 

1.70 

2.52 

1.77 

3.93 

3.71 

2.69 

6.91 

11.72 

9.41 

7.02 

35.66 

1888.... 

1.29 

1.94 

1.69 



.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1839.... 

1.40 

1.80 

1.76 

1.80 

2.08 

2.55 

2.40 

1.50 

3.75 

0.60 

2.70 

3.28 

6.64 

6.45 

7.05 

6.08 

25.62 

1810.... 

1.33 

1.33 

3.47 

2.18 

2.93 

8.70 

1.67 

8.89 

2.12 

2.68 

1.71 

1.78 

8.58 

9.16 

6.51 

4.39 

29.64 

1841.... 

2.74 

0.07 

4.77 

3.82 

2.40 

4.96 

1.78 

4.01 

1.S5 

2.31 

2.77 

3.41 

i    10.99 

10.70 

6.93 

6.22 

34.84 

1842.... 

2.75 

2.88 

8.75 

4.64 

2.36 

3.96 

4.99 

6.91 

2.20 

2.09 

1.72 

3.79 

11.25 

14.86 

0.01 

9.42 

41.54 

1843.... 

2.70 

3.81 

8.27 

2.88 

4.05 

8.88 

1.87 

2.82 

6.44 

8.46 

2.87 

2.26 

10.05 

8.02 

12.77 

8.27 

89.71 

1844.... 

2.20 

0.98 

3.04 

1.79 

4.89 

4.02 

2.4-t 

4.47 

2.57 

2.85 

1.85 

1.50 

9.72 

10.93 

7.27 

4.63 

32.55 

1845.... 

2.85 

1.60 

8.04 

2.61 

1.18 

4.04 

3.74 

8.06 

3.39 

8.37 

2.02 

1.19 

6.73 

10.84 

8.78 

5.54 

31.89 

1846.... 

2.92 

2.78 

2.02 

8.76 

4.62 

4.05 

7.15 

6.06 

1.95 

4.78 

2.60 

5.16 

10.40 

17.25 

9.33 

10. SI 

47.79 

1847.... 

3.01 

2.S6 

S.47 

2.65 

3.64 

5.-32 

4. IS 

3.26 

3.92 

4.76 

4.27 

4.9S 

9.00 

12.76 

12.95 

10.  S5 

46.22 

1848.... 

1.31 

0.50 

3.20 

2.45 

5.51 

8.03 

8.69 

2.27 

2.08 

2.11 

8.11 

4.88 

11.10 

8.99 

7.30 

6.69 

84.14 

1849.... 

2.43 

1.31 

8.85 

0.83 

5.S3 

2.84 

1.26 

3.26 

1.26 

8.86 

8.97 

4.11 

10.61 

7.86 

9.09 

7.85 

84.81 

1S50.... 

8.76 

8.46 

2.74 

2.59 

3.30 

2.62 

2.82 

1.27 

8.62 

4.29 

2.19 

4.76 

8.63 

6.71 

10.10 

11.97 

37.41 

1861.... 

0.35 

8.01 

1.43 

2.83 

3.67 

2.04 

4.80 

2.66 

2.62 

1.45 

8.67 

1.71 

7.83 

9.00 

7.74 

6.17 

29.74 

1852.... 

1.80 

8.84 

2.08 

9.27 

3.84 

2.76 

2.65 

2.76 

3.09 

2.24 

2.67 

5.01 

15.14 

8.07 

8.00 

10.15 

41.86 

1S53.... 

1.66 

8.68 

1.11 

4.16 

3.27 

1.32 

2.74 

6.56 

2.34 

2.04 

2.90 

2.10    ' 

8.54 

10.62 

7.28 

7.19 

33.63 

1854.... 

2.23 

2.33 

2.82 

4.21 

2.24 

2.06 

1.45 

1.13 

1.76 

2.89 

1.88 

1.67    ' 
8.13 

9.27 
9.88 

4.64 

6.63 

6.23 

26.67 

Mean  .. 

2.18 

2.17 

2.70 

3.10 

3.58 

3.50 

2.97 

3.34 

2.68 

2.87 

2.68 

9.87 

8.23 

7.48 

34.96 

SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND   ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


567 


CARLISLE  BARRACKS,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May.       June.       July.        Aug. 

s«r.t. 

Oct. 

Nor. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer.  Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S48.... 



0.95 

2.25         2.50     1     8.79 

1.95 

2.10 

8.28 

2.T8 

4.T6 

18.24" 

8.11 

ISM.... 

1.09 

l.Sl 

1    3.84 

0.63 

3.16         1.72         0.45 

1.48 

0.96 

4.63 

0.84 

8.83 

7. 68 

3.60 

6.43 

6.23 

28.91 

1850.... 

4.2S 

2.76 

3. TO 

2. 88 

4.88        3.83         8.90 

2.72 

S.65 

4. OS 

0.87 

8.81 

10.91 

15.00 

10.60 

10.85 

47  86 

1851.... 

0.51 

3.00 

2.85 

4.76 

3.41     \    4.30         3.89 

1.49 

1.95 

1.18 

8.78 

....     1 

10.52 

9. 68 

6.86 

1S53.... 

1.18 

2.23 

3.96 

4.69 

2.96 

3.36        3.51 

4.33 

1.45 

1.64 

6.27 

3.61 

11.61 

11.25 

9.86 

7.62 

39.24 

1S53.... 

1.26 

2.T3 

0.73 

3.02 

3.69 

0.81 

2.63 

2.63 

3.01 

— 

....     1 

7.46 

6.07 

.:.... 

ISoi.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.49 

0.78 

0.93? 

2.80 

i.es 

4.01 

Mean  .  . 

l.GT 

2.41 

2.!l_' 

•2.T.J 

3. .38         2.63     1    4.69 

2.30 

2.27 

2.62 

2.79 

3.6:3 

9.05 

9.67 

7.65 

7.61 

34.01 

FORT  MIFFLIN,  PENNSYLVANIA. 


1843... 

1    1.98 

1.92 

4.45 

1.53 

8.16 

1.74 

4.01 

6.08 

4.95 

2.84 

4.08 

4.80 

9.19 

11.78 

11.87 

8.20 

41.04 

1S«... 

5.60 

2.00 

4.15 

2.15 

3.S2 

4.90 

4.20 

2.80 

4.30 

6.00 

4.00 

2.90 

10.12 

11.90 

14.30 

10.50 

46.82 

1849... 

0.71 

2.69 

6.05 

1.64 

4.04 

2.26 

2.16 

T.86 

0.43 

6.52 

2.25 

6.18 

11.73 

11.73 

9.25 

9.58 

42.84 

lS.iO... 

1    4.29 

2.52 

5.89 

2.93 

T.65 

1  65 

5.23 

6.84 

3.45 

1.54 

4.66 

16.02 

18.72 



11.47 

1S51... 

1.25 

4.03 

5.60 

3. 85 

4.65 

3.00 

3.65 

3.08 

0.94 

3.03 

3.41 

1.90 

18.80 

9.68 

T.88 

7.18 

38  04 

1S52... 

2.40 

2.48 

4.60 

8  20 

5.30 

4.55 

5.45 

4.40 

1.40 

8.80 

3.80 

5.45 

18.10 

14.40 

8.50 

10.88 

51.88 

1S33... 

1     O.SO 

3.54 

2.20 

3.93 

5.70 

2.00 

8.71 

4.43 

1.80 

2. 84 

11.88 

15.13 

Mean  . 

1     ^-^ 

2.60 

4.63 

3.44 

4.90 

2.87 

4.77 

4.98 

8.19 

3.72 

3.51 

4.23 

12.97 

12.62 

10.42 

9.26 

45.27 

Mt:an  of  28  years  at  Pennsylvania  Ilospital,  Philadeli>liia,  by  Drs.  Swift  and  Conrad,  42.3  Inches. 


FORT  McHENRY,  MARYLAND. 


1836.... 

.... 

4.10 

9.20 

2.85 

6.70 

8  15 

4.00 

480 

1    7.10 

18.25 

11.95 

13.37.... 

2.10 

3.10 

6.30 

2.10 

4.20 

4.90 

4.30 

5.10 

8.80 

3.10 

3.40 

1    2.60 

12.60 

14.30 

10.30 

7.80 

45.00 

1833.... 

2.10 

2.90 

4.50 

2.30 

i.Si 

4.70 

1.90 

9.10 

4.50 

8.10 

2.70 

4.50 

11.60 

15.70 

10.30 

9.50 

47.10 

18:39  ... 

3.50 

8.60 

4.00 

9.10 

4.59 

4.10 

5.60 

2.20 

1.90 

1.60 

2.80 

8.80 

17.60 

11.90 

6.80 

15.90 

51.70 

1840.... 

2.30 

2.80 

2.70 

4.30 

3.90 

5.10 

1.65 

2.85 

2.80 

4.50 

2.15 

3.25 

10.90 

9  80 

9.45 

7.85 

87.90 

1841.... 

6.10 

1.40 

5.95 

4.50 

2.75 

4.85 

1.35 

4.0O 

2.80 

2.80 

3.80 

6.10 

15.10 

9.70 

8.40 

12.60 

48.90 

1S42.... 

1.80 

3.35 

2.40 

4.80 

4.00 

2.65 

8.70 

4.40 

1.00 

1.40 

2.75 

8.35 

10.70 

10.75 

5.15 

8.50 

85.18 

1343  ... 

1.60 

2.20 

3.80 

2.90 

8.55 

0.90 

5.40 

7.82 

10.50 

1.97 

4.25 

8.90 

10.25 

14.12 

16.72 

7.70 

48.79 

lS4r... 

3.6J 

1.45 

8.00 

1.60 

4.00 

1.70 

8.90 

0.31 

4.47 

8.08 

1.85 

8.50 

8.60 

5.91 

9.85 

8.60 

82.46 

1845.... 

2.40 

8.59 

1.70 

1.49 

2.36 

2.93 

1.26 

2.77 

1.51 

3.73 

1.22 

8.43 

5.55 

6.96 

6.46 

9.42 

28.39 

1S16.... 

2.83 

1.82 

8.54 

2.38 

6.77 

1.78 

6.89 

7.20 

8.83 

1.30 

T.17 

2.10 

11.69 

15.87 

12.35 

6.75 

46.66 

1847.... 

2.92 

3.42 

2.33 

0.41 

1.19 

3.80 

2.51 

2.97 

5.55 

3.88 

2.54 

2.88 

8.98 

8.S4 

11.47 

9.72 

34.01 

1648.... 

1.58 

0  94 

2.70 

0.81 

2.96 

4.24 

4.42 

8.24 

1.64 

7.85 

1.44 

8.10 

6.47 

11.90 

10.43 

5.62 

34.43 

1849.... 

1.02 

1.15 

3.63 

0.87 

4.18 

1.50 

2.06 

2.55 

1.90 

6.27 

1.06 

4.44 

8.68 

6.11 

9.23 

6.61 

80.68 

1S30.... 

3.58 

2.43 

5.90 

3.85 

3.08 

1.66 

8.10 

4.70 

4.70 

3.10 

4.80 

4.40 

12.83 

9.46 

12.10 

10.41 

43.80 

1851.... 

1.70 

2.90 

5.70 

4.70 

4.60 

i.ao 

4.20 

8.80 

0.50 

2.20 

5.60 

1.50 

15.00 

8.79 

8.80 

6.10 

8S.10 

1852.... 

2.60 

8.60 

3.90 

7.80 

1.70 

2.70 

5.70 

4.60 

2.20 

2.60 

7.90 

«.20 

18.40 

13.00 

12.70 

12.40 

51.50 

1353.... 

1.30 

8.40 

2.70 

8.10 

4.80 

0.60 

3.30 

4.70 

2.40 

4.40 

3.50 

2.30 

10.10 

6.60 

10.80 

7.00 

86.00 

1S54»... 

4.40 

4.90 

4.70 

7.20 

5.20 

4.80 

2.60 

8.00 

4.10 

7.10 

7.80 

8.90 

17.10 

10.40 

18.50 

13.20 

69.207 

Me:in  .  . 

2.04 

2.70 

8.36 

8.56 

8.71 

3.23 

3.50 

4.26 

3.31 

8.53 

3.68 

8.97 

11.13 

11.04 

10.52 

9.31 

42.00 

*  1$^  and  1S45  appear  maccurhtcly  measured,  one  in  excess  and  the  other  in  deficiency.    Their  errors  are  compensating. 


568 


SERIES    OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


FORT  SEVERN,  MARYLAND. 


Jan. 

?eb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oot. 

Not. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer.  Autumn. 

i 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S«.... 

8.00 

2.69 

5.T1 

1.24 

6.2S 

6.99 

10.87 

2.64 

4.96 

4.26 

11.80 

18.51 

17.97 



1$44.... 

4.22 

0.94 

8.S5 

1.08 

4.69 

8.91 

2.96 

1.67 

0.47 

4.2S 

3.62 

8.37 

9.82 

8.54 

14.87 

8.58 

40.76 

1S«.... 

8.69 

5.10 

2.85 

2.25 

3.24 

6.94 

3.18 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

8.84 

Mean  .. 

3.96 

8.02 

3.13 

1.97 

4.55 

4.CS 

4.14 

S.88 

S.42 

8.46 

4.29 

8.81 

9.65 

12.00 

16.17 

10.79 

48.61 

WASHINGTON  CITY. 


1824.... 

1.50 

2.65 

1.9S 

4.80 

1.58 

4.26 

2.45 

2.48 

2.62 

1.28 

1.24 

2.76 

7.S6 

9.14 

6.09 

6.91 

29.00 

1825.... 

1.62 

2.27 

8.83 

3.85 

2.87 

2.66 

1.87 

1.35 

0.45 

1.6S 

0.24 

2.76 

9.55 

5.88 

2.37 

6.65 

24.45 

1826.... 

0.6:J 

2.01 

1.6S 

0.45 

0.80 

1.87 

2.06 

2.87 

1.60 

l.OS 

2.05 

1.62 

2.98 

6.90 

4.73 

4.28 

18.79 

1827.... 

0.48 

2.85 

1.18 

1.97 

2.25 

1.87 

1.02 

2.57 

2.21 

5.40 

5.54 

Mean  .. 

1.05 

2.45 

2.17 

2.62 

1.75 

2.64 

2.25 

2.05 

1.56 

1.25 

1.52 

2.84 

6.44 

6.86 

4.88 

6.84 

28.47 

1886.... 



.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 





47.27 

1887.... 





.... 

81.80 

1838.... 













.... 

85.10 

1839.... 



.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

86.97 

1838      ) 
10  '42.  f 

4.4« 

2. 74 

2.56 

4.08 

8. SO 

2.92 

3.92 

8.69 

8.62 

8.55 

8.08 

2.67 

10.45 

10.58 

10.15 

10.07 

41.20 

These  observations  are  reporlet!  in  the  first  publicittions  of  results  from  the  medical  department.  The  first  were  taken  by  Rev.  Robert  Little,  and  those  from 
1S36  to  1S89  by  Judge  Cranch.  Later  observations  show  the  quantity  of  r;iin  falling  here  to  differ  little  from  that  at  Baltimore,  and  the  evidences  are  strong  that 
the  first  series  was  much  under-measured.  The  last  amount  is  from  the  observations  of  Lieutenant  GiUiss,  and  is  a  mean  of  measui'ements  from  July,  1S3S,  to 
June,  1842,  giving  a  close  approximation  to  the  absolute  mean. 

FORT  WASHINGTON,  MARYLAND. 


1851.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

8.77 

1.42 

4.92 

3.51 

2.27 

1.95 

8.66 

1.73 

9.85 

7.88 

1852.... 

1.54 

3.28 

2.88 

7.05 

2.29 

8.51 

2.89 

11.64 

1.75 

2.20 

6.90 

4.64 

12.22 

17.94 

10.85 

9.41 

60.42 

1853.... 

3.19 

4.40 

8.47 

8.66 

6.28 

1.66 

8.8S 

5.80 

4.57 

.... 

.... 

18.26 

10.74 

Mean  .. 

2.87 

8.81 

8.17 

6.80 

4.10 

2.16 

8.90 

6.78 

2.86 

2.08 

8.28 

3.21 

12.67 

12.84 

10.22 

9.89 

45.02 

FORT  MONROE,  VIRGINIA. 


1886.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

6.80 

5.20 

0.81 

2.70 

4.70 

3.40 

8.21 

1837... 

1.60 

2.60 

2.40 

0.90 

2.20 

8.50 

2.00 

7  50 

6.70 

0.50 

2.90 

9.00 

6.50 

13.00 

9.10 

18.10 

40.70 

1838.... 

2.74 

1.S6 

2.10 

2.80 

1.10 

4.60 

2.40 

1.15 

16.40 

4.60 

8.70 

1.60 

6.00 

8.05 

24.70 

6.19 

44.94 

1889.... 

8.10 

4.70 

5.80 

8.70 

5.50 

4.80 

4.50 

14.20 

1.20 

6.80 

8.60 

9.60 

14.50 

23.60 

11.60 

22.40 

72.00 

1840.... 

1.60 

8.20 

4.00 

6.90 

6.91 

11.10 

18.60 

6.60 

7.60 

6.40 

2.80 

6.60 

15.81 

80.10 

16.80 

11.40 

74.10 

1841.... 

11.00 

8.20 

8.60 

6.80 

4.20 

3.60 

3.61 

8.90 

6.40 

1.50 

2.50 

5.60 

19.00 

16.11 

10.40 

19.80 

65.80 

1842.... 

5.10 

6.60 

2.46 

6.50 

4.70 

9.60 

13.60 

8.30 

1.20 

8.60 

4.10 

8.60 

12.66 

31.80 

8.80 

14.80 

67.06 

1843.... 

0.51 

4.00 

8.80 

8.10 

6.20 

2.20 

3.70 

8.60 

3.20 

4.50 

2.20 

6.80 

12.60 

14.60 

9.90 

10.31 

47.81 

1844.... 

3.40 

1.60 

4.60 

1.41 

2.92 

4.85 

8.58 

8.00 

4.76 

2.25 

8.74 

3.77 

8.68 

18.43 

10.75 

8.67 

41.53 

1845.... 

1.88 

2.42 

1.20 

2.48 

7.70 

6.06 

8.26 

9.98 

4.65 

2.00 

2.10 

4.04 

11.38 

19.30 

8.75 

8.84 

47.77 

ISlC... 

3.55 

2.97 

8.83 

8.23 

4.86 

4.67 

6.27 

2.48 

5.81 

2.68 

9.85 

8.14 

10.97 

12.42 

17.84 

9.66 

60.89 

1817.... 

2.75 

2.65 

5.05 

1.86 

3.62 

4.07 

3.47 

8.98 

7.87 

1.92 

4.10 

2.64 

10.58 

16.47 

18.89 

8.04 

48.93 

1843... 

0.77 

8.20 

8.19 

1.89 

8.68 

1.07 

4.19 

8.47 

085 

4.18 

1.80 

2.21 

8.25 

8.78 

6.28 

«.ie 

29.44 

SERIES   OF    MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF    RAIN. 


569 


FORT  MONROE,  VIRGINIA— Continued. 


;    Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

1 
Summer  Autumn  Winter 

Year. 

U!49... 

1.70 

2.10 

4.06 

0.98 

3.11 

0.70 

4.13 

1.98 

1.99 

2.91 

4.86 

4.12 

8.15 

6.81  ' 

9.76 

7.92 

:s.64 

1830... 

4.32 

2.20 

3:04 

2.47 

3.24 

1.12 

18.01 

3.27 

2.31 

0.76 

1.92 

7.10 

8.75 

22.40 

4.99 

13.62 

49.76 

1651... 

3.21 

2.24 

2.23 

1.33 

2.20 

2.51 

3.00 

4.00 

0.76 

2.02 

2  45 

0.91 

5.76 

9.51 

5.23 

6.36 

26.86 

1852... 

0.90 

1.18 

1.82 

2.72 

i.s:) 

1.89 

3.83 

4.90 

1.55 

1.92 

2.06 

2.94 

6.07 

10.63  j 

5.53 

5.05 

27.27 

1853... 

1.54 

1.90 

1.41 

2.47 

2.08 

0.56 

5.79 

1.93 

1.11 

O.SO 

5.25 

1.90 

5.96 

8.38  ! 

7.16 

5.34 

26.74 

1854... 

4  00 

1.90 

2.00 

1.80 

0.82 

1.30 

1.60 

0.60 

1.00 

1.80 

1.30 

i.ao 

4.62 

3.50 

4.10 

7.10 

19  32 

Mean.  < 

3.48 
3  'J6 

3.01 
2.74 

3.74 
3.33 

3.01 

2.80 

4.17 
3.64 

4.41 

3.78 

6.10 
5.56 

6.29 
5.70 

4.68 
3.93 

3.61 
2.82 

3.58 
3.41 

4.81 
4.17 

10.92 
9.77 

16.80 
15.08  1 

11.87 
10.16 

11.30 
10.17 

50.89 
45.18 

The  measurements  of  rain  at  Fort  Monroe  for  the  last  four  years  differ  so  widely  from  those  of  previous  years  as  to  lead  to  the  inference  that  the  gauge  is 
defective  or  that  the  observations  were  inaccurate.    The  first  summary  is  of  obscrvrilions  prcviims  lo  1851. 

FORT  JOHNSTON,  NOra'H  CAROLINA. 


1844.... 

1845.... 

3.40 

1.85 

1.50 

2.00 

4.00 

2.99 

0.70 

0.48 

1.57 

3.94 

3.28 

1.61 

8.43 

1.93 

7.90 

9.86 

2.43 

4.04 

6.27 

7.41 

19.61 

16.32 

7.85 

50.05 


Mean.. 

2.64 

1.75 

3.49 

0.59 

2.75 

2.44 

5.18 

7.90 

9.66 

2.42 

4.04 

2.95 

6.83 

15.53 

1 

16.^ 

7.34 

46.01 

FORT  MOULTRIE.  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


1842.... 

.... 



.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

2.86 

3.45 

i 





1843.... 

2.07 

2.09 

10.52 

0.02 

2.38 

3.34 

5.54 

7.76 

5.39 

0.65 

0.55 

2.61 

13.92 

16.53 

6.59 

6.77 

42.80 

1844.... 

2.66 

1.69 

4.07 

1.20 

1.87 

1.51 

4.85 

4.32 

6.05 

0.91 

3.40 

1.45 

7.14 

10.68 

10.36 

5.80 

33.98 

1843.... 

3.43 

0.93 

1.95 

0.10 

6.53 

3.19 

6.05 

5.90 

3.60 

7.55 

0.20 

6.07 

8.58 

14.14 

10.35 

10.44 

43.51 

1S46.... 

4.97 

3.51 

5.50 

3.35 

1.90 

3.25 

4.60 

9.05 

3.30 

0.33 

1.35 

10.75 

16.90 

9.83 

1847.... 

1.69 

O.SO 

7.66 

1.52 

9.45 

5.50 

13.23 

14.70 

6.64 

0.00 

0.45 

4.35 

18.63 

33.45 

7.09 

6.14 

65.3! 

1848.... 

0.73 

5.83 

1.73 

3.80 

7.10 

7.85 

5.85 

6.32 

9.40 

5.23 

1.23 

1.70 

12.65 

20.02 

15.90 

8.30 

56.87 

1849.... 

0.25 

1.45 

1.50 

0.50? 

4.60 

3  60 

7.60 

10.80 

4.70 

3.99 

0.71 

1.08 

6  60 

21.00 

9.40 

2.78 

39.78 

1850.... 

2.95 

2.83 

6.01 

2.59 

4.10 

0.78 

2.K 

4.03 

3.68 

0.88 

1.99 

4.64 

13.70 

7.13 

5.55 

10.43 

33.80 

1851.... 

3.67 

2.51 

1.93 

1.65 

0.63 

825 

8.57 

5.89 

0.29 

1.28 

3.34 

1.10 

4.21 

22.74 

4.91 

7.28 

39.11 

1852.... 

0.51 

1.21 

4.35 

2.96 

4.17 

8.86 

5.43 

4.15 

11.70 

1.20 

2.12 

4.60 

11.48 

18.44 

15.02  ! 

B.SS 

51.96 

1853.... 

1.90 

2.80 

3.30 

1.06 

2.33 

1.53 

10.88 

2.30 

8.10 

4.05 

4.89 

3.39 

6.89 

14.63 

17.04  ' 

7.09 

45.65 

1854.... 

3.80 

2.84 

0.25 

2  20 

3.70 

4.20 

5.69 

3.82 

9.34 

1.13 

1.16 

1.74 

6.15 

13.71 

11.52 

8.38 

39.76 

Mean... 

2.39 

2.33 

4.06 

1.75 

4.08 

4.15 

6.73 

6.58 

5.83 

2.44 

1.79 

3.80 

9.69 

17.43 

10.06 

7.S2 

44.92 

AUGUSTA  ARSENAL,  GEORGIA. 


1844.... 

_ 

.... 

0.57 

1.41 

1.34 

0.53 

3.34 

0.37 

1.88 

1.76 

3.18 

.4.49 

..... 

1845.... 

1.90 

0.62 

0.78 

0.05 

1.07 

1.20 

0.35 

263 

0.53 

3.51 

0  50 

6.00 

1.90 

4.17 

4.54 

8.52 

19.13? 

1846.... 

3.59 

4  25 

8.60 

2.89 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

Mean. . . 

2.74 

2.43 

4.69 

1.47 

0.82 

1.3(1 

0.79 

1.57 

1.43 

1.89 

1.19 

3.88 

6.78 

3.66 

4.51 

8.05 

23.00 

S.  00- 


-72 


570 


SERIES   OP   MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OP   BAIN. 


OGLEl'HORPE  BARRACKS,  GEORGIA. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

Jujie. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1843.... 

1.27 

2  03 

12.51 

0.84 

2.01 

5.69 

5.33 

7.16 

1  34 

0.60 

0.96 

3.57 

15.36 

18.18 

3.10 

4.26 

40.90 

1814   ... 

3.G1 

1.10 

8.77 

3.07 

2.47 

8.19 

13.92 

4.10 

6.08 

0.57 

2.78 

2.90 

14.31 

26.21 

9.43 

7.61 

57.56 

1815.... 

2.85 

0.03 

2.21 

O.SO 

5.30 

2.37 

2.80 

9.94 

2.21 

5.94 

0.£2 

3.96 

7.71 

15.11 

8.37 

6.06 

38.05 

184G.... 

6.54 

4.70 

5.06 

3.72 

1.36 

5.81 

7.08 

6.44 

7.17 

.... 

.... 



10.14 

19.33 

li*50.... 

3.03 

7.00 

6.72 

6.00 

1.20 

14.80 

12.67 

3.37 

0.70 

0.80 

3.27 

19.72 

28.67 

4.87 

Mean. . . 

3.57 

2.16 

7.11 

2.91 

3.43 

4.65 

8.79 

8.06 

4.07 

1.95 

1.19 

3.42 

13.45 

23.50 

7.21 

9.17 

53.33 

FORT  MARION,  ST.  AUGUSTINE,  FLORIDA. 


1844....]     1.94 
1815....      1.98 

1846....;     4.13 

1 
1851. ...[     .... 

1852....!     0.32 

1.00 
0.50 
4.32 
1.71 
0.59 

4.71 
2.05 
1.67 
0.93 

1.26 
0.60 
1.70 
2.63 

2.97 
2.63 
1.77 
0.64 

2.18 
0.59 
6.28 
8.01 
.... 

2.37 
4.11 

3.23 

2.68 
3.38 

7.13 
4.81 

5.60 

0.49 
6.06 

0.71 

0.73 
0.43 
.... 
2.72 

'l.55 

3.08 

1.60 

8.94 
5.28 
5.14 
4.25 

8.13 
14.62 

8.35 
11.31 


9.03 

4.49 
5.56 

29.91 

Mean...l    2.09         1.63 

2.34 

1.56 

2.00 

1 
4.27         3.24    I    3.03 

5.85 

2.42 

1.29 

2.08 

5.90 

10.54 

9.56 

5.80 

31.80 

FORT  SHANNON,  FLORIDA. 


1841»... 

0.49 

1.30 

6.17 

3.60 

2.00 

8.45 

5.80 

11.32 

6.50 

4.29 

2.56 

1.65 

11.77 

25.57 

13.25 

3.44 

54.13 

1842  ... 

0.43 

2.84 

1.02 

1.70 

4.49 

5.87 

10.55 

6.30 

4  99 

4.67 

1.97 

0.84 

7.21 

22.72 

11.63 

4.11 

45.67 

1843.... 

1.87 

3.79 

14.28 

2.12 

2.09 

5.31 

5.70 

5.18 

1.50 

2.39 

0.28 

1.76 

15.39 

16.19 

4.17 

7.42 

43.17 

Mean. . . 

0.93 

2.64 

7.16 

2.47 

2.86 

6.54 

7.35 

7.60 

4.33 

3.78 

1.60 

1.42 

12.49 

21.49 

9.71 

4.99 

48.68 

•  January  and  February  at  Fort  Reui,  a.  few  nules  distant. 


FORT  PIERCE,  (CAPRON,)  FLORIDA. 


1853.... 

0.42 

1.73 

0.63 

1.14 

2.75 

7.23 

4.47 

3;  IS 

2.46 

.... 

3.50 

14.45 

1&)2.... 

— 

.... 

3.05 

4.80 

1.30 

6.85 

8.00 

4.30 

7.00 

0.60 

1.82 

2.30 

9.15 

19.15 

9.42 

1853.... 

5.00 

2.20 

5.15 

2.45 

4.55 

29.35 

2.50 

13.50 

17.50 

10.00 

3.41 

0.75 

12.15 

45.35 

41.00 

7.98 

M6.48 

1854.... 

3.55 

3.40 

1.05 

7.00 

5.70 

6.63 

4.97 

2.63 

3.30 

5.47 

1.41 

1.68 

13.75 

14.23 

10.18 

8.63 

46.79 

1855.... 

4.81 

2.56 

2.80 

1.14 

5.54 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

9.49 



Mean... 

4.45 

2.72 

3.01 

3  85 

4.27 

14.28 

5.16 

6.81 

9.27 

5.36 

2.21 

1.59 

11.13 

26.25 

16.84 

8.76 

62.98 

The  first  quantities  given  for  1653  are  at  Ifew  Smyrna,  and  are  not  included  in  the  summary. 


KEY  WEST,   FLORIDA. 


1837.... 

1.83 

0.92 

0.75 

2.42 

5.35 

1.68 

1.65 

7.50 

5.80 

6. OS 

3.05 

1.65 

8.52 

10.83 

14.90 

4.40 

38.65 

1838.... 

0.05 

0.05 

0.00 

0.02 

0.82 

4.86 

1.15 

3.05 

3.47 

0.40 

5.75 

0.87 

0.84 

9.06 

9.62 

0.97 

20.49 

1844.... 

1.23 

0.13 

0.05 

1.36 

7.13 

1.26 

2.63 

8.50 

14.07 

0.44 

1.28 

1.54 

11.02 

23.01 

2.51 

38.08 

1845.... 

4.43 

0.14 

3.67 

2.00 

4.33 

6,07 

5.00 

.... 

10.10 

1850.... 

2.02 

3.38 

3.93 

4.18 

0.01 

2,10 





7.32 

1851.... 

2.40 

0,88 

1.6D 

1,80 

,1.32 

9,94 

3,24 

6.80 

14.00 

9.45 

2,30 

2.64 

ft,  62 

19.28 

25  75 

5.92 

59.57 

SERIES    OF    MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS    OF    KAIN. 


571 


KET  WEST,  FLORIDA— Continued. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1852.... 

1.82 

3.67 

8.74 

2.17 

0.40 

8.51 

6.16 

6.03 

6.22 

4.18 

3.00 

3.41 

11.31 

20.70 

13.40 

8.90 

54.31 

1853.... 

2.80 

0.35 

12.06 

.... 

0.94 

18.11 

2.33 

5.02 

4.39 

1.69 

1.08 

0.89 

25.46 

7.16 

4.04 

18.54.... 

1.77 

2.55 

0  51 

2  99 

3.14 

4.54 

3.45 

5.83 

9.70 

4.73 

0.25 

8.45 

6.64 

13.^ 

14.68 

12.77 

47.91 

1855.... 

3.94 

0.83 

S.87 

0.24 

3.55 

4.47 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

6.66 
8.34 



Mean... 

2.86 

1.38 

4.21 

1.55 

2.58 

8.39 

3.35 

4.95 

7.79 

6.38 

1.18 

3.13 

16.59 

15.35 

7.37 

47.65 

A  register  of  the  fall  of  rain  at  Key  West  was  kept  by  W.  A.  Whitehead,  esq.,  and  A.  Gordon,  esq.,  collectors  of  castoms,  for  1834,  18.15, 1837,  and  1838, 
giving  fur  those  years  36.1,  30.1,  36.7,  and  '20.5  inches  respectively.  Two  ol  these  years  are  given  in  the  table  to  show  the  characteristic  deficiency  in  tlie  winter 
m-'nlhs:  tliey  are  not  incUideil  in  the  summary. 

FORT  MYERS,   FLORIDA. 


1851.... 

7.61 

3.38 

2.09 

4.57 

2.71 

18.51 

7.35 

3.61 

8.01 

1.66 

0.55 

1,50 

9.37 

29.47 

10.22 

12.49 

61.55 

1852.... 

1.54 

1.00 

11.77 

5.70 

3.25 

18.13 

12.02 

7.60 

9.54 

0.40 

0.98 

2.34 

20. ra 

37.75 

10.92 

4.88 

74.27 

1853.... 

4.29 

1.60 

2.52 

2.20 

1.79 

25.58 

6.35 

10.38 

22.10 

1.40 

0.79 

3.55 

5.51 

42.31 

24.47 

9.44 

82.73 

1854.... 

1.15 

4.70 

0.20 

2.75 

5.65 

6.75 

9.70 

9.90 

1.50 

0.35 

0.45 

1.65 

8.60 

26.35 

2.30 

7.50 

44.75 

1855.... 

3.20 

0.55 

6.40 

0.50 

3.00 

10.20 

6.80 

.... 

9.90 

Mean... 

3.56 

2.24 

4.60 

3.14 

3.28 

15.83 

8.45 

7.87 

'  10.29 

1 

0.98 

0.69 

2.26 

11.02 

32.15 

11.96 

8.06 

63.19 

FORT  BROOKE,  FLORIDA. 


1840.... 

2.60 

•i.OO 

3.20 

1.90 

8.85 

6.72 

24.52 

23.40 

7.75 

4,80 

4.56 

0.56 

13.95 

54.64 

17.11 

4.16 

89.86 

1341.... 

0.88 

■2.54 

2.80 

0.30 

0.30 

8.95 

10.60 

8.10 

5.61 

3,31 

3,10 

2.40 

3,40 

27.65 

12.02 

S.ffl 

48.89 

1842.... 

0.30 

2.83 

0.10 

2.70 

2.80 

2.90 

11.00 

12.50 

4,00 

3,20 

2.00 

1.63 

5,60 

26,40 

9.20 

4.76 

45,96 

1843.... 

3.37 

5.70 

7.20 

1.30 

2.00 

6.90 

8.61 

6,60 

9.90 

2,60 

0.80 

1  30 

10,50 

22,11 

13.30 

10.37 

56.28 

1844.... 

1.10 

3.30 

1.80 

0.10 

5.50 

4.70 

7.70 

15,77 

3.50 

2.20 

3.10 

2.90 

7.40 

28.17 

8.80 

7.30 

51.67 

1845.... 

3.60 

0.15 

0,40 

0.20 

4.03 

4.51 

12.30 

8.23 

12.69 

2.14 

1.00 

3.61 

4.63 

25,04 

15.83 

7.56 

53.06 

1S46.... 

3.01 

4.97 

7.73 

2.93 

4.44 

8.17 

8.80 

9,03 

1  33 

3.11 

0.18 

0.50 

15.10 

26. UO 

4.63 

8.48 

54.20 

1847.... 

2.24 

3.25 

4.38 

1.61 

1.00 

4.68 

7.23 

4.80 

10.23 

2.01 

0.28 

4.50 

6.99 

16,60 

12.52 

9  99 

46.10 

1848.... 

0.36 

0.21 

0.05 

1.23 

230 

10.59 

21.31 

14.80 



.... 



3.58 

46.70 



1849.... 

.... 



.... 

.... 

8.74 

6.33 

3,55 

1.74 

0.77 

1.13 

6.06 

1850.... 

144 

5.92 

3.50 

1.65 

3  98 

2.05 

11.98 

5.43 

2.71 

2.89 

9,13 

19.46 

1851.... 





..  . 

2.03 

6.57 

3.18 

6.35 

6.93 

1.85 

2.10 

3,00 



16,10 

10.88 

1852.... 

0.95 

o.es 

6.40 

3.05 

3.06 

13.20 

10.95 

14.30 

10,00 

0,30 

3.20 

3.00 

12.51 

33,45 

13.50 

4.80 

69.26 

1853.... 

455 

1.60 

3.35 

0.75 

0.30 

9.09 

4.12 

4,67 

4.36 

1.70 

2.90 

7.38 

4.40 

17  88 

8.96 

13.53 

44,77 

1854.... 

3.83 

6.89 

2.44 

8.82 

6.21 

9.44 

15  53 

11.23 

4  68 

1.77 

1.75 

4.85 

17.47 

3S.20 

8.20 

15.57 

77.44 

1855.... 

2.34 

2.88 

3.89 

0.75 

1.77 

3.24 

7.07 

.... 

.... 

6.41 





8.04 

Mean... 

2  20 

3.01 

3  37 

1.9.-, 

7.04 

11.10 

10,10 

6,23 

2  40 

2.00 

2.83 

8.56 

28.24 

10.63 

55.47 

FORT  MEADE,  FLORIDA. 


1851.... 

1852.... 

0.69 

1653.... 

1.23 

1854.... 

1.30 

Mean,.. 

1.07     , 

0.27  I  2.08  [  2.13 
0.55  '  0.99  1  0.03 
2.21     I     1,85         3,19 


1.64 


1.78 


3.00 

8.67 

5.73 

6.47 

7.67 

2.04 

2.31 

11.71 

11.41 

6.35 

6,60 

1,32 

0.15 

3.54 

4.52 

2.39 

2.12 

0,31 

10.57 

7.24 

8.55 

10.20 

2,99 

2,34 

534 

7.79 

7.55 

6,35 

4  85 

1.50 

1.28 
0.15 
0.78 
0.03 


0.56 


2.37 
1.33 
1.67 


30.87 

6.52  29.47 

1.17  10,45 

15.61  25,99 

8,76  20,68 


10.99 
8.07 
3.21 
5.25 


2.38 
3.44 


46.34 

18.27 


3  87         40.22 


572 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND   ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


CEDAR  KEYS,  FLORIDA. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 'Winter. 

i 

Year. 

18-10.... 
1841  ... 
1M2.... 

.... 

4.70 
0.90 

1.80 
8.80 

3.40 
0.20 

1.40 
1.40 

1.00 
0.80 

U.SO 
1.30 

1.10 
3.10 
8.00 

IS. 05 
10. SO 
10.10 

6.30 
4.00 
4.60 

1.70 
5.60 
4.10 

3.30 
5.10 
1.10 

1  OS 
2.10 
2.90 

5.80 
2.40 

25.10 
19.40 

11.30 
14.70 
9.80 

8.60 
12  60 

54.20 
44.20 

Mean. . . 

3.80 

S.30 

1.80 

1.40 

o.yo 

1     6.40 

4.07 

11.88 

4.97 

3.80 

3.17 

2.01 

4.10 

22.35 

11.94 

10.11 

48.50 

FORT  BARRANCAS,  PENSACOLA,  FLORIDA. 


1842.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

12.29 

1.48 

13.04 

2.30 

6.46 

2.18 



21.80 

1843.... 

2.54 

2.77 

7.85 

5.86 

0.70 

13.04 

4.95 

7.04 

5.87 

1.46 

5.78 

6.30 

14.41 

25.03 

13.11 

9.61 

62.16 

1844.... 

5.76 

0.91 

7.78 

1.98 

5.52 

5.11 

7.67 

6.59 

2.61 

1.99 

11.57 

2.09 

15.28 

19.37 

16.17 

8.76 

59.58 

1845... 

4.17 

1.16 

5.00 

0.42 

3.69 

1.37 

3.46 







2.93 

4.14 

9.11 



9.47 

1846.... 

8.28 

10.46 

5.80 

6.34 

.... 



14.48 

10.62 

2.65 

0.48 

4.73 

2.36 

7.86 

21.10 

1847.... 

4.78 

8  98 

10.95 

5.85 

890 

.... 

.... 

.... 

... 

.... 

25.70 

1851.... 

3.50 

8.03 

0.60 

4.52 

4.20 

0.96 

1.11 

6.15 

1.66 

.... 

8.39 

2.54 

9.32 

8.22 



24.07 

1852.... 

0.97 

3.40 

.... 

8.02 

16.25 

0.65 

1.10 

7.80 

3.51 

9.55 

7.88 

1853.... 

4.15 

6.80 

4.82 

0.51 

4.00 

4.51 

3.80 

2.95 

12.25 

.... 

1.25 

9.33 

11.36 

12.20 

_ 

1854.... 

3  45 

5.55 

7.21 

0.50 

3.47 

3.39 

5.43 

6.81 

3.47 

7.14 

0.76 

3.74 

11.18 

15.63 

11.37 

12.64 

50.82 

1855.... 

1.09 

1.44 

2.86 

1.00 

1.92 

4.21 

.... 

.... 

.... 

5.78 

Mean... 

3.87 

4.95 

5.87 

2.94 

4.05 

4.66 

6.80 

7.23 

5.25 

2.41 

6.05 

3.90 

12.86 

18.69 

13.71 

11.72 

56.98 

FORT  MITCHELL,*  ALABAMA. 


*  On  the  Coosa  river,  near  Montgomery,  latitude  32"'  25'. 
MOUNT  VERNON  ARSENAL,  ALABAMA. 


1836... 

2.10 

3.40 

0.64 

0.11 

3.86 

1.48 

4.61 

1837... 

2.29 

5.52 

4.61 

6.70 

6.30 

7.08 

1.40 

6.17 

1.81 



...... 

17.60 

14.65 

9.29 

46.15 

1840.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

•  <•■ 

.... 

.... 

5.73 

1.70 

2.69 

1 

1841.... 

12.84 

4.86 

9.28 

4.65 

7.23 

4.60 

.... 

.... 

.... 

21.16 

1843.... 

3.81 

5.90 

9.22 

5.17 

0.72 

16.67 

6.11 

2.18 

3.49 

5.04 

6.27 

11.80 

15.11 

24.96 

14.80 

21.51 

76.38 

1844.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

5.92 

9.38 

5.03 

8.29 

0.98 

2.90 

10.57 

2.54 

^.70 

14.45 

1845.... 

11.30 

8.37 

4.52 

1.79 

2.54 

2  19 

2.73 

6.48 

5.40 

11.87 

4.99 

6.34 

8.85 

11.40 

22.26 

26.01 

68.52 

1846.... 

6.82 

5.31 

5.63 

11.51 

5.49 

5.57 

9  42 

4.74 

2.12 

0.40 

3.75 

4.60 

22.63 

19.73 

6.27 

16.73 

65.36 

1847.... 

6.83 

7.70 

6.45 

3.77 

3.94 

4.05 

11.92 

7.39 

5.85 

0.43 

4.10 

9.01 

14.16 

23.36 

10.37 

23.54 

71.43 

1848.... 

3.90 

5.17 

3.5U 

3.78 

3.15 

6.35 

3.10 

4.39 

3.99 

1.54 

7.94 

5  74 

8.43 

13  84 

12.47 

14.81 

49.15 

1849.... 

2.89 

2.44 

1.36 

3.06 

6.11 

9.25 

14.56 

11.15 

0.65 

13.00 

10.54.' 

4.32 

10.53 

34.96 

24.19 

9.55 

79.23 

1850.... 

9.49 

4  81 

2.09 

4.22 

6.72 

2.01 

6.44 

5.13 

0.13 

0.85 

2.32 

5.22 

13.03 

12.58 

3.32 

19.62 

48.55 

1851.... 

3.89 

7.26 

0.77 

1.14 

3.44 

5.35 

1  84 

8.60 

4.42 

2.07 

6.99 

3.91 

5.35 

15.88 

13.48 

14.06 

48.77 

1852.... 

1.^2 

1.95 

1.52 

6.24 

6.75 

1.56 

1.92 

9.64 

0.70 

2.40 

9.74 

7.15 

14.51 

13.12 

12.84 

11.02 

51.49 

1853«... 

11.18 

8.10 

16.45 

6.59 

5.34 

2.00 

12.64 

8  95 

11.09 

8.44 

2.70 

13.09    i 

28.38 

33.59 

22.23 

32.37 

106.57.' 

1854.... 

11.01 

12.83 

6.22 

1.96 

4.45 

6.72 

6.13 

3.39 

6.82 

0.81 

2.34 

0.73 

12.63 

15.34 

9.97 

24.57 

63.51 

Mean. . . 

6.80 

6.04 

4.59 

4.21 

4.62 

6.14 

6.30 

6.40 

3.05 

3.92 

6.18 

5.25 

1 

13.42 

18.84 

13.15 

18.09 

63.50 

•The  mi'asuri'nipnts  for  lljin  ycnr  arc  rpjerted  trrim  ihi'  snmimi'V  for  inl«mal  evidence  of  error,  at  well  as  by  tha  amount  in  somparison  with  other  years. 


SERIES   OF    MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


573 


PASS  CHRISTIAN  AND  EAST  PASCAGOULA,  MISSISSIPPI. 


Jan. 

Feb.       .March. 

.April. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Au5. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

1 
Spring.  Summer 

1 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1843.... 

8.70 

2.39 

11.19 

2.39 

.... 



IB44.... 

.... 

7.99 

4.61 

o.->> 

1.54 





184,'>.... 



2.70 

.... 

1 

1849.... 



.... 

5.94 

9.12 

4.82 

1.83 

.... 



8.77 

1850  ... 

.... 

.... 

1.76 

1.03 

... 

.... 



1851.... 

.... 

.... 

2.25 

1.44 

6.14 

5.K 

5.83 

.... 

'     12.90 

1852... 

8.8S 

1.85 

6.04 

8.54 

0.65 

16.43 

law.... 

.... 

10.72 

3.61 

6.83 

.... 

.... 

Mean. . . 

.... 

.... 

5.55 

1.65 

7.05 

4.60 

3.98 

2  92 

.... 

!  

13  25 

FORT  WOOD,  LOUISIANA. 


1843.... 

1.50 

0.22 

18.24 

8.61 

2.04 

5.66 

2.39 

6.77 

6.42 

28.89 

14.82 



18-14.... 

4  85 

0.41 

3.48 

0.39 

5.31 

1.89 

4.28 

8  11 

1.50 

4.06 

10.68 

1.88 

9.18 

14.28 

16.24 

7.14 

46.84 

1845.... 

5.42 

1.28 

5.35 

1.42 

7.31 

0.95 

4.01 

3.78 

5.24 

10.49 



.... 

14.08 

8.74 

1846.... 

6.45 

3.94 

10.61 

18.17 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



Mean... 

5.57 

1.88 

6.48 

5.37 

4.28 

7.03 

5.63 

4.64 

4.13 

5.65 

5.82 

4.15 

16.13 

17.30 

15.60 

11.60 

60.63 

FORT  PIKE,  LOUISIANA. 


1843.... 

.... 

... 

.... 

4.26 

1.55 

29.56 

18.22 

6.01 

15.26 

4.14 

6.49 

7.31 

S3.79 

25  89 





1844.... 

4.03 

0.80 

3.50 

0.86 

9.52 

1.18 

5.76 

3.31 

1.61 

3.30 

7.14 

3.25 

13.88 

10.25 

12.05 

8.08 

44.26 

1845.... 

4.42 

2.23 

3.65 

0  99 

2.69 

0.73 

1.40 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.30 

7.33 

1846.... 

8.40 

4.19 

14.25 

13.75 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



Mean... 

5.62 

2.41 

7.13 

4.98 

4.59 

10.49 

8.46 

4.66 

8.43 

3.72 

6.81 

4.62 

16.70 

23.61 

18  96 

12.65 

71.92 

NEW  ORLEANS  BARRACKS,  LOUISIANA. 


1839.... 

8.10 

3.40 

2.19 

2.10 

2.02 

3.11 

9.8G 

4.80 

0.12 

2.40 

3.92 

4.40    ; 

6.31 

17.77 

6.44 

15.90 

46.42 

1840.... 

a. 11 

2.01 

1.09 

3.10 

4.80 

7.10 

5.60 

3.10 

1.80 

7.80 

5.55 

2.22 

8.99 

15.80 

15.15 

4.31 

44.28 

1841.... 

19.50 

5.10 

6.90 

5.10 

1.70 

3.10 

0.89 

3.41 

2.87 

2.41 

0.11 

9.44 

13.70 

7.40 

5.39 

34.04 

60.53 

18.12.... 

4.21 

3.51 

2.71 

5.20 

1.12 

1.13 

4.52 

7.40 

4.80 

1.50 

3.25 

1.70 

9.03 

13. Uo 

9.55 

9.42 

41.05 

1843... 

4.U0 

3.80 

5.31 

2.67 

0.45 

14  57 

.... 





1.93 

6.02 

8.43 

13.82 

1844... 

4.41 

0.73 

3.90 

0.53 

3.16 

2.75 



.... 

.... 

.... 

7.78 

1.35 

7.59 

15.35 

9.54 

6.49 

38.97 

1845.... 

6.24 

1.19 

5.16 

1.99 

8.06 

3.20 





.... 

15.21 



1846... 

i     ••• 



7.88 

10.70 

5.38' 

1.85* 

8.86 

.... 



24.96 

1847... 

7.71 

3.77 

3.40 

4.63 

4.80 

3.43 

5.06 

6.81 

2.83 

0.75 

2  59 

7.73 

12.83 

15.30 

6.17 

19.31 

S3.51 

1848... 

5  42 

1.28 

1.97 

3.92 

4.75 

9.36 

7.79 

8.37 

0.80 

2.31 

883 

1.86 

10.64 

25.52 

11  94 

8.56 

S6.66 

1849... 

3.55 

2.45 

2.83 

2.43 

8.01 

3.79 

11.09 





13.27 

1850... 

7  40 

4..T3 

2.27 

4.10 

6.20 

8.92 

6.31 

0.96 

1.58 

3.46 

12.57 

15.39 

1851... 

3.82 

3.18 

1.20 

3.49 



.... 



.... 

3.70 

9.00 

2.69 

9.69 

1852... 

0.80 

1.45 

4.24 

5.25 





.... 

2.83 

7.00 

5.30 

7.55 

1853... 

3.20 

4.20 

7.38 

1.88 

2.80 

1.86 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

12.06 



Mean. . 

5  61 

2.90 

3.90 

3.29 

4.10 

4.97 

6.66 

5.65 

2.20 

2.74 

4.68 

4.20 

11.29 

17.28 

9.62 

12.71 

50.90 

*  Incomplete  measuremenu. 


574 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND   ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS  OF   RAIN. 


• 

BATON 

KOUGE,  LOUISIANA. 

Jon. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1W3.... 

9.06 

S.39 

6.54 

3  08 

2.78 

7.63 

8.20 

2.57 

9.16 

3.58 

4.28 

9.81 

13.40 

18.39 

16.03 

14.26 

61.07 

1)S44.... 

5.40 

.... 

3.10 

0.50 

3.30 

3.50 

3.-0 

5.60 

1.10 

3.60 

7.06 

2.30 

6.90 

12.80 

11.76 

1843.... 

4.90 

1.80 

5.90 

4.80 

3.10 

4.40 

6.40 

3.30 

3.60 

3.10 

5.00 

5.30 

13.60 

13.10 

11.70 

12.00 

50.60 

1846.... 

4.80 

5.70 

12.30 

17.20 

13.20 

16.00 

14.40 

15.90 

5.20 

0.80 

6.20 

4.70 

43.70 

46.50 

13.20 

15.30 

116.60 

1847.... 

11. GO 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

2.30 

3.30 

4.20 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1848.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

8.60 

11.80 

12.10 

0.50 

1.38 

6.80 

7.60 

33  50 

6.68 



1849.... 

3.30 

6.20 

1.30 

2.50 

10.93    , 

5.38 

3.24 

6.00 

5.03 

3.50 

13.27 

11.90 

1850.... 

16.02 

7.45 

3.13 

9.40 

4.19 

9.01 

4.28 

3.75 

3.58 

1.03 

9.28 

16.72 

17.04 

33.37 



1851..., 

0.97 

5.27 

1.54 

2.26 

1.42 

2.06 

2.68 

7.96 

0.59 

2.32 

8.91 

5.36 

5.22 

13.70 

11.82 

11.60 

41  34 

i&'ia.... 

1.56 

6  73 

2.19 

8.39 

6.08 

1.33 

5.64 

2.26 

3.30 

3.81 

9.32 

3.95 

16.56 

9.23 

15.43 

13.24 

53.46 

1853.... 

4.48 

4.19 

4.67 

0.57 

4.55 

2.05 

11.18 

4.93 

... 

1.35 

5.00 

9.79 

18.16 

1854.... 

285 

5.50 

6.15 

3.58 

8.05 

4.00 

6.55 

7.41 

9.88 

4.38 

U.45 

1.82 

17.78 

17.96 

14.71 

10.17 

60.63 

Mean. . . 

5.26 

4.91 

4.68 

5.22 

5.18 

5.53 

7.42 

6.20 

3.91 

2.67 

5.90 

5.23 

1 

15.08 

19.14 

13.48 

15  40 

62.10 

FORT 

JESUP 

,  LOUISIANA 

1836.... 

7.05 

3.33 

5.78 

5.53 

3.93 

5.10 

3.09 

4.29 

4.43 

2.50 

1.40 

3.43 

15.34 

13.48 

8.33 

13.80 

49.85 

1837.... 

1.75 

3.08 

8.69 

1.63 

3.55 

3.81 

4.20 

4.27 

9.11 

7.32 

0.30 

4.84 

12.86 

11.38 

16.73 

8.67 

49.54 

1838... 

5.83 

3.60 

4.60 

10.80 

5.33 

1.50 

0.67 

3.55 

0.51 

3.85 

2.40 

5.60 

30.72 

5.72 

6.76 

14.02 

47.22 

1839.... 

3.72 

7.40 

3.71 

2.50 

4.10 

3.60 

6.33 

1.40 

0.20 

5.10 

4.30 

4.20 

10.31 

10  33 

9.50 

15.32 

45.36 

1840.... 

3.40 

1.96 

2.41 

3.25 

2.90 

6.95 

5.18 

0.85 

1.67 

1.44 

3.18 

3.93 

8.56 

13.98 

6.29 

9.29 

37.12 

1841.... 

7.83 

0.06 

5.89 

2.98 

5.93 

15.70 

0.45 

5.60 

2.54 

6.11 

0.67 

3.19 

14.80 

31.75 

9.32 

10.08 

55.95 

1842.... 

3.86 

5.79 

4.03 

5.59 

1.40 

1.64 

3.90 

3.17 

4.41 

2.52 

3.86 

3.71 

11.03 

8.71 

9.79 

12.36 

42.27 

1843.... 

2.20 

1.41 

3.23 

5.60 

4.42 

3.30 

7.66 

1.34 

3.64 

5.79 

8.30 

7.08 

13.27 

12.30 

16.73 

10.69 

53.99 

1S44.... 

4.10 

1.30 

5.30 

6.60 

3.05 

5.11 

1.77 

2.24 

2.83 

3.81 

3.87 

2.54 

14.95 

9.12 

9.51 

7.84 

41.42 

1843.... 

8.32 

1.80 

3.55 

4  12 

4.43 

1.43 

0.50? 

.... 

1.90? 
3.03 

0.60? 

3.50 

2.80 

12.10 

12.92 

Mean... 

4.70 

2.76 

5.02 

4.86 

3.80 

4.61 

3.36 

2.97 

3.80 

2.92 

4.03 

13.68 

10.94 

9.74 

11.49 

45.85 

FORT 

TOWSON,  INDIAN 

TERRITORY. 

1836.... 

.... 



5.90 

1.30 

3.30 

3.70 

6.30 

3.80 

1.40 

9.50 

13.70 

1837.... 

1.00 

1.60 

6.00 

2.50 

6.30 

6.10 

7  00 

1.10 

5.40 

3.10 

2.10 

1.60 

14.80 

14.20 

10.60 

4.20 

43.80 

1838.... 

4.20 

2.10 

1.60 

1.90 

6.70 

0.70 

2.10 

3.70 

0.30 

2.80 

5.40 

2.90 

10.20 

0.50 

8.50 

9.20 

34.40 

1839.... 

7.10 

1.35 

5.20 

1.60 

7.50 

17.50 

6.40 

5.10 

2.10 

3.90 

7.00 

1.30 

14.30 

29.90 

12.00 

9.75 

66.00 

1840.... 

4.40 

3.00 

3.70 

13.60 

2.30 

1.60 

4.eo 

3.00 

6.20 

8.60 

3.00 

1.50 

19.60 

9.40 

17.80 

8.90 

55.70 

1841.... 

3.00 

0.20 

7.30 

3.20 

3.30 

7.00 

3.50 

6.50 

9.90 

9.20 

8.30 

13.80 

25.60 

12.10 

1843.... 

3.70 

7.50 

7.40 

10.30 

8.80 

14  20 

4.70 

4.00 

4.00 

1.85 

2.06 

5.85 

'    26.50 

22.90 

7.91 

16.05 

73.36 

1843.... 

2.78 

0.25 

3.35 

7.10 

9.36 

1.91 

4.40 

5.72 

4.40 

6.56 

9.37 

0.80 

19.71 

12.03 

20.33 

3.83 

55.90 

1844.... 

3.45 

2.08 

4,56 

10.38 

3.25 

2.66 

5.35 

7.96 

1.30 

2.77 

1.73 

1.03 

18.19 

15.97 

5.80 

6.58 

46.54 

1845... 

3.00 

0.70 

5.73 

3.49 

5.17 

e.ai 

0.00 

3.26 

2.48 

4.90 

1.19 

1.81 

14. .39 

9.61 

7.57 

5.51 

.37.08 

1816.... 

3.30 

2.73 

5.00 

5.99 

.... 



1849.... 

.... 

.... 

6  21 

10.76 

3.57 

2.54 

3.66 

2.91 

6.17 

20.54 

9.11 

1850.... 

4  03 

4.07 

2.83 

4.79 

2.04 

5.06 

3.29 

4..-)9 

2.66 

5.19 

6.21 

5.07 

9.68 

12.73 

14.06 

13.17 

49.64 

1851.... 

1.70 

11.09 

2.66 

2.52 

6.33 

5.04 

7.34 

0.01 

1.13 

3.69 

.... 

1 1 .51 

4.83 

18.';2.... 

.... 





.... 

4.88 

4.84 

0.77 

18.W.... 

1.72 

3.90 

3.88 

4.99 

9.09 

0.90 

5.38 

0.49 

6. 11 

3.40 

1.97 

1.27 

17.96 

6.77 

11.48 

5.89 

43.10 

1854.... 

1.01 

2.00 

5.10 

2.^ 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



Mean... 

3.13 

2.97 

4.38 

5.33 

5.84 

5.76 

4.62 

3.96 

3.41 

4.59 

4.33 

2.84 

15.53 

14.36 

12.23 

8.94 

51.08 

SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND   ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS  OF  RAIN. 


575 


FORT  WASHITA,  INDIAN  TERRITORY. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

NOV. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn  Winter. 

Year. 

1843.... 

.... 

•  ■•• 

.... 

.... 

0.60 

8.61 

3.80 

7.56 

1.85 



19.97 

1&14.... 

1.77 

2.87 

4.35 

5.05 

4.59 

4.43 

2.76 

1.67 

2.25 

3.80 

2.29 

0  17 

13.99 

8.66 

8.34 

4.81 

36.00 

1845.... 

1.35 

0.66 

5  48 

5.04 

4.50 

2.62 

0.33 

4.12 

2.65 

3.65 

2.40 

1.90 

15.(K 

7.07 

8  70 

3.91 

34.70 

1S46.... 

4  40 

2.73 

2.50 

324 

4.70 

10.23 

1.14 

2  30 

9.60 

2.35 

355 

3  01 

10  44 

13.67 

15.50 

10.14 

49.75 

M7.... 

1.38 

4.10 

3.61 

1.60 

3.05 

3.09 

6.55 

3  85 

2.40 

0.41 

4.65 

0.86 

8.26 

15.49 

7.46 

6.34 

37.45 

1848.... 

1.38 

1.54 

1.70 

7.91 

1.97 

4.30 

3.73 

0.33 

2.45 

2.55 

4.90 

2.50 

11.58 

8.38 

9.90 

S.42 

35.28 

1849.... 

2.65 

2.65 

2.69 

6.S6 

14  61 

4.00 

13.40 

4.00 

3.74 

4.42 

2.50 

2.67  ; 

24.66 

21.40 

10.66 

7.97 

64.29.' 

1850.... 

3.10 

0.68 

2.49 

3.33 

4.22 

5.67 

3.30 

4.80 

2.30 

2.56 

5.14 

3.75 

11.04 

13.77 

10.00 

7.53 

42.34 

1851.... 

0.20 

5.70 

1.35 

2.95 

4.47 

4.30 

0.10 

1.40 

0.60 

3.60 

5.15 

2.80 

8.77 

5.70 

8.35 

8.70 

31.52 

1852.... 

1.37 

4.80 

5.40 

1.62 

4.61 

5.48 

2.90 

4.45 

6.43 

3.93 

3.77 

0.29 

11.63 

13.83 

16.15 

6.46 

47.07 

1853.... 

0.62 

2.67 

0.75 

1.39 

7.30 

229 

4.48 

0.95 

4.28 

3.50 

O.SO 

1.43. 

9.44 

7.72 

8.58 

4.72 

30.46 

1854.... 

0.01 

3.30 

5.53 

4.21 

11.73 

9.17 

0.59 

1.39 

1.17 

1.19 

3.57 

1.42 

21.47 

11.13 

5.93 

4.73 

43.28 

Mean.. 

1.65 

2.88 

3.27 

3.94 

5.98 

5.04 

3.57 

2.66 

3.87 

3.06 

3.85 

1.89    ! 

13.19 

11.27 

10.78 

6.« 

41.66 

FORT  SMITH,  ARKANSAS. 


1837.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.35 

8.91 

5  00 

0.20 

6.90 

1.40 

3.50 

2.30 

14.11 

11.80 

1833.... 

0.60 

0.20 

0.80 

3.40 

4.50 

1.50 

3.95 

1.95 

1.10 

4.00 

4.80 

1.50 

7.70 

7.40 

9.90 

2.30 

27.30 

1339.... 

1.43 

0.77 

4.75 

2.05 

1.75 

8.50 

2.42 

5.35 

4.45 

7.17 

2.18 

1.35 

8.55 

16.47 

13.80 

3.77 

43.59 

1840.... 

1.70 

2.65 

0  80 

8.50 

4.43 

1.90 

7.41 

0.67 

6.54 

7.91 

3.96 

2.76 

13.73 

9.98 

13.41 

7.11 

46.23 

1841.... 

1.36 

.... 

1.44 

J. 49 

3  28 

6.58 

0.30 

7.17 

3.^ 

8.72 

12.57 

4.70 

6.21 

14.05 

25.11 



1842.... 

3.82 

9.99 

1.13 

4.76 

4.33 

4.39 

2.08 

263 

1.62 

0.78 

0.90 

2.36 

10.^ 

9.10 

3.30 

16.17 

38.79 

1843.... 

1.51 

0.26 

2.29 

5.49 

4.85 

6.80 

3.28 

2.37 

3.42 

2.14 

3.51 

2  07 

13.63 

12.43 

9.07 

3.84 

37.97 

1844.... 

1.30 

3.53 

2.41 

14.28 

3.12 

1.10 

1.37 

0.52 

2.08 

2.01 

0.91 

0.30 

19.81 

2.99 

5.00 

5.13 

32.93 

1845.... 

2.29 

1.20 

5.03 

1.96 

3.67 

2.85 

0.51 

9.14 

1.60 

2.90 

1.13 

1.06 

10.68 

11.25 

563 

4.35 

32.11 

1846.... 

1.93 

2.27 

1.52 

5.48 

5  65 

7.00 

1.71 

5.58 

4.75 

2.30 

2.14 

5  40 

12.65 

14.29 

9.19 

9.60 

45.73 

1847.... 

0.98 

1.73 

5.56 

3.22 

3.80 

5.95 

11.18 

6.40 

0.76 

1.26 

7.03 

1.13 

12.58 

33.53 

9.07 

3.86 

49.04 

1848.... 

a.  88 

1.00 

3.74 

5.64 

5.92 

4.90 

5.23 

2.35 

0.90 

3.80 

3.33 

4.43 

15.30 

12.48 

8.25 

633 

44.36 

1849... 

4.35 

1.76 

4.65 

8.45 

8.40 

6.79 

7.90 

1.95 

1.63 

2.00 

3.70 

3.94 

21.50 

16.  &) 

7. .13 

12.03 

57.34 

1850.... 

2.87 

0.95 

1.53 

5.28 

3.12 

3.27 





... 

.... 

9.95 

1853.... 



.... 





.... 

4.58 

4.96 

3.94 

3.90 

4.89 

4.05 

1.62 

13.48 

12.84 

1833  ... 

0.93 

1.99 

1.10 

0.99 

5.01 

2.45 

2.73 

2.58 

3.20 

0.73 

1.85 

0.76 

7  10 

7.78 

5.78 

368 

24.34 

1854.... 

1.37 
1.96 

2.05 
2.17 

7.05 

6.55 

6.25 

2.26 

1.02 

0.68 

3.53 

2.85 

1.63 

2.54 

19.85 

4.16 

8.01 

5.96 

37.98 

Mean . . 

2.92 

5.10 

4.46 

4.74 

3.^ 

4.47 

3.01 

3  43 

3.49    t 

2.53 

12.48 

13.03 

9.93 

6.66 

42.10 

FORT  GIBSON,  INDIAN  TERRITORY. 


1836... 

1837... 
1838.  . 
1839... 
1840... 
1841... 
1842... 
1843... 
1844... 
1845... 


.... 
.... 

3.01 

1.00 

1.90 

4.30 

0.80 

0.20 

1  01 

1.20 

t 

2.36 

1.45 

1.35 

2.10 

4.08 

1.20 

1.40 

12.55 

3.23 

0.60 

4.90 

2.35 

1.10 

1  00 

0.30 

4.10 

7.40 

0.70 

1.31 

2.71 

0.76 

6.07 

1.91 

9.62     ; 

1.36 

0.80 

2.95 

8.08     ! 

4.45 
4.11 
1.10 
10.13 
3  83 
5.40 
2.59 
8.46 
2.01 


6.10 
3.04 
4.65 
3.30 
2.09 
4.75 
3.32 
3.15 
3.18 


3.10 

5.90 

8.04 

3.05 

2.46 

0.50 

6.72 

0.53 

0.80 

1.06 

0.52 
.... 

2.36 

1 
9.10 

7.10 

0.84 

0.81 

8.50 

1.41 

2.56 

2.43 

4.50    , 

2.60 

3.63 

0.60 

1.81 

3.30 

8.18 

2.11 

2.15 

0.64 

1.9S 

0.76 

3.28 

1     1.45 

1.63 

1.44 

3.49 

2.08 
3.30 
2.82 
1.40 
3.91 
8.15 
1.20 
1.94 
0.87 
0.85 


1.20 
0.40 
1.92 
2.50 
2.0O 
1.20 
2.60 
0.90 
0.08 
0.03 


10.65 
6.31 
4.55 
24.08 
10.08 
9.80 
6.61 
19.99 
13.04 


9.06 
3.90 

11.34 
6.06 
11.00 
13.80 
5.77 
3.26 


13.17 
10.54 
5.70 

13.33 
15  08 
3  61 
6.20 
4.91 
5  78 


4.41 

3.93 

6.31 

7.38 

5  03 

4  70 

9.00 

6.91 

3.19 

34.66 
18.81 

53.83 
36.25 
39.11 
35.6L 

37.58 
36.67 


576 


SEKIES   OF    MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF    RAIN. 


FORT  GIBSON,  INDIAN  TEERITOBY— Continued. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

■Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1846.... 

1.02 

1.54 

1.79 

3.04 

4.60 

6.93 

0  70 

1.40 

4.76 

0.67 

2.53 

4.88 

9.43 

9.02 

7.96 

7.44 

33.85 

1847.... 

0.10 

2.12 

1.42 

3.10 

1.35 

3.86 

1.69 

1.78 

0.95 

3.10 

3.35 

1.06 

5.87 

7.55 

7.40 

3.28 

24.10 

1848.... 

1.05 

o.ao 

3.12 

5.21 

4.52 

4.50 

6.98 

0.00 

0.35 

5.25 

1.90 

4.65  ' 

12.85 

11.48 

7.50 

5.90 

37.73 

1849.... 

2  19 

0.88 

4.90 

2.17 

7.52 

9.17 

8.72 

3.70 

2.05 

4.05 

4.40 

2.90 

14  59 

21.59 

10.50 

5.97 

52.65 

1850.... 

1.40 

3.17 

4.91 

4.73 

0.37 

4.58 

1.00 

3.00 

0.35 

3.75 

4.75 

3.00 

10.00 

8.50 

8.85 

7.57 

35.00 

1851.... 

0.50 

10.42 

1.50 

0.50 

3.20 

6.45 

1.35 

1.15 

3.14 

9.35 

7.10 

7.70 

5.20 

5.85 

19.59 

18.82 

52.46 

1852.... 

1.58 

5.67 

2.24 

2.95 

6.72 

5.85 

6.12 

4.99 

4.38 

5.50 

4.91 

0.74 

11.91 

16.96 

14.79 

7.99 

51.65 

1853.... 

0.83 

2.27 

1.06 

3.52 

6.65 

1.60 

0.76 

4.72 

1.35 

1.13 

1.30 

0.70 

11.23 

7.08 

3.78 

3.79 

25.68 

1854.... 

0.30 

1.43 

7.83 

3.16 

7.67 

2.80 

0.21 

0.33 

0.68 

1.58 

2.06 

0.77 

18.66 

3.34 

4.32 

2.50 

28.82 

Mean... 

1.83 

2.26 

2.54 

4.19 

4.65 

4.30 

2.75 

2.63 

2.30 

3.85 

3.10 

2.06 

11.38 

9.68 

9.25 

6.15 

36.46 

FORT  SCOTT,  MISSOURI,  (KANSAS.) 


1843.  .. 

4.98 

0.20 

1.75 

4.46 

6.10 

8.46 

5.34 

3.30 

4.42 

0.69 

3.38 

1.45 

12.31 

17.10 

8.49 

6.63 

44.53 

1844.... 

2.05 

1.30 

3.78 

6.91 

14.79 

12.64 

10.50 

2.51 

3.33 

2.49 

1.52 

0.78 

25.48 

25.65 

7.34 

4.13 

62.60 

1645.... 

0.70 

2.33 

0.94 

5.39 

8.16 

24.56 

4.57 

7.18 

3.35 

3.05 

0.97 

0.39 

14.49 

36.31 

7.37 

3.42 

61.59 

1846.... 

1.27 

0.92 

1.61 

2.64 

1.76 

7.03 

1.17 

3.09 

5.53 

2.56 

2.97 

3.49 

6.01 

11.29 

11.06 

5.68 

34,04 

1847.... 

1,25 

1.24 

1.10 

4.22 

3.12 

4.63 

5.64 

1.79 

1.50 

2.48 

556 

1.61 

8.44 

12.26 

11.15 

4.10 

35.95 

1W8.... 

0.94 

0.25 

2.53 

1.96 

7.33 

1.85 

4.84 

4.20 

1.19 

1.72 

0.27 

2.17 

11.82 

10.89 

3.16 

3.36 

29.25 

1849.... 

3.26 

0.18 

3.30 

5.38 

12.20 

3.49 

5.77 

2.62 

0.56 

3.86 

3.78 

1.03 

20.88 

11.88 

8.20 

4.27 

33.23 

1830.... 

1.59 

1.52 

2.40 

3.13 

2.19 

4.60 

0.27 

5.45 

0.52 

1.56 

4.39 

2.21 

7.72 

10.52 

6.45 

5.32 

30.01 

1851.... 

0.14 

3.60 

0.48 

0.75 

4.39 

7.53 

2.74 

3.89 

0.15 

2.01 

5.49 

1.84 

5.62 

14.16 

7.65 

4.98 

32.41 

1852.... 

2.22 

0.11 

0.98 

2.17 

10.74 

6.36 

4.45 

2.90 

2.40 

6.23 

5.98 

1.98 

13.89 

13.71 

14.61 

4.31 

46.53 

1853.... 

2.68 

1.30 

0.82 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

Mean... 

1.92 

1.18 

1.79 

3.70 

7.08 

8.13 

4.55 

3.69 

2.30 

2.66 

3.43 

1.69 

12.57 

16  37 

8.39 

4.79 

42.12 

JEFFERSON  BARRACKS,  MISSOURI. 


1840.... 

.... 

.... 

4.97 

12.25 

5.16 

5.79 

1.28 

0.55 

12.23 

1841.... 

2  06 

1.03 

4.58 

4.39 

1.95 

1.34 

1.88 

2.51 

1.99 

6.76 

4.08 

3.68 

10.92 

5.63 

12.83 

6.79 

36.27 

1842.... 

0.44 

3.46 

2.93 

2  02 

4.81 

5.81 

1.77 

1.90 

0.66 

2.03 

1.58 

1.77 

9.76 

9.48 

4.27 

5.67 

29.18 

1843.... 

2.27 

1.75 

2.30 

4.52 

3.01 

2.12 

2.60 

0.97 

5.76 

1.65 

4.16 

1.47 

9.63 

5.69 

11.57 

5.49 

32.58 

1844.... 

2.19 

2.33 

2.50 

3.13 

7.27 

5.40 

5.23 

0.71 

1.80 

1  06 

1.46 

1.19 

12.90 

11.33 

3.32 

5.71 

33.27 

1845.... 

1.18 

0.84 

3.24 

1.71 

3.25 

9.78 

3.89 

4.53 

1.71 

0.63 

La^j 

0.80  ; 

7.30 

18.20 

3.69 

2.82 

32.01 

1846.... 

3.60 

1.02 

1.73 

4.83 

3.50 

2.86 

0.45 

2.09 

3.47 

0.82 

1.42 

10.22 

7.58 

5.40 

5.71 

14.86 

33.55 

1847.   .. 

.... 

3.12 

.... 

4.10 

4.47 

0.85 

.... 

.... 

0.23 

1848.... 

1.83 

0.92 

1.94 

1.50 

2.58 

7.33 

4.01 

4.25 

2.90 

1.55 

2.28 

4.01 

6.02 

15.59 

6.73 

6.76 

35.10 

1849.... 

3.41 

0.37 

2.77 

1.53 

2.00 

5.85 

7.70 

4.72 

4.84 

1.85 

2.02 

1.52 

6.30 

18.27 

8.71 

5.30 

38.58 

1850.... 

1.65 

3.22 

4.66 

5.02 

3.46 

1.52 

2.95 

5.20 

2.75 

1.75 

4.11 

3.32 

13.14 

9.67 

8.61 

8.19 

39.61 

1851.... 

0.40 

5.05 

1.86 

2.80 

3.97 

5.64 

4.65 

7.06 

0.81 

2.26 

0.38 

1.25 

8.63 

17.35 

3.45 

6.70 

38.13 

18K!.... 

3.34 

1.73 

7.19 

1.39 

8.12 

11.85 

2.72 

3  24 

2.97 

4.81 

3.80 

3.97 

16.70 

17.81 

11.58 

9.04 

55.13 

1853  ... 

0.57 

1.51 

0.85 

3.53 

3.52 

3.19 

6.90 

7.08 

4.20 

1.10 

2.40 

1.23 

7.90 

17.17 

7.70 

3.31 

36.08 

1854.... 

1.90 

3.25 

6.90 

3.40 

6.98 

4.19 

0.96 

1.47 

3.41 

6.57 

3.13 

1.11 

17.28 

6.62 

13.11 

6.26 

43.27 

Mean... 

1.91 

2.04 

3.32 

3.0S 

4.18 

5.0- 

3  67 

4.14 

2.88 

2.76 

2.S8 

2.42 

10.56 

ia.R8 

8.02 

6.37 

37.83 

SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


577 


ST.  LOUIS  ARSENAL,  MISSOURI. 


Jan. 

Fib. 

Slarch. 

1 
April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

SpriDg. 

t 

Summer 

Autumn. 

Winter 

Year. 

1S30.... 

.... 

8.66 

6.51 

5.90 

2.59 

4.20 

5.02 

12.69 

1S37.... 

0.70 

l.OS 

3.48 

1.40 

3.00 

2.77 

4.07 

3.10 

2.83 

1.15 

1.60 

1.70 

T.80 

9.94 

5.63 

2.48 

25.55 

1S33.... 

3.70 

2.05 

1.19 

2.00 

1.53 

3.C3 

2.00 

3.80 

1.00 

O.40 

1.73 

0.80 

4.77 

9.43 

3.18 

0.74 

24.17 

1359.... 

1.4:3 

2.40 

2. 30 

3.14 

7.40 

7  21 

5.19 

1.50 

2.40 

12.84 

13.90 

1540.... 

0.52 

1.21 

3.58 

.... 

.... 

2.68 

2.81 

O.ai 

l.OS 

1S41... 

l.U 

0.11 

5.70 

3.57 

1.20 

3.93 

3.03 

1.93 

2.50 

7.43 

5.45 

3.C8 

10.47 

9.51 

15.88 

4  23 

39. Gl 

ISW.... 

1.94 

1.80 

2  29 

4.64 

4.95 

3.53 

4.13 

0.76 

2.C3 

1.50 

2.. 50 

1.51 

11. SS 

8.42 

6.C2 

4.74 

31. CG 

1S44.... 

4.83 

3.76 

3.22 

5.57 

11. C3 

7.54 

8.10 

1.47 

0.C3 

2.63 

0.50 

2.33 

19.82 

17.11 

3.21 

10.97 

51.11 

1S45.... 

I.IS 

1.74 

4  04 

3.67 

3.f5 

13.75 

0.C3 

7.45 

0.59 

1.91 

173 

0.41 

10. 7C 

21 .23 

4.23 

8  27 

39.« 

ISlC... 

2.20 

2.19 

3.(0 

7.59 

5.97 

4.94 

1.21 

O.GS 

0.23 

4.82 

4.19 

13.55 

10.61 

6.83 

14.79 

17.94 

56.17 

1S4T.... 

1.79 

3.r.9 

4..34 

8.25 

5  93 

11  47 

5.30 

0.74 

2.S7 

lO.CT 

10.03 

1.14 

1S.54 

17.51 

28.02 

C.02 

C5.C9 

1843.... 

0.96 

2  96 

6.50 

2.93 

9.9t 

13.96 

5.56 

3.31 

1.13 

4.32 

1.91 

5.27 

18.43 

27.83 

7.41 

9.1D 

62.  SO 

1S49.... 

7.59 

0.55 

8. CD 

4.08 

6.59 

15.70 

13.67 

7.93 

8  96 

2.S0 

3  83 

1.90 

14.07 

87.32 

10.11 

10.04 

71.51 

1530.... 

2.C9 

3.00 

4. 89 

5. 85 

8.41 

0.17 

8.CS 

1.17 

2.20 

2.45 

4.63 

2.17 

14.15 

4.42 

9.30 

7.26 

35.13 

1S31.... 

0.23 

7.81 

1.73 

3.8,1 

2.20 

3.81 

1.89 

6.40 

0.63 

1.51 

280 

a.  90 

7.31 

11. 6J 

4.99 

10.55" 

34.43 

1S5-2.... 

1.21 

1.43 

8.00 

2.54 

444 

7.82 

1.C8 

2.12 

114 

4.73 

2.73 

2. 93 

14.93 

11. C2 

8.62 

S.S9 

49  21 

ISoS.... 

0.53 

2.13 

0.90 

3.68 

2.85 

3.6(1 

4.15 

4.95 

3.60 

1.10 

0.S5 

0.35 

7.43 

12.70 

5.55 

3.CG 

23.71 

1354.... 

0  05 

1.93 

2.40 
3.37 

7.10 

4.30 

4.65 

2.20 

1.70 

1.48 

1.35 

3.00 

1.43 

0.90 

16. P5 

533 

5  70 

3.95 

81. C8 

Mean. . . 

1 

3.82 

4.16 

4.83 

6.94 

4.00 

8.15 

2. S3 

3.23 

3.10 

1  9D 

12  5C 

14.(9 

8. 71 

C  20 

41  03 

DETROIT  B.'VRRACKS,  MICHIG.AN. 


1336.... 

.... 

4.05 

4.61 

5.10 

5.12 

1.47 

8.73 

2. 03 

1.24 

1.55 

11. C9 

12.10 

1 

1S37.... 

1.65 

0.3J 

3  31 

1.55 

1.42 

3.10 

2.49 

8.23 

2.33 

2.03 

4.35 

0.95 

6.27 

8.75 

9.31 

2.90 

27.22 

1S33.... 

4.21 

1.00 

0  55 

4.25 

2.00 

656 

1.95 

0.15 

4.83 

5.85 

29.84 

1839.... 

2.00 

1  43 

5.15 

2.21 

0.70 

6.10 

1  23 

1.00 

1.93 

0,93 

1.23 

0.50 

8.C5 

8.83 

4.t3 

8.9J 

24  IS 

1S4D.... 

1.74 

1.75 

4,62 

3  34 

2.23 

1.83 

3. 83 

1.25 

2.69 

1.93 

2.75 

1.63 

10.21 

6.93 

7.37 

5.12 

29.93 

1841.... 

2.59 

0.13 

2.09 

3  00 

3.73 

1.C9 

1.C7 

1.33 

4.37 

0.86 

2.83 

8.24 

9.47 

4.56 

7.12 

6.01 

27.1G 

1842.... 

0.61 

1.63 

3.53 

3.49 

0.49 

4.01 

7.12 

1.23 

8.96 

3.r,8 

2.01 

1.69 

7.56 

12.25 

S.(.5 

3.93 

31.54 

1843.... 

1.91 

1.99 

1.85 

2.05 

3.16 

5.36 

2.35 

1.46 

2.23 

1.93 

1.31 

2.07 

7.CG 

9.20 

5.41 

5.93 

27  C4 

1S44.... 

2.25 

0.61 

2.60 

3.85 

5.63 

5.13 

4.49 

3.27 

1.03 

1.85 

1.84 

0.95 

11.63 

12.94 

4.72 

3.81 

33.10 

1S45.... 

1.71 

'  0.63 

1.89 

3.29 

1.03 

2.80 

1.92 

1.83 

3.S2 

l.CO 

1.53 

0.53 

6.21 

5.54 

6.92 

2.S4 

21.51 

1846.... 

4.06 

2.13 

8.15 

1.63 

5.42 

3.55 

..   . 

10.25 

1849.... 

2. SI 

1.01 

2.57 

2. 90 

2.10 

3.96 

2.85 

4.35 

3.25 

0.00 

1.82 

0.93 

7.57 

10.  G6 

11.07 

4.19 

a3.49 

1653.... 

1.53 

1.56 

8.81 

2.00 

0.29 

2.65 

2.85 

3.56 

2.11 

1.11 

2.36 

1.49 

6. IS 

9. CO 

5.53 

4.63 

23.41 

1551.... 

1.24 

8.63 

1,37 

3.70 

5..30 

10.43 

Mean.  .. 

2.1b 

1.33 

2.86 

2.92 

2.73 

3.91 

8.211 

2.18 

3.31 

2.04 

2.06 

1.30 

8.51 

9.29 

7.41 

4.86 

33.07 

FORT  GRATIOT,  MICHIGAN. 


1.24 


1836... 
1S37... 

18.39.. ..;  .... 

1340. ...I  2.59 

1341   ...,  2.86 

lS12....i  2.2$ 


2.60 
0.63 
9.11 
S.  OG— 


1.01 

2.87 

4  13 

-73 


1.70 

4.23 
2.41 

4.14 


2.56 

2.36 
1.49 
2. SO 


4.43 
4.65 

5.07 


5.19 

3.93 
6.27 
2.C4 
8.45 


1.09 
4.66 
2.20 
1.25 


4.15  3.76 

3.73  1.44 

6.46  j    4.33 

7.91  1.14 

7.20  I    2.S4 


2.68 

1.43 
2.20 
1.43 
3.53 


8.02 

1 

.... 

8.44 

1.26 

1.59 

7.S9 

2.73    ' 

6.77 

1.60  ; 

11.12 

15  33 
9.49 
9.77 


10.59 

6  60 

13.99 

G73 

10.47 

G.22 

13.63 

6.05  i 

42.93 
33.93 
39.63 


578 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF    RAIN. 


FORT  GRATIOT,  MICHIGAN— Continued. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

Msy. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer.  Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1848.... 

2  72 

2.G4 

2.23 

2.15 

1.6S 

4.06 

2. OS 

1.82 

8.55 

2.73 

2.12 

1.68 

C.06 

7.96 

8.40 

7.04 

29.46 

1S«.... 

2.78 

1.75 

2.77 

0.99 

6.05 

8.95 

8.68 

4.99 

1.8S 

2.6S 

2.43 

1.89 

8.81 

12.57 

6.49 

5.87 

88.74 

1S45.... 

2.95 

1.16 

2.62 

2.31 

1.88 

2.78 

1.67 

2.16 

4.30 

2.44 

1.88 

0.72 

6.76 

6.66 

8.8" 

4.83 

20.72 

1846.... 

2. 97 

1.61 

2.17 

2.19 

4.65 

2.35 

.... 

.... 

.... 

8.91 

1849... 



.... 



1.80 

4.70 

1.12 

4.20 

0.96 

1.66 

6.28 

1S50.... 

1.35 

1.02 

3.19 

2.61 

1.02 

4.79 

8.06 

1.80 

1.73 

1.01 

2.19 

1.98 

6.42 

9.65 

4.98 

4.35 

25.75 

1851.... 

1.11 

1.77 

1.25 

2,51 

5.86 

1.50 

8.38 

8.56 

8.46 

2.64 

8.25 

2.06 

9.12 

8.89 

9.85 

4.91 

81.77 

1652.... 

1.28 

1.36 

4.57 

2.84 

0.94 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

7.85 
8  02 

M«3n  .. 

2.19 

1.76 

2.82 

2.51 

2.69 

8.74 

8. 37 

2.88 

4.10 

2.66 

2.10 

1.80 

9.99 

8.66 

5.75 

83.62 

FORT  MACKINAC,  MICHIGAN. 


1886.... 

.... 

.... 



2.81 

1.92 

2.48 

2. 61 

2.47 

1.84 

T.76 

1SS7... 

1.75 

1.09 

1.70 

.... 



.... 

.... 





18J4.... 





.... 



1.45 

1.19 

1845.... 

2.05 

1.05 

1.18 

0.71 

0.93 

1.26 

2.83 

1.08 

5.15 

1.56 

1.78 

0.80 

2.81 

5.17 

8.46 

3.40 

19.84 

1846.... 

1.29 

0.26 

1.77 

2.01 

8.27 

0.89 

0.94 

1.23 

1.43 

1.13 

2.14 

1.20 

7.05 

8.11 

4.70 

2.75 

IT. 61 

1847.... 

1.28 

0.81 

1.16 

1.48 

4.03 

2.97 

2. IS 

1.82 

3.40 

0.84 

8.10 

0.53 

6.67 

6.97 

6.64 

2.67 

23.15 

1848.... 

1.80 

0.82 

0.88 

1.36 

2.16 

.... 



4.85 

1S49.... 

0.64 

0.27 

0.40 

1.99 

2.60 

1.20 

2.69 

5.11 

1.60 

1.70 

1.48 

0.51 

4.99 

9.20 

4.73 

1.42 

20.84 

1850.... 

0.87 

0.06 

0.32 

0.73 

0.60 

1.68 

5.05 

4.10 

5.. 52 

6.05 

3.15 

0.40 

1.58 

10.83 

18.72 

0.83 

26.91 

1S51.... 

0.80 

0.59 

0.41 

O.GS 

1.28 

1.91 

8.60 

0.56 

0.50 

0.65 

0.48 

0.85 

2.82 

6.08 

1.58 

1.74 

11.70 

1852.... 



.... 

2.52 

0.76 

1.40 

8.94 

0.63 

8.46 

5.97 

1858.... 

0.51 

2.05 

2.12 

0.85 

8.55 

6.23 

3.66 

7.81 

5.01 

1.73 

0.98 

2.87 

6.62 

17.60 

7.67 

5.48 

7.22 

1S54.... 

2.50 

1.28 

1.56 

1.04 

2.65 

6.85 

5.67 

4.26 

3.22 

2  28 

8.66 

0.98 

5.25 

16.28 

9.16 

4.80 

85.49 

Mean  .. 

1.25 

0.82 

1.14 

1.21 

2.82 

2.81 

3.20 

2.87 

2.97 

2.12 

1.92 

1.24 

4.67 

8.88 

T.Ol 

8.31 

28.87 

FORT  BRADY,  MICHIGAN. 


1886.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

5.51 

2.86 

6.80 

2.93 

4.67 

8.24 

18.95 

1S.37.... 

1.06 

1.15 

2.19 

1.32 

8.63 

3.66 

4.02 

5.15 

4.97 

4  18 

8.11 

1.89 

7.19 

18.43 

12.21 

4.09 

36.92 

1883.... 

2.64 

0.82 

1.18 

2.55 

2.43 

2.52 

2.84 

6.87 

4.49 

8.70 

4.40 

0.88 

6.21 

11.78 

12.59 

8.84 

84.37 

1839.... 

1.78 

0.54 

1.89 

0.43 

0.47 

4.07 

1.53 

2.88 

4.29 

4.25 

1.78 

0.70 

2.79 

T.98 

10.82 

2,97 

24.01 

1340.... 

1.73 

2.19 

0.82 

2.73 

1.16 

2.16 

2.95 

4.63 

6.46 

8.57 

8.67 

2.68 

4.20 

9.74 

12.70 

6.45 

83.09 

1841.... 

1.60 

0.98 

.... 

1.04 

1.99 

2.18 

2.41 

1.05 

4.40 

1.10 

8.79 

2.80 

6  59 

9.29 

4.83 

22.74 

1642.... 

2.51 

1.47 

1.43 

1.83 

1.42 

8.77 

2. SI 

1.C6 

8.60 

2.66 

8.88 

1.16 

4.18 

7.64 

9.44 

5.14 

26.40 

1S43.... 

2.07 

1.06 

0,0S 

1.45 

2.42 

8.14 

2.58 

0.41 

8.00 

6.72 

3.19 

1.58 

4  55 

6.08 

11,91 

4.T1 

27.25 

1844.... 

1.96 

0.48 

1.66 

8.07 

2.87 

4.26 

2,24 

4.93 

4.81 

2.18 

860 

2.49 

T.60 

11.48 

10.49 

4,68 

84.45 

1S4S.... 

1.66 

1.88 

2.20 

2.26 

2.19 

1.48 

4.86 

8.94 

2.64 

8.95 

1  87 

1.28 

6.74 

9.73 

8.47 

4.82 

29.76 

1S4G.... 

1.01 

0.94 

2.51 

2.65 

2.03 

0.95 

.... 

.... 

4.18 

8.90 

2.65 

2.00 

7.19 

10,68 

8.95 

1847.... 

1.58 

0.80 

1.00 

2.00 

3.00 

8.85 

8.79 

8.88 

5.71 

1.20 

2.62 

.2.83 

6.00 

10.97 

9.53 

4.11 

30.61 

1848.... 

1.92 

1.88 

0.97 

1.80 

4.14 





.... 

6.41 

1S50.... 

1.88 

0.S8 

1.S3 

2.15 

0.70 

2.92 

8.16 

4.09 

4.90 

4.00 

1.85 

2.91 

4.68 

15.16 

10.25 

5.67 

85.66 

1851.... 

2,74 

1.2S 

0.84 

2.23 

3.11 

2.91 

,1.99 

.•5.67 

4.83 

4.04 

6.13 

7.55 

6. IS 

12,57 

14, 9S 

11,57 

45.30 

SERIES   OF   MONTHLY    AND   ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


579 


FORT  BRADY,  MICHIGAN— Continued. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

Jane. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer.  Autumn. 

Winter. 

Yea'r. 

1S32... 

4.11 

1.42 

2.99 

1S53.... 

0.92 

1.19 

0.43 

0.73 

0.74 

8.94 

8.27 

3.19 

2.61 

2.16 

1.77 

0.74 

1.95 

10.40 

«.54' 

2.85 

21  74 

1S54.... 

2.49 

1.18 

1.84 

2.14 

.3.61 

1.23 

3.21 

8.86 

3.13 

8.40 

3.07 

0.43 

7.09 

8.30 

9.63 

4.12 

29.16 

1 
Mean  ..|     1.84 

1.18 

1.87 

1.83 

2.24 

2. S3 

8.75 

3.89 

4.83 

8.85 

8. OS 

2.21 

5.44 

9.97 

10.70 

3.18 

31.85 

FORT  HOWARD,  WISCONSIN. 


1886.... 
1SS7.... 
1-.3S.... 
1S39.... 
IHO.... 
ISll.... 
1850.... 
1S51.... 
1852.... 

0.5O 
1.23 
1.97 
2.03 
0.30 
O.oS 

1.12 

1.77 

1.64 
0.S3 
0.53 
l.OS 
0.80 
0.89 

1.50 
0.66 

3.20 
1.81 
0.14 
1.83 
0.26 
1.C9 

0.78 
3.87 

6.87 
8.53 
8.41 

2.4S 
4.17 
2.U 

1.53 
2.97 

6.20 
6.48 
1.54 
8.79 
1.69 
2.46 

3.50 
2.15 

8.50 
4.31 
6.77 

4.05 
7.29 
5.48 
4.92 
3.15 

5.06 
6.67 
7.08 
8.85 
5.86 

6.34 
5.07 

2.07 
4.25 
6.66 
2.69 
8.79 

6,94 
2.67 

4.78 
5.04 
8.86 
0.77 
1.25 

2.69 
8.26 

1.59 
1.17 
3.29 
3.26 
3.03 

1.10 
1.10 

2.01 
2.89 
2.58 
2.25 
2.05 

2.59 
2.20 

1.72 
2.69 
1.23 
1.63 
0.50 

0.95 
0.23 

14.77 
11.82 
3.09 
8.12 
6.12 

10.86 
8.99 

10.63 
14.28 
19.46 
10.09 
16.94 

18.20 
10.89 

8.88 
9.70 
9.28 
8.28 
6.32 

6.88 

< 

6.62 

8.86 
4.80 
8.78 
4.79 
1.10 

2.90 

87.64 
40.35 
87.56 
81.23 
83.57 

81.47 

Mean  .. 

1.19     '    0.87 

1.70 

3.33 

8.97 

4.93 

5.51 

4.01 

3.11 

2.86 

2.87 

1.80 

9.00 

14.45 

7.84         8.36 

34.65 

FORT  WINNEBAGO,  WISCONSIN. 


FORT  CRAWFORD,  WISCONSIN. 


ISSC... 

0.16 

4.58 

0.7T 

1.23 

1.77 

6.37 

1537.... 

0.48 

0.91 

0.25 

2.41 

8.13 

4.80 

5.66 

2.89 

5.39 

0.79 

3.23 

1.35 

5.82 

18.85 

9.41 

2.74 

81.82 

1S33.... 

2.03 

0.20 

0.08 

2.93 

0.36 

2.40 

7.67 

5.35 

2.64 

1.49 

1.77 

0.41 

3.92 

15.42 

5.90 

2.64 

27.88 

18.39.... 

0.92 

0.47 

0.79 

1.34 

3.59 

4.53 

0.83 

4.83 

1.48 

8.14 

1.27 

0.76 

6.22 

9.74 

10.34 

2.15 

28.95 

1840.... 

0.80 

1.17 

0.43 

1.46 

2.03 

3.71 

5.79 

3.47 

1.45 

4.03 

2.63 

0.C5 

8.97 

13.97 

8.16 

2.02 

28. IS 

1S41.... 

0.18 

0.43 

1  54 

1.49 

1.51 

6.45 

8.70 

8.79 

6.53 

1.25 

0.65 

1.93 

4.34 

12.94 

8.83 

2.59 

23.45 

1S42.... 

0.84 

0.56 

1  71 

1.85 

1.17 

5.04 

8.24 

2.14 

3.45 

0.21 

3.12 

1.13 

4.78 

10.43 

6.73 

8.68 

S4.51 

1S43.... 

0.73 

0.62 

0.39 

2.14 

4.18 

4.07 

1.20 

1.22 

4.41 

0.60 

2.67 

0.63 

6.71 

6.49 

7.63 

1.92 

23.80 

1844.... 

1.51 

0.S8 

1.33 

3  52 

4.07 

5.40 

5.16 

2.73 

0.73 

1.66 

1.73 

14.68 

6.03 

8.84 

1345.... 

0.67 

2.49 

8.10 

2.67 

1.46 

4.09 

4.37 

1.53 

.... 

7.88 

9.99 

Mean  .. 

0.91 

0.82 

1.07 

2.26 

2.25 

4.24 

4.21 

3.01 

3.63 

2.00 

2.01 

1.09 

5.53 

11.46 

7.63 

2.82 

27.49 

1336.... 

..  ., 

•  ••• 

8.60 

1.10 

3.20 

2.30 

6.40 

1.80 

0.60 

1.60 

6.60 

8.20 

1837.... 

0.40 

2.70 

2.90 

8.00 

1.40 

4.41) 

1.33 

8.65 

T.18 

1.16 

2.61 

2.92 

7.80 

9.88 

10.35 

6  02 

84.05 

13:33.... 

1.80 

0.00 

0.45 

8.57 

1.03 

2  17 

1.5S 

5.63 

2.76 

1.66 

1.44 

0.32 

6.05 

9.43 

3.36 

1.63 

21.96 

1339.... 

1.72 

1.26 

2.07 

0.54 

5.10 

1.67 

6.8i) 

4.95 

5.05 

1.90 

1.00 

3.87 

12.97 

11.90 

&1.46 

1340.... 

1.40 

1.00 

0.20 

8.63 

2.75 

2.57 

2.97 

6.91 

1.90 

5.85 

1.96 

0.12 

6.67 

12.45 

9.71 

2.53 

8i.es 

1S41.... 

0.19 

0.47 

5.76 

2.04 

1.75 

3.36 

7.75 

3.65 

2.45 

1.21 

0.14 

3.23 

9.53 

13.79 

8.80 

S.94 

31.05 

1812.... 

1.29 

1.18 

2.00 

4.08 

6.20 

7.03 

1.00 

6.43 

3.53 

0.03 

8.47 

2.00 

12.28 

14.31 

7.13 

4.42 

SS.Sl 

134-3.... 

0.70 

0.98 

0.33 

1.60 

2.83 

3.10 

2.20 

4.18 

4.90 

1.83 

2.83 

0.47 

6.00 

9.*3 

9.05 

2.10 

25.53 

1344.... 

2.60 

0.87 

1.42 

8.56 

4.71 

4.01 

8.81 

6  06 

2.46 

0.76 

1.42 

2.3* 

9.69 

18.83 

4.64 

S.S5 

89.06 

1S43   ... 

l.IO 

2.79 

2.78 

3.86 

2.40 

5.80 

8.90 

1.35 

... 

.... 

8.49 

10.75 

Mean  ..     1.19 

1.24 

1.92. 

2.99 

2.72 

8.74 

S.43 

4.05 

4.06 

2.04 

1.80 

1.57 

7.63 

11.87 

- 

7.90 

4.00 

31.40 

580 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   HAIN. 


FORT  ATKINSON,  IOWA. 


FORT  DES  MOLNES,  IOWA. 


Jan. 

l\b. 

.Marcli. 

Apiil. 

Jliiy. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sep!. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring    Summer.  Autumn.'  Winter. 

1 

Year. 

ISll... 

•  ••> 

>.•• 

5.65 

6.83 

10.14 

6.09 

2.85 

l.Sl 

0S6 

1.11 

21.11 

6.02 

1313... 

0.43 

*].(» 

1.90 

2.33 

8.23 

7.43 

7.21 

5.07 

8.27 

1.22 

0.15 

0.35 

8.C2  .     19.76 

4.64 

2.41 

84.83 

ISIO... 

l.CO 

0.03 

8.12 

0.53 

li.83 

.... 

.... 

.  15.98      

Mean  . 

O.Tl 

0.S3 

2.51 

4. 03 

5.00 

0.03 

8.07 

5.CS 

2.81 

1.61 

0.60 

0.73 

12.22  1    20.48 

4.83 

2.27 

89.74 

1811.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1S15.... 

1.00 

1.82 

1.42 

3.83 

l.Cl 

1310.... 

0.90 
0.05 

0.C2 

.... 

.... 

Mean  .. 

0.07 

1.V2 

3.83 

l.Cl 

7.66 
6.60 


3.52 
0.61 


O.SS 


2.01 


2.84 


4.13 
3.04 


8.68 


1.00 


0.82 


2.25 


0.82 


G.86 


6.86 


8.35 


10.98 


4.00 


8.87 


2C.6C 


FORT  SXELLl.NG,  MINNESOTA. 


1S30... 
1857... 
1S3S... 
1S39... 
ISIO... 
isa  .. 
lSl-2... 
1S13... 
1311... 
1813... 
1310... 
1817... 
1SI3... 
1819... 
1355... 
1851... 
1352  .. 
1353... 
1354... 
1555... 

Mean  . 


0.27 

0.33 

0.C5 

0.70 

1.34 

0.30 

0.49 

0.49 

0.24 

0.21 

0.95 

0.72 

1.15 

1.46 

1.50 

0.72 

0.49 

1.40 

0.52 

0.03 

0  29 

0,11 

0.C2 

1.13 

1.00 

O.Cl 

1.67 

0.83 

0.20 

0.18 

0.C6 

0.14 

0.00 

0.01 

0.72 

0.03 

1.C7 

0.41 

0.73 

0.52 

0.33 
0.15 
0.71 
0.C3 
1.43 
0.44 
0.82 
0.97 
2.8:) 
1.71 
0.41 
1.71 
4.11 
2  23 
1.23 
2.C4 
0.C3 
l.CO 
l.Sl 


0.95 
2.41 
2.71 
1.55 
1.40 


2.05 
3.C5 
8.28 
2.31 
1.50 


2.17 

l.CS 

0.75 

8.12 

5.16 

4.50 

3.15 

1.51 

2.90 

2.00 

0.45 

4.96 

0.18 

5.28 

6.63 

6.57 

2.00 

0.57 

2.63 

8.96 

2.49 

4.73 

0.73 

4.08 

2.51 

4.30 

0.28 

1.23 

2.14        3.17 


3.46 
4.70 
1.80 
8.50 
4.24 
3.73 
5.23 
l.« 
0.S9 
8.10 
2.66 
2.83 
3.14 
4.02 
2.W 
O.tS 
7.59 
3.31 
2.88 


3.03 


5.55 
1.82 
3.08 
1.04 
8.40 
1.17 
4.81 
1.84 
4.37 
8.28 
3.83 
2.49 
3.19 
9.60 
2.97 
8.29 
0.89 
2.57 
1.75 


4. 11 


S.18 


4.45 
5.10 
0.71 
1.61 
2.33 
6.10 
4.83 
5.14 
4.26 
2.21 
2.33 
4.00 
2.46 
2.75 
1.82 
3.64 
0.73 
2.14 
0.55 


8.33 


0.55 
3.15 
0.10 
2.11 
2.21 
1.55 

0.50 
0.97 
0.00 
2.45 
0.87 
0.68 
5.85 
0.82 
1.13 
0.83 
0.01 
1.23 


0.70 
1.87 
0.43 
1.00 
8.22 
0.84 
3.46 
1.43 
0.77 
0.40 
2.10 
l.Tl 
0.10 
1.40 
1.03 
2.81 
I    0.22 


0.56 

0.00 


0.63 
2.84 
0.43 
1.07 
0.13 
1.42 
0.63 
0.27 
0.53 
0.08 
0.21 
0.66 
0.40 
1.93 
0.04 
0.05 
0.15 
1.11 
0.64 


8.98 
5.21 
6.70 
4.51 
4.88 
4.29 
4.69 

10.68 
7.46 
6.61 
6.85 
7.17 

16.30 
5.40 
7.87 
9.23 
4.83 
7.84 
3.33 


1.33 


1.81 


0.67 


7.51 

18.95 

G.St 

9.79 

6.93 

10.83 

9.25 

10.81 

12.01 

11.83 

8.31 

10.02 

20.33 

13.74 

8.04 

3.71 

11.81 

8.93 


5.70 
9.02 
1.80 
5.3S 
7.76 
8.49 

7.07 
5.90 
3.27 
6.83 
6.03 
3.24 
9.60 
3.  S3 
7.13 
1.76 
2.71 
8.8S 


2.96 
1.80 
2.77 
1.11 
1.87 
2.27 
2.88 
2.83 
1.97 
0.70 
1.06 
2.15 
8.56 
2.54 
0.38 
0.35 
1.12 
1.39 


10.92 


6.93 


1.92 


24.02 
22.22 
21.19 
23.00 
21.67 

23.C9 
33.14 
25.34 
26  10 
21.83 
28.18 
49.69 
25.50 
23.43 
15.07 
20.47 
26.59 


25.43 


FORT 

RIPLEY,  (GAINES 

,)  MINNESOTA. 

l^:.o  ... 

1.30 

0.01 

1.03 

2.07 

1.52 

6.00 

11.93 

2.51 

1.77 

1.45 

3.65 

0.51 

5.24 

20.43 

6.87 

2.73 

85.82 

1851.... 

1.41 

0.24 

0.26 

0.97 

5.66 

5.50 

.... 

8.15 

8.74 

1.93 

2.82 

0.86 

:      6.79 

13.49 

2.01 

13-.2.... 

0.13 

0.42 

6.61 

2.37 

8.9G 

2.10 

3.93 

1.87 

6.40 

1.27 

3.10 

2.S7 

12.94 

7.39 

10.77 

3.43 

34.53 

isr.J.... 

0.18 

0.34 

l.OG 

1.31 

1.43 

8.73 

4.85 

2.64 

3.31 

0.93 

1.18 

0.G3 

3.82 

15.71 

5.44 

1.15 

20.13 

1331.... 

0.C7 

0.03 

0.79 

0.97 

4rt4 

8.63 

0.G2 

1.69 

4.49 

0.91 

0.24 

0.15 

0.10 

5.99 

6.55 

0.S5 

IS. 49 

1353.... 

1.41 
O.SO 

0.23 

1.12 

0.80 

1.03 

4.83 

.... 

2.20 

3.10 

Uiia  .. 

0.87 

. 

1.80 

1.42 

8.09 

5.15 

6.20 

2.27        4.92 

1.80 

e.9o 

6.81 

12.62 

8.42 

2.18 

29.48 

SERIES    OF   MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS    OF    RAIN. 


581 


FORT  LEAVENWORTH,  KANSAS. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1 
Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer. 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1336.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.80 

4.23 

3.41 

5.90 

6.45 

0.87 

1.64 

0.73 

13.54 

S.96 

issr.... 

o.u 

2.73 

2.76 

1.03 

3.32 

6.20 

4.2J 

1.00 

7. SO 

8.40 

2.70 

2.60 

7.71 

11.40 

13.90 

5.44 

88.45 

1S.33.... 

1.80 

1.00 

1.90 

1.80. 

2.60 

6.13 

2.18 

6.66 

0.80 

0.40 

1.81 

0.20     1 

5.80 

14.97 

2.81 

3.00 

26.88 

IS3D.... 

1.08 

0.78 

1.98 

8.99 

3.51 

5.29 

5.12 

1.95 

0.70 

6.05 

1.29 

1.63 

9.43 

12.86 

8.10 

8.38 

83.82 

1840.... 

0.73 

0.74 

1.27 

2.02 

8.34 

6.62 

2.65 

4.93 

8.43 

3.89 

1.60 

0.23 

7.23 

14.25 

8.97 

1.69 

82.14 

1841.... 

0.04 

0.23 

1.91 

4.88 

0.56 

2.95 

2.60 

2.83 

5.62 

8.25 



0.05 

6.85 

7.73 

0.82 

1S42.... 

0.01 

0.60 

0.99 

2.84 

1.39 

5.C5 

3.15 

6.06 

1.02 

0.26 

8.22 

1.10 

6.22 

14.86 

4.50 

1.71 

26.29 

1843.... 

0.12 

0.10 

1.85 

5.53 

2.29 

0.52 

0.57 

0.13 

8.19 

1.04 

0.05 

1.C5 

9.17 

1.22 

4.23 

1.37 

15.94 

1844.... 

0.50 

1.60 

3.40 

8.20 

8.53 

12.00 

8.08 

4.80 

1.60 

0.40 

8.62 

0.89 

15.13 

24. 8S 

6.62 

2.49 

48.12 

1845.... 

O.GO 

2.20 

0.73 

2.40 

2.30 

15.60 

0.01 

1.70 

6.70 

1.8D 

0.32 

0.00 

5.43 

17.61 

8.82 

2.80 

S4.S6 

1816.... 

0.40 

0.20 

1.10 

8.90 

8.20 

4.16 

2.01 

0.08 

3. S3 

1.03 

1.14 

2.05 

8.20 

6. S3 

6.05 

2.65 

23.75 

1847.-... 

0.69 

l.SO 

0.43 

2.79 

7.18 

5.15 

1.20 

0.60 

0.82 

0.00 

0.27 

1.15 

10.45 

6.?5 

0.59 

3.14 

21.03 

1818.... 

1.45 

1.40 

1.50 

0.91 

8.50 

6.70 

3.25 

3.05 

7.60 

0.74 

4.33 

8.50 

6.91 

18.06 

12.07 

6.35 

33.00 

1S4D.... 

a. 90 

0.6D 

3.40 

2.40 

5.10 

2.26 

6.03 

5. SO 

7.56 

3.44 

2.80 

0.50 

10.90 

14. C9 

13. SO 

4. 06 

42.85 

1S53.... 

1.10 

2.21 

8.64 

1.74 

2.32 

5.99 

1.63 

2.27 

0.72 

0.85 

8.84 

0.76 

!      7.70 

9.89 

5.41 

4.07 

27.07 

1S51.... 

0.54 

0.96 

1.03 

1.00 

6.40 

S.IC 

0.73 

6.02 

1.10 

1.63 

8.18 

1.96 

7.43 

19.96 

7.96 

3.46 

38.81 

1852.... 

0.90 

0.2S 

1.85 

5.60 

4.71 

6.53 

4.60 

4.22 

1.61 

2.64 

8.53 

0.60 

11.56 

15.85 

7.7S 

1.84 

86.53 

1853.... 

0.01 

0..30 

0.15 

2.36 

3. 89 

5.95 

8.21 

5.01 

1.47 

0.52 

2.07 

0.76 

5.90 

14.17 

4.06 

1.07 

25.20 

1S54.... 

0.04 

1.78 

1.83 

3.35 

5.65 

4.50 

0.18 

1.07 

2.11 

8.20 

1.20 

0.09 

10.23 

5.75 

6.51 

1.91 

24.40 

1S35.... 

0.59 

0.20 

0.42 

0.27 

1.93 

1.C9 

1.70 

2.67 

Mean  . . 

0.72 

1.01 

1.61 

2,74 

8.62 

5.30 

3.15 

3.29 

8.82 

1.84 

2. IT 

1.03 

7.97 

12.24 

T.88 

2.75 

80.29 

FORT  DODGE,  IOWA. 


1S51.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.93 

2.69 

2.48 

2.84 

0.71 

7.86 

1852.... 

1.09 

0.58 

1.65 

2.16 

2.C5 

6.16 

1.57 

0.S9 

2.61 

4.10 

1.93 

2.27 

5.76  i 

7.62 

8.53 

3.94 

25.85  • 

1853.... 

0.20 

0.26 

1.31 

8.92 

4.S4 

.... 

10.07 



Mean  .. 

0.65 

0.42 

1.43 

3.04 

3.45 

5.16 

1.57 

1.42 

2.55 

8.26 

2.. 38 

1.99 

7.92  1 

8.15 

8.19 

S.06 

27.82 

FORT   KEAR.NY,  NEBRASKA. 


1849.... 

.... 

.... 

0.12 

7.80 

10.74 

4.00 

7.70 

6.05 

0.27 

l.SO 

0.10 

0.10 

24.-2 

17.75 

2.17 

1330.... 

0.47 

0.06 

1.06 

1.07 

2.83 

9.93 

5.33 

1.66 

0.43 

0.26 

1.57 

0.8D 

6.01 

16.97 

2.26 

0.88 

25.0T 

185!.... 

1.15 

0.97 

0.14 

0.73 

9.43 

3.50 

2.86 

2.73 

2.60 

0.52 

1.00 

0.76 

10.80 

9.14 

4.13 

2.6S 

26.44 

1832.... 

0.12 

0.25 

0.2S 

0.78 

5.23 

8.03 

2.69 

1.84 

2.17 

1.83 

2.21 

0.73 

6.24 

7.65 

5.76 

1.10 

20.65 

1S53.... 

0.00 

0.02 

0.08 

6.10 

8.46 

2.47 

S.2S 

2.21 

0.94 

0.26 

1.00 

0.08 

14.64 

12.96 

2.20 

0.10 

29.90 

1S54... 

0.23 

1.38 

1.87 

2.56 

4.15 

5.45 

3.51 

1.13 

4.63 

1.07 

0.75 

0.00 

8.53 

10.09 

6.42 

1.56 

26.65 

1S33.... 

l.CO 

0.23 

1.33 

0.C3 

4.91 

2.21 

.... 

0.33 

6.94 

Mean  .. 

0.50 

0.48 

L.-io 

2.63 

6.67 

4.86 

5.07 

2.62 

1.83 

0.83 

l.ll 

10.80 

12  C5 

3.83 

1.31 

27.98 

582 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


FORT  LARAMIE,  NEBRASKA. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

See. 

Spring. 

Summer.  Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S49.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

>»•• 

■  •■• 

.... 

0.21 

2.72 

0.24 

0.38 

8.17 

1S50.... 

0.30 

0.42 

1.81 

1.08 

1.41 

1.40 

1.80 

0.51 

0.22 

0.23 

0.23 



8.75 

8.T1 

0.72? 

1851.... 

0.16 

4.21 

0.83 

0.82 

0.78 

0.42 

0.36 

0.52 

0.88 

1.48 

1.80 

1893.... 

0.72 

1.10 

1.99 

1.25 

7.29 

4.08 

1.88 

1.46 

2.74 

1.70 

6.42 

1.28 

10.09 

7.42 

10.86 

8.09 

81.42 

1893.... 

0.03 

0.57 

1.78 

4.68 

12.19 

4.95 

1.86 

0.59 

2.80 

0.63 

0.08 

0.71 

18.50 

7.86 

8.66 

1.86 

80.78 

1854.... 

O.IS 

0.40 

0.80 

3. 98 

4.46 

3.67 

3.20 

1.27 

1.60 

1.86 

0.73 

0.09 

9.24 

8.20 

4.19 

0.63 

22.20 

1855.... 

0.04 

1.06 

1.41 

0.65 

2.79 

8.25 

1.45 

.... 

.... 

.... 

4.65 

HesD.. 

0.2T 

0.71 

1.87 

1.93 

6.89 

2.95 

1.88 

0.92 

1.88 

1.26 

1.87 

0.69 

8.69 

6.70 

8.96 

1.63 

19.98 

1852.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

9.10 

3.85 

0.81 

1.89 

1.60 

12.05 

1853.... 

0.04 

0.49 

0.96 

8.88 

934 

4.35 

0.50 

.... 

.... 

.... 

18.63 

7.15 

2.18 

39.01 

The  last  observations,  for  1S52  ami  1S53,  were  at  Fort  Atkinson^  on  the  Piaius,  crossing  of  Arkansas  river. 
FORT  ARBUCKLE,  INDIAN  TERRITORY. 


1850.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.70 

6.40 

1.25     ! 

, 

1891.... 

0.01 

9.40 

0.20 

2.71 

2.61 

2.19 

1.65 

1.16 

l.CO 

1.07 

8.89 

2.85 

5.92 

4.90 

4.06 

7.76 

22.24? 

1892.... 

1.86 

4.21 

1.21 

1.41 

7.80 

5.80 

9.C9 

4.82 

6.04 

7. 10 

2.50 

0.12 

9.92 

15.21 

14.66 

6.29 

46.08 

185).... 

0.49 

1.6S 

0.32 

1.04 

6.31 

4.57 

8.2T 

1.80 

8.16 

8.82 

1.05 

0.97 

6.67 

9.14 

7.58 

8.34 

26.68 

1854.... 

0.01 

2.30 

3.83 

2.98 

6.60 

4.33 

0.00 

2.14 

2.12 

0.59 

8.46 

0.40 

12.91 

6.47 

6.18 

2.71 

23.22 

1895.... 

0.20 

1.23 

0.35 

2.28 

3.13 

8.88 

8.60 

.... 

.... 

.... 

6.76 

Mean  .. 

0.61 

8.01 

1.08 

2.03 

4.99 

8.99 

2.68 

2.85 

2.9S 

2.76 

3.16 

1.02 

8.19 

8.98 

8.90 

4.54 

30.57 

FORT  BELKNAP,  TEXAS. 


1852.... 

.... 

..  . 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

>>  >  • 

5.90 

8.19 

0.09 



1853  ... 

0.06 

1.83 

0.96 

2.03 

6.19 

2.74 

2.27 

0.12 

1.77 

4. 89 

1.08 

1.79 

9.18 

6.18 

7.69 

8.14 

25.14 

1894.... 

0.11 

1.10 

1.42 

1.75 

4.97 

8.83 

0.00 

0.79 

1.53 

0.59 

0.09 

0.09 

8.14 

9.08 

2.17 

1.26 

20.65 

1S55.... 

0.01 

0.78 

0.10 

0.30 

3.65 

8.15 

.... 

.... 

8.99 

Mean  .. 

0.06 

1.07 

0.83 

1.86 

4.90 

4.74 

1.14 

0.43 

1.09 

3.79 

1.41 

0.62 

7.09 

6.31 

6.89 

1.75 

22.00 

FORT  WORTH,  TEXAS. 


1S19.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.90 

1S50  ... 

0.60 

0.80 

1.20 

4.70 

6.90 

7.30 

0.50 

3.70 

0.51 

2.24 

4.90 

5.10 

12.80 

11.50 

7.69 

6.00 

37.95 

1S51... 

2.70 

10.80 

4.66 

6.61 

9.27 

0.22 

0.16 

0.06 

0.06 

2.24 

4.92 

0.79 

20.54 

0.44 

7.22 

14.29 

42.49 

1S52.... 

1.85 

8.79 

5.20 

1.73 

4.27 

3.81 

3.14 

6.41 

5. GO 

5.40 

2.60 

0.10 

11.10 

13.86 

18.60 

5.20 

48.26 

1558.... 

1.60 

8.80 

8.33 

4.18 

9.94 

3.6a 

5.72 

0.60 

.... 

13.50 

9.92 

Mean  .. 

1.66 

4  94 

3.61 

4.89 

6.59 

8.73 

2.38 

2.69 

2.06 

8.29 

4.14 

1.97 

14.50 

8.80 

9.49 

8.07 

40.86 

PHANTOM  IllLL,  (CLEAR  FORK  OF  BRAZOS,)  TEXAS. 


1852.... 
1S53.... 
1S54.... 

0.52         1.80 
0.00         0.80 

0.54         0.45        2.85 

2.90 

1.15 

0.08 

4.82 
0.23 

4.81 
2.01 

2.49 
0.28 

0.00 
1.87 

3.84 

4.03 

12.08 
2.52 

8.69  1    14.13 

Mean  .. 

0.26        0.89 

0.54    :     0.45        2.85        2.90 

1.19         0.03 

2.55        8.41 

1.34 

0.94 

3.84 

4  08 

7.80 

2.00       17.22 

SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


583 


FORT  CHADBOURNE,  TEXAS. 


1    Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

S«pt. 

0:1. 

Not. 

Dec. 

! 
SpriDf.  jammer. 

Autumn. 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S52.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

6.25 

5.00 

5.9S 

2.SZ 

4.01 

3.64 

0.80 

0.00    1 

13.30 

8.45 

1S53.... 

0.70 

1.25 

1.61 

0.80 

6.48 

5.43 

2.80 

0.85 

1.76 

2.87 

0.19 

2.67 

8.89 

9.13 

4.82 

4.62 

27.4* 

1S54.... 

0.00 

0.90 

0.4S 

0.56 

5.76 

4.67 

1.81 

4.30 

4.09 

3.30 

6.80 

2.60 

6.80 

10.28 

13.69 

3.50 

84.27 

1S55.... 

1.10 

2. SO 

0.15 

3.35 

6.83 

3.81 

9.83 

Mean  .. 

0.60 

1.53 

0.73 

1.57 

6.20 

4.61 

3.36 

2.49 

8.29 

8.27 

2.4:J 

1.76 

5.52        10.46 

1 

8.99 

3.91 

31.83 

FORT  GRAHAM,  TEXAS. 


1S50.... 

1331.... 
1S52  ... 
ISoS.... 

1.80 
0.64 
1.S8 

1.85 
6.86    1    3.63 
5.25    '    8.75 
3.61        4.4S 

4.25 
7.SS 
4.00 
2.0O 

2.57 
8.05 
2.65 
3.33 

4.83 
0.32 
3.68 
2.00 

l.SO 
0.11 
4.90 
2.08 

3.95 
0.21 
8.76 
0.82 

0.60 
0.26 
1.53 

8.77 
5.25 
8.69 

1.09 
7.40 
5.70 

11.08 

4.40 
0  81 

8.17       10.28 

14.56        0.64 

16.80       12.34 
! 
1      9.88  1      4.40 

1 

5.46 
12.91 
10.92 

13.26 
6.20 

41.87 
44  76 

Mean..      1.42         5.24         4.55 

4.53 

2.90 

2.71 

2.15         2.06 

0.80 

4.24 

4.73 

5.25 

11.93  1      6.02 

9.77       11.91 

40.53 

FORT  GROG  HAN,  TEXAS. 


1S49.... 

.... 

.... 

3.70 

3.00 

0.40 

1.20 

1.80 

1.40 

0.90 

T.IO 

3.90 

1350.... 

1.00 

0.90 

8.10 

3.40 

5.00 

5.60 

1.60 

0.69 

0.45 

0.28 

1.02 

2.56 

11  50 

7.89  1 

1.75 

4.46 

25.60 

1351.... 

1.09 

5.01 

8.54 

7.05 

1.06 

1.06 

2.99 

1.00 

1.35 

8.52 

9.80 

7.40 

11.65 

5.05 

14.67 

13.50 

44.87 

1852.... 

1.70 

6.00 

9.18 

2.79 

2.21 

8.78 

8.75 

8.09 

5.96 

3.35 

8.33 

0.57 

14.18 

10.62 

12.64 

7.27 

44.71 

1853.... 

1.97 

6.52 

8.07 

2.28 

8.78 

2.52 

5.59 

0.20 

.... 

.... 

.... 

9.18 

8.31  1 

Mean  .. 

1.44 

4.61 

4.72 

3.8S 

8.01 

8.3-3 

3.39 

1.03 

2.24 

2.11 

3.S9 

2.86 

11.61 

7. SO 

8.24 

8.91 

36.56 

FORTS  MARTIN  SCOTT,  MASON,  TERRETT,  AND  McKAVETT,  TEXAS. 


1850.... 

1.07 

0.69 

1.57 

4.60 

8.45 

10.28 

1.71 

0.87 

1.13 

0.99 

8. 87 

2.74 

9.62 

12.86 

6.04 

S.SO 

83.52 

1851.... 

0.78 

5.14 

8.43 

8.87 

1.18 

0.03 

0.80 

1.20 

1.44 

1.15 

1.50 

1.00 

13.08 

2.08 

4.09 

6.67 

26.07 

1862.... 

0.60 
0.80 

8.10 

12.40 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

Mean  .. 

2.93 

5.82 

6.4S 

2.31 

5.18 

1.25 

0.78 

1.81 

1.07 

2.65 

1  87 

14.61 

7.21 

5.06 

5.65 

82.58 

M. 1853. 

.... 

.... 

1.90 

8.94 

3.46 

6.6i 

1.54 

4.70 

2.54 

1.50 

0.01 

11.64 

7.74 

1853. 

1.04 

9.01 

1.52 

2.89 

1.21 

7.53 

6.48 

1.69 

1.14 

3.07 

0.12 

.... 

5.62 

15.73 

4.83 

T.  18.52. 

.... 

1.08 

5.15 

4.27 

3.04 

1.61 

5.72 

3.92- 

1.23 

0.00 

8.92 

10.67 



1S5S. 

0.80 

1.54 

1.15 

0.S6 

2.80 

6. CO 

8.68 

1.83 

0.10 

4.50 

0.04 

1.63 

4.81 

11.61 

4.64 

8.87 

24.88 

McK.'52 

.... 

.... 

0.59 

4.75 

4.84 

1.84 

0.85 

3.42 

5.26 

1.69 

0.01 

7.5-? 

10.27 

1853. 

1.75 

2.94 

1.52 

2.00 

2.25 

5.49 

4.08 

1.65 

.... 

.... 

5.77 

11.17 

1354. 

0.01 

0.77 

2.10 

0.28 

8.72 

0.15 

2.91 

0.04 

3.86 

0.79 

1.19 

0.95 

6.10 

3.10 

5.84 

1.73 

i6.n 

1855. 

0.09 

1.00 

0.08 

S.29 

2.63 

1.19 

.... 

.... 

5.00 

Uean  .. 

0.62 

1.37 

1.23 

1.29 

8.84 

2.92 

2.92 

0.S5 

3.04 

3.02 

1.39 

0.43 

5.86 

6.69 

8.05 

2.67 

28.27 

584 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


SAN   ANTONIO,  TEXAS. 


Jaa. 

Feb. 

March. 

Api'il. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

1 
Summer.  Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1S)9  ... 

•  ■■• 

<••• 

•  ■•. 

.... 

0.12 

0.31) 

5.53 

1.23 



11.95 

IMl).... 

0.61 

2.0T 

1.8T 

8.31 

8.22 

9.63 

8.10 

0.17 

0.39 

O.Sl 

2.81 

2.90 

7.89 

12.91) 

3.54 

6.61 

29.93 

1S51.... 

0.75 

G.S6 

1.45 

4.87 

2.80 

8.71 

8.07 

0.60 

1.20 

0.10 

8.30 

2.80 

S  62 

7.41 

4.90 

9.91 

80.S4 

1S53.... 

1.00 

4.80 

6.00 

0.70 

2.66 

5.09 

3.58 

1.75 

8.40 

2.70 

.... 

.... 

9..% 

10.37 

Mean  . . 

0.30 

4.41 

2.91 

2.S0 

2  89 

6.15 

8.28 

0.S4 

2.80 

1.U5 

3.72 

2.11 

8.63 

10.22         7.57 

7.55 

33.77 

CORPUS  CHRISTI,  AND  FORTS  EWELL 

AND 

MKRRILL. 

1S4C     .. 

3.96 

2.37 

1.-.5 

3.71 

3.41 

6.65 

3.02 

5.13 

10.49 

8.80 

15.16 





1S19.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

2.25 

4.65 

2.01 

0.22 

1.34 

0.91 

1S51.... 

.... 

4.82 

2.53 

5.52 

8.97 

0.28 

4.96 

2.71 

1.89 

1.19 

9.72 

9.56 

1S54.... 

.... 

8.07 

4.71 

7.69 

3.C3 

6.82 

.... 

IG.OS 

Mean  . . 

3.96 

2.37 

1.25 

4.01 

4.63 

5. 63 

4.S9 

2.91 

6.73 

2.37 

1.05 

1.26 

9.91 

13.48 

10.15 

7.59 

41.11 

1J52.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.41 

0.15 

0.45 



1858.... 

1.30 

6.69 

1.05 

2.25 

8.35 

9.65 

2.23 

1.65 

6.25 

8.33 

0.^ 

1.S7 

6.65 

13.53 

9.40 

9.77 

89.81 

1351.... 

0.22 

2. 86 

0.83 

0.00 
1.12 

6.89 

6.C5 

8.53 

8.21 

4.  OS 

... 

7.26 
6.91 

12.S4 

Mean  .. 

0.76 

4.78 

0.71 

5.11 

7.S5 

2.90 

2.48 

4.96 

2.36 

0.49 

1.16 

13.13 

7.81 

6.65 

81.53 

ISol.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

8.47 

1.41 

1.83 

4.19 

1.81 

2.98 

0.87 

0.85 

0.56 



7.83 

4.15 

1853... 

.... 

1.18 

8.76 

.... 



.... 



1853.... 

.... 



.... 

6.75 

5.80 

8.12 

1.40 

1.18 





10.83 

1851.... 

0.11 

1.99 

0.05 

1.16 

7.66 

4.70 

5.41 

8.18 

5.01 

0.61 

3.20 

2.13 

8.S7 

13.29 

8.S5 

4.28 

85.21 

1855.... 

0.35 

2.19 

0.13 

0.23 

1.21 

S.75 

.... 

1.57 

Mean  .. 

0.23 

2.09 

0.C9 

1.63 

3.43 

4.10 

6.13 

8.49 

4.00 

1.33 

1.83 

1.93 

5.11 

13.63 

7.80 

4.25 

80.82 

FORT  BROWN,  TEXAS,  (.VIATAMOROS.) 

1850.... 

1.30 

3.80 

2.80 

0.05 

2.20 

0.06 

1.16 

0.01 

0.25 

5.79 

0.69 

0.15 

4.55 

1.23 

0.78 

8.23 

20.76 

1851.... 

0.95 

1.20 

O.40 

1.15 

0.90 

2.85 

8.65 

1.30 

6.6D 

4.10 

S.OO 

4.70 

2.45 

7.80 

12.10 

6.85 

29.30 

1852.... 

0.50 

0.60 

0.85 

0.00 

4.05 

5.05 

0.70 

3.90 

8.50 

4.95 

0.90 

0.00 

4  40 

9.65 

14.35 

1.10 

29.50 

1858.... 

0.00 

1.60 

0.00 

2.20 

0.10 

1.70 

0.00 

3.10 

8.00 

7.75 

1.30 

0.65 

2.30 

4.80 

17.05 

2.25 

26.40 

1851.... 

0.45 

1.50 

1.15 

0.05 

4.10 

7.63 

4.25 

5.00 

11.31 

5.79 

7.47 

1.88 

5.30 

16.90 

21.57 

3.83 

50.00 

1855  ... 

8.47 

4.83 

8.08 

0.00 

1.92 

10.47 

4.95 

Mean  .. 

1.61 

2.25 

1.20 

0.56 

2.21 

4.55 

1.95 

2.76 

6.78 

6.63 

2.67 

1.43 

8.97 

9.26 

15.08 

5.34 

33.65 

RINGGOLD  BARRACKS,  TEXAS. 


1319.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

4.43 

8.02 

0.30 

0.91 

7.82 

1S50.... 

3.11 

0.61 

1.98 

0.79 

4.65 

2.76 

0.17 

0.11 

0.03 

0.59 

2.91 

0.01 

7.27 

3.04 

8.57 

8.76 

17.61 

1351   ... 

0.81 

0.69 

0.08 

1.21 

0.20 

1.21 

2.20 

0.02 

5.21 

1.20 

0.12 

1.15 

1.44 

8.43 

6.63 

2.6S 

14.08 

1S52.... 

1.00 

0.88 

0.65 

0.63 

2.23 

0.96 

0.8J 

1.41 

4.21 

4.78 

0  01 

0.03 

3.61 

8.22 

9.03 

1.96 

17.82 

1S.")3.   .. 

0.70 

2.38 

0.09 

8.79 

8.91 

1.45 

0.15 

4.81 

2.82 

2.40 

0.19 

0.91 

7.79 

5.94 

4.91 

3.94 

22.63 

1851.... 

0.70 

1.69 

0.22 

0.00 

2.88 

10.98 

4.06 

1.6S 

8.C2 

0.92 

2.10 

0.63 

8.05 

16.89 

6.04 

8.07 

29.05 

1655... 

1.06 

0.68 

1.43 

0.00 

2.10 

5.8S 

.... 

3.38 

Mean  .. 

1.21 

1.18 

0.72 

1.08 

2.69 

8.47 

2.18 

1.50 

8.22 

2.16 

0.94 

0.68 

4.19 

7.10 

6.81 

8.05 

20.95 

SERIES   OF    MONTHLY   AND   ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


585 


FORT  Mcintosh,  texas. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

1 

1 
Summer  Aatomn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1849.... 



.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

2.95 

4.70 

3.74 

0.46 

0.83 

0.35 

1 

5.03 

1850.... 

0.39 

0.72 

0.46 

0..'>1 

3.70 

4.93 

1.19 

0.07 

0.00 

2.21 

2.68 

0.49 

4.67 

6.19  1 

4.89 

1.60 

17.33 

1851... 

0.11 

1.69 

0.95 

1.35 

0.37 

3.36 

0.78 

0.00 

2.73 

1.37 

0.87 

0.65 

2.67 

4.14 

4.97 

2.45 

14.23 

IBS.... 

0.46 

1.05 

1.41 

0.00 

1.18 

1.19 

1.52 

0.23 

2.06 

1.13 

0.24 

0.66 

3.59 

2.94 

3.43 

1.57 

11.53 

1853.... 

0.30 

1.99 

0.06 

4.32 

1.57 

2.43 

4.51 

2.S 

4.24 

0.21 

0.01 

0.92 

5.95 

9.16 

4.46 

3.21 

iB.78 

1854.... 

0.05 

1.90 

0.30 

0.00 

5.02 

4.54 

3.9S 

0.20 

5.34 

0.35 

1.83 

0.42 

5.32 

8.69 

7.57 

2.37 

23.95 

1855.... 

0.25 

1.40 

0.33 

0.01 

2.88 

5.18 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

I      3.23 

' 

Mean... 

0.26 

1.46 

0.59 

1.03 

2.45 

3.61 

2.48 

1.24 

3.C2 

0.96 

1.08 

0.48 

{      4.07 

7.33 

5.06 

2.20 

18.66 

FORT  DUNCAS,  TEXAS. 


1849.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

...w 

0.03 

1.20 

0.40 

j 

1850.... 

0.40 

0.12 

0.02 

0.98 

1.00 

5.51 

2.85 

0.60 

0.10 

1.30 

3.70 

1.40 

3.00 

8.96 

5.10 

1.92 

17.98 

1851.... 

0.70 

2.^ 

0.23 

0.88 

1.15 

2.30 

1.10 

0.70 

1.36 

1.50 

1.20 

0.68 

2.26 

4.10 

4.06 

3.70 

14.12 

1852.... 

0.28 

2.30 

6.27 

0.00 

2.13 

2.81 

6.70 

0.32 

6.10 

1.22 

0.24 

O.OO 

8.40 

9.83 

7.56 

2.58 

28.37 

1853.... 

0.13 

1.30 

0.01 

2.10 

0.75 

10.70 

5.38 

2.15 

4.05 

4.10 

0.05 

2.69 

2.86 

18.13 

8.20 

4.12 

33.31 

1854.... 

0.05 

0.69 

1.50 

0.00 

2.53 

6.83 

0.83 

0.90 

4.81 

0.40 

3.28 

0.18 

4.03 

8.56 

8.49 

0.92  1 

22.00 

185S.... 

O.OO 

0.91 

0.01 

0.28 

1.44 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.73 

Mean... 

0.26 

1.27 

1.34 

0.71 

1.50 

S.63 

3.35 

0.93 

3.28 

1.43 

161 

0.89 

3.55 

9.91 

6.32 

2.42 

22.20 

FORT  INGE,  TEXAS. 


1849  ... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

2.05 

2.30 

1850.... 

0.38 

0.71 

1.42 

1.11 

1.07 

7.00 

2.70 

3.19 

1.50 

1.70 

3.60 

2.10 

2.60 

12.89 

6.80 

3.19 

25.48 

1851.... 

.... 

3.54 

1.45 

2.95 

1.08 

0.73 

3.84 

3.53 

0.73 

1.50 

1.43 

0.29 

5.48 

7.10 

3.66 

1832.... 

0.34 

1.40 

2.63 

0.15 

5.76 

8.07 

6.82 

0.12 

2.83 

3.19 

1.52 

O.OO 

8.53 

15.01 

7.54 

1.74 

.■*>.a2 

1853.... 

2.16 

3.38 

1.51 

2.43 

3.28 

9.00 

4.97 

1.59 

1.20 

6.76 

0.15 

1.03 

7.21 

15.56 

8.11 

6.76 

37.64 

1854.... 

0.20 

2.15 

3.00 

0.75 

3.88 

2.09 

097 

1.67 

4.80 

0.33 

3.71 

0.50 

7.63 

4.73 

8.84 

2.85 

24.08 

1855.... 

O.IO 

1.86 

0.75 

0.17 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



Mean... 

0.64 

2  21 

1.79 

1.26 

3.UI 

5.38 

3.66 

3.03 

2.21 

2  70 

2.08 

1.03 

1      6.06 

11.06 

6.99 

3.88 

27.99 

FORT  LINCOLN,  TEXAS. 


1830... 

1     .... 

.... 

.... 

0.50 

3.30 

...^ 

,, 

.... 

3.80 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1831... 

0.00 

5.05 

2.U 

4.86 

1.90 

0.76 

0.89 

0.39 

0.27 

1  36 

3.01 

0.98    ' 

8.87 

3.04 

3.64 

6.03 

20  58 

1853... 

0.26 

3.96 

4.90 

0.33 

4.26 

3.38 

1.10 

.... 

.... 

1 

9.39 

FORT  CLARK,  TEXAS. 


1853.... 

■  ... 

•  ■«. 

■  >*> 

.... 

.... 

0.87 

3.50 

2.09 

1.91 

0.00 

7.50 

1853.... 

0.88 

1.18 

0.65 

2.30 

1.16 

10.21 

3.87 

2.73 

0.13 

4.00 

0.21 

1.60 

4.31 

16.83 

4.34 

3.66 

29.14 

1854.... 

0.00 

0.94 

1.48 

0.60 

2.65 

0.11 

0.08 

0.95 

3.49 

0.55 

3.23 

0.35 

4.73 

i.n 

7.26 

1.29 

14.43 

1855.... 

0.01 

1.96 

0.45 

0.31 

4.29 

4.77 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

5.03 

JNIcan... 

0.30 

1.36 

0.86 

1.14 

2.70 

5.03 

1.98 

1.53 

2.37 

2.21 

1.78 

0.65 

4.60 

8.53 

6.36 

2.31 

21.  SO 

S.  96- 


74 


586 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OF   RAIN. 


EL  PASO  AND  FORT  BLISS,  NEW  MEXICO. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

]8o0.... 
1851.... 
1854.... 

0.00 

0.90 

0.00 

0.00 

0.70 

0.02 

1.05 
0.10 

0.70 
2.49 
5.71 

0.05 
3.70 

0.60 
1.54 

4.60 
0.00 

1.10 
0.50 

0.70 

4.56 

5.25 



5.24 

Mean... 

0.00 

0.90 

0.00 

0.00 

0.70 

0.0-2 

0.57 

2.97 

1.68 

1.07 

2.30 

0.80 

0.70 

3.58 

5.25 

1.70 

11.21 

The  obser\atioiis  nominally  at  El  Paso  lo  August,  1851,  were  taken  at  points  on  the  north  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  opposite  the  Slexican  town  of  El  Paso. 


FORTS  FILLMORE,  WEBSTER,  AND  THORN,  NEW  MEXICO. 


1851.... 

.... 

... 

.... 

1.40 

0.11 

2.13 

1.74 

3.64 

1852.... 

.... 

0.29 

0.04 

0.20 

0.40 

1.74 

3.84 

1.00 

1.47 

0.77 

2.66 

0.00 

0.64 

6.58 

4.90 

1853.... 

0.04 

0.10 

0.03 

0.01 

0.05 

0.28 

2.80 

1.63 

1.21 

0.90 

1.15 

0.64 

0.09 

4.91 

3.26 

0.78 

9.04 

1854.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.65 

0.10 

0.86 

0.05 

0.67 

1.38 

0.95 

0.39 

0.07 

0.15 

1.61 

2.30 

2.01 

0.15 

6.07 

1855.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.12 

0.45 

0.05 

0.07 

.... 

.... 

0.62 

F.Mean 

0.01 

0.10 

0.21 

0.20 

0.34 

0.54 

2.50 

1.40 

1.26 

0.54 

1.50 

0.63 

0.75 

4.44 

3.30 

0.74 

9.23 

W.  1852 

1.51 

0.13 

4.45 

1.23 

4.89 

4.79 

4.29 

3.47 

1.19 

3.48 

0.30 

4.81 

13.97 

8.14 



W.  1853 

0.40 

0.50 

0.00 

0.00 

1.05 

1.08 

2.55 

1.21 

1.26 

0.40 

0.26 

0.08 

1.05 

4.84 

1.92 

0.98 

6.79 

T.    1854 

0.00 

0.00 

0.14 

0.20 

1.10 

0.08 

2.23 

6.01 

3.50 

0.00 

0.99 

0.35 

1.44 

8.32 

4.49 

0.35 

14.60 

T.    1855 

0.09 

0.20 

0.80 

0.25 

0.05 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.10 



FORT  CONRAD  AND  SOCORRO,  NEW  MEXICO. 


1851.... 

.... 

... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.03 

0.09 

0.39 

t    





1852.... 

0.01 

0.03 

0.00 

0.07 

0.25 

2.15 

0.65 

l.K 

1.10 

1.63 

1.34 

0.08 

0.32 

4.12 

4.07 

0.12 

8.63 

1853.... 

0.23 

0.39 

0.38 

0.00 

0.35 

0.74 

2.78 

1.20 

0.53 

0.00 

0.59 

0.67 

0.73 

4.72 

1.12 

1.29 

7.86 

1854.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.05 

0.01 

0.62 

0.01 

0.41 

1.02 

2.13 

0.34 

1.09 

0.08 

0.68 

1.44 

3.56 

0.08 

5.76 

1855.... 

0.00 

0.01 

0.12 

0.08 

0.10 

0.21 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.30 

Mean... 

0.06 

0.11 

0.14 

0.04 

0.33 

0.78 

1.28 

1.18 

1.25 

0.50 

0.78 

0.31 

0.51 

3.24 

2.53 

0.46 

6.76 

S.  1849. 

.... 

.... 

..   . 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1.76 

0.80 

1850.... 

0.05 

0.52 

0.60 

0.42 

0.12 

0.17 

1.29 

0.54 

0.24 

1.81 

0.92 

0.44 

1.14 

2.00 

2.97 

1.01 

7.12 

1851.... 

0.02 

0.45 

.... 

0.45 

0.01 

0.00 

0.40 

2.07 

.... 

.... 

2.47 



ALBUQUERQUE,  NEW  MEXICO. 


1850.... 

.... 

0.05 

0.01 

0.02 

0.21 

0.16 

1.26 

0.45 

0.51 

0.28 

1.02 

0.61 

0.24 

1.89 

1.81 



1851.... 

0.07 

0.56 

0.42 

0.04 

0.03 

0  00 

0.30 

.... 



.... 

0.49 

1852.... 



0.70 

0.07 

8,15 

0.07 

4.06 

0.19 

0.35 

0.16 

0.02 

0.77 

12.28 

0.70 

1853.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.01 

0.00 

0.04 

0.00 

2.57 

3.80 

0.07 

0.00 

0.31 

0.30 

0.05 

6.37 

0  38 

0.30 

7.10 

1854.... 

0.30 

0.00 

0.43 

0.39 

1.19 

0.28 

2.59 

1.19 

2.67 

1.37 

1.35 

0.92 

2.01 

4.06 

5.39 

1.05 

12.51 

1855.... 

0.20 

0.40 

1.02 

0.74 

0.89 

.... 

.... 

.... 

2.65 



Mean... 

0.14 

0.20 

0.38 

0.33 

0.40 

1.72 

1.36 

2.37 

0.86 

0.50 

0.71 

0.46 

1.10 

5.45 

2.07 

0.80 

9.42 

SERIES  OF   MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS    OF   RAIN. 


587 


CEBOLLETA,  LAGUTIA,  NEW  MEXICO. 


SANTE  FE,  NEW  MEXICO. 


LAS  VEGAS  AND  FORT  UNION,  NEW  MEXICO. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

AprU. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

1 
Autumn  Winter. 

Tear. 

1849.... 
1850.... 
1851.... 

0.43 
0.15 

1.10 
2.11 

0.63 
0.10 

0.55 
0.94 

0.23 
0.01 

0.28 
0.00 

0.85 
0.25 

0.26 
2.18 

1.37 
5.82 

1.58 
1.60 

0.55 
0.81 

0.40 
1.84 
1.15 

X.41 
1.05 

1.39 
2.43 

3.50         3.39 
8.23        3.41 

9.69 
15.12 

Mean... 

0.30 

1.61 

0.36 

0.75 

0.12 

0.14 

0.55 

1.23 

3.60 

1.S9 

0.68 

1.13 

1      ^-^ 

1.91 

5.87  ,      3.04 

1 

12.05 

1850.... 

.... 

1.26 

1.00 

0.65 

0.98 

0.^ 

.... 

0.38 

1.60 

1852.... 

.... 

.... 

..   . 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.91 

2.55 

1.65 

1.36 

5,11 

1853.... 

0.00 

0.69 

0.50 

0.00 

0.98 

1.88 

7.45 

5.42 

2.68 

0.97 

0.43 

0.77 

1.48 

14.75 

4.08 

1.46 

21.77 

1854.... 

0.38 

0.12 

2.01 

1.68 

1.16 

0.32 

4.11 

3.86 

4.06 

2.50 

3.54 

1.08 

4.83 

8.39 

10.10 

1.56 

34.80 

1655.... 

0.57 

0.30 

1.63 

0.85 

0.68 

1.77 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.16 

Mean... 

0.31 

0.57 

1.39 

0.80 

0.74 

1.32 

4.18 

3.40 

2.55 

1.60 

1.87 

1.20 

2.83 

8.90 

6.02 

a.os 

19.83 

1850.... 

.... 

.... 

0.02 

1851.... 

.... 

4.S3.' 

0.01 

2.11 

1852.... 

0.48 

0.59 

0.00 

0.24 

1833.... 

0.19 

0.08 

0.77 

0.32 

1854.... 

0.07 

0.02 

0.63 

0.46 

1855.... 

0.01 

0.01 

0.43 

0.01 

Mean... 

0.19 

0.99 

0.37 

0.53 

2.82 
0.73 
0.91 
0.50 
2.88 


0.00 
7.05 
0.11 
0.69 


5.10 
2.73 
4.19 
3.98 


2.12     I     4.37 


1.57         2.00         4.07 


5.49 
3.42 
1.75 


3.55 


0.00 
4.63 

3.04 
1.09 
2.99 


0.00 
0.61 
3.44 
1.29 

0.88 


0.12 
1.97 
2.83 
0.38 
1.80 


3.12 
0.33 
0.02 
0.18 
0.60 


1.42    ;     0.85 


4.94 
0.97 
2.00 
1.59 
3.SJ 


2.47 


13.27 
7.72 
6.42 


0.12 

7.21 
9.31 
3.26 
5.67 


1.09 
0.45 
0.69 


2.03 


CANTONMENT  BURGWIN  AND  FORT  MASSACHUSETTS,  NEW  MEXICO. 


The  mean  embraces  the  obser>'ations  at  Fort  Massachusetts  only. 
FORT  DEFIANCE,  NEW  MEXICO. 


26.64 
13.43 
14.37 


19.24 


B.  1854. 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.21 

0.13 

1.03 

006 



1.37 

B.  1855. 

1.06 

1.04 

0.20 

0.08 

0.20 

0.83 

2.64 





.... 

.... 

.... 

0.48 



1852.... 

.... 

.... 



1.84 

6.34 

1.45 

1853.... 

0.22 

0.76 

0.94 

0.39 

1.49 

1.11 

3.04 

1.48 

1.25 

.... 

2.^ 

5.63 

1854.... 

.... 

.... 



3.93 

0.24 

2.14 

2.61 

1.53 

0.35 

2.30 

4.99 

1855.... 

0.25 

0.67 

.... 

0.45 

1.00 

0.86 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

Mean... 

0.23 

0.72 

0.94 

0.42 

2.14 

0.74 

2.59 

2.05 

1.39 

1.10 

6.34 

1.88 

3.50 

5.38 

8.83 

3.83 

20.54 

1852.... 

0.89 

2.35 

0.90 

1.30 

1.82 

1.60 

1.22 

1.30 

4.55 

4.64 

1833.... 

0.40 

0.08 

1.29 

0.10 

1.44 

0.43 

1.43 

4.65 

2.64 

0.94 

0.22 

0.25 

2.83 

6.51 

3.80 

0.73 

13.87 

1854.... 

2.00 

0.15 

0.45 

0.93 

0.51 

1.24 

3.94 

5.24 

3.47 

0.62 

1.49 

1.20 

1.49 

10.42 

5.58 

3.35 

20.84 

1855.... 

0.83 

1.71 

3.30 

0.50 

0.06 

0.43 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.86 

Mean. . . 

1.08 

0.65 

1.68 

0.51 

o.ra 

1.11 

1.57 

3.73 

2.64 

1.05 

0.98 

0.92 

3.91 

6.41 

4.67 

2.65 

16.64 

588 


SERIES   OF   MONTHLY   AND    ANNUAL   MEASUREMENTS   OP   RAIN. 


rOKT  T0MA,  CALIFORNIA. 


SAN  DIEGO,  CALIFORNIA. 


SAN  LUIS  RET,  RANCHO  DEL  CHINO,  AND  RANCHO  DE  JURUPA,  CALIFORNIA. 


*  At  Fort  Tcjon ;  the  summary  cnibraccs  only  the  obijervations  which  follow,  taken  at  two  posts  near  each  other,  Del  Chitio  and  Jurupa. 

MONTEREY,  CALIFORNIA. 


FORT  MILLER,  CALIFORNIA. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Spring.  'Summer 

Autumn  Winter.     Year. 

1851.... 
1852.... 
1833.... 
1854.... 
1855.... 

0.00 

D.OO 
O.OO 
0.12 

0.01 

D.OO 
0.28 
1.26 

0.00 

0.01 
0.80 
0.00 

0.27 

0.00 
0.00 
0.00 

0.00 
0.00 
0.00 

0.00 
O.OO 
0.00 

0.28 
0.25 
0.01 

0.33 
0.69 
2.37 

.... 

1.45 
0.13 
0.17 

0.00 
0.00 
0.30 

0.35 
0.18 
0.00 

0.04 
0.52 
0.57 

0.01 
0.80 
0.00 

0.61 
0.94 
2.38 

1.80 
0.31 
0.47 

0.52          1.78 
0.85          4.50 

Mean... 

0.03    j    0.39 

0.20 

0.07 

0.00 

0.00 

0.18 

1.13 

0.58 

O.IO 

0.18 

0.38 

0.27 

1.31 

0.86 

0.80 

3.24 

1850.... 

0.00 

1.13 

1.00 

0.09 

0.00 

0.68 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.19 

2.82 

1.93 

1.09 

0.68 

3.01 

3.06 

7.84 

1851.... 

0.03 

1.51 

0.34 

0.87 

0.71 

0.01 

0.00 

0.00 

0.02 

0.01 

0.25 

3,74 

1.92 

0.01 

0.28 

5.28 

7.49 

1852.... 

0.58 

1.84 

1.87 

0.85 

0.32 

0.00 

0.00 

0.40 

0.00 

0.06 

1.45 

4.50 

3.04 

0.40 

1.51 

6.92 

11.87 

1853.... 

0.50 

0.20 

1.52 

0.25 

2.10 

0.05 

0.00 

0.21 

0.00 

0.00 

1.28 

1.77 

3.87 

0.26 

1.28 

2.47 

7.88 

1854.... 

1.46 

2.56 

2.14 

0.75 

0.21 

0.02 

0.07 

1.35 

0.13 

0.01 

0.02 

334 

3.10 

1.44 

0.16 

7.36 

12.06 

1855.... 

2.40 

4.83 

1.53 

1.82 

0.10 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.42 

Mean... 

0.83 

2.01 

1.40 

0.77 

0.57 

0.15 

0.01 

0.39 

0.03 

0.05 

1.16 

3.06 

i      2.74 

0.55 

1.24 

5.90 

10.43 

S.  1850. 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.20 

3.28 

2.22 

0.00 

3.48 

S.  1851. 

0.09 

0.95 

0.21 



.... 

.... 

.... 

0.00 



0.21 

3.26 

6.95 

1855*... 

.... 

.... 

1.58 

3.78 

0.61 

0.00 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

5.97 

1851.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

.... 

.... 

1852.... 

.... 

.... 



.... 



— 

0.00 

0.00 

2.89 

7.50 

2.89 



1853.... 

0.25 

0.67 

3.15 

0.33 

1.14 

0.00 

O.OO 

0.18 

0.00 

0.00 

0.44 

2.04 

4.62 

0.18 

0.44 

2.96 

8.20 

1854.... 

1.64 

2.34 

3.09 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



Mean... 

0.95 

1.50 

3.12 

0.33 

1.14 

0.00 

0.00 

0.09 

0.00 

0.00 

1.67 

4.97 

4.59 

0.09 

1.67 

7.42 

13.77 

'1847.... 

..  . 

.... 

.... 

0.03 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

1.10 

3.10 

0.00 

1848.... 

1.70 

2.20 

2.40 

0.65 

2.50 

0.50 

0.50 

0.00 

.... 

1849.... 

... 



0.03 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.01 

0.61 

3.45 

0.00 

0.62 

1850.... 

2.95 

2.00 

1.30 

0  33 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

o.oa 

0.00 

0.61 

2.98 

1.66 

0.00 

0.63 

7.93 

10.22 

1851.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 



0.01 

0.00 

0.01 

0.20 

0.91 

4.50 

1.12 

1852.... 

0.40 

0.30 

6.12 

0.92 

0.10 

0.16 

0.00 

0  00 

.... 

7.14 

0.16 

Mean... 

1.68 

1.50 

3.27 

0.63 

0.53 

0.13 

0.08 

0.00 

0.01 

0.33 

1.31 

2.73 

4.43 

0.21 

1.65 

5.91 

12.20 

1851.... 



.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.01 

0.00 

.... 

10.41 

1852.... 

0.42 

0.61 

15.59 

2.59 

0.60 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.07 

0.07 

8.80 

20.60 

18.78 

0.00 

8.91 

21.63 

49.35 

1853.... 

1.20 

2.33 

5.54 

2.25 

4.79 

0.00 

0.01 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

1.26 

1.00 

12.58 

0.01 

1.26 

4.55 

18.40 

1854.... 

2.26 

2.42 

0.85 

2.08 

0.04 

O.Ol 

.... 

.... 

0.12 

0.68 

0.00 

1.25 

2.97 

0.80 

5.93 

1855.... 

1.48 

1.37 

3.64 

0.34 

0.00 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

3.98 

Mean... 

1.34 

1.69 

6.40 

1.81 

1.36 

0.01 

0.01 

0.00 

0.05 

0.19 

3.35 

8.31 

1      9.57 

0.02 

3.59 

11.34 

24.51 

SERIES   OF    MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS   OF    RAIN. 


589 


SAN  FEANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oe,. 

Nov. 

1 
Dec.    ! 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

( 
Winter. 

1 

Year. 

1830.... 

•  • .. 

■  •  •• 

e.38 

.... 

0  00 

0.01 

.... 





1852.... 

.... 

.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.69 

4.93 

12.07     ! 



5.61 

1853.... 

3.75 

1.17 

3.72 

5.27 

0.42 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.23 

0.28 

2.00 

1.86 

9.41 

0.00 

2.51 

6.78 

18.70 

1854... 

3.04 

5.87 

3.11 

2.24 

0.06 

1.05 

0.01 

0.03 

0  03 

1.56 

0.40 

0.60 

5.41 

0.09 

1.99 

9.51 

17.00 

1855.... 

2.89 

2.68 

3.23 

3.65 

1.42 

0.00 

.... 

.... 

.... 

8.30 

Mean. . . 

3.23 

3.31 

4.61 

3.72 

0.48 

0.02 

0.00 

0.01 

0.09 

0.84 

2.44 

4.S4 

8.81 

0.03 

3.37 

11.38 

23.59 

BENICIA  BARRACKS,  CALIFORNIA.. 


1849.... 
1850.... 
1851.... 
1653.... 
1853.... 
1854.... 
1855.... 

4.44 
0.88 
0.36 
2.48 
2.06 
2.86 

1.68 
0.23 
0.00 
0.44 
4.80 
2.79 

2.45 
5.83 
4.78 
2.66 
2.05 
3.13 

1.37 
0.03 
3.12 
1.56 
3.25 

0.59 
0.00 
0.36 

0.00 
2.01 

0.00 
0.00 
0.03 
0.00 
0.01 
0.00 

0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 

0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 

0.01 
0.04 
0.01 
0.00 
0  00 

0.00 
0.10 
1.05 
0.04 
2.26 

4.46 
1.03 
1.34 
2.28 
1.71 
0.87 

2.18 
4.92 
9.03 
0.99 

1.45 

7.79 
4.81 
6.14 
6.27 
8.39 

0.00 
0.00 
0.03 
0.00 
0.01 

1.04 
1.48 
3.34 
1.75 
3.13 

8.30 
6.03 
9.39 
3.91 
6.50 

15.30 
17.57 
11.80 
15.91 

Mean... 

2.18 

1.66 

3.48 

2.33 

0.59 

0.01 

0.00 

0.00 

0.01 

0.69 

1.95 

3.72 

6.40 

0.01 

2.65 

7.56 

16.62 

SACRAMENTO  AND  CAMP  FAR  WEST,  CALIFORNIA. 


1849.... 

.... 

•  •  •  • 

.... 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.20 

6.41 

5.20 

0.00 

6.61 

1850.... 

6.31 

0.60 

5.60 

1.40 

0.01 





0.01 

2.10 

2.00 

7.01 

8.91 

1851.... 

2  06 

1.16 

3.44 

3.06 

0.86 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.36 

0.10 

1.86 

6.63 

7.36 

0.00 

2.32 

9.85 

19.53 

1852.... 

1.60 

0.13 

10.05 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

Mean.. 

3.32 

0.63 

6.36 

2.23 

0.43 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.18 

0.10 

3.46 

4.61 

9.02 

0.00 

3.74 

8.56 

21.32 

FORT  KEADING,  CALIFOKNLi. 


1852.... 
1853.... 
1854.... 
1855.... 

4.66 
2  90 
3.69 

3.18 
2.15 
6.95 

7.11 
0.80 
5.68 

2.87 
4.57 
3.07 
5.17 

0.73 
2.40 
5.43 

1.06 
0.00 
0.00 
0.20 

0.00 
0  00 
0.01 

0.00 
0.24 
0.00 

O.UO 
0.02 
0.00 

0.48 
0.02 
2.26 

8.48 
2.52 
0.87 

11.18 
2.18 
1.45 
.... 

12.41 
6.27 
16.28 

1.06        8.96 

0.24        2.56 

0.01  '      3.13 

1  



9.02 
6.50 

24.23 
15.91 

Mean...      3.75 

4.09 

4.53 

3.92 

2.85 

0.31 

0.00 

0.08 

0.01 

0.92 

3.96         4.60 

11.30 

0.39 

4.89 

12.44 

29.03 

FORTS  HUMBOLDT  AND   JONES,  CALIFORNIA. 


1854.... 

4.83 

6.80 

5.14 

5.58 

1855.... 

330 

4.45 

6.80 

.... 

1853.... 

3.78 

1.38 

3.39 

1.02 

1854.... 

0  54 

2.62 

0.75 

1.99 

1855.... 

1.58 

3.63 

5.24 

1.50 

Mean  1 
Ft.  J.   f 

1.97 

2.07 

3.13 

1.50 

0.12  0.69 

2.80    I  1.60 

I 

1.17    I  0.41 

0.21  0.63 
0.87 


0.75         0.52 


0.00         0.00     ,     O.UO 


3.69 


0.13  0.48 

0.20         0.21         0.00         4.18 


0  16    I    0.21        0.00        2.33 


0.98 

1.18 

10.84 

0.69 

4.67 

12.81 

4.47 

1.19 

5.5S 

6.35 

0.48 

l.Ui 

2.9.T 
7.61 

1.04 

4.66 

4. 29 


2.97         1.16 


5.38        0.89        S.30 


13.09 


5.20        16.77 


590 


SERIES   OF    MONTHLY    AND    ANNUAL    MEASUREMENTS    OP   RAIN. 


FORT  ORFORD,  OREGON. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

March. 

April. 

Moy. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

.ec. 

Spring. 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter. 

Year. 

1852.... 

.... 

.... 

0.33 

0.31 

1.00 

.... 

12.03 

16.91 

1.64 

1853.... 

11.81 

6.65 

6.43 

6.11 

1.89 

.... 

.... 



.... 

.... 

14.4S 

1854.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

0.00 

3.56 

0.19 

11.10 

4.59 

6.37 

15.88 

1855.... 

7.81 

6.04 

9.84 

5.17 

8.60 

1.80 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

23.61 



Mean... 

8.81 

6.35 

8.24 

5.64 

5.24 

1.06 

0.16 

1.78 

0.19 

11.10 

8.31 

11.64 

19.12 

3.00 

19.60 

26.80 

68.SS 

FORT  VANCOUVER,  WASHINGTON  TERRITORY. 


1849.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

■  ••• 

... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

6.00 



1850»... 

6.66 

2.60 

6.71 

0.60 

0.40 

3.22 

8.35 

0.00 

0.98 

2.69 

4.90 

1.29 

7.71 

11.57 

8.57 

10.55 

38.40 

1851.... 

9.55 

2.04 

4.08 



.... 



.... 

7.93 

19.52 

1852.... 

9.31 

4.77 

4.28 

6.S6 

3.49 

1.77 

.... 



1.55 

7.37 

13.37 

14.31 

27.45 

1853.... 

9.30 

4.21 

2.47 

1.72 

2.33 

0.90 

0.30 

0  39 

2.00 

3.66 

11.57 

3.22 

6.53 

1.S9 

17.23 

16.73 

42.07 

1854.... 

2.83 

1.22 

2.78 

0.75 

2.41 

0.00 

1.72 

0.00 

2.3i 

3.19 

8.34 

;      4.75 

4.13 

11.17 

1855.... 

13.29 

3.84 

3.99 

2.04 

3.77 

2.43 

.... 

.... 



.... 

9.80 

1 

Mean... 

9.62 

3.38 

3.79 

2.74 

2.75 

2.68 

2.85 

0.70 

0.99 

2.5S 

6.76 

6.69 

9.28 

6.33 

10.30 

19.69 

45.50 

*  At  Columbia  Barracka  from  September,  1850. 
DALLES  OF  COLUMBIA,  OREGON. 


1850.... 

1851.... 

1852.... 

1833.... 

1854... 

1853.... 

3.81 

3.02 
2.79 
3.03 

1.70 

1.09 
0.73 
0.63 

1.79 

0.27 
0.36 
1.87 

1.29 
1.53 
0.17 

0.63 
0.00 
1.08 

0.00 
0.15 
0.24 

0.01 

0.08 
0.00 

0.00 

0.61 
0.18 

0.09 

1.41 
0.84 

0.91 

0.25 

0.24 
1.91 

1.14 

2.75 
4.90 
1.41 

0.19 

8.01 
0.95 
2.50 

2.18 
1.88 
3.12 

0.69 
0.33 

2.14 

6.55 
4.16 

5.06 
5.02 



14.48 
11.39 

Mean. . . 

3.16 

1.04 

1.07 

0.99 

0.57         0.13 

0.03 

0.26 

0.78 

0.63 

2.55 

2.91 

2.63 

0.42 

4.16 

7.11 

14.33 

FORT  STEILACOOM,  WASHINGTON  TERRITORY. 


1849  ... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

.... 

9.43 

8.15 

1850.... 

8.52 

4.83 

6.70 

1.00 

0.30 

0.40 

0.20 

0.00 

1.20 

2.40 

5.14 

2.62 

8.00 

0.60 

8.74 

15.97 

33.31 

1851.... 

15.30 

1.47 

3.20 

3.09 

1.95 

0.55 

0.36 

0.81 

2.88 

3.98 

3.02 

3.93 

7.24 

1.72 

9.66 

30.70 

39.32 

1852.... 

11.50 

5.43 

5.12 

3.34 

0.12 

0.82 

0.93 

1.78 

1.02 

3.72 

6.17 

8.84 

8.58 

3.53 

10.91 

25.77 

48.79 

1853.... 

8.14 

3.24 

2.62 

1.57 

2.08 

3.09 

0.23 

1.19 

4.99 

6.93 

18.41 

4.42 

6.27 

4.61 

30.33 

15.80 

57.01 

185-1.... 

8.69 

7.57 

2.89 

12.50 

0.88 

5.68 

0.00 

3.93 

3.46 

4.37 

7.37 

12.87 

15.27 

9.61 

15.20 

29.13 

69.21 

1855.... 

5.10 
9.54 

8.40 
5.16 

7.85 

7.14 

5.81 

1.40 

.... 

.... 

.... 

20.80 

Mean. . . 

4.58 

4.77 

1.86 

1.97 

0.34 

1.54 

2.67 

4.28 

8.25 

6.81 

11.19 

3.85 

15.20 

21.51 

51.75 

SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON   WINDS    AND    WEATHER. 


591 


SUMMARY  FOR  1843. 


WINDS. 


WEATHER. 


STATIONS. 


Hancock  Banacks  . . 

Fort  Sulliran 

Fort  Constitution  . . . . 
Watertow-n  .\rsenal  . 

Fort  .\dams   

Fort  Trumbull    

Fort  Columbus 

Fort  Hamilton 

West  Point 

Watervliet  Arsenal .. , 
Plattsburg  Barracks  ., 

Madison  Barracks 

Fort  Ontario 

Fon  Niagara , 

Butfalo  Barracks 

Alleghany  Arsenal  .  . 
Carlisle  Barracks.... 

Fort  Mifflin 

Fort  McHenrj- 

Fort  Severn  

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Macon 

Fort  Johnston 

Augusta  Arsenal 

Fort  Moultrie 

Oglethorpe  Barracks  . 

Fort  Marion 

Fort  Brooke 

Camp  Barrancas 

Mt.  Vernon  Arsenal  .. 

Fort  Pike 

Fort  Wood 

New  Orleans 

Baton  Rouge 

Fort  Jesup 

Fort  Washita 

Fort  Towson 

Fort  Smith 

Fort  Gibson 

Fort  Scott 

Jefferson  Barracks  . ,. 

St.  Louis  .\rsenal 

Detroit  Barracks 

Fort  Gratiot 

Fort  Mackinac 

Fort  Brady 

Fort  Winnebago 

Fort  .-\tkinson 

Fort  Crawford 

Fort  Snelling 

Fort  Leavenworth  . . . 


55 
9 
27 
90 
43 
36 
14 
31 
24 
28 
21 
7 
SS 
31 
S8 
41 
SI 
11 
33 
35 
7 
40 
28 
38 
30 
35 
23 
31 
36 
19 
23 
94 


53 
17 
44 
3 
20 
26 
16 
35 
31 
13 
% 
39 
27 
36 
10 
21 
38 


N.E. 


36 
15 
45 
33 
49 
42 
72 
47 
9 
3 
38 
40 
44 
62 
41 
27 
17 
68 
54 
13 
62 
67 
47 
38 
46 
57 

108 
71 
63 

116 
77 
18 

21 
54 
69 
73 
48 
70 


38 
75 

74 
29 
17 
18 
41 
16 
23 


S.E. 


31 
13 
10 
32 


10 

18 

26  I 

12 

15 

73 

12 

16 

6 
53 
11 
33 

8 
89 
32 
14 
41 
36 

3 
47 
92 

104 
21 
6 
51 
36 
53 
41 


13 
70 
72 
22 
24 
11 
11 
20 


32 
67 
12 
24 
27 
27 
37 
23 
20 
20 
48 
66 
42 
21 
15 

6 
29 
31 
33 
37 
34 
29 
17 
30 
21 
41 
57 
48 
58 
88 
71 

8 

30 
37 
80 
49 
37 
143 
46 
57 
47 
21 
49 
21 
48 
27 
20 
58 
47 
31 


41 
55 
13 


29 
33 
117 
14 
59 
33 
26 
12 
7 
30 
11 
15 
47 
13 
32 
36 
SO 
38 
60 
13 
32 
19 
9 
24 


58 
138 

7 
19 

9 
23 
52 


48 
30 
16 
29 
45 
33 
24 
52 
83 


S.W. 


41 

103 
34 
82 
56 
70 
53 
45 
17 
21 
74 

112 
70 
80 

147 
28 
19 
97 
62 
30 
86 
91 
49 

105 
36 
45 
% 
45 
71 
66 
35 
8 

15 
32 
99 
14 
43 
20 
45 
38 
39 
98 
94 
17 
24 
23 
38 
80 
84 
37 


W.       N.W.   '     Fair.        Cloudy.        Bain.       Snow. 


39 

75 
75 
81 
44 
26 

39 
19 

106 
6 
16 
69 
53 
54 
44 

101 
40 
61 
30 
37 
25 
24 
12 
81 
30 
23 
22 
19 
3 
32 
46 

19 
5 
9 
13 
14 
8 
34 
68 
71 
30 
35 
76 
59 
49 
31 
16 


53 
49 
87 
91 
67 

125 

139 
54 

120 
53 

152 
69 
39 
68 
35 
64 
37 
89 
73 
79 
67 
58 
II 
75 
22 
33 
47 
97 
47 
81 
40 
S 

16 
19 
58 
58 
49 
21 
41 
77 
42 
33 
39 
98 
64 
73 
109 
149 
73 
70 


132 
172 
183 
166 
200 
164 
159 
173 
185 
151 
220 
130 
138 
119 
151 
143 
205 
217 
190 
202 
188 
259 
285 
241 
239 
217 
240 
255 
170 
228 
198 
194 
154 
240 
176 
SSS 
183 
199 
939 
192 
179 
203 
109 
143 
151 
138 
183 
173 
181 
167 
206 


233 

193 

182 

199 

165 

201 

206 

193 

180  I 

214 

145 

235 

227 

246 

214 

S3 

160 

148 

175 

163 

177 

106 

100 

124 

126 

148 

125 

110 

195 

137 

167 

171 

211 

161 

189 

143 

183 

166 

126 

173 

186 

162 

256 

214 
iS7 
182 
193 
184 
198 
159 


98 
66 
65 
61 
91 
97 
90 
76 
83 
66 
85 
79 
90 
90 
115 
101 
91 
107 
101 
92 
118 
109 

91 
84 
104 
93 
125 
110 
118 
115 
118 
115 
125 
121 
76 
109 
101 
68 
111 
93 
57 
83 
105 
52 
94 


70 
68 
71 


39 
37 
37 
33 
32 
19 
23 
30 
« 
49 
54 
57 
34 
67 
3J 
19 
17 
19 
7 
6 
1 

2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 

1 
1 

0 

3 

4 

4 

9 

6 

9 

28 

20 

47 

64 

66 

43 

58 

63 

48 

37 

31 


592 


SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON    WINDS   AND   WEATHER. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1844. 


STATIONS. 


WINDS. 


N.E. 


S.W. 


W. 


N.W. 


WEATHER. 


Fair. 


Cloudy. 


Rain. 


Snow. 


Hancocic  Barracks 

Fort  Siilliv'Uii 

Fort  Preble 

Fort  Conslilutiori 

Fort  .'\dninH 

Fort  Trumbull 

Fort  Columbus 

Fort  Hamilton 

"West  Point 

WntervUet  .'\rscnal 

Platlsburg  Barracks 

Madison  Barr.icks 

Fort  Ontario 

Fort  Niagara 

BuHalo  Barracks 

Alleghany  ,\rseual 

Carlisle  Barracks 

Fort  Mifflin 

FortMcIlcnry 

Fort  Sevirn 

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Johnston 

Augusta  .Arsenal 

Fort  Moultrie 

Oglethorpe  Barracks.... 

p'ort  Marion 

Key  West* 

Fort  Brooke 

Camp  Barranca-s 

Fort  Pike 

Fort  Wood 

New  Orleans! 

Baton  Rouge 

Fort  Jesup 

FortTowson 

Fort  Washita 

Fori  Smith 

Fort  Gibson 

Fort  Scott 

Jellerson  Barracks 

St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Detroit  Barracks 

Fort  Gratiot 

Fori  Mackinac 

Fort  Brady 

Fort  Winnebago  J 

Fort  Crawtbrd 

Fort  Atkinson 

Fort  Snelling 

Fort  Des  Moines 

Fort  Leavenworth 


31 
50 
33 
44 
51 
26 
33 
26 
38 
42 

6 
12 
33 
33 
51 
17 
11 
53 
39 
12 
19 
15 
29 
64 
41 
41 

7 
54 
23 
84 
30 
39 
24 
42 
33 

5 
20 
47 
28 
37 
51 
14 
52 
29 
32 
14 
75 
24 
53 
30 


S4 

19 
3U 
47 
63 
39 
75 
90 
12 

2 
91 
78 
76 
45 
33 
49 
13 
73 
41 
25 
43 
76 
37 
SI 
31 
65 
38 
99 
39 
52 

2 
26 
58 
64 
59 
23 
30 
37 
35 
37 
49 
43 
76 
33 
24 
14 
33 
30 
35 
22 
45 


15 
7 
19 
22 
14 
25 
21 
5 
1 
11 
7 
14 
25 
15 
26 
74 
12 
29 
8 
66 
47 
35 
60 
69 
67 
135 
45 
41 
64 
96 
67 
122 
10 
70 
21 
55 
36 
32 
21 
50 
23 
16 
28 
65 
14 
II 
46 
16 
46 
17 


39 
31 
14 
15 
32 
45 
24 
51 
9 
53 
81 
68 
35 
17 
15 
21 
42 
35 
46 
52 
16 
39 
21 
17 
45 
39 
26 
49 
59 
I 
39 
40 
50 
75 
29 
20 
213 
26 
60 
60 
18 
83 
54 


65 
21 
62 


62 
37 
71 
75 
30 
29 
10 
iB 
49 

137 
38 
30 
44 
64 
18 
17 
21 
15 
36 
76 
12 
47 
28 
46 
69 
33 
38 
64 
17 
14 
99 
33 
24 

138 
13 

163 


76  j 

54 

40  ! 

62 

43 

25 

13 

30 

25 

39 

45 

52 

55 


107 
35 
83 
69 
57 
70 


83 
61 
62 
149 
65 
14 
94 
38 
43 
62 
103 
102 
57 
26 
46 
11 
85 
79 


30 
48 
17 
35 
37 
17 
72 
54 
40 
70 
73 
46 
27 
29 
60 
37 
75 
42 
50 


65 
67 
30 
66 
60 
55 
45 
49 
33 
87 
20 
10 
30 
52 
57 
73 
140 
29 
85 
42 
53 
32 
51 
64 
70 
36 

8 
16 
44 
32 
75 
24 
35 

6 
16 
31 
41 

6 
47 
56 
53 
60 
19 
69 
60 
43 
15 
28 
21 
73 
21 


46 
67 
39 

80 
48 
78 

en 

53 
159 
57 
66 
71 
59 
49 
42 
65 
64 
89 
51 
86 
61 
25 
56 
34 
18 
33 

7 
24 
41 
60 

3 
18 
17 
23 
65 
29 
33 
12 
29 
54 
36 
38 
46 
61 
65 
38 
138 
69 
81 
47 
79 


141 

197 
174 
179 
164 
181 
199 
205 
180 
193 
171 
130 
124 
135 
134 
152 
202 
218 
214 
216 
180 
256 
238 
234 
214 
249 
277 
285 
174 
272 
219 
303 
213 
222 
223 
229 
214 
203 
202 
212 
283 
142 
112 
141 
1)1 
160 
182 
167 
179 
186 
191 


225 
169 
192 
185 
203 
185 
167 
161 
186 
172 
195 
236 
240 
228 
232 
214 
164 
148 
152 
150 
186 
110 
128 
132 
152 
117 

58 

81 
192 

94 
147 
163 
153 
144 
143 
137 
152 
163 
164 
154 

83 
224 
255 
225 
255 
174 
184 
199 
187 
180 
175 


78 
74 
68 
67 
104 
119 
108 
75 
88 
65 
98 
102 
68 
118 
112 
121 
75 
98 
79 
99 
103 
86 
70 
88 
97 
83 
79 
76 
114 
101 
90 
36 
74 
76 
84 


64 
109 
90 
75 
107 
113 
66 
93 
80 
113 
79 
82 
91 
76 


35 

19 

19 

26 

10 

17 

13 

14 

17 

23 

19 

34 

14 

27 

48 

13 

16 

11 

» 

15 

7 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

6 

3 

2 

7 

11 

10 

23 

38 

48 

57 

33 

18 

26 

26 

15 

9 


*  January  not  observed. 

t  At  Pass  Christian  from  July  to  October. 

t  No  observations  in  May. 


SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON    WINDS    AND  WEATHER. 


693 


SUMMARY  FOR  1845. 


WIND3. 


WEATHER. 


STATIONS. 

DAYS. 

DAYS. 

" 

N.BS; 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

w. 

N.W. 

Fair. 

Cloudy. 

Rain. 

Snow. 

54 
64 
39 

9 
22 
31 
66 

3 
29 
23 
30 

7 
31 
33 
28 
31 
78 
29 
43 
42 

3 
51 
19 
11 
17 
49 
29 
51 
84 
15 
46 
22 
43 
65 
13 
44 
39 

53 
33 

80 
67 
13 

3 
16 
63 
45 
31 
37 

8 

■  ■^. 
54 
46 
36 
12 
61 
16 
74 
72 
41 
14 
31 
58 
33 
23 
39 
9 
63 
27 
19 
18 
24 
19 
11 

-     48 

19 
9 

19 

- 

3 

0 
28 

4 
16 
14 
35 
61 
25 
22 
36 
18 
59 
42 
67 
35 

7 
86 
33 
119 
14 
36 

7 
43 
41 
14 
32 
64 
21 
16 
31 
51 
25 

28 
15 
15 
40 
65 
14 
3 
75 
42 
33 
16 
17 
19 
59 
19 
40 
5 
39 
23 
32 
80 
81 
25 
16 

110 
33 
56 
46 
9 

101 
28 
66" 
31 
31 
86 
17 
64 

20 
32 
25 
10 
40 
119 
123 
10 
39 
78 
27 
8 
44 
13 
54 
32 
85 
27 
38 
66 
7 
24 
162 
48 
98 
76 
68 
47 
47 
51 
39 
20 
56 
38 
29 
56 
76 

75 
75 
83 
62 
51 
38 
18 
119 
76 
67 
60 
11 
75 
65 
69 
106 

9 
27 

3 
37 
59 
20 
31 
52 
32 
60 
63 
45 
35 
56 
60 
35 
47 
51 
46 
33 
41 

66 
48 
45 
40 
32 

106 
91 
9 
49 
65 
82 

182 
67 
56 
80 
45 

108 
40 
5 
46 
5 
14 
72 
46 
13 
34 
24 

96 
13 
87 
78 
83 
47 
68 
127 
GO 

49 
89 
59 
129 
138 
53 
20 
81 
65 
54 
78 
71 
61 
62 
32 
57 
10 
22 
7 
31 
131 
46 
8 
39 
22 
43 
88 
38 
24 
50 
43 
58 
66 
92 
70 
27 
CO 

149 
187 
231 
185 
191 
SHI 
153 
107 
131 
109 
179 
214 
ISl 
165 
270 
235 
286 
229 
148 
212 
219 
241 
212 
263 
210 
231 
190 
280 
156 
111 
139 

lao 

116 
201 
207 
140 
270 

216 

178 
13.1 
180 
174 
144 
212 
258 
231 
256 
186 
151 
184 
200 

95 
130 

79 
105 

64 
153 
MB 
124 
153 
iU2 
155 
134 
169 

83 
209 
254 
226 
245 
249 
164 
158 
130 

95 

98 

101 
67 
81 

103 

79 
83 

101 
78 
73 

108 
68 
66 
84 
77 
5.-! 
86 
76 
55 
85 

»e 

68 
75 
66 
49 
80 
79 
64 
65 
85 
85 
71 
64 
frj 

65 

51 

15 

iS 

Fort  Hamilton 

15 
16 

23 

21 

SJ 

34 

28 

17 

Alleghany  Arsenal 

Carlisle  Barracks 

22 
20 
17 

Fort  McHenry  

Fort  Moultrie 

10 
0 

\ 

0 
0 

0 

KcyWestt 

0 
0 

Mount  Vernon  Arsenal 

Fort  Towson 

0 
4 

Fort  Washita 

8 
3 

2 

Fort  Scott 

12 

Jefferson  BarracksJ . .  „ 

St.  Louis  Arsiennt 

Detroit  Itarracks 

Fort  Gratiot 

6 
7 

28 
30 

55 

5» 

65 

24 

Fort  Snclling 

2J 

9 

2 

*  Month  of  August  wanting. 

t  First  seven  months  only. 

{  No  observations  taken  for  six  days  in  SoptPniber. 

^  Observations  for  the  first  dbie  months  only. 


S.  flfi- 


-75 


594 


SUMMARIES    OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON    WINDS    AND    WEATHER. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1846. 


STATIONS. 


WINDS. 


N.E. 


S.W. 


W. 


N.W. 


WEATHER. 


Fair. 


Cloudy.        Kain.     I  Snow. 


Fort  Adams  (o) 

Fort  Hamilton 

Fort  Columbus 

Weil  Point 

Plattsl)urg  Barracks  (i).. . . 

Madison  Barracks  (f) 

Alleghany  Arsenal 

Fort  .Mifflin  (d) 

Fort  JlcIIenry 

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Moultrie  (c) 

.•\ugusta  Arsenal  (/) 

Ogtetllnrpe  Barracks  (g)  .. 

Fort  Marion 

Fori  Brooke 

Mount  Vernon  Arsenal  . ... 

Baton  Rouge 

Corpus  Cliristi  (A) , 

San  Antonio  (j) 

Fort  Washita 

Fort  Smith 

Fort  Gibson 

Fort  Scott 

Jefferson  Barracks 

St-  Louis  Arsenal 

Fort  Gratiot  (A) 

Fort  Mackinac . 

Fort  Brady  CO 

FortSnclling 

Fort  Wilkins  (m) 

Fort  Leavenworth  (n) 


27 
97 
IC 
51 
28 

2 
SO 

8 

23 
22 
8 
47 
17 
25 
10 
68 
23 
24 
36 
17 
14 
40 
12 
43 
10 
39 
21 
17 
16 
34 


50 

74 

83 


44 
43 
13 
86 
38 
48 
16 
7 
5 
92 
65 
32 
31 
9 
27 
47 
50 
49 
.53 
47 
48 
57 
19 
75 
12 
30 


12 

28 
8 
9 

3 
35 

8 
14 
64 
44 
9 
53 
15 
84 
18 

163 
40 
33 
70 

114 
19 
29 
80 
46 
16 
50 
43 
58 
13 
40 


44 
63 
14 
28 
22 
5 
63 
47 
26 

6 
31 

27 
64 
20 
73 
13 
42 
28 

115 
38 
21 
47 
32 
39 
62 

109 
25 
64 


19 
33 

ai 

41 
29 

Q 

24 
11 
16 
27 
43 
11 
48 
19 
39 
22 
16 
59 
68 
102 
33 
86 
49 
42 
51 
27 
22 
16 
14 
23 
50 


61 

78 
71 
39 

8 
58 
40 
24 
55 
59 
.54 
14 

9 
15 
41 
54 
23 
16 
15 
29 
47 
.37 
69 
32 
43 
22 
45 
20 
23 
18 
47 


38 
52 
46 
35 
41 

90 
17 
44 
S3 
55 
19 
64 
19 
39 
17 
30 
12 
37 
42 
50 
13 
38 
53 
52 
11 
52 
41 
23 
37 
14 


24 
48 
104 
109 
16 
31 
51 
25 
63 
54 
18 
12 

4 
16 
16 
115 
10 
22 

4 
IS 
28 
23 
53 
88 
31 

8 
60 
61 
35 
27 
74 


112 

161 

75 

15 

191 

174 

81 

13 

188 

177 

96 

23 

166 

199 

97 

14 

66 

115 

'     34 

13 

52 

►29 

'     43 

30 

152 

213 

112 

17 

55 

65 

23 

13 

158 

207 

79 

22 

201 

164 

106 

5 

213 

121 

69 

0 

66 

54 

25 

I 

163 

80 

80 

0 

78 

103 

41 

0 

205 

160 

116 

0 

204 

169 

83 

0 

152 

213 

123 

0 

142 

147 

72 

0 

88 

124 

64 

0 

263 

102 

81 

3 

239 

126 

90 

3 

198 

167 

59 

2 

160 

205 

87 

3 

204 

151 

76 

9 

303 

62 

84 

9 

63 

118 

47 

28 

148 

217 

59 

44 

130 

173 

48 

42 

116 

249 

60 

16 

83 

98 

26 

44 

220 

141 

61 

6 

(a)  First  nine  monllis, 
(6)  First  s^ix  months. 

(c)  First  six  months. 

(d)  First  four  months. 
(fi)  October  wanting. 
(/)  Fi^^t  four  months. 

is)  From  Januar)'  to  September,  inclusive,  (except  April.) 


(A)  From  January  to  October,  inclusive,  (14  days  wanting.) 

(i)   From  January  to  June,  inclusive,  and  December. 

(A:)  First  six  months. 

{I)   July  and  August  wanting. 

(m)  First  six  months. 

(n)  June  incomplete. 


SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON   WINDS   AND    WEATHER. 


695 


SUMMARY  FOR  1847. 


STATIONS. 


WINDS. 


WEATHER. 


N.E. 


S.E. 


Fair.        Cloudy. 


Bain. 


Snow. 


Fori  Hamilton 

Fort  Columbus 

West  Point 

Alleghany  Arsenal 

Fort  McHenry 

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Moultrie 

Fort  Brooke 

Fort  Barrancas  (a)  . . . , 
Mount  Vernon  Arsenal 
New  Orleans  Barracks. 

Fort  Wasblta 

Fort  Smith 

Fort  Gibson 

Fort  Scott 

St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Fort  Mackinac 

Fort  Brady 

Fort  Snelling 

Fort  Leavenworth 

Matamoros 

VeraCniz  (b) 

Monterey  (c) 


32 
16 

29 
65 
30 
16 
58 
22 
21 
29 
47 
109 
60 
15 
67 
55 
40 
32 
30 
12 
74 
75 
12 


66    I 

62 

47 

38 

77 

63 

48 

54 

11 

74 

35 

25 

15 

61 

36 

46 

58 

33 

67 

25 

27 

10 

30 


27 
7 
9 
37 
14 
59 
35 
70 
26 
21 
42 
38 
135 
24 
36 
43 
33 
81 
43 


16 
44 
59 
14 
68 
47 
36 
59 
IS 
62 
24 
19 
3 
98 
34 
SO 
35 
36 
105 
41 
14 
25 
4 


31 
16 
32 
35 

^ 
17 
66 
56 
25 
28 
101 
127 
53 
99 
84 
44 
27 
19 
75 
100 
39 
9 


85 
45 
45 
62 
64 
35 
38 
17 
56 
38 
11 
18 
32 
38 
39 
41 
37 
127 
66 
3 
3 
36 


25 

5 
47 
70 
38 
44 
61 
41 
16 
12 
45 
23 
71 

9 
38 
47 
50 
69 
154 
20 

3 
19 
18 


Bo 
128 
120 
61 
63 
50 
24 
25 
13 
78 
32 
12 
8 
26 
31 
41 
165 
58 
25 
93 
4 
4 
138 


209 
195 
179 
156 
167 
188 
273 
196 
107 
195 
184 
263 
222 
273 
180 
238 
146 
211 
109 
260 
265 
121 
136 


156 

no 

186 
209 
198 
177 

92 
169 

44 
170 
181 
102 
143 

92 
185 
127 
219 
154 
256 
105 
100 

93 
109 


79 

105 
78 

125 
94 

107 
77 
77 
36 

104 
80 
72 
79 
58 
66 
71 
61 
84 
53 
37 
47 
73 
15 


17 
19 
14 
14 
1.-1 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

s 
1 

9 
19 
4 
26 
33 
19 
16 
1 
0 
0 


(a)  First  five  months. 

(6)  Observations  for  the  last  seven  months. 

(c)  Observations  for  the  last  eight  months. 


59C 


SUMMARIES    OF    OBSERVATIONS    ON   WINDS    AND    WEATHER. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1848. 


WINDS. 

WEATHER. 

STATIONS. 

DAYS. 

DATS. 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

w. 

N.W. 

Fair. 

Cloudy. 

Rain. 

Snow. 

Fort  Hamilton 

27 
29 

78 
78 

.(.1 

■S.I 

79 

12 

42' 

4-1 

30 

11.).-) 
or* 
19 
56 
36 
33 
11 
10 
9 
31 
21 
"5 

47 
i>4 
18 
35 
■J2 
■10 
C5 
33 
37 
48 
26 
70 
17 
14 
27 
55 
33 
47 
21 
13 
36 
19 
14 
5 

25 

19 
1 
38 
73 
13 
54 
54 
69 
20 
.17 
U 
54 
Uo 
8 
31 
13 
34 
8 
33 
10 
14 

20 

....  ^ 

20 

42 
39 
23 
30 
56 
42 
31 
48 
48 
38 
33 
18 
5 

33 

19 
72 
28 
29 
24 
16 
66 
40 
67 
67 
4 
110 

81 
48 
38 
42 
23 
67 
59 
24 
25 
34 

la 

24 
16 
14 
115 
49 
54 
45 
13 
17 
67 
57 
7 
48 

34 
52 
16 
62 
123 
50 
59 
42 
25 
29 
39 

6 
23 
63 
24 
35 
52 
81 
19 
29 
19 
50 

6 
37 

97 

100 

102 

61 

43 

72 

53 

28 

27 

67 

16 

41 

11 

6 

68 

40 

46 

44 

36 

21 

104 

94 

4 

102 

SB 
209 
143 
162 
218 
168 
212 
259 
175 
177 
161 
117 
232 
227 
203 
178 
212 
245 
83 
77 
139 

67 
142 

144 
157 
233 
204 
148 
198 
154 
107 
154 
189 
199 
97 
134 
139 
133 
188 
154 
121 
69 
75 
227 

85 
104 

44 

85 
106 
90 
71 
68 
65 
53 
77 
98 
92 
82 
45 
58 
51 
46 
57 
78 
12 
21 
59 

38 
47 

10 

R 

22 

Alleghany  Arsenal 

13 
4 

4 

3 

0 

0 

Mount  Vernon  Arsenal 

New  Orleans  Barracks  (ft) 

Baton  Rouge  Barracks  (c) 

Fort  VVasliila 

0 
0 
0 
0 

3 

23 

53 

2 

Port  Scott 

28 
58 
42 
22 
13 
99 
30 
27 
9 

71 
71 
36 
12 
7 
23 
51 
47 
13 

11 

Jefferson  Barracks 

13 
12 

15 

30 

Fort  Snelling 

33 

Matamoros  (/) 

0 
0 

(a)  October  and  si.x  days  of  September  vvaiitiug 
(i)  Six  days  in  December  wanting, 
(c)  Last  seven  months. 
(rf)  First  five  months. 


(c)  First  five  months. 
(/)  First  five  months. 
{••)  First  eight  months. 


SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON    WINDS  AND   WEATHER. 


597 


SUMMAEY  FOR  1849. 


WINDS. 

1 

WEATHF.R. 

STATIONS. 

DAYS. 

DAVS. 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

B.W.        W. 

N.W. 

Fair. 

Cloudy. 

Bain. 

Snow. 

Fort  Sullivan  (a) 

23 

14 

15 

6 

32 

13 

27 

14 

63 

121                2Q 

14 
11 

Fort  Preble  (1) 

45 

6 

7 

14 

17 

15 

52 

33 

105 

1 
99                37 

53 
36 

6 
33 

18 

!     41 

8           43 
33            75 

8 
26 

22 
89 

i        ^^ 
31 

73 
215 

111                 50 
150                 79 

9 
19 

Fort  Adams 

Fort  Trumbull  (a) 

9 

40 

7 

21              6 

43 

17 

35 

128 

117 

78 

6 

Fort  Iliiinilton 

3H 

68 

27 

16     1        36 

60 

24 

101 

209 

156 

66 

12 

Fort  C(»hiMilius 

38 

63 

1        28 

29    1        27 

41 

50 

i        88 

1          212 

153 

80 

14 

West  Point 

77 

23 

3 

44    1        70 

35 

16 

96 

134 

231 

102 

38 

18 

10 

14 

29    !       4n 

90 

'          148 

94 
158 

32 
74 

6 
17 

Madison  Barracks  ((.•)  

39 

27 

20 

19 

66 

47 

41 

24 

Fort  Niajj.ira  (a) 

24 

12 

24 

10           31 

17 

1 

35 

16 

93 

91 

54 

12 

57 

53 

32 

22            ."S 

85 

44 

39 

161 
244 

204 
122 

108 

68 

28 

Carlisle  Barracks 

[         18 

24 

85 

33 

30 

14 

112 

48 

41 
36 

38 
61 

42 
13 

25 
54 

46 
34 

46 
47 

88 
45 

39 
75 

174 
151 

191 
214 

87 
84 

1             1-2 
1             ■' 

Fort  Mcllcnry 

29 
SO 

93 
34 

53 
15 

30 

15 

24 
43 

37 
43 

49 
10 

49 
22 

163 
132 

202 
103 

105 
53 

6 

Fort  Macon  {d) 

84 
12 

37 
55 

35 
90 

23 
66 

35 
23 

50 
37 

61 
53 

39 
27 

277 
227 

88 
138 

78 
78 

0 

Fort  Rrooke 

Barrancas  Barracks  (e) 

29 

18 

29 

27 

58 

21 

12 

9 

120 

93 

47 

1 

Mount  Vernon  Arsenal 

J8 

46 

6 

84 

17 

74 

4 

114 

172 

193 

90 

1 

9 

16 

35 

26 

28 

42 

14 

20 

67 

136 

51 

New  Orleans  Barracks  (e) 

24 

17 

44 

18 

46 

12 

SO 

6 

117 

106 

57 

1 

Baton  Rouge  Barracks 

12 

38 

39 

82 

-' 

48 

24 

20 

179 

125 

70 

2 

Fort  Washita 

31 

64 

65 

70 

44 

39 

30 

20 

163 

202 

106 

5 

Fort  Smith 

14 

15 

98 

22 

32 

138 

17 

205 

160 

100 

g 

69 

47 

29 

42 

14 
30 

82 
31 

189 
146 

176 
219 

94 
87 

4 

Fort  Scott 

58 

49 

34 

35 

87 

40 

Jefferson  Barracks 

37 

32 

74 

54 

62 

30 

34 

41 

170 

19.') 

93 

8 

57 

75 

47 

28 

27 

25     , 

63 

42 

171 

194 

92 

29 

27 

11 

32 

1 

29    1 

20 

96 
165 
109 

88 
20O 

75 
222 
166 

43 
47 
37 
67 
64 

11 
24 
14 
25 
11 

43 

41 

34 

38 

40 

1 
46 

56 

67 

Fort  liipli-y 

12 

7 

8 

27 

3-» 

24 

35 

Fort  Shelling 

29 

32 

29 

81 

52 

61 

25 

56 

143 

Fort  Leavr'nworlh 

32 

49 

35 

73 

50 

29 

S8 

66 

199 

64 

33 

35 

35            71) 

46 

38 

33 

217 
82 

148 
40 

49 
3 

12 
12 

Fort  I.araniie  («) 

4 

8 

13 

2 

1 

1 
5     1 

51 

9 

6 

7 
4 

10 
32 
11 

4 

22 

5 

20 
44 
97 

29 
13 

21 

73     ' 

16 

13 

4 

4     i 
1 

10 

30 

117 
111 
138 

67 
73 
46 

25 
36 
35 

San  Antonio 

1 
1 

Fort  Polk 

Fort  Brown  (g) 

15 

6 

14 

37 

6 

2 

5 

7 

59 

63 

33 

0 

4 

11 

112 

4 

0 

0 

3S 

113 

71 

34    1 

0 

Monterey 

53 

26 

8 

8 

27 

24 

u 

11 

83 

101 

20 

0 

(a)  Last  six  months, 
(e)  First  seven  months. 

(4)  L 

(./■) 

ast  sevei 
First  sevf 

1  months 
n  month 

s.  (last  n 

( 
ne  dayso 

-)  Lastt 
f Januan 

en  montl 
f  wanlin 

IS. 

( 

( 

1)  First  eie 
g)  Last  foi 

ht  months, 
r  months. 

598 


SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON   WINDS    AND   WEATHER. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1850. 


WINDS. 

WEATHER. 

STATIONS. 

DATS. 

DXTS. 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

3.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

Fair. 

Cloudy. 

Rain. 

Snow. 

41 
78 
64 
28 
16 
37 
28 
84 
51 
23 
0 
25 
38 
13 
34 
27 
39 
29 
61 
36 
66 
53 
53 
64 
33 
45 
68 
16 
36 
45 
32 
44 
43 
31 
46 
27 
19 
28 
18 
35 
16 
39 
64 
101 
21 
73 
26 

37 
19 
20 
35 
73 
35 
46 

9 
36 
43 
53 
28 
34 
18 
66 
55 
Tl 
61 

7 
40 
46 
41 
13 
21 
48 
47 
44 
11 
33 
13 
37 
39 
SO 
34 

9 
31 
30 
62 
39 
23 
48 
31 
24 
34 
11 

6 
21 

13 
13 
33 
26 

4 
30 
23 

2 

.  15 

35 

0 
33 
16 
71 
22 
62 

9 
18 
57 
55 
32 
33 
47 
37 
50 
55 
43 
60 
30 
39 
36 
18 
20 
10 

8 
16 

8 
46 
12 
40 
41 
99 
39 
31 
16 

2 
66 

29 
25 

IB 
30 
28 
28 
25 
34 
18 
15 
79 
^ 
13 
38 
33 
39 
43 
70 
17 
38 
30 
31 
30 
23 
9 
31 
39 
75 
13 
72 
52 
46 
30 
31 
23 
61 
85 
73 
223 
154 
174 
68 
39 
28 
27 
5 
21 

44 
16 
67 
28 
14 
37 
36 
90 
96 
59 
0 
43 
33 
33 
36 
31 
42 
31 
64 
58 
33 
90 
135 
69 
19 
46 
39 
23 
44 
40 
47 
94 
34 
100 
133 
59 
68 
59 
8 
26 
8 
60 
72 
78 
17 
38 
32 

58 
36 
24 
65 
96 
50 
42 
28 
43 
65 
120 
62 
65 
34 
39 
49 
74 
35 
9 
73 
43 
40 
31 
37 
37 
38 
38 
31 
46 
30 
52 
18 
50 
39 
31 
82 
32 
47 
15 
7 
8 
10 
38 
23 
18 
64 
22 

51 

101 
65 
86 
31 
30 
56 
15 
83 
85 
0 
69 
40 

133 
53 
66 
35 
14 
18 
38 
24 
31 
42 
57 

127 
55 
53 
46 
81 
66 
38 
13 
33 
27 
25 
18 
S 
10 
7 
6 
6 
12 
27 
26 
51 
76 

152 

76 
68 
68 
60 
99 

121 
89 
96 
43 
20 

109 
43 
31 
52 
50 
47 
43 
83 
9 
22 
69 
31 

ir, 

29 
37 
31 
37 
61 
30 
45 
37 
65 
54 
18 
39 
39 
43 
24 
41 
34 
44 
15 
38 
30 
67 
64 
35 

147 
188 
159 
191 
186 
312 
300 
158 
153 
170 
176 
142 
161 
191 
312 
206 
200 
197 
178 
201 
313 
188 
190 
308 
189 
198 
149 
161 
164 
217 
189 
177 
211 
247 
214 
240 
234 
256 
247 
238 
231 
255 
390 
339 
263 
199 
319 

318 
177 
206 
174 
179 
153 
165 
307 
312 
195 
158 
204 
204 
174 

69 
64 
83 
88 

105 
80 
92 

108 
70 

102 
58 
86 

114 
89 

46 

37 

Fort  ConMiiutioii 

33 
9 

22 

21 

19 

40 

Plait^liurg  Harrncks 

Madison  Harracks 

25 
36 
34 

39 

27 

20 

Fort  McHenrv 

153 

94 

10 

159 
165 
168 
187 
164 
152 
177 
175 
157 
176 
167 
216 
204 

109 
112 
97 
93 
92 
58 
6S 
85 
74 
76 
80 
71 
83 

1 

0 

2 

6 

7 

IS 

20 

St.  Louis  Arsenal 

16 
37 

40 

52 

60 

201      79 
148      68 
176      66 
188  I     63 
154  j     58 
118  :     52 
151  '     84 
125      69 
131       90 

60 

46 

34 

19 

28 

Fort  VV'ortli 

8 

3 

4 

4 

109 
118 
137 
134 
110 
75 
136 
102 
166 
146 

58 
49 
59 
64 
60 
55 
48 
46 
43 
98 

4 

1 

0 

2 

1 

13 

12 

35 

4 

0 

SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON   WINDS   AND   WEATHER. 


599 


SUMMARY  FOR  1851. 


STATIONS. 


Fort  SuUiran 

Fort  Preble 

Fort  Constitution 

Fort  Adams 

Fort  Trumliull 

Fort  Hamilton 

Fort  Columbus 

West  Point 

Watervliet  Arsenal 

Plaltsburg  Barracks 

Madison  Barracks 

Fort  Ontario 

Fort  Niagara 

Alleghany  .Arsenal 

Fort  Mifflin , 

Fort  SIcHenrj- 

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Moultrie  .  .  

Key  West   

ForlMyers 

Mt.  Vernon  Arsenal . . . 
Baton  Rouge  Barracks. 

Fort  Washita 

Fort  Scott 

Jefferson  Barracks 

St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Newport  Barracks  .... 

Fort  Gratiot 

Fort  Mackinac 

Fort  Brady 

Fort  Howard 

Fort  Snelling 

Fori  Leavenworth 

Fort  Laramie 

Fort  .Atkinson 

Fort  Worth 

Fort  Graham 

Fort  Gates 

Fort  Croghan 

Fort  Martin  Scott 

San  Antonio 

Fort  Brown 

Ringgold  Barracks 

Fort  .Mcintosh 

Fort  Duncan 

Fort  Lincoln 

Albuquerque 

San  Diego 

Benicia 

Camp  Far  West 


WINDS. 


WEATHER. 


S.E. 


S.W. 


Fair.         Cloudy.        Rain.       Snow. 


31 
74 
57 
51 
6 
44 
39 
74 
39 
30 
16 
0 
6 
42 
32 
46 
14 
40 
56 
45 
39 

46 
35 
42 
52 
99 
41 
68 
12 
57 
Si 
81 
24 
56 
65 
20 
38 
23 
44 
39 
30 
21 
18 
50 
25 
13 
7 
5 
12 


33 
28 
23 
29 
70 
29 
43 
17 
2 
24 
53 
69 
60 
60 
35 
55 
78 
71 
55 
89 
73 
65 
32 
43 
19 
17 
18 
40 
14 
12 
21 
54 
47 
42 
51 
27 
45 
26 
31 
40 
53 
40 
21 


44 
20 
38 

4 
5 


25 

17 

11 

20 

31 

16 

sa 

20 

5 

29 

SSi 

20 

19 
2 
2 
8 
S3 
0 
19 
S6 
34 
14 
54 
16 
131 
46 
36 


35 
39 
14 
32 
105 
84 
24 
31 

6 
16 
13 
56 
19 
15 
13 
16 
68 
73 
58 
54 
90 
18 

5 
35 
22 

1 


38 
25 
8  ' 
18  I 

23  ' 
68  ' 
53 
16 

«  , 
25 

30 

43 

62 

56 
49 
43 

29  ' 
33  I 
43  I 
36  ' 
ID 

24  I 
11  I 
40  ' 

7 

57  I 

14 

15 

76  I 

45  ! 

69 

52 

91 

90 

95 
106 

55 
170 


9 
34 
16 
63 


52 
27 
54 
61 

8 
33 
42 
94 
96 
108 
81 

0 
35 
35 
53 
18 
18 
44 
37 
27 
42 
45 
57 
82 
76 
63 
97 
63 
31 
27 
81 
37 
110 
11 
71 
73 
36 


85 
57 
65 
132 
11 
63 
37 
14 
44 
31 
56 


48 
63 
33 
50 
116 
71 
54 
3S 
4(r 
68 
74 
111 
64 
96 
86 
63 
96 
65 
12 
44 
23 
19 
53 
77 
28 
32 
37 
64 
17 
82 
48 
70 
53 
25 
23 
15 
115 
43 
44 
15 
14 
19 
10 
7 
8 
IS 
18 
109 
138 
24 


91 
82 
79 
68 
21 
37 
51 
17 
117 
55 
74 
0 
27 
45 
SO 
S9 
27 
26 
10 
26 
35 
26 
61 
25 
57 
64 
40 
64 
95 
85 
59 
30 

101 
14 


66 

56 

71 

56 
111 
107 

80 
104 

59 

45 

22 

92 

99 

34 

53 

75 

47  I 

12  I 
32 
63 
25 
16 
41 
36 
28 
30 
33 
18 
24 
116 
57 
32 
64 
35 


5 

8 

9 

31 

25 

23 

17 

36 

5 

11 

14 

11 

26 

15 

5 

29 

5 

30 

S 

6 

4 

36 

19 

14 

58 

20 

96 

13 

12 

41 

157 
191 
180 
176 
169 
197 
210 
149 
181 
158 
149 
183 
141 
143 
193 
198 
192 
203 
212 
248 
204 
205 
^2 
187 
203 
197 
190 
172 
161 
129 
140 
233 
169 
244 
231 
281 
!B7 
237 
248 
246 
249 
175 
215 
219 
275 
219 
166 
ffi3 
294 
303 


174 
185 
189 
196 
168 
155 
218 
181 
217 
216 
182 
•224 
o-» 

172 
167 
173 
162 
153 
117 
161 
160 
143 
178 
162 
168 
175 
193 
204 
236 
225 
132 
196 
121 
131 

84 
138 
128 
117 
119 
116 
190 
150 
146 
190 
146 

46 
142 


179 
83 
85 
98 

118 
88 
94 

105 
88 
83 

109 
75 

106 

114 

110 
82 

108 

136 
86 

113 
95 
95 
66 
71 
76 
71 
70 
81 

100 
77 
63 
71 
79 
33 
50 
49 
79 
80 
69 
68 
59 
42 
55 
63 
47 
39 
18 
37 
51 
61 


31 

39 

31 

12 

21 

16 

15 

29 

32 

22 

47 

31 

34 

26 

14 

11 

6 

I 

0 

0 

o 

0 

4 

12 

10 

8 

8 

46 

69 

64 

41 

36 

21 

25 

21 

1 

1 

0 

1 

n 

1 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 


GOO 


SUMMARIES    OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON   WINDS   AND   WEATHER. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1852. 


WINDS. 

WEATIlEn. 

STATIONS. 

DAYS. 

DAYS. 

i 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

Fair. 

j  Cloudy. 

Rnin. 

Snow. 

Fort  Sullivan  

13 
68 
59 
24 
58 

2 
62 
41 
60 
22 
11 
44 
18 
17 
49 
40 
13 
44 
34 
52 
44 
13 
60 
39 
64 
41 
38 
45 
39 
48 
27 
6d 
28 
31 
23 
89 
52 
68 
30 
57 
56 
46 
27 
21 
18 
36 
19 
33 
21 
97 
60 
40 
9 

1 

8 

48 
41 
31 
58 
99 
89 
28 
60 
10 
10 
22 
42 
16 
46 
53 
46 
78 
58 
36 
64 
26 
78 
22 
64 
45 
31 
34 
.   49 
18 
14 
68 
34 
58 
35 
58 
60 
83 
27 
24 
10 
15 
43 
24 
38 
43 
23 
47 
28 
67 
27 
20 
14 
34 
2 
29 

18 
8 

33 
6 

2 
24 
13 

3 

I 
39 
23 
77 
25 
11 
10 
14 
22 
75 
70 
44 
47 
67 
31 
93 
38 
14 
25 
48 
45 
21 
22 
16 
39 

2 
22 
24 
40 
30 
11 
42 
91 
11 
26 
64 
39 
40 
123 
190 
34 
9 
15 
58 
32 
27 

11 

10 
16 
38 
17 
32 
19 

20 
15 
35 
14 
61 
2 
38 

,    70 

52 

38 

81 

49 

102 

37 

45 

26 

10 

73 

65 

20 

51 

36 

62 

119 

73 

21 

25 

16 

■& 

19 

39 

23 

38 

19 

52 

24 

28 

28 

39 

79 

60 

64 

7 

10 

24 

41 

33 

23 

23 

73 

37 

30 

4 

5 

8 

1 

42 

23 

93 

89 

S3 

78 

46 
1    57 

82 

19 

72 

16 

54 

44 

15 
IK 

62 

41 
1   106 

32 

71 

18 
8 

45 

74 

11  ' 

68 

76 

85 

31 

37 

44 
5 

35 

81 

67 

67 

47 

31 

29 
7 

11 

18 

22 

30 

23 

61 

90 

18 

96 

13 

2 

4 

6 

6 
45 
80 
34 
80 
290 
41 

109 
98 
69 
54 
47 

106 
87 
85 

100 
41 
69 
21 
58 
59 
58 
78 
62 
45 
16 
19 
28 
41 
26 
52 
94 
95 
90 
30 
39 

28 
28 
31 

66 
106 

84 

28 
109 

28 

24 

17 
8 

43 

27 

46 

16 

16 

36 

67 

17 

42 

11 

99 

15 
2 

85 

162 
196 
199 
190 
169 
184 
213 
219 
168 
218 
170 
156 
179 
188 
199 
-   179 
199 
220 
216 
239 
239 
227 
255 
2K 
219 
200 
192 
190 
231 
228 
205 
168 
264 
163 
18B 
191 
191 
214 
286 
287 
E74 
209 
924 
212 
263 
244 
924 
290 
232 
309 
296 
265 
216 
230 
119 

204 
170 
167 
176 
197 
1S3 
153 
147 
198 
I     148 
,     196 
210 
187 
178 
167 
187 
167 
146 
150 
127 
127  • 
139 
111 
134 
147 
166 
174 
176 
135 
138 
161 
198 
102 
903 
178 
175 
175 
122 
80 
79 
99 
157 
142 
154 
103 
123 
142 
76 
134 
57 
70 
101 
150 
136 
247 

89 
104 
79 
73 
B2 
99 
91 
103 
117 
70 
93 
153 
93 
102 
108 
118 
123 
04 
78 
82 
92 
89 
97 
85 
96 
71 
98 
89 
89 
83 
102 
85 
44 
81 
81 
60 
74 
45 
68 
47 
55 
64 
71 
83 
41 
55 
56 
58 
62 
53 
49 
62 
52 
59 
146 

28 

Fort  Preble 

41 

54 

Fort  Independence 

Fort  Adiims 

Fort  Trumbull 

1  32 
27 
24 
21 

99  1    37 

23 

West  Poiut 

96 
6 

41 

17 

24 

34 

18 

58 

39 

33 

32 

57  . 

27 

44 

33 

49 

19 

44 

41 

28 

27 

11 
9 

^ 

50 

27 

54 

72 

13 

58 

64 

37 

13 

85 

50 
103 
110 
127 
173 
135 

35 

43 
5 

23 

23 
5 

91 

89 

119 

17 

24 

24 

25 

24 

26 
9 

36 

57 

40 

28 

20 

41 

30 

49* 

85 

53 

67 

28 

50 

50 

79 

25 

10 

37 

44 
1 

73 

59 

76 
160 

46 
124 

31 

69 

80 

14 
8 
4 

36 

69 

91 

46 

16 

14 

41 

Walervliet  Ar.-jcnal 

37 
46 

Alleghany  Arsenal 

35 
26 

22 

19 

17 

7 

9 

0 

Key  West  Barracks 

0 
0 

0 

0 

Mount  Vrnion  Arsenal 

Baton  Rnuge  Barracks 

2 
2 

1 

4 

11 

19 

8 

12 

S6 

98 

Fort  Dod"e 

47 

22 

33 

«1 

15 

1 

Fort  Belknap 

2 

3 

3 

2 

Fort  Croghan 

3 
0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

7 

19 

San  Diego 

0 
0 

25 

SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON   WINDS   AND   WEATHER, 


601 


STJMliUEY  FOR  1853. 


STATIONS. 


WINDS. 


Fort  Independence... 

Fort  Hamilton 

Fort  Colnmbus 

West  Point 

Watervliet  Arsenal .... 

Fort  Niagara 

Alleghany  Arsenal 

Tort  McHenry 

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Moultrie 

Fort  Pierce 

Key  West  Barracks... 

Fort  Myers 

Fort  Brooke 

Fort  Meade 

Mount  Vernon  Arsenal 

Fort  Towson 

Fort  Washita 

Fort  .Smith 

Fort  Gibson 

Jefferson  Barracks.,.. 

St.  Louis  Arsenal 

Newport  Barracks 

Fort  Mackinac 

Fort  Brady 

Fort  Ripley 

Fort  Snelling 

Fort  Leavenwortli  .... 

Fort  Kearny 

Fort  Laramie 

Fort  Arbucklc 

Fort  Belknap 

Phantom  Hill 

Fort  Chadbonrne 

Fort  Terrctt 

Fort  Brown 

Ringgold  Barracks 

Fort  Mcintosh 

Fort  Inge , .. 

Fort  Duncan 

Fort  Clarke 

Fort  Fillmore 

Fort  Conrad 

Albufjuerque 

Santa  Fe 

Fort  Union 

Fort  Yuma 

San  Diego 

Fort  Juru|ia 

Fort  Miller 

San  Francisco 

Benicia 

Fort  Reading 

Columbia  Barracks .... 
Dalles  of  Columbia.  .. 
Fort  Steilacooni 


2« 
105 
28 
31 
43 
77 
19 
59 
59 
96 
43 

la 

54 
S3 
79 
54 
19 
62 
20 
55 
35 
34 
29 
37 


48 
66 
53 
39 
75 

3 
13 
41 
12 
18 
32 
43 
10 
48 
18 
44 
91 
69 

3 


S. 


3.  W. 


64 
46 
56 
7 
8 
35 
41 
41 
71 
75 
46 
52 
46 
76 
56 
76 
48 
16 
32 
15 
17 
23 
38 
23 
16 
51 
41 
33 
15 
38 
24 
21 
25 
24 
31 
37 
28 
54 
67 
16 
9 
24 
60 
18 
46 
51 
29 
31 


6 

58 

9 

17 

19 

22 

6 

la 

46 

3 

32 

10 

8 

15 

16 

6 

13 
11 
14 

4 

1 
37 
18 
13 
18 
36 
34 
89 
60 
70 
83 
28 
114 
62 
81 
13 
43 
39 
21 
21 
53 

9 
15 

7 


19 

a 

33 

7 


28 
16 
157 
155 
30 
17 
23 
60 
28 
13 
11 
69 
15 
97 
9 


30 
19 


31 
34 

37 
27 
17 
14 
12 
26 
29 
46 
59 
45 
28 
45 
38 
61 
25 
41 
25 
48 
21 
11 
39 
44 
19 
44 
63 
45 
28 
8 
49 
58 
33 
30 

190 
87 

110 

209 
58 
84 

165 
35 
12 
19 
17 
20 
31 
36 
15 
61 
17 
9 
5 
43 
13 
47 


23 
97 
86 
56 
33 
18 
24 
34 
83 
31 
26 
35 
33 
33 
52 

124 
38 
91 

127 
46 
91 
43 
46 
68 
43 
17 
77 
2 

106 
73 

143 

127 

1 

39 

114 

3 

1 

9 

55 

3o 

37 

65 

19 

18 

45 

47 

1 

24 

18 

13 

49 

12 


63 
«4 

79 
20 

31 
38 
53 
39 

103 
70 

8 
12 
23 
32 
23 
18 

2 
25 
22 

6 
27 
40 
70 
27 
41 
48 
63 
101 
24 

6 
44 
20 
41 
15 

9 
56 

2 


9 

4 

64 

49 

4 

21 

37 

32 

90 

197 

22 

78 

22 

7 

8 

140 


N.  W. 


WEATHER. 


Cloudy.         Rain.        Snow. 


45 
26 
46 
12 
112 
96 
40 
65 
13 
29 
43 

9 
49 
26 
46 
18 

8 
29 
39 

4 
80 
50 
20 
75 
49 
37 
26 
26 

as 

29 

8 

13 

36 

13 

36 

22 

5 

3 

4 

4 

13 

16 

81 

85 

51 

36 

51 

70 

19 

64 

110 

236 

4 

80 

104 

47 


52 
108 
66 
71 
47 
41 
33 
46 
59 
28 
23 
17 
29 
43 
16 
59 
7 
11 
23 
14 
16 
22 
39 
78 
17 
41 
49 
101 
46 
63 
16 
15 
11 
18 
17 
31 
19 
42 
24 
33 
21 
24 
28 
7 
45 
68 
79 
12 
47 
19 
76 
1 
10 
60 
35 
36 


197 

157 

81 

21 

211 

154 

103 

14 

233 

IS 

83 

13 

315 

151 

109 

38 

334 

131 

93 

28 

300 

165 

75 

33 

172 

193 

109 

31 

205 

160 

83 

11 

203 

162 

99 

5 

243 

122 

80 

1 

267 

98 

68 

0 

353 

112 

93 

0 

258 

107 

HI 

0 

241 

124 

87 

0 

213 

152 

119 

0 

256 

109 

86 

2 

192 

173 

87 

* 

166 

199 

68 

9 

330 

145 

64 

3 

204 

161 

79 

8 

237 

128 

SS 

0 

2i29 

136 

51 

8 

200 

165 

81 

9 

173 

193 

67 

32 

195 

170 

74 

71 

217 

148 

58 

33 

350 

115 

59 

29 

210 

155 

60 

n 

230 

135 

S3 

18 

217 

148 

57 

24 

298 

67 

68 

4 

261 

104 

52 

4 

266 

99 

44 

6 

246 

119 

63 

5 

262 

103 

SS 

7 

230 

135 

49 

0 

183 

182 

85 

0 

238 

127 

68 

0 

251 

114 

59 

1 

274 

91 

54 

I 

173 

192 

53 

2 

332 

33 

41 

2 

309 

56 

41 

6 

307 

58 

96 

4 

307 

58 

S3 

14 

291 

74 

55 

18 

297 

68 

19 

0 

366 

99 

33 

0 

308 

57 

25 

0 

317 

48 

^ 

0 

184 

176 

64 

0 

<m 

137 

49 

0 

276 

89 

63 

0 

124 

341 

110 

3 

237 

128 

59 

11 

163 

303 

131 

3 

S.  96 


602 


SUMMARIES   OF   OBSERVATIONS   ON  WINDS   AND   WEATHER. 


SUMMARY  FOR  1854. 


STATIONS. 


WINDS. 


WEATHER. 


S.  W. 


W. 


N.  W.        Fair. 


Cloudy. 


Rain. 


Snow. 


Fort  Independence,. 

Fort  Hamilton 

Fort  Columbus....  . . 

West  Point 

Waicrvliet  Arsenal.. 
Alleghany  Arsenal... 

Fort  IMcIlenry 

Fort  Monroe 

Fort  Moultrie 

Fort  Pierce 

Key  West  Barracks. . 

Fort  Myers 

Fort  Brooke 

Fort  Barrancas 

Mt.  Vernon  Arsenal. 

Fort  Washita 

Fort  Smith 

Fort  Gibson 

JelTcrson  B.arracks. .. 
St.  Louis  Arsenal  . .. 
Newport  Barracks. . . 

Fort  Mackinac 

Fort  Brady 

Fort  Snclling 

Fort  Ripley 

Fort  Kidgely 

Fort  Leavenworth  .. . 

Fort  Uilcy 

Fort  Kearny 

Fort  Laramie 

Fort  Arbucklc 

Fort  Belknap 

Fort  Chadbourne .... 

Fort  McKavett 

Fort  Brown 

Ringgold  Barracks. . . 

Fort  Mcintosh 

Fort  Inge 

Fort  Duncan 

Fort  Clarke 

Fort  Fillmore 

Fort  Thome 

Fort  Conrad  (Craig)  . 

Albuquerque 

Santa  Fe 

Fort  Union 

Fort  Detiance 

Fort  Yuma 

Fort  Miller 

San  Francisco 

Bcnicia  Barracks . . . . 

Fort  Reading 

Fort  Humboldt 

Fort  Vancouver 

Fort  Steilacoom  .... 


45 
6 
16 

18 
34 
50 
57 
13 
30 

2a 

43 

75 

9 

« 


54 

20 
58 
32 
34 
34 
41 
36 
37 
29 
17 
63 
28 
65 
43 
24 
28 
26 
48 
27 
45 
12 
23 
10 
39 
66 
88 
20 
86 
51 
71 

3 
21 

5 
83 
29 


39 
66 
67 
7 
1 
41 
49 
54 
61 
73 
95 
52 
65 
36 
63 
24 
S3 
11 
9 
16 
10 
23 
14 
32 
SO 
34 
27 
12 
25 
5 
19 
31 
19 
SI 
26 
17 
18 
55 
11 
31 
14 
34 
31 
37 
S6 
22 
17 
35 
17 
29 
17 
17 
1 
7 


19 

0 
10 

2 

4 
17 
13 
77 
36 
42 
64 
23 
66 
15 
20 
37 
73 
21 
34 
37 
47 
60 
67 
13 
11 
93 
31 
17 
22 
93 
20 

7 
29 
28 
44 
48 
26 
138 

4 
74 
17 
30 
25 
17 
32 
12 

2 
21 
64 

4 
38 

3 
10 

2 
23 


29 
28 
28 
25 
20 
20 
17 
6 
23 
79 
65 
18 
50 
31 
80 
51 
37 
48 
37 
13 
3 
37 
16 
43 
79 
56 
44 
23 
22 
3 
31 
151 
47 
97 
94 
123 
175 
52 
223 
149 


29 
47 
19 
14 
50 
41 
IS 
14 
14 
18 
33 
14 


14 
0 
35 
114 
91 
41 
15 
14 
46 
16 


25 
25 
27 

101 
i)4 

115 
78 
49 
43 
40 
64 
72 
47 
49 
36 

105 
44 
17 
68 
48 
IS 
63 
58 
80 
32 
3 
0 
18 
23 
38 
62 
94 
21 
38 
93 
S3 
50 
21 
10 
S4 
2 
15 
99 


66 


18 
28 
61 
44 
133 
63 
45 
28 
28 
46 
34 
35 
39 
35 
13 
19 
40 
20 
16 
34 
41 
38 
40 


41 

10 

35 

34 

18 

49 

61 

10 

3 

0 

0 

6 

78 

4S 

27 

19 

49 

35 

49 

27 

44 

109 

31 

24 

9 

43 

57 


50 
0 
38 
17 
36 
37 
78 
18 
SI 
27 

11 

68 

41 

18 

19 

16 

4 

56 

59 

82 

S9 

52 

35 

37 

35 

27 

38 

57 

123 

34 

6 

6 

14 

17 

9 

4 

1 

1 

50 
79 
68 
23 
36 
40 
47 
47 
44 
130 
Z13 
12 
1 
15 
54 


83 
160 

61  I 

56  I 

45 

27 

62 

24 

44 

38 

15  , 

17  , 

32 

77 

69  I 

26 

14 

13 

20 

23 

6 
73 

8 
45 
44 
89 
63 
19 
57 
12 
25 
24 
16 
17 
26 
16 
28 

5 
59 
39 
16 
57 
42 
21 
50 
62 
45 
52 
15 
33 

0 
28 
42 
19 
18 


166 
207 
196 
200 
237 
186 
206 
251 
230 
159 
230 
268 
261 
175 
224 
214 
207 
207 
217 
228 
222 
lri9 
183 
201 
199 
184 
236 
287 
241 
284 
284 
196 
243 
239 
210 
223 
238 
226 
212 
!21 
357 
355 
319 
307 
303 
274 
312 
291 
246 
181 
252 
266 
243 
158 
180 


199 

158 

169 

165 

128 

179  I 

1S9 

114 

135 

206  I 

135 

97 
104 
190 
141  j 
151 
158 
158  i 
148 
137 
143 
206 
182 
164 
166 
181 
129 

78 
124 

81 

81 
169 
IS 
126 
155 
142 
127 
139 
153 
144 
6 
8 

46 

58 

62 

91 

53 

74 

88 
184 
113 

99 
122 
176 
185 


94 
74 
95 
70 

107 
8S 
81 
99 

121 

103 
89 

112 
90 

104 
84 
91 
85 
64 
59 
61 
78 
75 
72 
71 
77 
63 
32 
58 
60 
59 
57 
61 
54 
71 
53 
59 
54 
56 
42 
41 
37 
51 
55 
67 
52 
66 
15 
45 
72 
44 
55 
68 


23 

35 

2» 

31 

17 

» 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

5 

3 

8 

6 

10 

44 

67 

32 

32 

30 

11 

6 

15 

31 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

I 

0 

1 

2 
5 
16 
13 
25 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2 
2 
2 
11 


STATISTICS 


OF 


THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO. 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  WAE  WITH  MEXICO. 


The  regulations  for  the  Medical  Department  of  the  army  require  all  medical  officers,  when 
serving  with  troops  in  the  field,  to  render  monthly,  to  the  medical  director  at  the  seat  of  war, 
and  quarterly  to  the  Surgeon  General,  "reports  of  sick  and  wounded,  and  of  deaths,  and  of 
certificates  for  discharge  for  disability."  The  medical  director  is  also  required  to  make  to  the 
Surgeon  General,  monthly,  a  consolidated  report  of  sick  and  wounded,  from  the  several  reports 
made  to  him. 

The  records  of  the  Surgeon  General's  office  attest  that  these  regulations  have  been  faithfully 
obeyed,  and  that  the  required  rei)orts  have  been  made  with  remarkable  regularity  and  accuracy. 
Notwithstanding  the  general  completeness  of  the  returns,  a  very  extended  and  careful  examina- 
tion of  the  records  has  proved  it  to  be  impossible  to  compile  from  them  correct  abstracts  of  the 
sickness  and  mortality  in  the  army  during  the  war  with  Mexico.  The  sources  of  error  are  nu- 
merous, and  cannot  be  eliminated.  In  some  instances,  important  returns  failed  to  reach  the 
Medical  Bureau,  having  been  captured  by  the  enemy ;  the  same  cases  of  disease  were  frequently 
reported  more  than  once — first,  perhaps,  on  the  returns  of  surgeons  of  regiments,  and  again 
from  one  or  more  general  hospitals  to  which  the  soldier  had  been  senior  transferred.  The  con- 
solidated monthly  reports  of  the  medical  directors  served  to  remove,  in  part,  this  source  of  error, 
but  it  unfortunately  appears  that  those  officers  failed  in  many  instances  to  receive  the  required 
reports  from  hospital  and  regimental  surgeons,  and,  consequently,  their  returns  are  incomplete. 
Other  sources  of  error  might  be  mentioned,  but  enough  has  been  stated  to  show  the  nature  of 
the  difficulties  opposing  the  desired  compilation. 

Abandoning  the  effort  to  collate  the  vital  statistics  of  the  war  exclusively  from  the  records  of 
the  Medical  Bureau,  recourse  was  had  to  the  muster-rolls  of  the  army  on  file  in  the  Adjutant 
General's  office;  from  which  source,  chiefly,  though  aided  somewhat  by  the  medical  returns,  the 
following  tables,  (abstracts  Nos.  1  and  2),  exhibiting  the  statistics  of  commissioned  officers  and 
enlisted  men  by  regiments,  have  been  compiled. 

The  attempt  to  include  the  old  army  in  these  tables  was  reluctantly  abandoned.  The  diffi- 
culties to  be  encountered  were  much  greater  than  with  the  ten  new  regiments  and  volunteer 
corps,  in  which  the  original  roll  of  muster  into  service,  and  final  muster-roll  for  discharge,  gave 
two  fixed  points ;  another  almost  insurmountable  difficulty  in  regard  to  the  old  army  consisted 
in  the  necessity  of  accounting  for  the  numerous  detachments  of  recruits  which  were  from  time  to 
time  forwarded  to  the  seat  of  war. 

It  may,  however,  be  briefly  stated,  that,  exclusive  of  "  discharges  by  expiration  of  service," 
the  total  loss  in  the  old  army,  by  deaths,  discharges,  resignations,  and  desertions,  was  7,993,  in 
an  aggregate  force  of  15,736;  being  50.79  per  cent,  for  the  whole  service  of  26  months,  or  a 
monthly  loss  of  1.95  per  cent. 

In  the  ten  new  regiments,  using  tlie  same  basis,  the  total  loss  was  3,839,  in  an  aggregate 
strength  of  11,186  ;  being  34  22  per  cent,  for  the  whole  service  of  15  months,  or  a  monthly 
loss  of  2.28  per  cent. 


ti06  STATISTICS   OF    THE    WAR    WITH    MEXICO. 

In  the  regiments  and  corps  of  volunteers,  the  total  loss  was  20,385,  in  an  aggregate  force  of 
73,260  ;  being  27.82  per  cent,  for  the  average  period  of  service,  (10  months,)  or  a  monthly  loss  of 
2.78  per  cent. 

While  it  is  thus  shown  that  the  total  loss,  from  all  causes,  sustained  during  the  war,  was 
much  greater  in  the  old  army  than  in  either  the  ten  new  regiments,  or  volunteer  troops,  the 
relative  loss  for  each  month  in  which  those  forces  were  respectively  in  service  is  greatest  in  the 
regiments  and  corps  of  volunteers. 

Confining  the  comparison  to  the  "killed  in  battle"  and  "  died  of  wounds,"  it  is  found  that 
the  old  army  sustained  a  loss  of  792,  or  5.03  per  cent,  of  the  aggregate  force  employed;  the 
ten  new  regiments,  a  loss  of  143,  or  1.27  per  cent,  of  their  number;  and  the  regiments  of 
volunteers  lost  613  of  their  aggregate  strength,  or  0.83  per  cent. 

Of  the  aggregate  discharged  "by  order  and  civil  authority,"  the  larger  proportion,  by  far, 
were  by  "order;"  that  is,  by  the  order  of  the  commanding  general  or  other  military  authority; 
and  it  is  well  known  that  these  orders  were  given  to  men  with  enfeebled  or  broken-down  consti- 
tutions^ who,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  could  only  have  been  discharged  on  "surgeon's 
certificate  for  disability."  It  is  therefore  deemed  just,  to  consider  all  the  discharges  "by 
order"  and  "for  disability"  as  consequent  upon  disease  or  wounds.  If,  then,  we  take  the 
aggregate  of  the  discharges  under  those  two  heads,  together  with  the  "ordinary"  and  "acci- 
dental" '  deaths,  Ave  will  have  the  most  correct  expression  of  the  total  loss  sustained  by  disease 
and  the  exposures  and  hardships  of  an  active  campaign,  independent  of  losses  in  conflicts  with 
the  enemy. 

Assuming  that  basis,  it  is  ascertained  that  the  old  army,  in  a  period  of  26  months,  and  with 
an  aggregate  force  of  15,736,  lost  4,917  officers  and  men;  being  31.24  per  cent,  for  the  whole 
service,  or  1.20  per  cent,  per  month. 

The  ten  new  regiments,  in  a  service  of  15  months,  and  with  an  aggregate  strength  of  11,186, 
lost  3,002  ofiicers  and  men;  being  26.83  per  cent,  for  the  whole  service,  or  1.79  per  cent,  per 
month. 

The  volunteer  force,  in  an  average  service  of  10  months,  and  with  an  aggregate  strength  of 
73,260,  lost  15,617  officers  and  men;  being  for  the  whole  service  21.31  per  cent.,  or  2.13  per 
cent,  per  month. 

These  deductions  are  made  in  no  spirit  of  invidious  comjiarison.  The  old  army  was  longer  in 
the  field,  and  participated  in  more  battles,  than  other  portions  of  the  military  establishment, 
so  that  its  total  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  is  relatively  greater  than  that  of  other  corps.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  statistical  tables  which  follow,  show  that  the  loss  sustained  by  the  "addi- 
tional force"  and  volunteers  in  some  of  the  battles  in  which  they  were  engaged,  was  greater 
than  that  of  the  old  army. 

The  point  to  which  particular  attention  is  invited,  is  the  disparity  in  the  loss  by  disease  in  the 
several  forces ;  the  monthly  ratio,  the  true  comparison  in  this  instance,  being  in  the  volunteer 
corps  nearly  twice  as  high  as  in  the  old  army. 

The  examinations  necessary  to  the  compilation  of  this  series  of  statistics  were  nearly  com- 
pleted, when  a  copy  of  a  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated  December 
3d,  1849,  prepared  in  answer  to  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  July  31,  1848^  call- 
ing for  "information  relative  to  the  military  forces  employed  in  the  late  war  with  Mexico," 
was  shown  to  the  compiler.  No  extra  numbers  of  this  valuable  report  were  printed,  and  it  is 
now  exceedingly  difiicult  to  obtain  a  copy.  In  view  of  the  general  interest  which  attaches  to 
this  subject  in  the  army,  a  portion  of  the  very  extended  series  of  tabular  statements  embraced 
in  that  report  are  herewith  submitted. 


STATISTICS   OF    THE    WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 


607 


No.  1. — Abstract  exhibiting,  by  regiments,  the  statistics  of  commissioned  officers  serving  in  the  army 
of  the  United  Stales  during  the  war  ivith  Mexico. 


REOIUENTS. 


S.: 

3 

ii,i. 

-J 

o 

=3£S 

© 

>i 

P.c 

=  ■="=  H 

J^ 

M 

e  5 

2-3 

S'o 

^  s  »" 

■i 

o 

<  £ 

< 

r- 

c- 

3d  dragoons  . 
9th  infantry  . 
10th. .do..".. 

11th. .do 

12th. .do.... 

13th. -do 

14th.. do 

15th.. do... 
16th. -do... 


Yoltigeurs 

1st  Massachusetts  foot 

1st  regiment  Pennsylvania  foot 

2d.. do ...do 

2d  Sew  York  foot.. 

1st  battalion  Xew  Jersey  foot 

Ist  battalion  Md.  and  D.  C.  foot 

2d do do 

1st  independent  company  mounted  . 
1st  regiment  Virginia  volunteers,  foot 

1st  North  Carolina  foot 

1st  South  Carolina  foot 

1st  Alabama  foot 

1st  battalion  Alabama  foot 

2d .-do 

3d do 

1st  regiment  Georgia  foot 

1st  battalion  Georgia  horse 

1st  independent  comp.  Georgia  horse. 

1st  battalion  Georgia  foot 

1st  Mississippi  foot 

2d do do - 

1st  batt;iliou  Mississippi  foot 

1st  Louisiana  volunteers,  foot 

do do 


.do. 
-do. 
.do. 


.do. 

-do 

-do. 


2d  ... 
3d  ... 
4th... 
5th... 

6th do do 

Blanchard'  s  company  foot 

Grally ' s  artiller)-. 

Biscoe's  battalion  mounted , 

De  Russy's  regiment  foot 

Fiesca's  battalion  foot 

1st  Arlians.as  horse 

1st  independent  company  horse 

2  companies  Florida  foot 

Johnson' s  Texas  foot  rifles 

Hay's  cavalry,  Texas 

Chevallie's  battery,  Texas .- 

Hay's  mounted  rifles,  Tex;is 

Young' s  rangers,  Texas 

Wood's  rangers,  Texas 

McCuUough's  company,  Texas 

Gray's  company,  Te.xas 

Black  Beaver's  comp.  (Indians,  I  Texas 

Leefield's  company,  Texas 

Lamar's  company,  Texas 

McCuUough's  company,  Texas 

1st  Kentucky  horse 

1st  Kentucky  foot -.; 

2d do' 

3d do : 


608 


STATISTICS   OF   THE    WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 
ABSTRACT— Continued. 


REGIMENTS. 


•ith  Kentucky  foot 

1st  independent  company  foot. 

1st  Tennessee  cavalry 

1st  Tennessee  foot 

2d do 

3d... 
4th.. 
5th.. 


.do. 
.do. 
.do. 


1st  independent  company  mounted. 

1st  Ohio  foot. 

2d do 

3d do 

4th.. -do 

5  th . . .do 


1st  independent  company  foot.. 
1st  independent  company  horse. 

1st  Indiana  foot 

2d .do 


3d do.  .. 

4th do... 

6th do... 

1st  Illinois  foot. 

2d do 

3d do 


4th do. 

6th do 

2  companies,  mounted 

1  company  Michigan  foot. 
1  regiment do 


li 

u 


-CS 


54 
4 
46 
55 
39 
54 
49 
54 
4 
63 
51 
52 
58 
67 
4 
4 
56 
54 
56 
55 
49 
56 
6fi 
52 
44 
68 
10 
4 
44 


s 

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n 

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£ 

s|l.i 

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12 

25 

14 

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10 

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3 

H 

4 

0 

14 

47 

16 

12J 

41 

10 

12 

47 

5 

12 

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10 

13i 

52 

5 

11 

4 

None. 

9 

4 

None. 

14 

48 

8 

12 

46 

8 

12 

45 

10 

12 

44 

11 

14 

46 

3 

n 

47 

9 

12 

43 

23 

12 

36 

16 

12 

32 

12 

lOJ 

44 

24 

12 

8 

2 

lOJ 

4 

None. 

12 

39 

5 

8 

11.30 


17.  .39 
40.00 
35.90 
18.51 
16.32 
5.55 


25.90 

19.60 

9.  61 

17.24 

8.77 


12.48 
14.74 
18.18 
20.00 
6.12 
16.  24 
3t.  81 
30.80 
27.27 
35.29 
20.00 


11.26 


SS 


o 

g 

^  £ 

s 

^i 

>. 

o"^ 

A 

o 

^ 

H 

1.30 


1.08 


1.49 
3.33 
2.99 
1.89 
1.63 
.66 


2.07 
1.63 

.80 
1.27 

.79 


1.19 

3 

1.22 

None. 

1.51 

6 

1.81 

1 

.64 

3 

1.  .35 

None. 

2.90 

2 

2.56 

3 

2.59 

5 

2.94 

14 

1.90 

1 

1.40 

4 

.46 

64.55 

7.69 

3.70 

4.08 


.63 
3.92 
.52 
.34 
.36 


.67 


.09 


.03 
.45 
.64 
.30 
.40 


.05 
.32 
.04 
.02 
.03 


.04 


10.99 

.91 

.55 

.05 

6.12 

.64 

3.33 

.27 

5.77 

.48 

11.25 

1.16 

20.58 

1.71 

.10 

.09 

9.09 

1.13 

No.  2. 

Abstract  exhibiting,  by  regiments,  the  statistics  of  enlisted  men  serving  in  the  army  of  the  United 

States  during  the  ivar  with  Mexico. 


REOt.NlENTS. 


3d  dragoons 

9ih  infantry. 

10th do 

11th do 

12th do 

13th do 

14th do 

15th do 

16th do 

Voltigeurs 

1st  Massachusetts  foot 

2d  New  York  foot 

1st  Pennsylvania  foot 

Id do do.- 

2  battalion  New  .Jersey  foot 

1st  batt.  Maryland  &  Dist.  Col.  foot 
2d. ...do do do 


o    . 

eg 

It 
1.2 

Aegrcgatc  mustered  out 
of  service. 

•a    „  r 

llll 

J" 

o 
S 

t 

u 

o 

f 

1 

c 

1 
1 

Total  1089  per  cent,  by 
disease. 

S3 
>> 

O.S 

s 

o 

1179 

765 

414 

15 

35.15 

2.34 

266 

22.66 

1.50 

1043 

559 

484 

14? 

46.42 

3.16 

332 

31.83 

2.17 

1201 

905 

296 

15 

24.90 

1.66 

169 

14.06 

.93 

1364 

734 

630 

15 

46.18 

3.07 

514 

37.31 

2.48 

1181 

663 

518 

12 

43.87 

3.65 

450 

38.14 

3.17 

1023 

640 

383 

12 

37.  43 

3.11 

322 

31.48 

2.62 

1066 

581 

485 

13i 

45.51 

3.37 

403 

30.76 

2.26 

1341 

702 

639 

14* 

47.65 

3.32 

523 

39.00 

2.72 

1323 

974 

349 

l4 

26.40 

1.82 

269 

20.33 

1.40 

1M65 

701 

664 

16 

48.66 

3.04 

519 

38.02 

2.37 

981 

501 

480 

17 

48.92 

2.87 

176 

17.90 

1.05 

1063 

589 

474 

17* 

44.60 

2.55 

276 

25.96 

1.48 

1021 

535 

486 

19J 

47.61 

2.34 

364 

35.66 

1.82 

1151 

585 

566 

17J 

49.18 

2.76 

402 

34.92 

1.96 

418 

267 

151 

13 

36.91 

2.84 

62 

14.97 

1.15 

537 

330 

207 

12 

38.55 

3.21 

129 

24.02 

2.00 

732 

493 

239 

13 

32.03 

2.46 

153 

20.90 

1.60 

STATISTICS   OF   THE   WAE   WITH    MEXICO. 


609 


ABSTRACT— Continued. 


REGIMENTS. 


1st  independent  co.,Md.  &  DC,  m'td 

1st  regiment  Virginia  volunteers 

1st  Xorth  Carolina  foot 

1st  South  Carolina  foot 

1  regiment  Alabama  foot 

1  battalion do 

1 do do 


1 do do 

1  regiment  Georgia  foo( 

1  battalion do.,  horse 

1  independent  co.,  Georgia  horse... 

1  battalion  Georgia  foot.. 

2  companies  Florida  foot 

1st  Mississippi  foot 

2d do 

1  battalion  Mississippi  foot 

1st  Louisiana  foot 

2d -.do 

3d-- do 

4th -do __ 

5th -do- 

6th do 


Blanchard's  company 

Gally's  battalion 

Biscoe's  battalion,  mounted 

De  Kussy's  battalion,  foot 

1  battalion  Fiesca's  foot 

1st  regiment  Arkansas  mounted 

1  independent  company,  mounted 

John.son's  Texas  foot  rifles 

Hays'  cavalry 

Che vallie's  battalion 

Hays'  mounted  rifles- 

Young's  rangers 

Wood's  rangers 

McCullough's  company 

Gray's  company 

Black  Beaver's  company 

Leefield's  company 

Lamar's  company 

McCullough's  company. 

1  Kentucky  mounted  volunteers 

1st  Kentucky  volunteers,  foot 

2d do do 

3d do do 


4th    do do 

1st  independent  comp.  vols.,  foot. 

1st  Tennessee  cavalry 

1st  Tennessee  foot 

2d do. 


3d 

.do 

4th 

.do 

5th 

.do 

1  indep't 
1st  Ohio 

comp'y  cavalry, 
volunteers,  foot 

-do do-.. 

-do do 

-do do 

mounted-- 

2d 

3d 

4th 

5th do do 

1st  Indiana  company,  foot 

1  Indiana  comp;my.  horse 

1st  independent  volunteers,  foot 

2d do do do 

3d  do -do do 

S.  96 77 


107 
1.228 

SOI 
1,034 

910 

5(;n 

293 

284 

911 

507 

104 

475 

191 

942 

1,018 

443 

695 

893 

795 

770 

847 

833 

93 

199 

610 

1.050 

623 

800 

100 

755 

598 

497 

666 

661 

816 

87 

90 

37 

72 

86 

164 

830 

794 

915 

1,049 

1,087 

85 

927 

1,054 

701 

954 

801 

1,046 

132 

865 

770 

814 

1.030 

1. 102 

103 

90 

801 

850 

867 


64 
851 
581 
305 
613 
405 
258 
253 
535 
334 
37 
186 
100 
428 
571 
343 
500 
739 
094 
040 
750 
046 
69 
155 
414 
675 
360 
595 
76 
674 
413 
371 
481 
636 
524 
74 
68 
35 
41 
79 
149 
493 
520 
580 
742 
829 
66 
653 
367 
332 
065 
593 
850 
99 
525 
516 
615 
709 
750 
52 
81 
465 
594 
024 


.  £  =  = 


43 
377 
310 
609 
297 
104 

35 

31 
.376 
233 

67 
289 

91 
514 
447 
100 
135 
156 
101 
124 

91 
187 

24 

44 
202 
375 
263 
205 

24 

81 
185 
126 
185 

25 
292 

13 

22 
2 

31 
7 

15 
337 
274 
335 
307 
258 

19 
274 
687 
369 
289 
208 
196 

33 
340 
254 
199 
321 
346 

51 

15 
396 
262 
243 


9 
19 
18 
18J 
Hi 

l\ 

llj 
11 
131 
13 
ll.llf 
12 
18 
8 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 

n 

3 
12 
18.V 
13 
Hi 
10| 

2i 

m 

25 
3A 

12 

12 
2 

lot 

12' 
9 

i2k 

12 

12i 
8J 
8* 

111 

lis 

12 
12 

H 

10 
8J 
14 

m 

12' 
12 
13^ 
11 
9 
14 
12 
12 
12 


i  I 


40.19 
30.70 
34.92 
64.72 
32.64 
18.27 

11.43 

41.24 
41.00 
46.  43 
00.80 
47.66 
54.38 
43.91 
22.57 
19.42 
17.  43 
12.70 
10.  10 
10.64 
22.45 
25.80 
24.67 
32.47 
35.71 
42.22 
25.63 
24.03 
10.74 
31.23 
25.35 
27.77 

3.78 
36.27 
14.94 
24.45 

5.40 
43.06 

8.14 

9.15 
40.62 

34.  53 

35.  07 
39.27 
23.73 
22.35 
29.55 
65.18 
52.65 
30.29 
25.97 
18.74 
25.00 
39.29 
32.99 
24.44 
31.17 
31.40 
49.52 
15.62 
45.99 
30.60 
28.36 


4.46 
1.01 
1.72 
3.49 
2.83 
2.74 

3.81 

3.58 
.3.  73 
4.77 
4.08 
4.21 
4.54 
2.43 
2.  82 
6.47 
5.81 
4.23 
5.36 
3.54 
7.48 
2.71 
8.22 
2.70 
1.93 
2.78 
2.23 
2.28 
4.77 
2.78 
1.60 
3.42 
1.04 
9.30 
1.24 
2.03 
2.70 
4.10 
.67 
1.10 
3.24 
2.87 
2.80 
3.44 
2.79 
1.94 
2.51 
5.43 
4.38 
3.10 
2.59 
2.20 
1.78 
3.14 
2.74 
2.04 
2.49 
2.85 
5.50 
1.  11 
3.83 
2.55 
2.36 


18 
274 
273 
509 
273 

88 

47 

329 

197 

63 

232 

76 

421 

377 

47 

55 

69 

22 

9 

28 

16 

10 

8 

116 

152 

119 

153 

16 

30 

155 

04 

10 

17 

173 

10 

9 

None. 

13 

1 

5 

202 

188 

219 

259 

212 

13 

255 

628 

326 

210 

183 

145 

30 

231 

183 

139 

173 

145 

14 

11 

355 

189 

220 


16.80 
22.31 
30.64 
49.23 
30.00 
15.47 

18.29 

36.08 

35.21 

60.60 

49.34 

39.79 

44.70 

37.03 

10.61 

7.91 

12.97 

3.01 

.85 

.33 

.19 

a.  11 

.40 

10.80 

14.47 

19.07 

19.31 

16.00 

3.98 

2.59 

1.28 

2.40 

2.57 

21.20 

11.49 

16.30 


=-3 


1.86 
L17 
1.70 
2.66 
2.60 
2.32 

2.76 

3.  13 

3.20 

4.49 

3.79 

3.52 

3.72 

2.05 

1.32 

2.63 

4.32 

1.00 

.  11 

.  11 

.06 

1.  16 

.13 

.90 

.78 

1.46 

1.68 

1.42 

L76 

.23 

.81 

.29 

.96 

5.43 

.95 

1.35 


1.80 

.17 

.86 

.07 

3.04 

.33 

31.57 

2.52 

23.67 

1.80 

21.20 

1.93 

24.68 

2.90 

19.50 

2.29 

15.29 

1.33 

27.51 

2.34 

59.59 

4.96 

46.51 

3.87 

22.  01 

2.25 

22.84 

2.28 

13.86 

L63 

22.  72 

1.62 

26.72 

2.13 

23.76 

L98 

17.07 

L42 

16.79 

1.24 

13.17 

1.19 

13.59 

1.51 

11.45 

.81 

41.28 

3.43 

22.  07 

L83 

25.38 

2.11 

CIO 


STATISTICS   OF   THE   WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 
ABSTRACT— Continued . 


S^ 

S 

t»    tC'J' 

^ 

S 

= 

^Sg 

" 

& 

-.t 

2  . 

F^r' 

E 

1 

REGIMENTS. 

fl 

V 

1 

o 

a 

1 

1 
■5 

1.  « 

11 

|:e 

fc 

£5  a  3 

g 

•a 

s 

ti 

s 

o 

o 

o 

o 

< "" 

< 

t- 

H 

y 

►J 

>J 

H 

ij 

4th  independent  volunteers,  foot 

928 

658 

270 

14 

29.09 

2.07 

215 

23.  16 

1.65 

5th do do do 

934 

681 

253 

9i 

27.09 

2.63 

205 

21.94 

2.  .30 

1st  Illinois  volunteers,  foot 

892 

697 

195 

Hi 

21.86 

1.98 

102 

11.43 

1.01 

2d do do - 

908 

662 

246 

Hi 

27.08 

2.35 

143 

15.75 

1.36 

3d do do 

913 

567 

346 

lOJ 

37.90 

3.60 

322 

35.27 

2.93 

4th do do- 

813 

508 

305 

lOi 

37.52 

3.57 

171 

31.03 

2.00 

6th do do - 

1,038 

568 

470 

12i 

45.28 

3.62 

415 

43.32 

3.46 

2  companies  mounted  Illinois  vols  -. 

198 

138 

60 

lOj 

33.  33 

2.17 

57 

25.91 

2.46 

1st  Michigan  volunteers,  foot 

1,040 

672 

369 

n 

28.  15 

3.55 

188 

19.79 

2.63 

[The  tables  which  follow  are  from  the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  December  3,  1849.] 


General  view  of  the  subjects  of  inquiry,  showing  the  aggregate  of  the  regulars  and  volunteers  em- 
ployed during  the  icar,  toith  their  average  duration  of  service,  and  the  casualties  incident  to  each 
description  of  force. 


roRCES 
EMPLOYED 
ti  MCSTERED 
INTO  SER- 
VICE. 

DISCHARGES, 

DEATHS. 

WOUNDED    IN 
BATTLE. 

m 

c: 

« 
e 
bo 

■s 
a 

g 

o 

1 

<: 

it 

il 

S   O 

•2£ 

s 

1 

1 

i 

It 

CJ  — 

•a 

O 

o 
< 

Killed  in 
battle. 

Died  of 
wounds. 

Toinl  killed 
and  died  of 
wounds. 

Ordinary. 

B 

0) 

'o 

< 

=  1 

Hi 

fc.  c3  gj 

2 

bn 
< 

1 
O 

. 

o 

e 

i5 

1 

O 

i 

i 

% 

■s 
o 

g 

15,736 
11,186 

Mos 
26 

15 

1,561 
12 

1,782 
767 

373 
114 

3,716 
893 

41 
5 

422 
62 

22 
5 

307 
71 

63 
10 

729 
133 

49 

36 

2,574 
2,055 

139 
30 

3,554 
2,264 

118 
36 

1,685 
236 

1,803 
272 

37 

92 

2,247 

602 

Aggregate  of  regular  army.. 

Volunteer  force. 
Genera!  siair. 

26,922 

272 
73,260 

.... 

1,573 

2,549 

487 

47 
1,969 

4,609 

47 
9,169 

46 

1 
46 

484 
467 

27 

378 
100 

73 

1 
46 

862 
567 

85 

16 
(*) 

4,629 

169 

5,818 

17 
7,061 

154 

1,921 

2,075 

129 

48 
279 

2,649 

Regiments  and  corps 

10 

50,573 

7,200 

*6,256 

192 

129 

1,189 

1,318 

3,876 

Aggregate  regular  and  vol- 

100,454 

.... 

52,146 

9,749 

2,503 

13,825 

93 

951 

27 

478 

120 

1,429 

101 

10,885 

361 

12,896 

283 

3,110 

3,393 

456 

6,725 

*  In  the  reports  of  the  deaths  of  volunteers  of  ordinary  disease,  officers  are  not  discriminated. 


STATISTICS   OF   THE   WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 


611 


General  return  of  the  number  of  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  artifi- 
cers, and  privates  of  the  regular  army,  killed,  xvounded,  and  died  of  ivounds  in  the  several  con- 
flicts with  the  Mexican  troops,  in  the  year  1846. 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED  IN  BATTLE. 

WOL-NDED 

If 

li 
<:  = 

DIED 

nf  WOUNDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Affair  of  the  Teeommitring  partii  under  Captain  Ihomlon, 
111  drai/oons,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  (Irande,  April 
25,  1846. 

Total 

1 

10 

11 

6 

6 

17 

BaUU  of  Palo  Alio,  Texas,  May?,,  1S4G. 

5 
5 

4 

3 

1 

5 

17 

5 
5 

1 
3 
2 
5 
17 

S 
5 
5 
2 
4 
3 
5 
19 

1 

1 

2a  ./....do.             '                                                      '---      - 

1 

I 

...... 

3d do 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

2 

1 

4th do 

4th  regiment  infantry 

5th do ^            .    . 

2 

1 

8th do 

2 

2 

5 

5 

Total 



5 

5 

3 

40 

43 

48 

2 

8 

10 

BaOle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Texas,  May  9,  1846. 

1 

7 
2 

8 
2 

6 
2 
4 
5 
5 
6 
21 
28 

6 
2 
4 
6 
6 
6 
24 
35 

14 

4 

4 

6 

8 

10 

33 

43 

1 

1 

3d               do                                                                    ( 

4th             do.                                                                    !     ..    . 

1 

1 

...... 

7 

1 

1 

2 
3 

9 

7 

2 

4 
9 

8 

4th do 

1 

1 
3 
5 

1 

5th do 

3 

8th do. 

1 

5 

Total 

3 

30 

33 

12 

77 

89 

122 

11 

11 

Battle  of  Monterey,  Mexico,  September  21,  22,  and  23, 
1846. 

1 
1 

2 
1 
2 

22 
8 

28 

1 
1 
2 
1 
2 

22 
8 

31 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

26 

12 

43 

1 

51 

36 

10 

9 

9 

1 

1 

1st  reginipnt  nrtillery 

1 

1 

2d              do 

1 

3d do 

4 

4 

12 

13 
11 

4 

4 

12 

1 

18 

12 

...... 

...... 

3 

1 

3 

4th do. 

1 

2 

2d              do 

1 
5 
1 

3d              do -- -   ..   .- 

2 
1 
1 
2 

1 

31 

23 

9 

6 

6 

33 

24 

10 

8 

7 

1 
1 

1 
3 

2 

4th do 

5th             do 

4 

7th            do                                                                !----- 

1 
1 

1 
2 

8th       .   -do.. 

1 

._■------ 

Total 

8 

47 

55 

12 

138 

150 

205 

5 

8 

13 

Siege  of  Fort  Brovm,  May  4  to  9,  1846. 

1 

1 
6 

1 

1 
7 

1 
1 
8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

^ 

1 

Total 

1 

1 

1 

2 

7 

9 

10 

1 



1 

612 


STATISTICS   OF   THE   WAR   WITH   MEXICO. 
GENERAL  RETUKN— Continued. 


REniMCMTB    AND  CORPS. 

KILLED  IN  BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

Sirs 

11 
|1 

DIED  OF  WODNDS. 

Ofliceis. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

1 

Men.    1  Total. 

AfairofSan  Fatqual,  CaUfomia,  December,  6,  1846. 
General  fitaff 

1 
1 

...... 

1 

1 

11 

1 
1 

28 

1 

3          14 

17 

Total 

3          14 

17 

2 

11 

13 

30 

Incidental  loss. 
April  19,  1846           

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

April  21,   1846 

May    18    1846 

Total              

3 

3 

3 

Recapitulation  of  loss  in  battle  of  the  regular  ai-my,  by  regiments  and  corps,  in  the  campaign 

of  1846. 


SILLED  ID  BATTLE. 

WOONDED. 

II 

DIED 

OF     WOUNDS. 

heoiments  and  corps. 

Officeis. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

General  staff                       

1 

1 

2 

...... 

2 
1 
3 

...... 

19 
6 

8 
26 
16 
28 

1 

1 

2 

11 

19 

6 

9 

28 

17 

31 

1 
1 

2 
28 
38 

7 
11 
33 
22 
43 

1 
59 
49 
49 
17 
71 

3 

Engineers           _        

1 

1 

3 

2 

14 
17 

1 

2 

5 

5 
12 

"lb" 
15 

9 

2 
10 

17 

19 

1 

2 

5 

5 

12 

1 

20 

17 

9 

2 

12 

3 

2d ..do... 

...... 

...... 

1 

1 
3 
4 

1 

2(1                 do                          

1 

3d               .  do 

4 

4th     do.. 

4 

2 

2d                   do                    

1 
5 
2 

3d do - 

4th do 

5th .do 

3 
2 
4 
3 

8 

36 
30 
36 
12 
51 

39 
32 
40 
15 
69 

1 

2 

i 

1 
4 
3 

"io" 

2 
6 
3 

7th do 

1 

8th do 

2 
3 

10 

Aggregate  in  the  campaign  of  1846 

18 

107 

125 

31 

279 

310 

435 

8 

27 

35 

STATISTICS   OF   THE   WAR   WITH   MEXICO. 


613 


General  return  of  the  number  of  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  artif- 
icers, and  privates  of  the  regular  armij,  killed,  tcounded,  and  died  of  icoxmds,  in  the  several 
conflicts  with  the  Mexican  troops,  in  the  year  1847. 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED  IN   BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

h 
ll 

DIED  OF  WO0ND8. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

BaUU  of  Buma  Vista,  Fehrmry  22  and  23,  1847. 

1 

1 

2 
1 
1 
1 

..... 

1 

18 

7 

2 

6 

2 

19 

7 

3 

6 

2 

20 

11 

2d                 do 

. 

3d  regiment  artillery 

1 
4 

1 
4 

1 
1 

1 

4tli              do                              .                 

1 

Total 

1 

5 

6 

5 

31 

36 

42 

2 

2 

Investment  and  sieye  of  Vera  Cruz,  commencing  9th  and 
ending  2m  March,  1847. 

2d  reffiment  dragoons 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

4 
5 

1 
9 
2 
1 

1 
2 

5 
5 
1 
9 
2 
1 
1 
2 

6 
6 
1 

10 
5 

1 
2 
2 

1 

1 

Regiment  mounted  riflemen          _  _   .  _ 

2d- do 

1 
2 

1 
3 

1 

1 

1 

3d do 

1 

1 

4th               do 

2d  regiment  infantry            ----      -      _-_. 

1 

1 

8th do     

Total - - 

2 

5 

7 

1 

25 

26 

33 

3 

3 

Battle  of  Oerro  Gordo,  April  18  and  19,  1847. 

1 

1 

"i'l" 

45 
3 
14 
26 
42 

1 

1 

1 

63 

45 

3 

16 

27 

43 

1 

1 

1 

1 

74 

55 

3 

21 

32 

52 

1 

2d  regiment  dragoons 

1 
2 

Kegiment  mounted  riflemen                     _.._ 

1 

10 
10 

11 
10 

2 

8 

1 

10 

1st  regiment  artillery.  - , 

1 

4th do 

9d  regimenf,  infanfry 

5 
5 
9 

5 
5 
9 

2 
1 
1 
1 

3d-        -    -   do 

1 
9 

1 

7th       .        do 

9 

A'oltigeurs _._ 

Total 

1 

39 

40 

9 

192 

201 

241 

2 

19 

21 

Battles  of  Contreras  and  Chunibusco,  Mexico,  August  19 
and  20,  1847. 

Engineers ._ 

4 

10 

...... 

1 
11 
39 
75 
26 
31 
70 
26 

6 
54 
79 
11 
33 
42 

4 

11 

1 

1 

3 

12 

42 

76 

27 

32 

75 

29 

6 

57 

81 

13 

34 

46 

1 

4 

15 

5 

2 

6 

16 

55 

83 

34 

36 

90 

34 

7 

63 

90 

17 

36 

49 

1 

Ordnance  

4 
4 

3 
4 
9 
7 
7 
4 
13 
5 
1 
6 
9 
3 
2 
3 
i 

4 
4 
1 
3 
4 

13 
7 
7 
4 

15 
5 
1 
6 
9 
4 
2 
3 

1 
1 

...... 

1 
3 
1 
1 
1 
5 
3 

3 
2 
2 
1 
4 
1 

1 

1 

2d do. 

1 

3d do 

Regiment  mounted  riflemen 

1 

1 
...... 

4 

1 

1st  regiment  artillery. 

2d do 

4 

1 
3 

3d do. 

4 

4th do..   . 

2d  regiment  infantry  .         .           .     

2 

1 

1 

2 

.3d do 

4th do... 1  ^_-   - 

i 

1 
3 
9 

1 
4 

1 

5th do 

3 

6th do 

9 

7th do 

1 

1 

Sth do 

4 

9th do 

10th do 

614 


STATISTICS    OF   THE   WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 
GENERAL  EETURN— Continued. 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED  IN  BATTLE. 

WODIDED. 

1-d 

DIEI 

or  WOONDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Battlta  of  Contreras  and  Churubusco — Continued. 
11th  regiment  infantry 

1 
2 
1 
6 
2 

1 
2 
1 
8 
2 

...... 

5 

7 
22 

1 
CI 

4 

7 
24 

1 
66 

4 

8 
26 

2 
74 

6 

12th do 

14tli do 

loth do 

Voltigeurs 

2 

1 

1 

Total 

10 

D6 

106 

39 

614 

653 

759 

4 

28 

31 

BaUle  of  El  Molino  del  Rey,  Mexico,  September  8,  1847. 
Engineers 

2 
...... 

2 
1 
2 

...... 

4 
3 
10 
3 
3 
5 
2 

...... 

25 

12 
56 
26 

3 
34 
98 
47 
106 
30 

6 
95 

2 

1 
28 

2 
13 
58 
26 

3 

37 

102 

50 

116 

33 

9 
100 

2 

2 

2 

34 

2 

13 

65 

31 

5 

45 

133 

73 

146 

43 

10 

100 

2 

Ordnance . 

1 
6 

1 
6 

2d  regiment  dragoons  _. 

4 

4 

3d do 

Regiment  mounted  ridemen 

2d  regiment  artillery   - 

1 

2 

6 
3 

2 

8 

27 

23 

30 

8 

1 

7 

5 

2 

8 

31 

23 

30 

10 

1 

2 

6 

7 

8 

3d do 

7 

4th do 

...... 

1 
2 

8 

8 

8 

21 

8 

5th do 

4 

10 

6th do 

9 

8th do - 

23 

11th do 

2 

14th do 

1 

I 

Voltigeurs 

1 

I 

Total 

9 

115 

124 

43 

639 

582 

706 

8 

63 

71 

Battle  of  ChapuUepec  and  City  of  Mexico,  Seplemher  12, 
13,  and  It,  1847.    • 

Enc;ineers 

3 

1 
7 
2 

1 

8 

53 

23 

17 

5 

35 

33 

48 

35 

9 

2 

6 

17 

22 

8 

17 

37 

21 

4 

9 

60 

25 

17 

5 

37 

35 

48 

38 

10 

2 

6 

19 

22 

12 

18 

43 

24 

4 

9 
68 
31 
24 

5 
49 
42 
58 
49 
13 

4 
13 
21 
30 
16 
23 
48 
31 

Ordnance 

Eegiment  mounted  riflemen 

8 
6 
7 

8 
6 

7 

6 

6 

1st  regiment  artillery 

2d do 

9 

9 

■M do 

4th .do.. 

2 

10 
7 
10 
10 
2 
2 
6 
2 
7 
4 
5 
5 
6 

12 

7 
10 
11 
3 
2 
7 
2 
8 
4 
5 
5 
7 

2 

2 

...... 

1 

...... 

...... 

1 
6 
3 

3 

3 

2d  regiment  infantry 

3d do 

...... 

3 
6 

4th do 

5th do 

1 

1 

7 

6th .do.. 

2 
3 
4 

2 
3 
4 

1 

8th. do 

9th do 

1 

14lh do 

3 

3 

Voltigeurs 

Marine  corps 

1 

Total. 

7 

97 

104 

37 

397 

434 

538 

1 

39 

40 

STATISTICS   OF   THE   WAR   WITH   MEXICO. 


615 


Los6  {regular  army)  in  incidental  affairs  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  in  1847- 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED    l.N    BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

S-6 

=  3 

DIED    OF    WOCNDS. 

Officers 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers 

Men.      Total. 

Affair  of  Brigadier  General  Kearvy,  United  State^i  army, 
at  Sun  Gabriel,  Calif urnia,  January  8  and  9,  1847. 

1st  rcgiiuent  dragoons 

1 

9 
1 

1 

10 

1 

1 

United  States  navy 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 

Marine  corps 

1 

Total 

1 

1 

1 

11 

12 

13 

1 

.    ----| 

Incidental  loss,  January  l.'J,  1847 __ 

1 

1 

'l 

Affair  of  Colonel  .?.  Priee,  at  I'uehlo  de  Taos,  Mexico, 
February  4,  1847. 

Ist  regiment  dragoons 

5 

5 

1 

18 

19 

1 
2*     i       1      - 

1 

Affair  under  Brevet  Colonel  J.  S.  Mcintosh,  5th  infantry, 
June  6,  1847. 

3d  regiment  dragoons _ 

4 

4 

6 

1 
4 
4 

i 

10 
1 
6 

4 

3d  regiment  infantry 

1 

4th do - 

2 

2 

i 

loth do 

'               1      ■■    ■ 

I              1 

Total 

6 

6 

15 

15 

21 

1 

Affair  of  Colonel  lie  Hussy,    Jjouisiana  volunieers,  at 
Calaboso  river,  Jidy  12,  1847. 

3d  regiment  artillery 

5 

5 

5 

Affairs  under  Major  Lally,  9th  infantry,  at  Paso  Ovejas, 
August  10,  1847;  National  Bridge,  August  12,  1S47; 
Cerro  Gordo,   August  15,  1847  ;   and  Las  Animas, 
August  19,  1847,  &cc. 

1 
1 
9 
9 

5 
11 
15 

7 

9 

1 

I 
9 
1 
6 
13 
15 
9 
1 
9 

1 

2d  regiment  infantry 

1 
13 

'I 
7 

4th do •. 

4 

1 

4 
1 

1 
1 
2 

5th do . 

9th do.- 

11th do... 

1 
2 

1 
2 

12th do... 

15 

15 
10 

1 
9 

15th do 



1 

1 

2 
1 

2 

2 

Marine  corps. 

Artillery  recruits 

1 

1             1 

1 

1 

Total 

9 

9 

7 

67 

74 

83 

2 

1            2 

Under  Brevet   Colonel   T.  Cliiltk,    l$t  artiUery,  siege  of 
Puebla,  Mexico,  commencing  September  13,  and  ending 
October  12,  1847. 

2d  regiment  dr.igoons. 

1 

1 

1 
1 
3 
3 
1 
1 
i 
2 

3d do ...      . 

1 
2 
3 

1 
1 
3 
2 

1 
2 
3 
1 
1 
3 
2 

1 

I 

4th do 

2d  regiment  infantry 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Total 

3 

3 

13 

13 

16 

616  STATISTICS   OF   THE    WAR   WITH   MEXICO. 

Loss  (regular  army)  in  incidental  affairs  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  in  1847 — Continued. 


REOIMENTS    AND    CORrS. 

KILLSD  IN    BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

•a 

2i 

DIED  or  WOOIIDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officera. 

Men. 

Total. 

Affair  of  General   Lane,    JJniled  States  volunteers,   at 
Iluumanlla,  Mexico,  October  9,  1847. 

1 



12 

1 

12 

1 
23 

11 

11 

-— •- 

Total 

] 

12 

13 

11 

11 

24 

Affair  of  General  Lane  at  Galaxca,  Mexico,  November 
24,  1847. 

1 

1 

1 

Affair  of  Lieutenant   Lore,    \st    drngoom,   at   Grand 
Prairie,  Arkansas  river,  June  26,  1847. 

5 

5 

6 

6 

11 

Afair  of  General  Price  at  Santa  Oruz  de  Eozaks,  Neiv 
Mexico,  March  18, 1848. 

9 

9 

9 

Recapitulation  of  loss  in  battle  of  the  regular  army,  hy  regiments  and  corps,  in  the  camp)aign 

of  1847. 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED  IN    BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

1^ 

SI 
|1 

DIED  OF  WOUNDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

1 

1 

2 
2 
5 
1 
2 
3 
6 
4 
11 
5 
3 
2 
3 

5 

26" 

39 

31 

9 

144 

108 

160 

82 

81 

2 
2 

10 

1 

22 

42 

37 

13 

155 

113 

163 

84 

84 

3 

2 

10 

1 

27 

56 

46 

20 

181 

142 

185 

100 

IOC 

1 

1 

5 
14 

8 
7 
24 
25 
21 
13 
20 

5 
14 
9 
7 
26 
29 
22 
16 
22 

...... 

1 
...... 

1 

1st  rci^iment  dragoons.      -     -_ .. 

1 

2d do 

3d     .   ...do - 

1 

5 

llcffiment  mounted  riflenien 

2 
4 
1 
3 
2 

2 

1 
2 

15 

1 
19 
13 

4 

17 

Tst  regiment  artillery 

2 

2d     .      -do 

21 

3d     do - 

13 

4th do.. 

1st  regiment  inftiutry.  -.___- 

4 

Zd do - 

3d       do - 

3 

25 
20 
25 
36 
34 
18 
34 
10 

28 
20 
27 
41 
34 
20 
34 
11 

9 
4 
6 
8 
5 
3 
13 
5 
1 
4 
4 

120 
101 

88 
170 
128 

59 
158 

04 

42' 

33 

129 
105 

94 
178 
133 

62 
171 

69 
1 

4(i 

37 

157 
125 
121 
219 
167 

82 
205 

SO 
1 

58 

41 

1 

1 
2 
2 

2 

1 
4 
15 
11 
19 
13 
29 

2 
4 

4th -do 

5th do 

6th             do.               

2 

5 

16 
13 
21 

7th do 

8th do. - 

2 

13 
31 

!lth             do                                      

i 

lOth   .   ..do 

nth do. - - 

2 

10 
4 

12 
4 

12th           do 

13th do 

STATISTICS   OF    THE    WAR    WITH    MKXICO. 
Eecapitulalion  of  loss  in  battle,  of  i/ie  regular  army — Continued. 


617 


BKOIMENT8    AND    COHl'9. 

KILLED   IK  BATTLE. 

WODHDED. 

1^ 

DIES 

OF  WODNDB. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

6 
11 

6 
13 

7 
6 

15 

97 

22 
103 

28 
116 

...... 

4 

4 

15th            do                              

2 

1 

Ifith             do 

9 
6 

9 

7 

14 

4 

146 
24 

9 
11 

9 

160 

28 

9 

11 

10 

169 

35 

9 

24 

11 

^1 

2 

Marine  corps 

1 

1 

12 
1 

13 

1 

.. 

i 

Aggregate  in  the  campaign  of  1847.. 

Aggregate  in  the  campaign  of  1846 

33 

IS 

398 
107 

431 
125 

143 
31 

1,  953 
279 

2,096 
310 

2,527 
435 

18 

8 

154 

27 

172 
35 

Aggregate  regular  army  Itilled  and  wounded 
in  1846  and  1847 

51 

505 

556 

174 

2,232 

2,406 

2,962 

26 

181 

207 

General  return  of  the  number  of  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  arti- 
ficers, and  2^rivates,  of  volunteers  killed  and  ivounded,  or  died  of  wounds,  in  the  several  confiicts 
with  the  Mexican  troops,  in  the  year  1846. 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED   IN  BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

«  — 

1! 

<3 

DIED 

OF  wonNDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Afair  of  Captain   Wallcer,  near  Point  Jmbd,  Texas, 
April  28,  1846. 

Texas  rangers 

10 

10 

10 

Bam  of  Monterey,  September  21,  22,  and  23,  1846. 
General  staff - 

1 
...... 

6 

"ri" 

75 
33 

4 

5 
47 
19 

1 

17 
79 
39 
4 
5 
52 
21 

1 

23 
105 

54 
6 
5 

61 

26 

•■ 

Maryland  and  Dist.  Columbia  battalion  volunteers 

1 
2 
1 

5 
24 
14 

2 

6 
26 
15 

2 

3 
2 

3 

2 

Louisiana  volunteers 

1 

1 

1st  regiment  Kentucky 

Mississippi  rifles 

9 
5 

9 
6 

5 
2 

1 

1 

2 

1 

Texas  volunteers         .   .. 

1 

•i 

Total - ^- 

5 

59 

64 

18 

200 

218 

282 

1 

9 

10 

Affair  of  General  Kearny,  near  San  Pasqual,  Califor- 
nia, December  6,  1846. 

California  volunteers 

1 

1 

2 

2 

3 

1 

Affair  of  Colond  Doniphan,  at  Brazito,  Xem  Mexico, 
December  26,   1846. 

Missouri  volunteers 

__ 

7 

7 

7 

Aggregate  in  the  campaign  of  1846 

6 

70 

75 

20 

207 

227 

302 

1 

9 

10 

S.  96 78 


618 


STATISTICS    OF   THE    WAR    WITH    MEXICO. 


General  reim-n  of  the  nmnher  of  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  arti- 
Jicers,  and  privates,  of  volunteers  kdled  and  wounded,  or  died  of  ivounds,  in  the  several  conflicts 
with  the  Mexican  troops,  in  the  year  1847. 


REtilMENTS    AND    COBPa. 

KILLED   IK    BATTE. 

WOCKDED. 

i! 

DIED   OF  WOUNDS. 

Officers.; 

1 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Battle  of  Duma  Vista,  Mexico,  February  22  Sf  23,  1847.  ' 
Ali'^sissirn^i  rifles    . 

2 

3 

10 

2 

38 
26 
37 
12 

40 
29 
47 
14 

5 
2 
6 

1 
1 
8 
4 
3 
1 
4 

51 

23 

68 

1 

"28" 
52 
54 
31 
29 

56 
25 

74 
2 
1 
36 
56 
57 
32 
33 

96 
54 

121 

16 

1 

68 

65 

101 
49 
60 

2 

3 

1 

2(1 do -- 

2 

Iiidiiinu  Lric^iidc  stiitT - 



3 
1 
3 
2 

1 

27 

29 
8 
41 
15 
26 

32 
9 
44 
17 
27 

1 

3d do - - 

2 

2 

Arkan'ias cavulrv     ---    -- - - 

2 

2 

Total                      

232 

259 

35 

337 

372 

631 

10 

10 

Investment  ami  &icge  of   Vera  Ci-vz,  Mexico,  commoicing 
March  9,  ^and  ending  March  27,  18-17. 

1st  regiment  Pennsylvania 

2 

2 

10 
4 
4 

1 
5 

10 
4 
5 

1 
5 

12 
4 
5 

1 
5 

2d         do 

1 

2d  regiment  Tennessee  . 

Total 

2 

2 

1 

24 

25 

27 

Battle  of  Cerro  Gordo,  Mexico,  April  17  and  18,  1847. 
I'lt  regiment  Tennessee 

1^ 
3 

1 

15 

3 

8 
1 
1 

4 
37 

9 

10 
17 
15 
39 

4 

12 
38 
10 
10 
17 
16 
44 
5 

13 
53 
13 
10 
17 
17 
48 
5 

1 
3 
2 

1 

2d                do 

2 

3 

2 

1st  regiment  Pennsylvania 

2d     do    

1 

1 
3 

1 
4 

1 
5 
1 

4th do 

1 

8 

8 

Total 

3 

21 

24 

17 

135 

152 

176 

14 

14 

Battles  of  Contreras  and  Churvbmco,   Mexico,  August 
19  and  20,  1847. 

T^pffiment  New  York                            --. - 

1 
3 

15 
8 

16 
11 

10 
11 

76 
115 

86 
126 

102 
137 

19 
26 

19 
26 

Total 

4 

23 

27 

21 

191 

212 

239 

45 

45 

Battles  of  ChapuUepec  and  city  of  Mexico,   September 
12,  13,  and  14,  1847. 

Kegiment  New  York 

1 
2 

10 

14 

7 

11 

16 

7 

8 
9 
6 

57 

75 
84 

65 
84 
90 

76 

100 

97 

I 

Begiment  South  Carolina 

2d  regiment  Pennsylvania 

;      10 

10 

Tot.al   .    . 

3 

31 

34 

23 

216 

239 

273 

ift 

10 

STATISTICS   OF   THE    WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 


619 


Loss  {volunteers)  in  incidental  affairs  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  in  1847. 


REGIMENTS   AND  CORPS. 

KILLED  IN  BATTLE. 

WOCNDED 

£  5 
a  o 

DIED   or   WOCNDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men.      Total. 

Affair  of  General  Kearny,  near  San  Gabriel.  California, 
January  8  and  9,  1847 -. - - 

1 

1 

2 

2 

Affairs  of  Colonel  S.  Priee,  Missouri  volunteers,  at  La 
Canada,   January  24,  1847,  Embudo,   January  29, 
1847,  and  Fueblo  de  Taos,  February  4,  1847. 

Missouri  volunteers 

3 

3 

5 

25 
3 

30 
3 

33 
3 

4 

4 

Santa  Fe  volunteers 

I 

1 

Total 

3 

3 

5 

28 

33 

36      

4 

4. 

1 

Affair  of  Colonel  Doniphan,  Missouri  volunteers,  near 
Sacramento,  New  Mexico,  February  28,  1847. 

Missouri  volunteers 

1 

5 

5 

5 

'    ■ 

Affair  of  Colonel  De  Eussy,  Louisiatia  volunteers,  near 
Calaboso,  Mexico,  July  12,  1847. 

1 

6 

7 
5 

1 
1 

3 
2 

4 
3 

11 

8 

Louisiana  volunteers -- ,--. 

5 

Total                                

1 

11 

12 

2 

6 

7 

19 

Affairs  of  Major  Lally,  9th   infantry,   at  Paso  Ovejas, 
August  10,  National  Bridge,  August  12,  1847,  &(c. 

Georgia  volunteers . . .. 

2 

2 

3 
3 

3 
3 

5 
3 

Louisiana  volunteers --- 

1 

Total 

2 

2 

6 

6 

8 

1 

1 

Under  Bra'et  Colonel  T.  Childs,   \st  artillery,  siege  of 
Puebla,  Mexico,  commencing  September  13,  1847,  and 
ending  October  12,  1847. 

15 

15 

2 

1 

27 
2 
1 
i 

29 
2 

1 
5 

44 
2 

Regiment  South  Carolina     . -■_    ... 

..1 

1 
5 

1 

Total                                  

15 

15 

1       3 

34 

37 

52 

Affair  of  Major  Lane,  Virginia  volunteers,  November  21, 
1847. 

1 

! 
1      

4 

4 

5 

Affair  of  General  Lane,  United  States  volunteers,  near 
Galaxra,  November  24,  1847. 

Corps  not  specified 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

3      

1 

I--  -  -  -  - 

620  STATISTICS   OF   THE    WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 

Loss  (volunteers)  in  incidental  affairs  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  in  1847 — Continued. 


REGIMENTS    AND    CORPS. 

KILLED  IN  BATTLE. 

WOUNDED. 

•T3 

.l-g 

£  3 

DIED   OF   WOCNDS. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Total. 

Officers. 

Men. 

Toul. 

£■5 
|1 

Officers.    Men. 

Total. 

Incidental  lots. 
January  24,    1S47 

1 

...... 

2 

4 

1 
1 
3 
5 
1 

3 
2 

3 
2 

4 
3 

Muv  27,  1847 

June  27.  1847 

1 

1 
1 

3 
14 

1 

July  6,  1847 

9 

9 

On  road  to  Huamautla j. 

Total 

4 

7 

11 

14 

14 

25 

Affair  of  Gtneral  I'rice,  Untied  Stales  volunteers,  at  Santa 
Cruz  de  Rosales,  March  IC,  1848. 

Third  Missouri  mounted  volunteers » 

1 

3 

4 

8 

8 
1 

1 

12 

1 
1 

S:inta  Ft-  volunteers 

1 
1 

Chihuahua  rangers 

Total 

1 

3 

4 

10 

10 

14 

Affair  o/ General  Lane,  Segualteplan,  Mexico,  Febniary 
25,  1848. 

Texas  rangers 

1 

4 

5 

5 

Affair  of  Colonel  Burton,  New  York  volunteers,  at  "  To- 
dos  Santas,"  Aprd  30,  1848. 

1 

1 

l' 

Under  Lieutenant  Ilm/u-oorl,  United  States  navy,  siege  of 
SanJosi,  Lower  California,  Felmiary  7  and  10,  1848. 

Sailors,  marines,  and  California  volunteers 

1 

2 

3 

4 

4 

7 

Affair  of  Captain  Steele.  A'ew  York  and  California  vol- 
unteers, San  Antonio,   March  16,  1848. 

New  York  and  California  volunteers 

1 

1 

1 

STATISTICS   OF   THE  WAR   WITH    MEXICO. 
Eecapitulation  of  loss  in  battle  of  the  volunteer  forces  in  the  campaign  of  184*7. 


REGIMENTS  AND  CORPS. 


KILLED  IN  BATTLE. 


Men.    I  Total. 


WO0.VDED. 


Total. 


Offlcera.     Men.      Total 


DIED  OF  WOO.NDS. 


Indiana  brigade,  staff. 

Mississippi  rifles 

1st  regiment,   Illinois. -. 

2d  regiment,  Illinois 

3d  regiment,  Illinois 

4th  regiment,   Illinois 

Texas  company 

2d  regiment,  Indiana 

3d  regiment,  Indiana 

Regiment  Kentucky  cavalry 

1st  regiment,  Kentucky 

2d  regiment,  Kentncky 

Regiment  Arkansas  cavalry 

Ist  regiment,  Pennsylvania 

2d  regiment,  Pennsylvania 

Regiment  Soutli  Carolina. 

1st  regiment,  Tennessee 

2d  regiment,  Tennessee 

Regiment  Georgia 

2d  regiment.  New  York 

California  volunteers 

Missouri  volunteers 

Santa  F^  volunteers. 

Louisiana  volunteers 

Spy  company 

Maryland  volunteers. 

Virginia  volunteers -- 

Incidental  loss 

Corps  not  specified 

Chihuahua   rangers 

Texas  rangers 

1st  regiment.  New  York. 

Sailors,  marines,  and  California  volunteers. 
New  York  and  California  volunteers 


2 

3 

10 


38 
26 
37 

1 

3 
12 
29 

8 
26 

3 
41 
15 
17 

7 
22 

1 
13 

2 
25 


Aggregate  in  the  campaign  of  1847. 
Aggregate  in  the  campaign  of  1846. 


44 
5 


355 
70 


Aggregate  volunteers  killed  and  wounded 
in   1846  and  1847 


49 


40 
29 
47 

1 

4 
14 
32 

9 
27 

3 
44 
17 
17 

7 
27 

1 
15 

2 
27 


7 

1 

11 

1 


1 
5 
2 
6 
1 
5 
1 
8 
4 
4 
1 
3 
1 
2 
6 
21 


19 
1 
5 


51 

23 

68 

15 

39 

1 

28 

52 

29 

9 

54 

31 

47 

107 

195 

4 

38 

8 

137 

1 

38 

4 

5 

4 

3 

4 

14 

1 

1 

4 


1 

56 

25 

74 

16 

44 

2 

36 

56 

33 

10 

57 

32 

49 

113 

216 

12 

39 

8 

156 

2 

43 

4 

6 

5 

4 

4 

14 

2 

1 

5 

1 

4 


1 

96 

54 

121 

17 

48 

U6 

68 

65 

60 

13 

101 

49 

66 

120 

243 

13 

54 

10 

183 

2 

50 

4 

11 

5 

11 

5 

25 

3 

1 

5 

1 

7 

1 


399 
75 


111 
20 


1,019 
207 


1,130     !  1,529 
227     I       302 


425   474 


131 


1,226  I  1,357  I  1,831 


10 

26 

1 

3 


19 

4 


83 


92 


10 

26 

1 

3 


19 


83 
10 


93 


War  Department, 

Acljvianl  General's  Office,  Washinffton,  December  3,  1849. 


R.  JONES, 
Adjutant  General  United  States  Army. 


The  aggregates  reported  in  the  several  recapitulations  of  "  loss  in  hattle,"  do  not  agree  with 
those  reported  in  the  first  table  of  this  series.  The  losses  in  battle  are  obtained  from  the  field 
reports  of  the  commanders,  forwarded  immediately  after  the  action,  and  are  liable  to  revision 
when  subsequently  reported  in  the  regimental  returns  and  company  rolls. 

The  statistics  of  the  war  are  presented  as  close  approximations  only  ;  the  difficulties  attending 
their  compilation  being  so  numerous  as  to  render  the  attainment  of  positively  accurate  results 
impracticable. 


STATISTICS 


OF 


THE  RECRUITING  SERVICE. 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  RECRUITING  SERVICE. 


The  army  of  the  United  States,  as  at  present  organized  by  law,  numbers,  in  the  aggregate, 
12,698  men  ;  of  whom  1,040  are  commissioned  officers,  the  remaining  11,658  being  enlisted 
soldiers.  By  an  act  of  Congress,  approved  June  17,  1850,  the  President  is  authorized  "to 
increase  to  seventy-four  the  number  of  privates  in  any  company  serving  at  the  several  military 
posts  on  the  western  frontier,  and  at  remote  and  distant  stations."  There  being  on  the  1st  of 
January,  1856,  one  hundred  and  eighty-one  companies  serving  at  distant  stations  and  on  the 
western  frontier,  the  authorized  increase  in  the  number  of  privates  was  then  5,164;  making  the 
total  enlisted  16,822,  and  the  aggregate  17,862.  If  all  the  companies  were  serving  at  remote 
stations,  the  additional  number  of  privates  allowed  would  be  5,620,  making  the  total  enlisted 
17,278,  and  the  aggregate  18,318.— (See  Army  Register,  1856.) 

As,  however,  there  are  continual  losses,  by  the  retirement  of  men  whose  terms  of  service  have 
expired,  by  desertions,  deaths,  and  other  casualties,  the  army  rarely  attains  the  legal  strength, 
and  there  is  always  a  certain  deficiency  of  material  to  be  supplied  by  the  recruiting  service. 

The  recruiting  service  is  conducted  by  the  Adjutant  General,  under  the  direction  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  War.  From  the  annual  reports  of  that  officer,  it  appears  that  the  number  of  recruits 
enlisted  in  the  army  during  the  last  six  years  has  been  as  follows: 

From  October  1,  1849,  to  September  30,  1850 3,695 


1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 


1851 4,567 

1852 4,174 

1853 2,863 

1854 4,221 

1855 10,546 


Total 30,066 


Annual  average 5,011 


In  the  United  States,  Avhere  there  is,  as  a  general  rule,  ample  and  remunerating  employment 
for  mechanics  and'  laboring  men,  there  is  but  little  inducement  to  enter  a  service  where  the  pay 
is  small,  and  the  duties  both  arduous  and  dangerous.  It  is,  accordingly,  found  that  the  material 
ofiered  in  time  of  peace  is  not  of  the  most  desirable  character,  consisting  principally  of  newly 
arrived  immigrants,  of  tliose  broken  down  by  bad  habits  and  dissipation,  the  idle,  and  the  im- 
provident. 

The  principal  rendezvous  are  located  in  tlie  large  cities;  and  of  2,726  men  enlisted  from 

January  1  to  December  31,  1852,  1,234,  or  nearly  one-half,  were  enlisted  in  the  State  of  New 

York ;  and  of  these,  fully  two-thirds  were  from  the  city  of  the  same  name.     To  illustrate  the 

character  of  the  material  offering  at  the  different  recruiting  stations,  the  following  table  has 

s.  96 79  • 


626 


STATISTICS    OF   THE    RECRUITING    SERVICE. 


been  prepared.     It  shows  the  places  of  enlistment,  tlie  numbers  enlisted  and  rejected,  and  the 
causes  of  rejection : 

Recruits  enlisted  and  rejected  in  the  year  1852,  at  the  rendezvous  of  the  general  recruiting  service. 


Stales. 

■a 
S 
.2 

1 
1 

Itejeolcd  as 
minors. 

■C.S 

cj  it 

1  = 
1° 

■3  . 

is 
s 

g 

S 

V 

C 

O 

£ 

1 

li 

3  3 

c  « 

■3 

!.§■ 

s 

•a 
■3.2 

Con 

1^ 

■a 
£ 

3 

a. 

3 

is 

•a 

■c 

New  York 

1,234 
541 
263 
221 
197 
116 
98 
51 
5 

1,442 
790 
419 
152 
146 
22 
130 
34 
37 

710 
309 
401 
139 
60 
40 
117 
3 
21 

312 
112 
168 
42 
12 
13 
61 

97 

7 

2 


823 

486 

259 

210 

63 

37 

58 

15 

14 

132 
56 
29 

5 
15 

4 

345 
43 
36 
45 

8 
18 

8 
S 

1 

1 
1 

85 
15 
3 
9 
2 


48 
2 

4 

1 

316 

16 

23 

45 

6 

1 

7 

571 

207 

94 

65 

42 

8 

78 

4 

2 

37 
6 
5 

16 

7 

310 
112 
102 
46 
25 
4 
47 

U 

193 

509 

Kentucky 

SO 

1 

2    

1    

33 

300 

Louisiana 

2 

135 

'         8 

2 

Rhode  Island 

12 



Total 

2,Ti6 

3,162 

1,806 

732 

106 

1,965 

243 

630 

16 

114 

55 

314 

1,071 

51 

32 

657 

2,434 

Total  examined 16,064 

Total  rejected 13,338 


Total  enlisted 2,726 


Of  tlie  total  oifering,  only  16.9  per  cent,  were  considered  fit  for  service.  It  is  probable  that 
the  real  per  centage  is  much  smaller  even  than  this,  as  doubtless  the  non-commissioned  officers 
do  not  bring  to  the  notice  of  the  recruiting  officers  and  examining  surgeons  a  large  number 
who,  either  through  age,  intemperate  habits,  or  broken  constitutions,  would  certainly  be  rejected 
by  them. 

In  the  army  of  the  United  States,  where  the  voluntary  system  for  recruiting  obtains,  the  duty 
of  deciding  on  the  efficiency  of  the  recruit  depends  upon  an  examination  by  a  recruiting  officer 
and  a  military  surgeon.  Every  consideration  touching  the  economy  and  efficiency  of  the  army 
demands  that  this  examination  be  very  thorough,  both  in  regard  to  moral  and  physical  dis- 
abilities. The  regulations,  therefore,  enjoin  that,  "in  passing  a  recruit,  the  medical  officer  is 
to  examine  him  stripped,  to  see  that  he  has  free  use  of  .all  his  limbs;  that  his  chest  is  ample; 
that  his  hearing,  vision,  and  speech  ar«  perfect;  that  he  has  no  tumors,  or  ulcerated  or  exten- 
sively cicatrized  legs ;  no  rupture  or  chronic  cutaneous  affection;  that  he  has  not  received  any 
contusion  or  wound  of  the  head,  that  may  impair  his  faculties ;  that  he  is  not  a  drunkard,  is  not 
subject  to  convulsions,  and  has  no  infectious  or  other  disorder,  that  may  unfit  him  for  military 
service."  The  surgeon  is  also  required  to  certify,  on  honor,  that  the  recruit  passed  by  him  is 
"free  from  all  bodily  defects  and  mental  infirmity,  which  would  in  any  way  disqualify  him  from 
performing  the  duties  of  a  soldier." 

The  following  paragraph  from  the  "Regulations  for  the  Recruiting  Service,"  is  introduced  to 
show  the  general  qualifications  necessary  to  enlistment: 

"All  free  white  male  persons  above  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  under  thirty-five  years,  being 
at  least  five  feet  four  and  a  half  inches  high,  who  are  efi'ective,  able-bodied,  sober,  free  from 
disease,  and  who  have  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  may  be  enlisted.  This 
regulation,  so  far  as  it  respects  the  height  and  age  of  the  recruit,  shall  not  extend  to  soldiers 
who  may  're-enlist'  into  the  service,  or  have  served  honestly  and  faithfully  a  previous  enlist- 
ment in  the  army,  or  to  musicians." 

A  very  large  proportion  of  the  recruits  are,  as  has  been  mentioned  above,  foreigners.     Indeed, 


STATISTICS   OF   THE   RECRUITING   SERVICK 


627 


hj  the  foregoing  table  it  will  be  perceived  that  2,434  persons  were  rejected  for  not  being  able  to 
speak  the  English  language.  A  large  proportion  of  the  immigrants  who  are  landed  at  our  sea- 
port cities,  where  the  army  is  principally  recruited,  are  extremely  destitute;  and  to  those  not 
finding  immediate  employment,  the  army,  in  its  system  of  enlistments  for  the  short  period  of 
five  years,  offers  a  temporary  resource,  of  which  many  avail  themselves.  In  this  way  the  army 
assists  in  peopling  the  remote  frontiers  and  territories;  for  the  soldier,  transported  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  stations  on  the  western  or  other  frontiers,  becomes  in  many  cases,  when  dis- 
charged, a  settler,  and  enters  into  agricultural  or  other  pursuits  of  civil  life. 

Of  5,000  recruits  enlisted  in  the  army  during  the  years  1850  and  1851,  1,484  were  native 
Americans,  and  3,516  were  foreigners. 

The  Americans  came  from  the  following  States: 


From  New  York 419  ^i  From  Illinois 13 


ti 
a 


Pennsylvania 257 

Massachusetts 102 

Virginia 87 

Maryland 87 

Ohio 84 

Vermont C9 

New  Jersey 53 

Maine 50 

Connecticut 4G 

Kentucky 41 

New  Hampshire 38 

Khode  Island 32 

Tennessee 23 


The  foreigners  were: 

From  Ireland 2113 

"     England 306 

"     Scotland 126 

"     Wales 8 

"     Canada 90 

"     Nova  Scotia 19 

"     New  Brunswick 13 


Total  from  Great  Britain  and  dependencies  2675 

From  Germany 678 

"     Sweden 12 

"     Denmark 7 


a 


a 
a 


Indiana 13 

South  Carolina 12 

North  Carolina 10 

Missouri 9 


Michigan 

Louisiana 

Delaware 

District  of  Columbia. 

Georgia 

Alabama 

Wisconsin 

Arkansas 

Iowa 


From  Norway 

"     Holland 

"     Belgium 

"     France , 

"     Switzerland 
"     Poland 


7 
6 
4 
4 
3 
1 
1 
1 


5 

9 

2 

49 
22 
16 


Him  gary 19 

Italy 13 

Austria 5 

S^min 2 

Prussia 1 

Finland 1 


Many  of  these  foreign  recruits  had  been  soldiers  in  their  own  countries,  and  some  were 
doubtless  refugees  from  political  causes.  A  number,  too,  of  deserters  from  the  British  army 
in  Canada,  find  their  way  into  our  service,  though  they  are  rejected  when  the  fact  is  known ;  as 
a  soldier  who  has  not  proved  faithful  to  his  own  flag,  is  not  likely  to  prove  true  to  another. 

In  the  year  1852,  fifty-one  applicants  for  enlistment  were  rejected  at  the  rendezvous  in  New 
York,  as  branded  with  the  letter  D,  showing  that  they  had  been  tried  and  punished  for  deser- 
tion.    Most  of  these  found  their  way  over  the  Canada  frontier. 

The  relative  proportion  of  native  and  foreign  recruits  is  reversed  in  time  of  war.  During 
the  war  of  1812-'15  the  regiments  were  almost  wholly  made  up  of  Americans;  aud  the 
volunteer  and  new  regiments  which  were  formed  during  the  war  with  Mexico  consisted  almost 


f)28 


STATISTICS   OF    THE   RECRUITING   SERVICE. 


entirely  of  citizens  born  within  tlie  limits  of  the  United  States.  Even  in  the  general  recruiting 
service,  this  fact  is  plainly  shown;  the  following  being  the  nativity  of  5,000  recruits  enlisted  in 
the  year  1847  for  the  regular  army  in  Mexico. 

Americans 3,639 

British 771 

Germans 473 

Europeans  generally 117 


Total .■ 5,000 


The  Americans  were: 

From  New  York 705 

"  Pennsylvania 555 

"  Virginia 299 

"  Ohio 230 

"  Kentucky 218 

"  Maryland 168 

"  Tennessee 167 

"  North  Carolina 146 

"  New  Jersey 126 

"  Connecticut 123 

"  Maine 117 

"  Indiana 108 

"  Vermont 100 

"  Massachusetts 97 

"  South  Carolina 93 

"  Georgia 89 


From  New  Hampshire 79 


Alabama 

Rhode  Island 

Delaware 

District  of  Columbia 

Missouri 

Michigan 

Louisiana...-. 

Illinois 

Mississippi 

Arkansas 

Florida 

Iowa 


48 
32 
21 
22 
24 
22 
21 
15 
9 

•  » 
O 

1 
1 


Total . 


3639 


As  a  body,  these  men  were  of  much  better  material  than  those  who  enlist  in  time  of  peace. 
They  were  taller,  more  intelligent,  had  better  constitutions  and  habits,  and  were  for  the  most 
part  young  and  enthusiastic.  It  is  well  known  that  fully  200,000  men  offered  their  services  as 
volunteer  soldiers  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  at  the  commencement  of  the  Mexican 
war.  These  men  were  mostly  actuated  either  by  motives  of  patriotism,  or  by  a  desire  for  change 
and  excitement,  and  not  by  the  hope  of  personal  or  pecuniary  reward. 

Medical  officers  on  duty  at  recruiting  rendezvous  are  required  to  transmit  to  the  Surgeon 
General,  monthly,  returns  of  "recruits  examined,"  giving  the  name  of  each  man  examined, 
the  place  of  his  nativity,  his  age,  his  profession,  and  the  causes  of  rejection,  if  any. 

From  the  returns  thus  rendered,  the  following  table  has  been  comj)iled,  showing  the  amount 
of  disability  among  the  recruits  brought  to  the  surgeon  for  examination. 

For  the  convenience  of  comparison,  and  as  a  matter  of  general  interest,  the  arrangement  has 
been  made  according  to  nations,  as  far  as  it  could  be  conveniently  carried  out. 


Nationality. 

No.  of  rocrulta. 

Passed. 

Rejected. 

Americans 

Germans 

English  and  Scotcli 

Irish 

Europeans  generally 

Total 

2,000 
2,000 
2,000 
2,000 
2,000 

1,332  ' 

1,310 

1,272 

1,240 

1,229 

66S 
690 

728 
760 
771 

10,000 

6,383 

3,617 

STATISTICS   OF    THE   RECRUITING    SERVICE. 


629 


From  tlie  above  tabular  statement,  it  will  be  perceived  that  the  best  material  offering  for 
service  was,  as  we  should  naturally  expect:  first,  our  own  native  population  ;  next,  the  Germans, 
who,  as  immigrants,  are  usually  of  a  better  class  than  those  coming  from  the  British  islands; 
and,  lastly,  the  Europeans  generally,  who  are  decidedly  inferior  in  physique  and  morals.  The 
Americans  who  oifer,  notwithstanding  they  take  the  first  place  in  the  above  table,  are  mostly 
recruited  in  the  larger  cities,  which,  as  is  well  known,  never  yield  such  able-bodied  men  as  the 
agricultural  districts.  Tlie  difficulty  of  procuring  remunerative  employment,  experienced  by 
the  lower  classes  of  the  people  in  Great  Britain,  and  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  added  to  the 
very  great  facilities  for  their  transportation  across  the  Atlantic,  results  in  throwing  upon  our 
shores  great  numbers  who  have  suffered  from  restricted  and  improper  diet,  scanty  clothing,  and 
other  depressing  causes^  which  notoriously  deteriorate  a  population,  and  increase  the  numbers 
of  diseased  and  malformed  individuals. 

The  following 'table  gives  more  in  detail  the  causes  of  rejection  in  the  cases  of  5,000  individ- 
uals, taken  in  succession  from  the  reports  of  examining  surgeons,  on  file  in  the  Surgeon 
General's  office.  It  is  interesting,  as  showing  to  some  little  extent  the  peculiarities  of  race  in 
the  distribution  of  diseases  and  malformations,  and  also  the  general  causes  which  operate  in 
rendering  the  lower  classes  generally  unfit  for  soldiers.  There  is  a  remarkable  uniformity  in 
the  prevalence  of  certain  classes  of  disease  and  injuries.  For  example:  the  epileptics  were  3  in 
1,000  Americans,  4  in  1,000  English,  4  in  1,000  Irish,  and  4  in  1,000  Europeans.  Gonor- 
rhoea and  syphilis  are  found  in  almost  the  same  proportion  in  each;  and  the  rejections  for  spinal 
curvature,  old  injuries,  defective  vision,  and  ulcers,  are  remarkably  uniform  in  results.  While 
the  Germans  and  other  Europeans  seem  to  have  had  more  unsound  and  broken  constitutions  in 
their  numbers,  the  Americans  present  an  excess  of  rejections  as  too  slender,  and  not  sufficiently 
robust ;  a  result  doubtless  due  to  the  fact  that,  as  a  general  rule,  they  were  young  men  who  had 
not  arrived  at  the  full  development  of  their  physical  strength. 


Causes  of  rejection. 


English. 


Irish. 


Europeans. 


Not  robust,  too  Blender 

Unsound  and  broken-down  constitutions 

General  unfitness 

Imbecility,  unsound  mind. 

Epilepsy - 

Intemperance  and  bad  habits . 

Hernia,  and  lax  abdominal  rings 

Varicose  veins  and  varicocele 

Hemorrhoids .. 

Syphilis - 

Gonorrhoia ; 

Loss  of  teeth 

Unequal  length  of  limbs 

General  malformation 

Malformation  of  fingers,  toes,  and  feet.. , 

Malformed  and  contracted  chest 

Spinal  curvature 

Old  injuries,  fractures,  &c 

Cicatrices 

Tumors 

Disease  of  bones  and  j  oints 

"   of  skin 


138 

95 

96 

74 

91 

63 

28  i 

27 

23 

9  . 

11 

5 

3 

4 

86 

24 

113 

53 

97 

53 

163 

177 

184 

36  < 

25 

35 

16  1 

24 

30 

12 

10 

12 

13 

6 

7 

6 

12 

16 

13 

37 

13 

24.  ! 

48 

24 

87 

39 

46 

17 

20 

19 

60 

52 

47 

11 

10 

18 

3 

6 

7 

10 

18 

26 

22 

35 

23 

61 
68 
32 
11 
4 

102 
48 

183 
34 
25 
11 
12 
9 
20 
34 
36 
16 
44 
22 
14 
19 
49 


77 

131 

40 

6 

4 

28 

92 

170 

9 

28 

9 

5 

9 

27 

29 

52 

26 

60 

17 

4 

11 

20 


467 

427 

150 

42 

15 

353 

343 

877 

139 

123 

54 

43 

52 

110 

159 

260 

98 

263 

78 

34 

84 

149 


630 


STATISTICS   OP   THE   RECRUITING   SERVICE. 
TABLE— Continued. 


Causes  of  rejection. 

Americans. 

Gennans. 

Englisb. 

Irish. 

Europeans. 

Total. 

Disease  of  heart                                              .... . 

5 

14 

1 

30 

1 

8 

5 

8 

4 

11 

22 

7 

18 
3 

28 

1 
7 
8 
4 

6 

22 

2 

27 

3 
25 

6 
39 

1 

8 

7 

4 

4 

10 

18 

2 

7 

1 

11 

12 

31 

3 

20 

33 

*  •        testis  and  tunica  vaginalis 

*'        anus  ...         ........----. - 

110 

15 

**        eyes    ....         -     .....     ......--. 

144 

*  *        ears             .          .....                      ...... 

3 

' '         £rlands    .                  .                          _   _      _ 

2 

11 

5 

6 

12 

22 

2 

2 

3 

14 

25 

10 
3 

41 

"         abdomen  , . . ___.. .. 

24 

14 

13 
29 
16 

14 
37 
7 
4 
3 
2 

60 

Ulcers 

Goitre               ......        --__   ..            .-- .--- 

128 
27 

Ascites  and  anasarca 

13 

1 
5 

1 

8 

Letter  D                       

2 

34 

1 

Total 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

5,000 

The  returns  also  afford  the  necessary  data  for  determining  the  different  trades  and  occupations 
of  the  individuals  presented  to  the  medical  officers  for  examination,  as  well  as  the  specific  dis- 
ability in  each  case. 

The  following  table  gives  the  occupation  of  8,000  persons,  with  the  numbers  respectively  passed 
and  rejected,  arranged  in  classes  of  one  thousand  each : 


Occupations. 

Passed. 

Rejected. 

Total. 

567 
573 
587 
580 
632 
633 
641 
672 

433 
427 
413 
420 
368 
367 
359 
328 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

Clerks,  students,  and  teachers- 

1,000 

Blacksmiths,  machinists,  and  worUers  in  metals. - 
Shoemakers......              --.... 

1,000 
1,000 

Tailors 

1,000 

Carpenters  and  workers  in  wood ' 

1,000 

Total.. 

4,885 

3,115 

8,000 

Although  desirous  of  avoiding  the  error  of  going  too  much  into  the  details  of  these  statistics, 
it  is  believed  that  a  statement  of  the  specific  causes  of  rejection  in  each  of  the  above  classes  will 
be  both  useful  and  interesting.  Tlie  .subjoined  table  has,  therefore,  been  compiled  from  the 
original  monthly  returns : 


STATISTICS   OF   THE   KECEUITING   SEEVICE. 


631 


Causes  of  rejection. 


Not  robust 51 

Unsound  constitution 27 

Imbecility 29 

Intemperance 49 

Lax  abdominal  rings 21 

Hernia 17 

Varicose  Teins  - '  68 

Hemorrhoids 18 

Syphilis  and  gonorrhoea 6 

Loss  of  teeth 4 

Malformations,  general 25 

Malformations  of  chest 16 

Injuries,  fractures,  &c. 25 


Tumors 

Diseases  of  bones 

"         skin 

"  chest 

' '         heart 

"         testis 

"         eyes 

' '         ears 

' '  glands-  - 

Defective  hearing  .. 
"       vision 

Ulcerations 

Disease  of  abdomen. 

Letter  D  


5 

4 
12 
2 
1 
6 
22 


27 
38 
40 
35 

9 
14 
69 
10 
20 

5 
20 
32 
29 

6 

9 
12 

6 


10 
17 


50 

43 

8 

29 

3 

23 

78 

8 

6 

7 

39 

19 

26 

3 

6 

16 

2 

5 

8 

11 


5 
1 

2 

11 
1 


Total 433 


1 

■I 

1 

7 

8 

4 

9 

4 

1 

3 

2 

427 

413 

43 
40 
20 
33 

10 

64 

27 

17 

7 

21 

41 

13 

2 

9 

15 

6 

5 

9 

14 

1 

2 

2 

9 

5 


"5   s 

a  s 


28 

31 

16 

45 

1 

16 

83 

9 

9 

3 

22 

17 

24 

3 

12 

12 

2 

2 

7 

8 

1 


420 


368 


64 
29 
16 
53 

3 
14 
38 
19 

8 

3 
25 

30     I 
19     ! 

2 

6 

9 

3 

4 

7 

7 


61 
33 

6 
57 

2 

14 
37 

9 
14 

2 
16 
19 
22 

5 

4 
12 

3 

3 
15 

9 


35 

27 

14 

32 

2 

19 

69 

9 

11 

4 

18 

13 

29 

3 

4 

5 

5 

8 
3 
1 


1 

11 

2 

1 


367       359     !  328 


The  occupations  and  professions  from  which  recruitiare  obtained,  are  presented  in  detail  in 
the  following  list,  which  is  arranged  in  three  distinct  classes — those  horn  in  the  United  States, 
in  Great  Britain,  and  in  continental  Europe: 

Occupations  and  professions  of  recruits. 


Occupations. 

Americans. 

British. 

Europeans. 

Occup.ltions. 

.\mcricans. 

British. 

Europeans. 

Butchers 

5 

9 

35 

21 

13 

79 

187 

90 

84 

Carnenters                   -- 

47 

16 

50 

Soldiers 

121 

73 

129 

Blacksmiths 

54 

16 

39 

Bakers -_ 

3 
3 

186 

19 

1 
439 

46 
11 

131        ' 

Shoemakers 

Tailors          

3*     , 
21 

20 

56 
27 

8 

30 

25 

Laborers - 

Masons 

16 

Clerks - 

59 

59 

77 

Brewers   

17 

632 


STATISTICS   OF   THE    RECRUITING   SERVICE. 
OCCUPATIONS,  &c.— CoiitinueJ. 


Occupations. 


Sailors 

Weavers 

Bookbinders  , 

Saddlers 

Painters  

Millers 

Stonecutters . 

Printers 

Merchants  .. 
Physicians  .. 


22 
1 


11 

«3 

8 

4 

15 


British. 


5 
13 


Europeans. 


14 

14 

12 

12 

9 

9 

11 

7 

8 

5 


Occupations. 


Americans.  !     British.    lEuropeans. 


Ijawyers 

Clergymen 

Codjiers 

Machinists 

Students  and  teacliers 

Servants .. 

Mechanics  of  various  kinds. 


10 

11 

2 

7 

121 


4 

10 

2 

40 

80 


1 
1 

11 
6 

10 
12 

89 


Total 1,000 


1,000        1,000 


The  regulations  for  the  recruiting  service  jire.scrihe  that  no  person  shall  he  enlisted  who  is 
under  18  or  over  35  years  of  age.  The  period  of  life  in  -which  a  recruit  can  be  enlisted  is  thus 
kept  within  very  narrow  limits,  and  no  great  disparity  in  the  ages  of  persons,  from  different 
countries,  brought  to  the  examining  surgeons,  is  to  he  expected.  As,  however,  one  rea.son  for 
the  number  of  Americans  rejected  as  "too  slender"  was  stated  to  be  their  youth,  as  compared 
with  recruits  from  foreign  countries,  a  more  minute  inquiry  into  this  branch  of  the  subject  was 
instituted.     The  result  is  as  follows: 


Nativity. 


United  States 

England  and  Scotland 

Ireland 

Germany 

Other  countries  in  Europe 


No.  of  recruits. 


200 
200 
200 
200 
200 


Total  No.  of  years. 


4,802 
4,862 
4,884 
5,130 
5,153 


Average  age. 


24.01 
24.31 
24.42 
25.65 
25.76 


Inquiry  has  also  been  made  in  regard  to  the  comparative  physical  development  of  Americans 
and  Europeans.  The  results,  from  data  taken  indiscriminately  from  the  records  of  the  Surgeon 
General's  office,  are  exhibited  in  the  following  table: 


Height. 

AMERICANS^. 

E.S01.1SH. 

EUROPEANS. 

No.  of  soldiers. 

Mean  weight. 

No.  of  soldiers. 

Mean  weight. 

No.  of  soldiers. 

Mean  weight. 

Pounds, 
141       1         134. 02 
260       1         137.  60 

535 
721 
733 
614 
411 
222 

Pounds. 
134.  74 
138.41 
145. 13 
146.  18 
150.  09 
152.87 

215 

249 

241 

175 

116 

76 

24 

17 

Pounds. 
134.  57 

5     "     6        "      

138.  02 

5     >'     7        "      

309                141.31 
262                145.40 
220                148.06 

143.36 

5     I"    8        "                

145.  23 

5     I'    9        "     

152.82 

5     "  10       "     

149 

154.  36 
160.82 
164.80 

156.71 

5     "  11        "     

112 

84 

116                  158.60 

159.79 

fi     '*    and  over    ----- 

87 

161.30 

166.80 

Totals  and  averages. - 

1,537 

148.  29 

1 

3,439                148.41 

1 

1,113                149.66 

STATISTICS    OF    THE    RECRUITING    SERVICE. 


633 


A  more  particular  physical  description  of  American  recruits  will  be  found  in  the  following 
table,  which  exhibits  the  mean  height,  in  feet  and  decimals,  of  1,800  men,  taken  as  they  were 
entered  upon  the  lists  of  recruits  filed  in  the  Adjutant  General's  office.  The  results  are  given 
for  one  hundred  men  from  each  State.     No  recruit  under  five  feet  five  inches  received. 

Physical  description  of  American  recruits. 


Indiana 

Kentucky 

Ohio 

Tennessee 

Maine 

Vermont  and  N.  Hampshire 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut 

North  Carolina 

Georgia 

South  Carolina 

Alabama 

Virginia 

New  York 

Pennsylvania 

New  Jersey  and  Delaware  .. 

Maryland 

Illinois 

Missouri  .... 


Mean 
beigbt. 


Fed. 
5.  7604 
5.7729 
5.  7537 
5.7779 
5.  7314 
5.6951 
5.6821 
5.7814 
5.8272 
5.7729 
5.7647 
5.  7488 
5.  6505 
5.  6756 
5.  6509 
5.7130 
5.  7696 
5.7162 


Fl.  in. 
6  i\ 
6  3| 
6  3i 
6  3 
6  2 
6  1 
6  3 
6  3J 
6  6i 
6  4} 
6  4 
6  2 
6  IJ 
6   1 
6   1 
6  2 
6  3 

6  n 


Blue.  Grey.  Hazel  Black  Brown 


28 
22 
33 
15 
43 
54 
40 

8 
19 
11 

6 
32 
59 
54 
27 
23 
38 
35 


Dark  B.  Light  B 


17 
18 
15 
36 
28 
14 
14 
26 
30 
22 
30 
21 
8 
9 
27 
18 
19 
23 


24 
28 
19 
27 
12 
20 
19 
27 
24 
32 
30 
19 
16 
16 
26 
20 
17 
21 


Red. 


13 
8 

14 

11 

9 

4 

12 

20 

18 

23 

13 

9 

6 

8 

8 

13 

15 

9 


Black. 


COMPLEXION. 


Fair.     Dark, 


18 
24 
19 
11 
8 
6 
15 
19 
9 
12 
21 
19 
11 
13 
12 
16 
11 
12 


73 
69 

67 
74 
75 
79 
72 
77 
69 
77 
71 
71 
68 
65 
67 
70 
71 
80 


27 
31 
33 
26 
25 
21 
28 
23 
31 
23 
29 
29 
32 
35 
33 
30 
29 
20 


Having  shown  to  some  extent  the  sources  from  which  the  army  of  the  United  States  is  recruit- 
ed, and  given  the  general  characteristics  of  the  several  classes  offering  for  enlistment,  it  is  pro- 
posed, in  conclusion,  to  show  what  becomes  of  the  recruit,  so  far  as  the  military  service  is  con- 
cerned.    For  this  purpose  reference  is  made  to  the  following  table: 


Nationality. 

Expiration  of  '   By  order 
service,          A.  G.  O. 

By  court- 
martjnl. 

Disability. 

Died.         Killed  acci-     Killed  in  battle 
dentally.          and  died  from 
wounds. 

Deserted.             Total. 

Americans 

549 
618 
664 

171 
155 
UI 

63 
54 
53 
20 

260 
229 
259 
306 

193 
237 
226 
273 

15     ,                 57 
23                      49 
27                     62 
.17                          R<>. 

692 
635 
568 

2,000 
2,000 
9  nnn 

Irish     _   .......... 

Germans  _       ...... 

719            149 

434     '        2   000 

Total 

2,550             filfi     1        190 

1,054 

9  "9               102                  2.sn 

2  329     1       8  nnn 

S.   96- 


-80 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


No  ATTEMPT  has  been  made  to  incorporate  in  this  report  the  medical  statistics  of  the  Florida 
war.  The  exceedingly  arduous  nature  of  the  campaigns  in  that  peninsula,  the  necessitj'  of 
pursuing  an  unseen  enemy,  in  trackless  forests,  over  low  marshy  grounds,  and  through  wet 
hammocks,  so  extensive  as  to  make  it  difficult  to  find  dry  ground  whereon  to  encamp,  proved 
fruitful  sources  of  those  fearful  scourges  of  armies — fever,  diarrhoea,  and  dysentery.  To  these 
sufficiently  exciting  causes  of  disease,  must  he  added  the  (at  times)  depressed  morale  of  the 
army  (both  officers  and  men),  arising  from  the  frequent  failure  of  their  efforts  to  overtake  or 
meet  the  enemy. 

The  medical  statistics  of  the  army  in  Florida,  during  the  war,  would,  by  no  means,  afford  a 
proper  basis  by  which  to  judge  of  the  healthiness  or  unhealthiness  of  that  territory ;  nor  would 
their  collation  do  much  more  than  prove  that  the  troops  suffered,  in  an  extraordinary  degree, 
from  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  and  from  diarrhoea  and  dysentery. 

The  prominent  medical  feature  of  that  war  was  the  introduction  into  the  army  of  the  practice 
of  giving  quinine  in  large  doses,  during  the  intermission  of  intermittent,  and  remission  of  re- 
mittent fever  ;  and,  also,  of  the  exhibition  of  that  remedy  in  the  febrile  stage  of  those  diseases. 

Without  attempting  to  decide  upon  the  originalifi/  of  this  practice,  in  any  of  its  phases,  or  to 
determine  to  whom,  among  the  medical  officers,  is  due  the  merit  of  introducing  it  into  the  army, 
(for  on  this  point  the  official  records  are  silent,)  it  may  with  truth  be  said,  that  to  the  medical 
staff  of  the  army  belongs  the  credit  of  having  demonstrated,  on  an  extensive  scale,  its  safety 
and  efficacy,  and  of  having  thereby  largely  contributed  to  revolutionize  the  treatment  of  fever 
in  this  country. 

It  has  not  been  practicable  to  ascertain  from  the  official  records  the  precise  time  of  the  intro- 
duction into  the  army  of  the  practice  of  giving  quinine  in  large  doses.  The  earliest  reports  of 
sick,  in  which  that  practice  is  alluded  to,  refer  to  the  treatment  as  having  been  adopted  some 
time  previously.  The  reports  of  Assistant  Surgeon  (now  Surgeon)  J.  J.  B.  Wright,  for  the 
quarter  ending  June  30,  1841,  and  of  Assistant  Surgeon  (now  Surgeon)  Charles  McCormick, 
for  the  quarter  ending  September  30,  1841,  are  the  first  which  are  accompanied  with  any 
special  or  detailed  account  of  this  treatment.  The  remarks  of  Surgeon  Wright  are  embodied  in 
the  report  of  that  officer,  (herewith  submitted,)  in  reply  to  the  Surgeon  General's  circular  of 
August  14,  1843.     The  special  report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  McCormick  is  as  follows: 


638  REPORTS   ON    THE   ADMINISTRATION 

"Fort  R.  Gamble,  M.  F.,  Ocioher  11,  1841. 

"Sir:  Fever  has  been  the  ])revailing  disease  during  this  quarter;  and  next,  in  frequency, 
have  been  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  function.  Of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-seven  cases  reported,  sixteen  were  of  the  remittent,  one  hundred  and  nineteen  of  the 
quotidian,  and  thirty-two  of  the  tertian  type.  From  this,  it  appears  that,  in  one  himdred  and 
tliirty-five  of  the  cases,  there  were  daily  paroxysms  of  fever;  and  I  think  the  strongest  pecu- 
liarity of  character  the  cases  have  presented  this  season,  has  been  the  strong  tendency  they 
have  had  to  run  into  and  assume  the  remittent  type.  In  fact,  in  many  of  the  cases,  it  has  been 
extremely  difficult  to  draw  a  distinct  and  plain  line  of  demarcation — to  say  where  one  ended, 
and  the  otiier  commenced.  Some  two  or  three  have  assimied  the  form  known  as  'congestive 
fever.' 

"The  three  military  stations  embraced  in  this  report  appear  to  have  been  judiciously  located, 
and  are  probably  as  healthy  as  could  have  been  selected  in  the  neighborhood,  with  due  regard 
to  their  military  importance.  The  only  causes  which  operate  in  producing  disease  at  these 
stations  (excepting  intemperance  alone)  may  be  considered  as  general  to  the  territory — such 
as  malarial  exhalations,  atmospheric  vicissitude,  and  the  exposure  to  which  troops  are  subject 
day  and  night. 

"In  regard  to  the  treatment  of  the  fevers  arising  from  these  causes,  my  opinion  has  under- 
gone a  very  important  change  within  the  last  two  years;  and  every  day's  experience,  during 
this  period,  has  tended,  in  the  most  ample  and  satisfactory  manner,  to  convince  me  that  this 
change  has  not  only  been  important,  but  that  the  practice  foundetl  upon  it  has  been  judicious 
and  successful  in  the  highest  degree.  In  relation  to  the  intermittent  forms  of  fever,  the  change 
was  more  in  the  mode  of  administering,  and  in  the  quantities  of  the  remedies  given,  than  in  the 
remedial  agents  themselves.  Some  two  years  since,  I  was  so  unsuccessful  in  arresting  the  par- 
oxysms of  intermittent  fever  with  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  given  in  two-grain  doses  every  hour, 
(although,  during  the  apyrexia,  as  much  as  twelve,  eighteen,  or  twenty-four  grains  had  been 
given,)  that  I  laid  it  by  in  despair,  and  resorted  to  sedatives  and  relaxants — such  as  tartrate  of 
antimony,  ipecac,  opium,  &c.  Still,  however,  I  was  not  satisfied;  and  the  great  reputation  the 
Peruvian  bark  had  so  long  enjoyed  created  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of  abandoning  its  use. 
Soon,  therefore,  I  determined  to  give  it  another  trial  in  larger  doses;  and,  with  this  view,  I 
commenced  three  or  four  hours  before  the  expected  paroxysm,  and  gave  from  four  to  six  grains 
every  hour,  until  it  produced  its  peculiar  effects  upon  the  brain — ringing  and  buzzing  sounds 
in  the  ears,  a  sense  of  stricture  across  the  forehead,  and  temporary  or  transient  deafness — 
effects  invariably  produced  in  every  case  where  three  or  four  such  doses  had  been  given.  From 
this  time  forward  I  was  constantly  successful ;  nor  do  I  remember  a  case  in  which  it  failed, 
when  the  peculiar  effects  it  displays  on  the  nervous  system  were  produced.  Finding,  then,  that 
the  enlarged  doses  had  such  happy  effects,  I  was  induced,  in  many  cases  where  the  apyrexia 
was  short,  to  give  it  in  single  doses  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  or  twenty  grains,  according  to  the 
violence  of  the  disease.  Here,  then,  I  saw  cases  of  intermittent  fever  that  could  not  be  arrested 
by  fifteen  or  twenty  grains  of  sulphate  of  quinine,  (in  fact,  as  before  stated,  it  daily  failed,)  given 
in  small  and  divided  doses,  yielding  immediately  to  the  same  quantity  given  in  large  doses  in 
a  much  shorter  interval.  Again:  the  small  doses  seemed,  when  frequently  rejjeated,  in  many 
cases  to  prove  stimulating,  flushing  the  face,  producing  mental  excitement  and  headache. 
Scarcely  one  of  the  patients  to  whom  small  doses  had  been  given  complained  of  the  singing 
and  buzzing  in  the  ears,  and  deafness,  which  were  constantly  complained  of  by  those  to  whom 
large  doses  had  been  given.  There  would,  then,  appear  to  be  great  difference  in  the  effects 
produced  by  small  and  frequently  repeated  doses  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  and  those  impres- 
sions made  by  large  and  full  doses.  The  action  of  opium  furnishes  what  I  consider  as  a  close 
analogy,  acting  in  small  and  frequently  repeated  doses  as  a  stimulant,  and  in  large  doses  as  a 
sedative.  The  analogy  holds  further:  I  do  not  believe  the  severest  pain  can  modify  more 
strongly  the  action  of  opium,  and  thus  render  doses  beneficial,  that  would,  under  ordinary  con- 


OF   QUININE   IN    LARGE   DOSES.  639 

ditions  of  the  system,  prove  fatal,  than  that  the  violence  of  the  fever  can,  and  does,  modify  the 
action  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine ;  and  thuw,  during  severe  and  highly  dangerous  fever,  render 
safe,  heneficial,  and  sanative,  a  quantity  that,  in  ordinary  health,  could  not  he  tolerated.  I 
have  given  upwards  of  three  hundred  grains  in  less  than  twenty-four  hours,  in  an  extreme  case 
of  congestive  fever,  that  was  ushered  in  hy  total  insensibility,  speechlessness,  inability  to  swal- 
low, the  power  of  deglutition  being  entirely  lost,  cold  extremities  and  surface,  pulse  feeble  and 
nearly  extinct;  in  fact,  it  was  not  to  be  felt.  Here,  the  first  effort  to  administer  the  sulphate 
of  quinine  was  made  to  throw  fifty  grains  into  the  rectum.  In  this  case,  the  only  perceptible 
effects  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  (which  was  repeated  after  the  pulse  rose,  and  the  extremities 
became  hot,  in  twenty-grain  doses,  every  hour,  for  twelve  or  thirteen  hours)  were  to  throw  out 
upon  the  surface,  generally,  a  warm,  free  perspiration,  and  to  reduce  the  pulse  from  one  hun- 
dred and  upwards  to  eighty  per  minute,  and  rendering  it  soft  and  compressible;  and,  undoubt- 
edly, by  allaying  the  fever,  it  enabled  the  calomel,  which  had  been  given  every  hour  with  the 
quinine,  in  ten-grain  doses,  to  exert  its  full  effect  upon  the  secretions.  Free  alvine  evacuations 
were  procured,  and  a  speedy  and  complete  recovery  followed  in  a  few  days. 

"I  am  satisfied  that  the  best  mode  of  administering  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  is  to  give  from 
ten  to  fifteen  grains  as  soon  as  the  paroxysm  is  over.  Given  thus,  before  or  after  the  paroxysm, 
it  appears  at  times  to  fail;  for  the  paroxysm  returns  sometimes  without,  and  at  others  with,  a 
struggle  (as  the  patients  have  described  it  to  me)  between  the  medicine  and  the  disease.  In 
many  of  the  cases  it  would  appear  that  the  disease  conquers,  and  the  paroxysms  return;  but, 
on  examining  the  pulse,  it  will  be  found  more  bounding,  yet  softer,  and  more  easily  compressed. 
Although  the  paroxysm  has  thus  returned,  it  is  much  moderated  and  changed  in  its  character; 
and  I  think,  with  three  exceptions  in  more  than  two  hundred  cases,  it  has  always  proved  the 
last  paroxysm,  the  disease  having  yielded.  But  I  am  confident  of  my  ability  to  prevent  such 
returns  by  giving  fifteen  grains  of  quinine  at  the  end  of  the  paroxysm,  and  following  it  by  five- 
grain  doses  every  six  or  eight  hours,  until  half  a  drachm  is  taken  in  the  interval,  or  even  in  the 
twenty-four  hours  ;  or  by  giving,  in  addition  to  the  fifteen  grains  at  the  end  of  the  paroxysm, 
ten  grains  or  fifteen  grains  an  hour  or  two  before  the  period  for  the  accession  of  the  next 
paroxysm.  This  latter  is  the  plan  I  have  used  successfully  in  the  only  few  cases  of  quartan 
ague  I  have  met  with.  Such  I  have  found  to  be  the  most  successful  mode  of  using  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine  in  the  treatment  of  intermittent  fevers ;  and  I  have  never  found  it  to  inter- 
fere with  whatever  antiphlogistic  measures  it  has  been  necessary  to  use.  General  and  local 
bleeding  should  always  precede  the  use  of  quinine  in  every  case  in  which  they  are  indicated. 
I  have  found  this  practice  constantly  to  favor  the  full  impression  of  the  quinine. 

"In  many  of  the  cases  of  intermittent  fever  I  have  observed  a  regular  recurrence  of  the  disease ; 
in  some  cases  every  seventh,  in  others  every  ninth,  fourteenth,  twenty-first,  and  twenty-eighth 
day.  In  many  of  the  cases  of  this  kind  I  have  succeeded  in  breaking  up  the  morbid  catenation, 
and  arresting  the  disease,  by  anticipating  the  recurrence  of  the  paroxysms  for  one  or  two 
periods  with  the  sulphate  of  quinine.  In  cases  of  tliis  kind,  tiie  premonitory  stage  is  very 
common ;  and  when  this  makes  its  attack,  the  administration  of  ten  or  fifteen  grains  of  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine  has  invariably  proved  successful.  In  this  manner,  during  the  past  two  sum- 
mers I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  free  myself  from  this  troublesome  complaint. 

"As  I  have  said  at  the  commencement  of  these  remarks,  about  two  years  since  I  changed  my 
opinion  of  the  treatment  of  the  remittent  forms  of  fever.  At  that  time  the  practice  I  was  pur- 
suing was  general  and  local  bleeding,  as  required,  free  alvine  evacuations,  the  mercurial  impres- 
sion, cold  bland  drinks,  cold  affusions,  and  counter-irritants ;  and  I  then  thought  it  the  most 
judicious.  The  practice,  however,  rar'ely  succeeded  in  arresting  the  disease  jiromptlj' ;  and  no 
part  of  this  treatment  possessed  a  quick  and  certain  power  to  arrest  the  disease  generally — un- 
less, in  some  few  cases,  venesection  ;  and  that  only  in  the  forming  stage.  Here,  then,  generally, 
was  the  practice  I  was  pursuing  in  what  are  termed  remittent  fevers ;  and  hy  far  the  greater  por- 
tion of,  indeed  nearly  all,  the  authors  wiiom  I  had  read,  and  whom  I  was  taught  to  regard  as 


640  REPORTS   ON    THE   ADMINISTRATION 

standard  authorities — condemned  in  the  most  unqualified  terms  tlie  use  of  the  Peruvian  hiuk, 
and  all  its  preparations,  in  the  treatment  of  this  disease.  I  gave  them  implicit  belief,  and 
would  have  deemed  it  the  height  of  malpractice  to  have  used  it,  as  it  only  should  be  used, 
boldly,  in  any  such  case.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  reasoning  by  analogy,  an  idea  that  its  use 
might  be  advantageously  extended  to  the  treatment  of  remittent  fevers  in  all  their  varieties,  forced 
itself  upon  my  mind.  My  attention  was  first  roused  by  the  wonderful  and  almost  infallible 
power  I  had  myself  witnessed  that  this  potent  remedy  possessed  over  every  variety  of  inter- 
mittent fever.  Again,  I  reflected  that  they  were  the  result  of  the  same  causes — their  anatomi- 
cal characters,  to  say  the  least,  very  similar;  that  they  had,  in  very  many  cases,  such  a  decided 
tendency  to  assume  the  chai'acters  of  each  other ;  that  the  differences  in  tlie  accession,  duration, 
and  symptoms  of  the  paroxysms,  are  in  reality  but  slight.  For  instance :  the  diagnosis  between 
them  in  many  cases  is  very  difficult,  from  the  passing  of  the  one  into  the  other;  and,  in  fact, 
many  authors  describe  them  as  varieties  of  the  same  type;  and,  finally,  that  they  both  yield 
readily  and  promptly  to  the  same  general  treatment,  except  some  few  cases  of  the  severer  forms 
of  each,  in  which  the  best  devised  j^ractice  may  fail.  Here,  then,  by  name,  are  two  diff'erent 
diseases,  according  to  some  authors;  according  to  others,  only  a  variety  of  the  same  type  of 
fever,  not  in  reality  differing  more  from  each  other  in  the  accession,  duration,  and  symptoms  of 
the  paroxysms,  or  in  the  nature  of  the  intervening  periods,  than  do  the  varieties  of  those  which 
are  plainly  intermittent  among  themselves,  or  those  which  are  plainly  remittent;  there  being  as 
great  a  difference  of  character  among  the  varieties  of  the  former,  and  also  among  the  latter,' as 
between  the  intermittent  and  remittent. 

"From  this  view  of  the  subject,  they  appear  only  as  varieties  of  the  same  disease,  and  as  such 
I  regard  them.  But  admit  it  otherwise ;  all  who  oppose  the  use  of  the  preparations  of  Peruvian 
bark  in  the  treatment  of  remittent  fever,  will  say  the  practice  I  formerly  pursued,  as  stated 
above,  was  judicious.  I  deem  it  such  now,  and  only  regard  the  addition  to  it  of  the  timely  and 
free  use  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  as  rendering  it  almost  certain  of  success  in  this  form  of 
fever.  The  use  of  it  in  remittents  is  as  necessary,  as  judicious,  and  as  harmless,  as  it  is  in  the 
intermittent  form.  It  has  been,  perhaps,  as  much  from  a  different  view  of  the  action  of  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine  upon  the  system,  as  from  regarding  the  two  forms  as  different  fevers,  that  the 
great  opposition  to  its  use  in  remittent  fever  has  been  made.  I  will  endeavor  to  give  a  fair  and 
impartial  view  of  its  action,  from  personal  observation  in  many  hundred  cases.  I  regard  its 
action  in  large  doses  as  sedative ;  certainly  all  admit  it  to  be  the  greatest  and  most  powerful 
anti-periodic  or  anti-intermittent  known  to  the  profession.  I  can  aver,  from  long  experience, 
that  I  have  never  known  it  to  increase  inflammation ;  and  that  I  have  given  it  freely,  under  all 
circumstances,  and  am  fully  satisfied,  from  observation,  that  it  not  only  has  no  power  to  retard 
the  cure  of  inflammation,  but  that,  in  fact,  all  its  tendency  is  to  accelerate  it  ;  that  it  will  pre- 
vent congestions  and  inflammations  from  occurring  in  fever,  by  allaying  the  irritation  whicli 
excites  and  causes  them.  I  have  given  it  at  all  times  of  the  paroxysms  with  perfect  safety,  and 
have  never  witnessed  any  alarming  or  dangerous  efiects  from  its  administration  under  any  such 
circumstances.  The  results  of  my  experience  of  the  effects  and  properties  of  the  sulphate  of 
quinine  may  be  thus  stated:  1st.  It  is  a  sedative,  possessed  of  peculiar  properties,  which  may 
be  termed  anti-periodic  or  anti-intermittent.  2d.  It  has  no  power  to  augment  inflammation, 
and  may,  therefore,  be  given  under  all  circumstances.  3d.  Nor  has  it  any  power  to  prevent  tlie 
cure  of  inflammation  ;  but,  under  many  circumstances,  a  direct  and  positive  power  to  prevent  it. 
4th.  It  may  be  given  at  any  period  during  t!ie  paroxysm; — I  prefer  the  decline,  or  just  after  it 
has  subsided.  5th.  During  the  course  of  fever,  it  accelerates  the  absorption  of  whatever  reme- 
dies maybe  introduced  into  the  system,  such  as  mercui'y;  this  I  can  only  explain,  by  saying 
that  it  allays  the  fever,  and  consequently  withdraws  the  excitement  of  the  organs,  which,  as 
long  as  it  continues,  must  diminish  in  a  great  degree,  if  it  does  not  entirely  stop,  secretion  and 
absorption.  6th.  It  will  allay  more  speedily,  and  more  certainly  than  any  other  remedy,  those 
troublesome  symptoms,  nausea  and  vomiting,  so  common  in  the  fevers  of  this  country;  and  by 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  641 

the  same  virtue,  it  will  arrest  the  paroxysms  of  fever,  and  thus  leave  whatever  leaion  may  exist, 
at  the  point  to  which  it  had  arrived  when  the  fever  was  arrested  ;  and,  hy  thus  withdrawing 
the  excitement  from  the  injured  organ,  will  prevent  its  heing  hurried  beyond  this  point; 
and,  consequently,  they  will  much  more  readily  yield  to  remedial  agents. 

"Such,  then,  are  the  properties  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine;  and  can  anyone,  regarding  them 
as  such,  hesitate  to  administer  it  in  fever,  as  it  is  evident  that  this  remedy  may  safely  he  em- 
ployed, even  in  cases  where  local  inflammations  exist;  and  that,  too,  without  augmenting  them? 

"  In  the  next  place,  a  view  of  the  nature  of  fever  may,  in  some  measure,  enable  us  to  see  the 
modus  opermidi  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  and  serve  to  explain  its  almost  specific  power  in  ar- 
resting the  paroxysms  and  progress  of  fever. 

"  Broussais,  in  order  to  explain  the  power  of  quinine  in  arresting  intermittent  fever,  was 
forced  into  the  absurdity  of  giving  to  a  stimulant  (as  he  regarded  it)  the  power  constantly  of 
subduing  gastroenteritis,  of  which,  he  contended,  the  fever  was  symptomatic;  and  such  is 
likely  to  be  the  fate  of  all  who  contend  that  all  fevers  are  symptomatic  of  local  inflammations  of 
the  different  organs. 

"  To  endeavor  to  arrive  at  the  proximate  cause  of  fever  solely  by  examining  the  bodies,  after 
death,  of  those  who  have  died  of  fever,  seems  about  as  hopeless  as  to  examine  the  wreck  a  vio- 
lent tornado  has  left  in  passing  over  a  section  of  country,  in  search  of  the  cause  that  originated 
the  tornado.  We  may  see  and  know  the  effects  each  has  produced,  and  ever  after  be  able  to 
ascribe  these  phenomena  to  the  causes  producing  them;  but  they  reveal  to  us  nothing  in  relation 
to  the  precise  condition  of  the  body,  or  of  the  atmosphere  they  themselves  have  originated  in. 
Dissection  alone  cannot  be  trusted  4;o,  in  seeking  the  proximate  cause  of  fever.  It  is,  doubtless, 
of  high  importance  in  teaching  us  what  organs  are  prone  to  suffer,  and  thus  arouse  our  efforts 
to  protect  and  relieve  them ;  but  when  has  dissection  detected  the  difference  in  the  brains  of 
those  who  have  died  of  hypochondriasis,  tetanus,  or  liysteria?  or  can  it  distinguish  the  brain  of 
high  intellectual  endowment  from  that  of  idiocy?  The  train  of  phenomena  constituting,  and 
the  action  of  the  remedies  most  successful  in  arresting  the  disease,  must,  doubtless,  be  of  vast 
assistance  in  enabling  us  to  arrive  at  just  conclusions  ;  for  if  tliey  are  disregarded,  we  fail  to  de- 
tect the  great  and  primary  link  in  the  train  of  sequences  constituting  fever-lesion  of  the  nervous 
system. 

"Those  who  contend  that  fever  is  not  symptomatic  of  local  inflammation  say,  'Fever  is  an 
essential  or  primary  disease.  The  first  appreciable  event  in  the  chain  of  sequences  constituting 
fever,  is  functional  injury  of  the  nervous  system.  The  only  essential  or  invariable  consequence 
of  this  affection  is  iunctional  derangement  of  the  most  important  organs  of  the  body,  but  more 
especially  of  the  brain,  the  circulating  organs  and  fluids,  the  alimentary  canal  and  skin.  The 
changes  which  have  been  observed  to  take  place  in  the  blood  and  other  animal  fluids,  are,  like 
the  local  disorders,  secondary,  and  not  primary;  they  may  be  the  source  of  the  phenomena  re- 
marked in  the  advanced  stage  of  the  disease,  but  they  are  not  the  source  of  the  disease  itself  in 
the  first  instance.'  That  functional  lesion  of  the  nervous  system  is  the  first  link  in  the  train  of 
phenomena,  is  generally  admitted ;  and  that  this  universally  follows  the  impression  of  the  remote 
cause,  must  also  be  admitted ;  in  other  words,  they  stand  in  the  relation  of  aiuse  and  eflect. 
The  truth,  then,  is,  in  my  opinion,  that  the  malaria,  or  other  cause  of  fever,  first  acts  as  a 
■morbid  irritant  on  the  nervous  system — sometimes  more  forcibly  on  the  cerebro-spinal,  and  at 
others  more  so  on  the  ganglionic  department,  causing  a  derangement  of  function  therein;  the 
capillary  vessels  throughout  the  organs  become  iuvolved,  and  congestions  and  inflammations  are 
excited;  and  whatever  organs  have  suffered  most  from  the  predisposing  and  exciting  causes,  will 
be  most  violently  affected.  There  is,  evidently,  great  disturbance  of  the  nervous  and  vascular 
systems,  and  they  evidently  act  and  react  on  each  other,  and  thus  produce  the  phenomena  of  the 
paroxysms.  The  inflammatory  congestions  that  occur  in  the  first  paroxysm  are  aggravated  and 
increased  by  every  succeeding  one,  and,  unless  arrested  by  suitable  means,  will,  in  a  great  major- 
ity of  cases,  end  in  organic  lesion  of  some  vital  organ,  and  terminate  fatally. 

S.  96 81 


642  REPORTS    ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

"Moreover,  if  from  the  constant  and  invariable  effect  of  any  remedy  in  arresting  disease,  any 
certain  conclusions  can  be  drawn,  the  almost  specific  power  of  tbe  sulpliate  of  quinine  in  sub- 
duing the  paroxysms  of  fever  must,  at  least,  be  regarded  as  indicating  the  nervous  system  as  the 
fons  et  origo  of  the  cause  of  fever ;  for  it  is  manifest  that  the  whole  power  and  effect  of  this  potent 
remedy  is  exerted  upon  this  system,  whether  or  not  the  remedy  be  regarded  as  a  sedative.  The 
excitement  nnd  derangement  produced  in  this  system  by  the  remote  cause,  points  out  its  action 
to  be  tliat  of  a  morbid  irritant.  It  cannot  consist  in  inflammation,  as  quinine  possesses  no  im- 
mediate and  prompt  power  to  arrest  inflammation.  Nor  can  it  be,  as  Dr.  CuUen  supposed,  seda- 
tive ;  for,  if  it  acted  thus,  it  would  not  constantly  produce  excitement  and  derangement. 

"This  irritated  state  of  the  nervous  system  is  the  sine  qua  non,  the  original,  I'undaiuental,  or 
proximate  cause,  to  which  all  the  other  phenomena  of  fever  are  successive.  It  consequently  fol- 
lows, that  if  this  irritation  be  allayed,  and  its  return  prevented,  the  phenomena  of  fever  will 
cease;  and  such  is  the  fact. 

''If  the  fever  has  been  suffered  to  continue  for  any  length  of  time,  the  different  organs  may,  and 
in  many  cases  must,  be  found  in  various  morbid  conditions.  It  must,  therefore,  be  remembered, 
that  removing  the  cause  can  only  prevent  further  injury;  and  that  whatever  lesions  exist  up  to 
the  time  of  its  removal,  must  remain  and  require  proper  treatment  to  subdue  them.  It  is  like 
plucking  a  thorn  from  a  wound;  it  does  not  immediately  repair  the  injury  it  inflicted,  but,  on 
being  withdrawn,  ceases  to  act  as  an  irritant,  and  leaves  the  part  in  a  condition  most  favorable 
to  recovery. 

"Kegarding  this,  then,  as  the  true  pathology  of  fever,  the  treatment  may  be  considered  to 
consist  mainly  in  the  following  indications — viz:  ^ 

"  To  arrest  the  fever  at  its  outset,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable ;  to  obviate  the  tendency 
to  inflammatory  congestions,  especially  of  the  liver,  stomach,  intestines,  and  brain,  by  mode- 
rating the  febrile  reaction;  and,  finally,  to  remove  the  local  disorders  and  complications  that  may 
have  occurred.  The  remedy  on  which  I  place  the  greatest  reliance  to  arrest  the  progress  of 
fever  is  the  sulphate  of  quinine.  To  accomplish  this  object,  it  should  be  given  boldly,  in  large 
doses.  General  and  local  bleeding,  cathartics  (such  as  the  mercurial  preparations,  castor-oil, 
sulphate  of  magnesia,  and  calcined  magnesia)  cold  drinks,  and  ablutions,  are  the  means  adopted 
to  allaj'  the  febrile  reaction ;  and  to  obviate  the  tendency  to  inflammatory  congestions,  and  to 
combat  the  local  disorders,  topical  bleeding,  counter-irritants,  and  alteratives. 

"Such  is  a  general  outline  of  the  practice  I  have  pursued  for  nearly  two  years  past,  in  the 
treatment  of  the  fevers  I  have  met  with  in  Florida ;  and  I  can  safely  say  that  it  has  proved 
successful  in  every  case  which  has  been  under  my  immediate  charge,  in  which  it  was  adopted — 
amounting  to  several  hundreds.  I  have,  at  times,  prescribed  for  many  patients  without  having 
seen  them  during  their  illness ;  and  even  in  every  case  of  this  description — under,  of  course,  every 
disadvantage — it  has  been  as  successful,  with  one  solitary  exception.  This  was  the  case  of  Pri- 
vate Campbell,  whose  death  is  recorded  in  this  rejDort.  He  was  on  duty  with  a  detachment 
stationed  at  Auseilla  ferry,  near  old  Fort  Koger  Jones;  I  was  on  my  way  to  the  place,  to  have 
him  removed  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  R.  Gamble,  when  his  death  was  reported  to  me.  He  died 
very  suddenly;  and  from  the  information  I  received,  I  believe  his  death  resulted  from  the  fever 
known  as  'congestive  fever,'  which  I  have  seen  in  that  locality.  All  the  other  cases  occurring 
at  that  station,  that  came  under  my  immediate  charge,  yielded  readily  to  tlie  treatment. 

"A  few  remarks  in  regard  to  the  mode  of  using  the  sulphate  of  quinine  may  be  necessary. 
In  all  cases,  strict  attention  should  be  given  to  the  state  of  the  vascular  system ;  for,  as  has  been 
before  remarked,  general  and  local  bleeding  should  always  precede  the  exhibition  of  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine,  in  every  case  in  whicli  they  may  be  indicated,  inasmuch  as  this  practice  will 
be  found  constantly  to  favor  the  action  of  the  quinine,  probably  by  diminishing  excitement  and 
moderating  the  reaction  of  the  vascular  or  the  nervous  system.  With  the  same  view,  either 
before  or  soon  after  its  administration,  an  active  mercurial  cathartic,  to  procure  free  alvine  evac- 
uations, should  be  given;  to  be  followed,  if  necessary,  by  a  combination  of  sulphate  of  magnesia, 


OP   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  643 

and  calcined  magnesia,  or  castor-oil.  I  have  concluded,  from  experience,  that  the  best  time  for 
the  sulphate  of  quinine  to  he  given  is  immediately  at  the  end  of,  or  as  a  paroxysm  subsides,  or  as 
near  this  time  as  passible.  Nature  herself  would  seem  to  indicate  this,  for  at  this  time  there  is 
generally  a  calm — a  pause  in  the  disease.  There  is  no  general  rule  to  determine  the  quantity 
of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  that  may  be  required.  In  ordinary  cases,  I  have  found  from  fifteen 
to  twenty-iive  and  thirty  grains  sufficient.  In  the  severer  forms,  a  larger  quantity  becomes 
necessary;  and,  in  dangerous  cases  (such  as  I  cited  when  endeavoring  to  show  how  the  severity 
of  fever  modified  its  action),  from  ten  to  twenty  grains  may  be  given  every  hour  in  combination 
with  ten  grains  of  calomel.  Here  the  mercurial  impression  is  an  agent  whose  auxiliary  power 
we  require. 

"For  those  cases  commonly  called  'congestive  fevers,'  which  I  had  met  with  previously  to 
having  adopted  this  practice,  there  seemed  to  be  no  remedies  on  which  any  reliance  could  be 
placed.  It  has  been  in  the  severe  and  extreme  cases  of  this  formidable  malady  that  I  have  seen 
this  remedy  (sulphate  of  quinine)  exhibit,  to  the  greatest  advantage,  the  Herculean  and  almost  in- 
credible power  it  possesses  over  the  cause  originating  the  disease,  to  which  it  would  almost  seem 
to  act  as  an  antidote.  In  cases  of  this  nature,  it  must  be  given  fearlessly,  in  large  and  fre- 
quently repeated  doses,  and  persevered  in  until  its  effects  are  manifest. 

"One  of  the  most  annoying  and  troublesome  symptoms  in  the  fevers  of  this  section  of 
country  is  the  irritability  of  stomach,  accompanied  with  incessant  nausea  and  vomiting. 
Hitherto,  in  a  large  majority  of  severe  cases,  I  have  had  this  difficulty  to  contend  with  ;  and, 
in  many  instances,  it  has  resisted  every  remedy.  Under  the  present  mode  of  treatment,  I  have 
had  no  difficulty  in  relieving  and  preventing  this  symptom. 

"  It  is  said,  calomel  adds  efficacy  to  every  remedy  with  which  it  is  combined  ;  for  instance,  it 
renders  squills  more  diuretic,  &c.  The  same  remark  applies  to  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  in  re- 
lation to  the  mercurial  pre])arations.  What  a  happy  combination,  then,  especially  in  cases  of 
fever,  these  two  remedies  must  prove,  each  possessing  such  remarkable  powers.  I  have  seen  a 
single  dose  of  twenty  grains  of  quinine  enable  the  mercurial  preparations  to  produce  their  full 
impression,  even  to  ptyalism,  in  patients  whose  cases  had  resisted  every  effort  that  was  made  to 
excite  it  for  many  days.  In  these  cases,  the  system  labored  under  such  constant  and  continued 
fever  during  the  whole  time  it  resisted  the  mercurial  impression ;  the  different  organs  were  in 
such  an  irritated  excitement,  that  both  secretion  and  absorption  were  nearly,  if  not  entirely,  sus- 
pended. The  quinine,  by  subduing  the  fever,  allays  this  excitement;  on  the  removal  of  which 
the  functions  are  resumed,  the  remedies  are  taken  up,  and  ptyalism  is  produced ;  or,  in  cases 
where  the  mercurials  have  not  been  pushed  so  far,  the  secretions  are  restored  to  a  healthy 
standard,  withoiit  this  disagreeable  and  harassing  accompaniment. 

"  Nearly  every  case  of  dysentery  I  have  met  with  this  season  has  been  unusually  severe  and 
dangerous.  The  immediate  and  exciting  cause  of  the  two  cases  reported  as  fatal,  I  ascribed  to 
the  excessive  use  of  ardent  spirits  and  subsequent  exposure.  In  the  case  of  Private  Byrnes,  I 
understood  from  an  officer  that,  immediately  on  leaving  the  general  hospital  at  Cedar  Keys,  he 
got  excessively  drunk  two  or  three  times,  and  immediately  afterwards  was  attacked  with  dysen- 
tery. 

"  In  some  cases,  general,  and,  in  nearly  all,  local  bleeding,  blisters  and  calomel,  with  the  free 
use  of  opium,  gum-water,  and  mild  laxatives,  was  the  general  practice  I  followed;  and,  in 
cases  where  complicated  with  iutermittent,  quinine  was  highly  useful.  In  the  case  of  Private 
Hackett,  during  the, time  he  labored  under  dysentery,  intermittent  fever  supervened;  it  yielded 
to  a  few  grains  of  quinine,  but  the  original  disease  continued,  and  did  not  yield  to  any  remedy. 
In  this  case,  slight  accidental  salivation  occurred.  In  the  case  of  Lieutenant  Johns,  who  had  a 
severe  and  dangerous  attack  of  this  malady,  the  dysenteric  discharges,  during  several  days  of 
his  disease,  recurred  at  regular  periods — usually  about  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  lasted 
until  late  in  the  night.  During  the  time  they  thus  lasted,  they  were  as  distressing  and 
harassing  as  they  had  been  at  any  period  of  his  disease;  and,  during  the  remission  of  the  dis- 


644  REPORTS   ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

charges,  he  was  easy,  aud  rested  well.     With  a  view  to  arrest  the  recurrence  of  these  dis- 
charges, I  anticipated  a  paroxysm  with  a  large  and  full  dose  of  sulph:  morphise,  but  it  had  not 
the  desired  effect;  I  therefore  anticipated  the  next  paroxysm  with  twelve  grains  of  quinine. 
The  disease  yielded;  convalescence  commenced  ;  and,  since  then,  he  has  returned  to  duty. 
"I  have  the  honor  to  he,  very  respectfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

"CHARLES  McCORMICK, 
"T.  Lawson,  M.  D.,  "Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

"  Snrgeon  General  U.  S.  Army,  Washington  City,  D.  C." 

The  practice  of  using  quinine  in  such  large  doses,  and  during  the  stage  of  febrile  excitement, 
having  excited  much  attention,  and  the  pro])riety  of  such  treatment  having  been  questioned, 
the  Surgeon  General  issued  the  following  circular  to  the  medical  officers  of  the  army : 

"  Surgeon  General's  Office,  August  14,  1843. 

"Sir:  As  the  propriety  of  the  administration  of  quinine  in  very  large  doses  has  become  a 
mooted  question  throughout  the  medical  world,  and  as  various  members  of  the  medical  corps  of 
the  army  have  had  more  or  less  experience  in  this  particular,  you  are  hereby  directed  to  fur- 
nish replies  to  the  following  interrogatories : 

"1.  What  is  the  extent  of  your  experience  in  this  respect? 

"2.  Was  it  always  i\i&  sulphate  of  quinine  that  you  have  prescribed?     If  so,  was  it  pure? 

"3.  From  what  source  has  your  quinine  been  obtained? 

"4.  In  how  large  doses  have  you  administered  it,  both  as  regards  the  extreme  and  the  aweragre 
quantity? 

"5.  State  the  specific  diseases  in  which  you  have  employed  it,  with  all  the  necessary  details, 
and  especially  as  regards  the  tonic  or  atonic  state  of  the  system;  and  whether  injurious  effects,  or 
at  least  unpleasant  symptoms,  did  not  less  frequently  supervene  in  the  adynamic  state  than 
when  the  powers  of  life  were  in  an  exalted  condition? 

"6.  Give  your  opinion  as  to  the  modus  operandi  of  this  therapeutic  agent — whether,  for  instance, 
you  regard  it  as  a  tonic,  a  sedative,  or  a  stimulant? 

"7.  Since  the  practical  introduction  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  the  statistics  of  this  Bureau 
exhibit  a  much  higher  ratio  of  diseases  of  the  bowels — as,  for  instance,  diarrhcea  and  dysentery — 
and  also  a  much  higher  average  of  mortality  from  the  same  diseases.  It  remains,  therefore,  to 
be  determined  how  far  this  result  is  due  to  this  cause,  or  to  the  operation  of  other  agents. 

"8.  What  have  been  your  observation  and  experience  in  regard  to  the  influence  of  the  climate 
of  Florida,  the  acute  diseases  incident  thereto,  or  the  use  of  quinine  in  inducing  acute  and  chronic 
affections  of  the  liver  and  spleen  ? 

"9.  State  whatever  else  you  may  deem  appropriate  to  the  subject. 

"This  inquiry  is  instituted  at  the  instance  of  the  Army  Medical  Board  lately  in  session  at 
New  York,  upon  the  suggestion  of  one  or  more  distinguished  practitioners  of  medicine  in  private 
life ;  and  it  is  desirable  that  the  information  asked  for  may  be  furnished  as  early  as  practicable. 

"It  is  thought  proper  to  inform  you,  also,  that,  shoidd  any  important  facts,  particularly  phy- 
siological and  pathological  facts,  in  connexion  with  these  subjects,  be  communicated,  they  will 
be  given  to  the  public." 

Reports,  in  reply  to  that  circular,  were  received  from  fifty-seven  medical  officers ;  and,  although 
extracts  from  several  have  appeared  in  different  medical  journals,  and  the  subject  has,  at  this  time, 
lost  much  of  its  interest,  it  has  been  deemed  proper  to  submit  a  few  of  them  in  connexion  with 
this  report,  as  forming  part  of  the  medical  history  of  the  army. 

The  selection  of  the  reports  which  follow  has  been  governed  by  the  extent  of  the  personal 
experience  of  their  authors  in  the  use  of  "quinine  in  large  doses;"  though  the  necessity  for  con- 
fining this  work  within  certain  limits  has  necessarily  made  the  selection  somewhat  arbitrary. 

The  reports  are  presented  in  the  order  of  the  rank  of  their  respective  authors. 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  645 


REPORTS. 


REPORT  OF  SURGEON  BENJAMIN  F.  HARNET. 
Received  December  5th,  1843.] 

Agreeably  to  a  circular  from  the  Surgeon  General's  office,  of  August  14th,  1843,  I  have  the 
honor  to  state  that  my  experience  in  the  use  of  the  sulphate  of  quinia  in  any  considerable  quan- 
tities commenced  with  the  year  1838.  I  have  only  to  speak  of  the  sulphate,  having  had  little 
to  do  with  the  other  forms  of  quinia. 

So  far  as  I  have  been  enabled  to  learn,  that  which  I  have  used  has  been  the  pure  sulphate. 
If  it  has  been  adulterated,  it  was  not  to  a  sufficient  degree  to  materially  affect  its  therapeutical 
properties.  In  public  practice,  I  have  been  supplied  from  New  York ;  in  private  practice,  I  have 
supplied  myself  from  whatever  depots  I  could  obtain  the  genuine  article.  I  have  used  it  in  all 
quantities,  in  almost  every  variety  of  the  diseases  of  our  climate,  and  in  all  conditions  of  the 
system.  In  ordinary  cases,  I  have  prescribed  it  in  doses  of  from  grs.  x  to  grs.  xx.  In  extreme 
cases  (congestive  fever),  I  have  given  sixty  grains. 

The  diseases  in  which  I  have  principally  employed  this  powerful  agent  have  been  intermit- 
tent, remittent,  congestive,  and  typhoid  fevers,  affections  of  the  liver  and  spleen,  acute  and 
chronic  rheumatism,  gastro-enteritis,  colitis,  and  neuralgia. 

My  experience  and  observation  warrant  me  in  speaking  in  most  decided  terms  of  the  efficacy 
and  beneficial  influence  of  quinia  in  what  are  usually  termed  large  doses — ex.  gr.:  grs.  xv  or 
grs.  XX.  So  far  from  producing  "injurious  effects,"  or  "unpleasant  symptoms,"  its  use  by  me  has 
invariably  been  followed  by  the  subsidence  of  febrile  excitement,  the  arrest  of  disease,  and  the 
establishment  of  tonic  vital  action.  If  unpleasant  effects  have  ever  followed  my  administration 
of  it,  it  was  in  my  early  acquaintance  with  this  substance,  when  four  or  Jive  grains  were  con- 
sidered a  maximum  dose.  Indeed,  it  would  be  for  me  an  exceedingly  difficult  matter  to  refer  to 
any  case  in  which  other  effects  were  experienced  than  those  I  had  anticipated  and  desired.  In 
the  treatment  of  our  common  fevers,  it  is  a  matter  of  daily  remark,  that  where  four  or  five 
grains,  given  at  intervals  of  three  hours,  will  add  to  the  violence  of  the  disease ;  increase  its 
exacerbation ;  in  short,  add  fuel  to  the  flame ;  fifteen  or  twenty  grains,  administered  with  like 
intervals,  will  be  attended  by  the  most  pleasing  results. 

In  the  administration  of  it,  I  prefer  the  adynamic  to  the  hyperdynamic  state;  although  I  do 
not  hesitate  to  administer  it  at  all  periods  of  disease,  if  risk  is  incurred  by  delay ;  and  I  express 
this  preference,  not  because  of  unpleasant  consequences  resulting  from  it  when  thus  adminis- 
tered, but  rather  for  the  reason  that  a  more  decided  effect  is  produced  on  the  system  in  the 
former  state  than  in  the  latter;  and  here  it  shows  itself  analogous  to  other  remedials. 

Diarrhoea  and  dysentery  have  never,  to  my  knowledge,  resulted  as  sequeliB  to  the  use  of 
quinia.  On  the  contrary,  there  is  no  better  remedy  for  these  same  diseases,  when  used  in  com- 
bination with  calomel. 

Quinia,  like  other  remedial  agents,  produces  its  effects  through  the  medium  of  the  nervous 
system.  It  seems  to  expend  its  energies  more  especially  upon  those  viscera  connected  with  the 
portal  circle,  relieving  their  congestion  and  engorgement.  Its  effects  depend  in  a  great  degree 
upon  the  quantity  given  at  a  dose.  In  small  doses,  and  frequently  repeated,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  of  its  stimulant  properties.  On  the  contrary,  given  in  full  doses,  it  has  a  decided  sedative 
and  tonic  effect,  reducing  the  temperature  of  the  skin,  and  inducing  perspiration.  In  that 
ataxic  condition  of  the  system  so  frequently  observed  in  convalescence  from  fever,  where  there 
is  irregularity,  weakness,  and  frequency  of  the  pulse,  irregularity  of  nutritive  action,  irregu- 


646  REPORTS   ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

larity  in  the  distribution  of  animal  heat,  irregularity  in  the  functions  of  the  alimentary  canal ; 
in  short,  where  there  is  derangement  of  all  the  animal  functions,  nothing  will  act  more  promptly 
and  energetically  in  restoring  the  system  to  a  tonic  condition  than  qiiinia  in  full  doses. 

It  is  a  powerful  adjuvant  of  the  mercurials  and  other  remedial  agents  in  preventing  and  sub- 
duing inflammation;  effecting  this  by  the  relief  it  affords  to  congestions  and  obstructions  of  the 
portal  circle,  as  well  as  by  its  sedative  properties,  and  by  the  equalizing  effect  it  has  \x\)ox\  all 
the  nutritive  functions.  By  its  sedative  properties,  it  will  (when  given  so  as  to  disguise  the  taste) 
speedily  allay  nausea  and  vomiting. 

Its  anti-periodic  properties  are  too  well  known  to  need  mention  in  this  place.  It  is  sufficient 
to  say  that  most  diseases  of  a  periodical  character  immediately  yield  to  its  free  administration. 

It  can  be  used  with  all  confidence  of  success  in  enlargements  of  the  liver  and  spleen.  It  does 
this  by  the  anti-congestive  effect  it  has  upon  these  viscera. 


REPORT  OF  SURGEON  RICHARD  S.  SATTERLEE. 

Fort  Adams,  R.  I.,  August  23,  1843. 

Sir:  I  yesterday  received  your  circular  of  the  14th  instant,  and  proceed  to  answer  the  inter- 
rogatories. 

1st.  I  have  administered  quinine  in  intermittent  fever,  at  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  and  at 
Plattsburg,  New  York,  in  a  few  cases;  but  my  experience  has  been  chiefly  in  Florida  and  the 
Cherokee  nation,  from  the  fall  of  1837  to  the  fall  of  1838,  and  from  the  fall  of  1840  to  the 
spring  of  1842,  in  which  time  I  treated  a  large  number  of  cases  of  intermittent  and  remittent, 
and  a  few  of  congestive  fever. 

2d.  It  was  always  the  sulphate  of  quinine  that  I  prescribed  ;  and,  from  its  effects,  I  should 
think  it  quite  pure. 

3d.  My  quinine  was  obtained  from  the  army  purveyor  at  New  York. 

4th.  I  have  administered  quinine  in  almost  all  doses,  from  one  to  thirty  grains,  but  chiefly 
in  sixteen-grain  doses. 

5th.  I  have  employed  quinine  in  congestive  fever,  in  a  few  instances ;  and  quite  extensively  in 
intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  between  the  paroxysms,  or  in  an  atonic  state  of  the  system, 
and  never  in  the  tonic  state,  and  liave  never  known  any  jjermanent  ill  effects  from  it.  It  some- 
times produced  temporary  pain  and  giddiness  in  the  head  and  ringing  in  the  ears,  which  symp- 
toms I  have  often  known  to  occur  whether  the  medicine  was  given  in  small  or  large  doses. 
After  a  few  trials  with  small  doses  (viz:  one  to  five  grains)  and  large  (viz:  from  ten  to  twenty), 
in  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  I  was  convinced  that  the  medicine  in  ordinary  cases  has  a 
happier  effect  when  given  in  one  dose  of  about  sixteen  grains,  so  as  to  bring  the  system  at  once 
under  its  influence;  which  effect,  I  am  convinced,  must  be  produced,  in  order  to  break  up  the 
chain  of  the  di.sease. 

In  congestive  fever,  my  experience  has  been  limited  to  a  very  few  cases,  which  occurred  at 
Pilatka,  Florida,  in  the  summer  of  1841.  I  did  not  give  quinine  until  the  feet  and  legs  be- 
came cold,  the  skin  clammy,  and  the  mind  wandering,  (and  in  two  cases  the  skin  was  covered 
with  petechiaj,)  when,  at  the  instance  of  Dr.  B.  F.  Harney,  the  then  medical  director  of  the 
army  of  Florida,  I  was  induced  to  give  it  in  large  and  repeated  doses.  Thirty  grains,  com- 
bined with  ten  grains  of  calomel  and  two  of  opium,  were  given  every  four  hours,  until  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy  grains  were  given ;  iced  mint-juleps  were  also  given  at  the  same  time  without 
limit,  and  warm  applications  to  feet  and  legs,  when  I  had  the  satisfaction  (in  all  cases  treated 
in  this  way)  to  see  the  skin  become  warm;  the  pulse,  from  extreme  and  laborious  depression, 
become  active  and  strong;  the  mind  composed,  and  quiet  sleep  induced.  The  bowels  were 
acted  on  by  the  calomel,  and  the  discharges  were  bilious,  when  the  quinine  and  other  stimu- 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  647 

lants  were  discontinued,  and  a  generous  diet  substituted.     The  patients,  in  about  twelve  days, 
were  so  far  recovered  as  to  walk  to  the  steamer,  in  which  they  were  sent  to  the  north. 

6tli.  With  respect  to  the  mode  of  operation  of  quinine,  I  am  of  opinion  that  it  is  a  stimu- 
lant, and  that  it  possesses  a  peculiar  effect  upon  the  diseases  of  malarial  origin — breaking  up 
the  paroxysms.  Other  stimulants  do  this,  but  with  much  less  certainty,  and,  doubtless,  by  their 
stimulating  effect ;  the  jiulse  and  temperature  of  the  skin  are  also  accelerated  ;  both  proving  that 
its  effect,  although  peculiar,  is  yet  stimulating.  I  have,  in  some  instances,  given  quinine  in 
small  doses,  with  a  view  to  get  from  it  a  tonic  effect,  in  which  I  have  never  succeeded;  and 
have,  therefore,  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  not  a  tonic.  That  it  has  also  a  quieting  effect 
on  the  nervous  system,  I  am  convinced. 

7th.  I  have  not  the  least  hesitation  in  saying  that  the  constant  and  long  exposure  of  the 
soldiers  of  our  army  in  Florida  to  the  influence  of  malaria,  and  their  suffering  from  fevers  both 
remittent  and  intermittent,  was  the  cause  of  the  great  mortality,  as  well  as  the  great  number 
of  cases  of  dysentery  and  diarrhoea  that  occurred  there,  and  by  no  means  the  use  of  quinine  ; 
on  the  contrary,  I  have  often  seen  intermittent  and  chronic  dysentery,  both  in  the  same  case, 
at  the  same  time  checked  by  that  remedy.  This  was,  however,  not  always  the  case ;  for  in 
many  instances  the  poor  fellows  suffered  from  intermittent  and  dysentery  alternately,  until 
they  were  removed  out  of  the  malarial  district,  (which  always  had  a  favorable  effect,)  or  death 
closed  the  scene.  And  I  would  add,  that  in  all  the  post  mortems,  where  death  was  the  result 
of  diseases  of  ihe  bowels,  the  large  intestines  were  extensively  diseased,  and  the  small  rarely 
at  all;  and  when  at  all,  slightly  inflamed. 

8th.  I  saw  but  very  few  instances  of  enlarged  or  indurated  liver  or  spleen  in  Florida;  and  I 
do  not  now  recollect  a  single  post  mortem  in  which  these  organs  were  not  found  in  a  pretty 
healthy  state. 

9th.  I  have  watched  the  effects  of  quinine  with  no  little  anxiety  in  a  great  number  of  cases 
of  remittent  and  intermittent  fever;  and  I  consider  it,  properly  administered,  the  only  remedy 
to  be  relied  on  in  these  cases.  Of  course,  the  stomach  and  bowels  must  first  be  cleansed,  and 
anj^  local  inflammation  overcome;  when  I  administer  the  quinine  any  time  after  the  close  of  the 
hot  stage,  giving  at  least  six  hours  for  the  medicine  to  afiect  the  system  ;  and  when  given  in  a 
dose  of  sixteen  grains  at  one  time,  I  have  almost  never  known  it  fail  to  break  up  the  disease 
without  the  recurrence  of  another  paroxysm ;  but  if  six  hours  are  not  allowed  for  the  action  of 
the  remedy,  it  frequently  will  not  prevent  the  next,  but  almost  always  the  next  paroxysm  but 
one;  but  an  equal  quantity  given  in  small  doses  is  much  less  likely  to  do  so. 

I  have  often  given  quinine  in  combination  with  Dover's  powder,  and  sometimes  with  calo- 
mel ;  but  this  was  when  the  disease  was  coupled  with  dysentery  or  diarrhoea,  and  the  latter 
without  reference  at  all  to  the  effects  of  the  quinine.  The  dose  above  mentioned  (viz :  sixteen 
grains)  I  And  sufficient  to  overcome  the  disease;  but  I  have  never  seen  any  permanent  ill  effects 
on  the  system  occur  from  much  larger  doses. 

The  above  is  respectfully  submitted,  in  obedience  to  your  circular,  by  your  most  obedient 
servant, 

K.  S.  SATTERLEE,  Siirgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Thomas  Lawson, 

Surffcon  General  U.  S.  Army,  Washintjlon,  D.  C. 


REPORT  OF  SURGEON  ROBERT  C.  WOOD. 


Buffalo  Barracks,  N.  Y.,  August  25,  1843. 
Sir:  I  have  just  received  a  "circular"  from  your  office,  in  reference  to  the  administratiou  of 
quinine  in  large  doses,  and  hasten  to  reply  to  your  several  queries. 


648  REPORTS   ON   THK    ADMINISTRATION 

1st.  I  have  prescribed  quinine  for  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  on  the  Upper  Mississippi,  in 
Florida,  and  in  this  section  of  country,  in  commands  varying  from  two  hundred  to  five  hundred 
men. 

2d.  I  have  used  the  sulphate. 

3d.  It  has  generally  been  supplied  by  the  medical  purveyor  at  New  York,  and  believed  to  be 
pure. 

4th.  I  have  given  25  grs.  in  12  hours,  in  5  grs.  doses,  at  intervals  of  two  or  three  hours,  but 
generally  in  doses  of  2  or  3  grs.  every  three  hours. 

5tli.  I  have  administered  quinine  in  fevers  of  a  remittent  and  intermittent  type,  in  typhus,  in 
typhus  icterodes,  in  eruptive  fevers,  in  diseases  of  the  serous  exhalent  vessels,  in  diseases  of  an 
atonic  state  where  no  glandular  obstruction  existed.  In  the  intermittents  of  the  Upper  Missis- 
sippi it  exercises  a  perfect  control,  much  more  so  than  in  fevers  of  a  similar  character  at  the  south. 
In  the  adynamic  state  it  is  decidedly  indicated,  and  less  injurious  effects  would  ensue  from  its 
free  use  than  when  the  vital  powers  are  in  an  exalted  condition.  In  many  of  the  diseases  con- 
nected with  the  digestive  system  it  would  be  contra-indicated,  as  in  dysentery,  enteritis,  gastri- 
tis, hepatitis,  &c. ;  also  in  diseases  of  tlie  respiratory  system,  as  in  bronchitis,  laryngitis,  pneu- 
monia, &c. 

6th.  I  consider  the  operation  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  as  tonic. 

7th.  I  have  been  always  oppos'ed  to  the  administration  of  quinine  in  very  large  doses,  and 
have  no  doubt  that  dysentery  and  diarrhoea  have  been  aggravated  by  the  excessive  use  of  this 
remedy. 

8th.  In  relation  to  my  observation  and  experience  in  regard  to  the  influence  of  the  climate  of 
Florida,  the  acute  diseases  incident  thereto,  or  the  use  of  quinine  in  inducing  acute  and  chronic 
affections  of  the  liver  and  spleen : 

During  a  service  of  nearly  three  years  in  Florida,  fevers  of  a  remittent  and  intermittent  type, 
with  dysentery  and  diarrhoea,  were  the  prevalent  diseases.  In  the  consolidated  quarterly  report 
embracing  the  months  of  July,  August,  and  September,  1839,  selected  as  exhibiting  a  large 
number  of  sick,  (wliicli  report  was  prepared  from  the  monthly  reports  of  all  the  medical  officers 
then  serving  in  Florida,)  the  following  diseases  are  reported  as  the  most  prevalent:  intermittents 
573,  remittents  149,  dysentery  191,  diarrhoea  175,  rheumatism  77,  catarrh  79.  The  whole 
number  taken  sick  during  the  quarter  was  1,918,  of  which  number  26  died — about  1  in  73. 

Many  of  the  posts  were  selected,  necessarily,  without  reference  to  health ;  and  disease  was  fre- 
quently engendered  from  other  causes  than  those  of  climate,  as  forced  marches,  excessive  fatigue, 
want  of  quarters,  &c. — in  recruits  producing  despondency  and  disease.  Aff"ections  of  the  liver 
and  spleen  prevailed  as  the  sequelse  of  intermittents,  though  generally  reported  as  intermittents, 
the  primary  disease.  Many  cases  of  this  character  were  under  my  care  in  the  general  hospital 
at  Tampa  Bay.  I  have  always  been  of  opinion  that  the  administration  of  quinine  in  large  doses 
affgravated  glandular  obstruction  of  the  liver  in  Florida.  From  the  nature  of  the  service  in 
that  Territory,  it  was  desirable  to  check  intermittents,  and  restore  the  soldier  to  duty  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible.  Hence,  the  free  use  of  quinine  controlling  the  periodical  disease,  but 
eventually  aggravating  hepatic  obstruction,  and  oftentimes  ending  in  serous  effusion,  debility, 
and  deatli. 

Tlie  troops  actively  employed  in  Florida,  with  frequent  change  of  position,  enjoyed  better 
liealth  than  tliose  who  were  permanent ;  which  I'act  corresponds  with  the  medical  statistics  of 
otlier  services. 

The  moral  despondency,  consequent  upon  the_  failure  of  every  effort  to  meet  the  enemy,  was 
operative  in  adding  largely  to  the  sick-reports  of  officers  and  men. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  C.  WOOD, 

Thomas  Lawson,  Esq.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Surgeon  General  U.  S.  Army,  Washingtmt,  D.  C. 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE    DOSES.  649 

HEPORT  OF  SURGEON  BURTON  RANDALL. 

Fort  Gibson,  Septemher  16,  1843. 
Sir:  In  answer  to  the  interrogatories  contained  in  your  circular  of  August  14,  I  have  the 
honor  to  state : 

1.  That  I  have  occasionally  prescrihed  quinine  in  very  large  doses,  since  1840,  with  the  hap- 
piest results,  in  congestive,  remittent,  and  intermittent  fevers.  I  also  tried  it  last  fall  at  New 
Orleans  Barracks,  in  yellow  fever ;  but  it  failed,  as  it  always  has,  in  my  practice,  where  reaction 
is  distinct.     I  have  also  prescribed  it  in  neuralgia  with  beneficial  results. 

2.  I  have  generally  prescribed  the  sulphate;  and,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  it  was  pure. 

3.  The  quinine  I  have  generally  used  has  been,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  of  French  and 
German  manufacture. 

4.  I  prescribe  it  in  doses  of  from  two  grains  to  one  drachm ;  the  former  dose  every  hour  in 
intermittents,  where  the  intervals  between  the  paroxysms  are  sufficiently  long;  where  they  are 
not,  I  give  it  in  larger  doses.  This  treatment  rarely  fails  to  check  the  paroxysm  in  one  or  two 
days. 

5.  I  have  employed  the  remedy  in  the  above-mentioned  diseases,  and  in  very  minute  doses, 
as  a  tonic,  where  there  was  great  debility  and  prostration  of  strength,  without  organic  disease, 
produced  by  almost  any  cause. 

I  never  prescribe  it  when  the  powers  of  life  are  in  an  exalted  condition,  and,  therefore,  do 
not  know  what  its  effects  might  be  under  such  circumstances. 

6.  I  believe  the  medicine  beneficial  in  fever,  by  its  tonic  and  sedative  efi"ectg. 

7.  The  acute  diseases  incident  to  Florida,  and  those  the  army  suftered  most  from,  were  remit- 
tent and  intermittent  fevers,  dysentery,  diarrhoea,  and  rheumatism.  I  never  saw  a  case  of 
acute  or  chronic  disease  of  the  liver,  spleen,  or  bowels,  that  I  thought  was  produced  by  quinine; 
on  the  contrary,  I  think  fewer  diseases  of  the  spleen,  and  fewer  dropsies,  come  under  my  obser- 
vation since  quinine  came  into  general  use,  and  calomel  ceased  to  be  considered  a  specific,  and 
therefore  used  with  more  caution. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  RANDALL,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A. 

Dr.  Thomas  Lawson, 

Surgeon  General  U.  S.  A.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


REPORT  OF  assistant   SURGEON  (SURGEON)  J.  J.  B.  WRIGHT. 

August  31,  1843. 

Sir:  In  reply  to  the  interrogatories  contained  in  the  circular  from  your  office,  dated  August 
14th,  instant,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  as  follows: 

Answer  to  question  1. — Previous  to  April,  1841,  I  had  never  exhibited  quinine  in  larger 
qiiantity  than  twenty-five  grains  in  twelve  consecutive  hours. 

I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  the  circumstances  under  which,  with  a  trembling  hand  and 
doubting  hope,  I  gave  the  quinine  for  the  first  time  to  the  extent  specified.  The  patient  was 
a  lady,  of  great  worth  to  the  community  and  her  family ;  and  the  disease,  which  made  its  ap- 
proach in  the  shape  of  remittent  bilious  fever,  had  lapsed  into  intermittent,  assuming  a  malig- 
nancy of  aspect  which  awakened  apprehensions  for  the  issue.  I  did  not  leave  the  bedside  of  my 
patient  during  the  continuance  of  the  last  paroxysm,  for  it  presented  all  the  symptoms  which 
indicate  serious  tendency  to  congestion ;  and  I  was  persuaded  that,  if  another  could  not  be  pre- 
vented, she  could  not  survive  its  termination. 
g    96 82 


650  REPORTS   ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

Under  this  impression,  and  having  confidence  in  the  medicine,  (if  it  could  he  introduced  in 
sufficient  quantity  without  incurring  the  risk  of  its  poisonous  effects,)  I  resolved  to  disregard 
the  rule  under  which  I  had  i'ormerly  acted,  and  to  oxhihit  the  quinine  to  an  extent — to  he 
determined  hy  its  effect  upon  the  system — exhibited  in  divided  doses.  Commencing,  therefore, 
as  soon  after  the  suh.sidence  of  the  paroxysm  as,  in  my  judgment,  was  safe,  I  gave  the  lady  four 
grains  of  sulphate  of  quinine  every  two  hours  (increasing  the  last  dose  to  five  grains)  until 
twenty-five  had  heen  given,  anxiously  watching  the  effect  of  each  dose.  With  a  degree  of 
satisfaction  I  have  seldom  felt  under  like  circumstances,  I  witnessed  the  index  of  the  clock 
pass  the  mark  which  had  indicated  the  period  of  approach  of  the  previous  paroxysm,  for  I  felt 
that  my  patient  was  safe.     Her  convalescence  dated  from  that  time. 

Suhsequentl}',  while  engaged  in  private  practice,  and  for  the  first  years  of  my  service  in  the 
army,  I  acted  under  the  rule  comprised  in  the  particulars  of  the  case  to  which  I  have  alluded. 
In  1834,  while  on  duty  in  Arkansas,  I  witnessed  many  cases  of  the  malignant  Lilious  i'ever 
of  that  country.  The  cases  which  hecame  the  suhject  of  my  charge  were  treated  in  the  usual 
way.  Quinine  entered  into  the  list  of  remedies,  hut  was  only  exhibited,  under  the  canon,  when 
an  approach  to  intermission  or  a  distinct  remission  was  api)arent.  One  case,  however,  occurs 
to  me  as  an  exception  to  what  I  have  stated,  and,  as  having  a  hearing  on  the  question  pro- 
pounded, I  will  allude  to  it. 

Lieutenant  (now  Captain)  H.,  of  the  7th  regiment  of  infantr}',  whilst  on  detached  service  in 
August  or  September,  sustained  an  attack  of  remittent  bilious  fever,  and,  with  a  large  majority 
of  his  command  in  like  condition,  was  brought  into  Fort  Gibson.  For  several  days  the  fever 
pursued  a  regular  course,  and  afforded  grounds  for  belief  that  it  was  approaching  a  favorable 
crisis.  Suddenly,  however^  a  total  change  succeeded.  The  paroxysm  anticipated  the  usual 
hour  of  incursion,  and  was  characterized  by  all  the  symptoms  of  grave  congestive  fever — the 
brain  being  the  principal  seat  of  congestion.  In  one  hour  after  the  occurrence  of  the  paroxysm, 
the  sensorial  functions  were  abolished,  and  very  soon  profound  coma  supervened;  the  extrem- 
ities were  cold  as  marble,  the  pulse  almost  extinct,  the  sphincters  of  the  bladder  and  rectum 
utterly  paralyzed,  the  respiration  labored  and  irregular,  the  eyes  upturned  and  injected;  in 
fine,  the  patient  seemed  in  the  article  of  death. 

All  my  sympathies  being  awakened  for  my  friend,  and  all  my  anxieties  for  my  patient,  I 
hastened  to  the  encounter,  but,  I  must  confess,  with  painful  misgivings  of  my  ability  to  contend 
successfully  with  the  disease.  Having  at  that  time  no  precedent  or  authority  for  the  exhibition 
of  quinine  in  large  doses,  under  such  circumstances,  I  gave  it  in  divided  quantities,  iji  union 
with  calomel  and  camphor,  to  the  extent  in  all  of  twenty-five  grains ;  applied  cold  to  the  shorn 
head,  epispastics  to  the  thighs,  sinapisms  to  the  legs  and  arms,  an-d,  if  I  mistake  not,  opened 
the  temporal  arteries  and  applied  cups  to  the  neck.  Under  this  treatment,  the  patient  gradu- 
ally recovered,  with  the  loss  of  his  hearing — almost  total  for  some  time,  and,  though  ultimately 
greatly  improved,  audition  is  even  at  this  day  defective. 

In  this  case,  I  confined  the  use  of  the  quinine  within  the  limit  which  my  previous  experience 
had  taught  me  was  safe,  under  dissimilar  circumstances;  and  I  shall  never  cease  to  award  it 
the  credit  of  having  saved  to  his  friends  and  the  service  a  most  wortliy  man  and  meritorious 
oflacer. 

If  it  be  said  that  the  subsidence  of  the  symptoms  in  this  case  was  due  to  the  other  remedies 
employed,  and  that  quinine  was  not  the  efficient  agent  in  accomplishing  the  cure,  I  have  only 
to  say,  in  support  of  its  claims,  that  I  had  never,  at  that  time,  witnessed  recovery  in  a  case  ap- 
parently so  utterly  desperate ;  and  that,  since  then,  I  have  only  known  a  fatal  issue  averted  when 
the  quinine  has  been  administered  in  large  doses. 

My  late  "experience"  in  the  use  of  this  article  has  induced  me  to  ibarvel  at  the  over-caution 
with  which  I  formerly  exhibited  it,  and  I  can  hardly  repress  a  smile  when  I  bring  to  my  mental 
vision  the  spectres  which  my  imagination  conjured  up. 

In  1840  I  was  assigned  to  the  Florida  army,  and  ordered  «i  duty  at  Garey's  Ferry  (Fort 


OP   QUININE   IN   LAEGE   DOSES  651 

Heileman).  I  arrived  early  in  October,  and  succeeded  to  the  cliarge  of  a  full  hospital.  A  ma- 
jority of  the  cases  (excluding  those  of  intermittent  fever)  were  remittent  bilious,  with  manifest 
tendency  to  irregular  sanguineous  determinations  and  local  congestions.  I  foimd  at  this  post 
a  deficient  supply  of  quinine;  and,  estimating  highly  its  importance  in  extreme  cases,  which  I 
was  prepared  to  expect  (having  already  a  foretaste  of  their  advent),  I  husbanded  my  small  re- 
sources, and,  in  ordinary  cases  of  intermittent,  gave  what  arc  regarded  the  substitutes  for  the 
bark . 

Not  3'et  having  met  with  any  notice  of  the  modern  practice  with  the  article,  and  having  as 
an  example  of  the  safety  and  advantage  of  its  exhibition,  during  the  paroxysm  of  fever,  only  the 
solitary  case  of  Captain  H.,  I  did  not  rely  upon  it  as  a  principal  agent,  but  confined  its  exhibi- 
tion principally  to  the  apyrexial  period  of  congestive  intermittent^  and  the  period  of  remission 
in  the  more  continued  forms  of  fever.  My  recollection  revives  the  particulars  of  sundry  cases, 
in  combating  which  I  fought  with  the  weapons  ordinarily  used  in  such  encounters;  but  in  en- 
tering the  lists  with  which,  I  should  now  press  into  my  service  (what  I  regard  almost  an  ipse 
agmen)  the  sulphate  of  quinine. 

In  November,  1840,  I  joined  the  1st  regiment  of  infantry,  which  had  recently  taken  post  at 
Sava-Sota  (Fort  Armistead),  a  position  combining,  in  an  eminent  degree,  all  the  circumstances 
calculated  to  afiect  unfavorably  the  health  of  troops.  During  the  winter,  the  command  suf- 
fered only  as  might  have  been  anticipated  from  their  exposed  situation,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  fact  that  the  regiment  had  been  three  years  in  the  field,  and  deprived  (for  the  last  few 
months,  at  least)  of  a  due  supply  of  vegetable  aliment.  Intermittent  fever  prevailed  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  in  the  command,  and  was  interrupted,  ordinarily,  by  the  use  of  quinine  (grs.  v, 
three  times,  during  the  interval). 

My  largest  experience  in  the  use  of  quinine  having  occurred  during  my  service  with  the  1st 
infantry,  and  in  the  quarter  ending  SOtli  of  June,  1841,  I  beg  leave  to  quote  from  my  report  to 
the  Surgeon  General's  office  for  that  quarter  of  the  year  : 

"That  the  1st  infantry  has  encountered  disease  since  the  last  quarterly  report,  the  present 
will  abundantly  testify.  A  strong  scorbutic  diathesis  j^ervaded  the  command  from  the  com- 
mencement of  winter,  which  imparted  to  most  of  the  forms  of  disease  which  occurred  during 
that  season  some  of  the  features  of  its  own  character.  Dysentery,  with  tendency  to  total  ca- 
chexia, and  intermittent  fever,  constituted  the  bulk  of  the  sick-report. 

"About  the  1st  of  April,  there  occurred  more  cases  of  remittent  fever  than  we  were  prepared 
to  expect  so  early  m  the  season  ;  but  surprise  gave  place  almost  to  consternation,  when,  toward 
the  close  of  the  month,  there  were  added  to  the  report  twenty  cases  per  diem  of  congestive 
fever.     Fort  Armistead  was  abandoned  on  the  2d  of  May,"  &c. 

The  sick,  to  the  number  of  200  or  more,  were  taken  to  Cedar  Keys,  and  ultimately  transferred 
to  Cantonment  Morgan,  three  miles  distant,  where,  the  report  goes  on  to  state,  "  after  con- 
siderable delay,  and  some  hurtful  exposure,  we  are  very  comfortable  in  hospital.  The  seat  of 
congestion  in  this  fever  varied  in  the  several  cases.  In  some,  the  brain — in  others,  the  liver 
and  spleen — and  in  some  others,  the  lungs  constituted  the  principal  seat  of  engorgement,  as  was 
evidenced  by  the  symptoms,  and  by  autopsic  examination  in  the  fatal  cases.     *         *         * 

"Excessive  prostration  of  physical  power  seemed  cotemporaneous  with  the  attack,  and  the 
mental  fimctions  sustained  early  impairment.  The  whole  surface  of  the  body,  but  particularly 
the  extremities,  became  preternaturally  cold  after  the  first  paroxysm — in  which,  however,  but  a 
small  degree  of  increased  heat  was  developed.  A  cold,  clammy,  or  limpid  perspiration  was 
incident  to  this  condition  of  the  skin.  The  tongue,  at  first  pale  and  indented,  sometimes  smooth 
and  shining,  became  dry  and  hard ;  tlie  teeth  were  encrusted  with  sordes ;  the  pulse  was  fre- 
quent, irritable,  and  often  intermittent;  the  alvine  discharges  watery,  and  sometimes  bloody, 
with  tenesmus;  the  whole  surface  of  the  body  presented  a  shrunken  and  contracted  appearance; 
the  respiration  was  hurried  and  irregular.  The  patient,  in  fine,  presented  that  indescribable 
picture  of  wretchedness  peculiar  to  those  forms  of  disease  in  which  the  l^dentia  impress  with 


652  REPORTS   ON   THE    ADMINISTRATION 

such  intensity  as  to  overwhelm  the  vital  energies,  and  prevent  tlie  development  of  normal  dis- 
eased action. 

"The  treatment  consisted  iSrc.         *  *  **  :*i  *  ^  ^ 

but,  although  my  observation,  during  the  progress  of  this  fever,  corresponds  with  all  my  pre- 
vious experience  in  regard  to  the  impotence  (to  say  the  least)  of  the  lancet  as  a  remedy  in  ad- 
vanced congestive  fever,  and  will  induce  me  to  banish  it  from  my  list  of  curative  means  in  such 
cases,  in  all  future  time,  I  am  happy  in  having  been  directed  to  a  practice,  of  which,  if  I 
obeyed  the  impulses  of  my  feelings,  I  should  express  myself  in  terms  of  extravagant  commenda- 
tion. I  allude  to  the  exhibition  of  sulphate  of  quinine  in  twenty,  thirty,  and  even  forty-grain 
doses,  alone,  or  in  combination  with  calomel. 

"  I  will  content  myself  for  the  present  with  saying,  that  In  several  instances  it  has  seemed  to 
rescue  the  subjects  of  this  form  of  disease  from  the  most  impending  danger.         *         *         * 

"  It  is  due  to  Drs.  Harney  and  Randall^  of  the  army,  to  admit  that  I  entered  on  the  practice 
at  their  urgent  suggestion;  for  I  will  confess  that  I  entertained  much  misgiving  of  its  safety. 

"My  doubts  are  now  utterly  dissipated,  and  I  would  give  a  half,  or  even  a  whole  drachm  of 
quinine,  with  as  little  hesitation  as  the  old  'ten  and  ten'  of  Dr.  Rush." 

Having  no  precise  statistical  record  in  my  possession,  of  the  cases  of  congestive  fever  above 
alluded  to,  I  can  only  state,  in  general  terms,  that  the  subjects  of  the  disease  to  whom,  in  the 
report,  I  refer  as  exposed  to  the  "most  imminent  danger,"  and  to  whom  the  quinine  was  ex- 
hibited in  large  doses,  with  advantage,  could  not  have  been  less  than  fifty. 

My  subsequent  experience  with  the  article  relates  principally  to  its  use  in  the  remittent  and 
intermittent  fevers  which  came  under  my  notice  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1842,  in  Florida; 
a  few  cases  only  of  congestive  disease  having  presented  during  this  year.  As  a  remedy  in  all 
these  cases,  the  article  fully  sustained  the  favorable  character  it  had  previously  established  in 
my  estimation. 

Answer  to  question  2. — It  was  always  the  sulphate  of  quinine  that  I  prescribed,  and,  in  my 
opinion,  it  was  pure. 

Answer  to  question  3. — Furnished  by  the  army  medical  purveyor. 

Fourth  question. — Replies  to  this  question  are  contained  in  what  I  have  said  above. 

Ansicer  to  question  5th. — In  reply,  I  have  to  state  that  I  have  rarely  exhibited  the  article  in 
other  forms  of  disease  (in  large  doses)  than  those  above  stated.  I  am  not  aware  that  I  have 
discovered  any  disparity  of  effect  in  the  action  of  the  remedy,  determined  by  the  different  states 
of  the  system,  in  reference  to  its  tonic  or  atonic  condition.  I  have  never  exhibited  it  when  there 
seemed  to  be  present  an  inflammatory  diathesis  (contradistinguished  from  a  febrile  condition), 
nor  would  my  recent  experience  induce  me  to  rely  with  confidence  on  the  quinine,  as  a  support- 
ing agent,  in  a  prostrate  condition  of  the  system,  unless  the  prostration  could  be  regarded  as 
the  effect  of  the  febrific  agency  still  in  operation. 

I  have  not  witnessed  injurious  eftects  from  the  medicine  in  any  case  that  I  can  call  to  memory; 
and  the  only  unpleasant  symptoms  that  I  have  observed  to  follow  its  u-se  were  more  or  less 
buzzing  in  the  ears,  and  occasionally  slight  dizziness.  These  symptoms  have  uniformly  sub- 
sided with  the  paroxysm. 

Ansicer  to  question  Gth. — It  is  said  the  contemporaries  of  the  Countess  of  Cinchon — the  friars, 
who  first  published  the  fame  and  disseminated  the  use  of  the  Peruvian  bark  as  a  remedy  for 
intermittent  fever — regarded  it  as  a  specific,  perhaps  as  an  antidote,  to  the  poison  of  malaria; 
and  modern  observation  seems  to  have  furnished  some  reasons  for  doubting  if  the  speculations 
which  have  been  indulged  by  their  successors  have  led  to  any  better  conceptions  of  the  modus 
agendi  of  its  efficient  principles.  With  the  profes.sion,  it  is  dangerous,  now-a-days,  to  talk  of 
"specifics,"  or  even  of  antidotes,  unless  we  are  ready  with  a  philosophical  rationale  of  every 
step  in  the  process  by  which  the  end  is  attained;  and  yet,  however  humiliating  to  the  pride  of 
science,  we  must  admit  that  there  are  many  things  connected  with  the  principles  and  practice 
of  medicine  that  we  do  not  comprehend.     Individuals  form  theories ;  they  indulge  in  elaborate 


OF   QUININE   IN   LAEGE   DOSES.  653 

and  ingenious  hypotheses,  and  admire  the  creations  of  their  fancies,  the  fictions  of  their  closet 
speculations,  until  they  actually  persuade  themselves,  and  others  too,  that  their  conclusions  are 
the  result  of  legitimate  deductions  from  ascertained  facts — admitted  premises;  that  even  the 
spirit  of  Lord  Bacon  itself  presided  over  tlieir  deliberations,  and  has  alfixed  its  seal  to  the  truth 
of  their  philosophy.  These  systems  are  destined  to  last  until  some  succeeding  revolutionist  in 
medicine  saps  their  foundations,  to  erect  on  their  ruins  a  superstructure  no  less  comely  to  look 
upon,  hut  awaiting,  in  after  time,  a  similar  fate,  because  speculations,  and  not  facts,  constituted 
their  basis. 

Thus  it  has  ever  been  since  the  dawn  of  medicine;  and  we  apprehend  its  future  historians  will 
but  record  a  succession  of  like  events,  until  it  shall  have  established  for  itself  a  place  among  the 
fixed  and  certain  sciences. 

We  would  not  controvert  the  truth  that  medicine  has  made  giant  strides,  in  the  way  of  im- 
provement, within  the  last  century.  On  the  contrary,  we  are  proud  to  boast  that  every  year 
has  added  to  the  resources  of  the  art ;  for  that  genuine  inductive  philosophy  has  infused  its  spirit 
into  the  investigations  of  many  of  its  ardent  cultivators. 

But  there  are  many  secrets  in  physiology  and  therapeutics  yet  imdivulged;  and,  perhaps,  a 
precise  and  definite  conception  of  the  manner  by  which  certain  articles  of  medicine  effect  a  cure 
in  diseased  conditions  of  the  system  will  remain  among  the  desiderata  imtil  medicine  shall 
have  received  the  last  finishing  touch  from  the  hand  of  science. 

We  mean  these  remarks  as  prefatory  to  the  expression  of  a  doubt  whether  the  bark,  or  its 
proximate  principles,  arrest  intermittent  fever,  and  other  forms  of  febrile  affection  dependent 
on  miasmatic  origin,  by  virtue  of  the  tonic  property  inherent  in  them.  We  are  not  prepared 
fully  to  deny  that  the  medicine  possesses  tonic  virtues;  it  is  an  opinion  sanctioned  by  the  con- 
current belief  of  the  profession  for  more  than  a  century.  But  my  late  experience  authorizes  and 
inclines  me  to  believe  that  the  remedy  exercises  over  fevers  of  this  genus  a  peculiar  and  specific 
control,  independent  of,  and  distinct  from,  any  effect  which  it  may  be  presumed  to  have  upon 
the  tonicity  of  the  muscular  fibre. 

Some  practitioners,  whose  experience  in  the  use  of  this  article  of  the  materia  medica  has  been 
by  no  means  inconsiderable,  have  been  led  by  observation  of  its  effects  to  class  it  among  the 
sedaniia  (as  is  intimated  by  the  terms  of  the  query  to  which  I  am  making  an  humble  attempt 
to  respond),  and  several  plausible  articles  have  been  written  in  support  of  this  view  of  its 
properties. 

It  must  be  admitted,  that  if  I  were  reduced  to  the  alternative  of  adopting  one  or  the  other  of 
these  opinions  in  regard  to  the  character  of  the  medicine,  my  late  observations  would  incline 
me  to  entertain  the  latter,  though  some  unexplained  facts  would  still  stare  me  in  the  face  and 
perplex  my  understanding.  They  who  contend  that  its  curative  agency  is  due  to  a  direct  eflect 
on  the  tonicity  of  the  muscular  fibre,  will  proscribe  its  use  in  all  cases  where  this  vital  property, 
or  the  contractility  of  the  system,  may  be  presumed  to  be  in  an  exalted  condition.  But  the 
experienced  physician  of  modern  times,  in  southern  climates  particularly,  will  tell  you  that  he 
is  in  the  practice  of  administering  it  when  the  condition  of  those  vital  properties  is,  seemingly 
at  least,  above  par.  For  instance,  he  exhibits  the  article  at  the  very  height  of  the  paroxysm  of 
the  remittent  fever  of  his  climate,  and  finds,  as  a  result  of  its  action,  a  reduction  in  the  force 
and  frequency  of  the  pulse,  a  diminution  of  animal  heat,  a  moist  condition  of  the  skin,  a  subsi- 
dence of  pain  and  restlessness;  in  fine,  a  sudden  conversion  from  febrile  disturbance  to  fair  con- 
valescence. Now,  if  the  experience  and  observation  be  right,  can  the  theory  be  otherwise  than 
wrong? 

On  the  other  hand,  those  who  maintain  that  the  remedy  acts  by  sedation,  do  not  hesitate  to 
exhibit  the  article  when  the  powers  of  life  are  depressed  to  the  utmost  limit  compatible  with 
existence ;  and  they  aver  that  its  agency  is  curative  under  these  circumstances. 

True  it  is,  that  the  writer  has  himself  frequently  given  the  quinine  in  both  the  conditions 
stated;  and,  in  both,  his  experience  teaches  that  advantage  resulted  from  the  practice.     He  has 


654  REPORTS   ON   THE    ADMINISTRATION 

witnessed  a  decided  improvement  follow  the  exhibition  of  9  ij  of  quinine,  repeated  in  two 
hours,  in  advanced  congestive  fever,  when  the  condition  of  tlie  case  was  characterized  by  a 
lethargic  state  of  the  sensorial  functions,  verging  on  coma;  cold  extremities;  cool  surface,  bathed 
in  limpid  perspiration;  dry  and  pallid  tongue;  feeble  and  fluttering  pulse,  &c.  And  again, 
while  on  duty  in  Florida,  in  the  summer  of  1842,  in  charge  of  the  general  hospital,  it  was  his 
usual  custom,  after  attentive  observation  of  the  safety  of  the  plan,  to  exhibit  20  grains  of  qui- 
nine at  any  period  of  the  paroxysm  of  the  remittent  fever  of  that  country;  and  he  is  safe  in 
declaring  that  the  practice  was  successful,  as  the  quarterly  reports  to  the  Surgeon  General's 
office  will  testify — not  a  single  case  of  death  from  remittent  fever  having  been  reported  during 
the  season,  nor,  I  may  add,  from  their  sequela). 

In  southern  climates,  where  high  atmospheric  temperature  prevails,  the  system,  it  is  well 
known,  becomes  languid  and  relaxed.  This  condition  is  the  effect,  no  doubt,  of  the  exhausting 
influence  of  the  prolonged  action  of  caloric.  Indirect  debility  is  induced,  and,  with  this  loss  of 
tone  in  the  system,  its  irritability  is  exalted.  Excessive  mobility  is  impressed  on  the  whole 
apparatus  of  life.  The  pulse  is  quickened;  morbid  sensibilities  and  new  susceptibilities,  mental 
anck^hysical,  are  awakened;  and  hence  do  the  "children  of  the  sun"  become  distinguished,  in 
all  that  relates  to  temperament  and  disposition,  all  that  constitutes  peculiarity  in  sectional 
character,  from  their  cool,  calculating,  and  deliberate  brethren  of  the  north. 

But,  if  this  is  true  in  regard  to  the  system  in  health,  it  is  no  less  so  when  it  is  under  the 
influence  of  morbific  agents;  and  it  might,  with  some  show  of  plausibility,  be  maintained  that, 
in  this  condition,  tonics  operate  indirectly  hy  sedation,  quieting  excitement  by  imparting  tone. 
And  thus,  perhaps,  could  they  who  entertain  this  view  of  the  medicinal  i)roperties  of  the  quinine 
reconcile  their  notions  of  it  with  its  effects,  as  illustrated  in  the  cases  of  fever,  in  which  it  has 
been  given  with  advantage  in  the  pyrexial 'period. 

It  is  said  that  recent  observations,  in  our  own  and  other  countries,  have  demonstrated  the  ad- 
vantages of  quinine  in  acute  inflammatory  rheumatism,  and  other  forms  of  disease  in  which 
stimulant  tonics  are,  confessedly,  not  only  inappropriate,  but  manifestly  pernicious. 

We  have  the  testimony  of  such  men  as  Morton,  Fothergill,  Haygarth,  &c. ,  of  the  last  age,  in 
favor  of  Peruvian  bark  in  inflammatory  rheumatism;  and  the  present  professor  of  midwifery  in 
the  University  College,  London,  (Dr.  Davis,)  furnishes  unequivocal  evidence  of  the  iiaramount 
advantage  of  the  remedy  in  such  cases.    (London  Lancet,  February,  1841.) 

The  writer  has  no  experience  of  its  effects  exhibited  in  such  conditions  of  tlie  system ;  but,  if 
time  should  verify  its  claim  to  confidence  in  those  diseases,  it  will  but  furnish  another  argument 
in  support  of  the  position  I  have  assumed,  that  its  medicinal  properties  are  not  fully  compre- 
hended or  established. 

There  are  strong  reasons  for  believing  that  the  antimonial  medicines  possess  direct  febrifuge 
virtues,  independent  of  any  influence  they  exert  over  the  heart  and  arteries,  by  their  nauseating 
effect  upon  the  stomach.  The  action  of  mercury  in  the  cure  of  lues  venerea  has  never  been  ex- 
plained in  a  way  which  can  seem  satisfactory  to  those  who  profess  to  exhibit  no  article  of  medi- 
cine, the  precise  physiological  effect  of  which  they  do  not  understand.  To  designate  a  whole 
class  of  remedies  as  "alteratives,"  is  but  to  admit  that  they  produce  their  effects  in  some  oc- 
cult way,  which  we  do  not  comprehend.  I  might  go  on  and  enumerate  almost  half  of  what  is 
contained  in  the  Armamentarium  of  physic,  and  include  the  whole  in  this  category;  but  I  will 
finish  what  I  have  to  say  in  regard  to  the  "modus  operandi"  of  quinine  in  the  fevers  of  mala- 
rial regions,  and  write  myself  the  advocate  of  the  notion  entertained  by  the  Jesuits,  to  wit:  its 
agency  is  specific. 

It  is  thought  that  this  article,  in  combination  with  mercurials  (calomel  particularly),  accele- 
rates the  supervention  of  ptyalism.  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  fact.  I  am  disposed  to  ascribe  it  to 
a  presumed  chemical  decomposition,  in  part,  of  the  combined  articles  in  the  stomach,  and  anew 
arrangement  of  a  portion  of  the  sulph:  acid  of  the  quinine  with  a  due  proportion  of  the  oxyd: 
hydrarg:  of  the  calomel,  to  form,  perhaps,  the  yellow  sulphate  of  mercury — a  preparation  of  the 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  655 

mineral  known  to  produce  salivation  as  speedily  as  any  other  of  the  mercurials;  or,  if  the  chemists 
advise  that  no  incompatibility  exists  between  calomel  and  quinine,  and  that  no  such  presumed 
change  can  occur  in  the  stomach  to  account  for  this  alleged  fact,  then  I  would  suggest  that  the 
latter  article  facilitates  the  mercurial  impression,  simply  by  counteracting  the  morbid  impres- 
sion of  the  febrific  agent,  and  the  diseased  actions  hence  resulting  (in  correspondence  with 
the  opinion  before  stated,  viz:  by  its  specific  effect) — thus  bringing  the  susceptibilities  of  the 
system  to  a  condition  approximating  the  healthy  standard;  for  it  must  be  admitted  that,  just 
in  proportion  to  the  intensity  of  morbid  action,  is  the  difficulty  in  establishing  the  constitutional 
operation  of  the  mineral  in  any  given  case  of  disease. 

Quere  7. — Broussais,  in  his  "Chronic  Phlegmasia,"  has  shown,  as  we  think  very  satis- 
factorily, that  long-continued  atmospheric  heat,  combined  with  moisture,  has  an  invariable 
teniency  to  induce  chronic  inflamation  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  larger  bowels;  thus  giving 
origin  to  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  with  ultimate  liability  to  ulceration  of  the  colon  and  rectum. 
High  and  long-continued  atmospheric  heat  and*  moisture  distinguish  the  climate  of  Florida; 
and  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  centripetal  tendency  of  the  fluids,  in  the  cold  stages  of 
intermittent,  (so  frequently  recurring  among  tlie  troops  serving  in  that  Territory,)  determine 
congestive  accumulations  and  irritations  in  the  internal  organs,  we  think  the  fact  stated  in  the 
circular  is  susceptible  of  explanation,  without  charging  anything  to  the  account  of  quinine. 

To  say  that,  since  the  practical  introduction  of  the  article  in  large  doses,  diseases  of  the 
bowels  have  become  more  frequent  and  more  fatal,  is,  in  other  words,  to  affirm  tliat,  during 
the  last  two  years  of  the  war,  these  affections  had  become  more  frequent  and  more  fatal;  a  fact 
which  might  have  been  anticipated,  since  the  army  had  been  long  in  the  Territory,  and,  conse- 
quently, (if  the  foregoing  etiological  views  be  correct,)  longer  exposed  to  the  causes  which  in- 
duce "diseases  of  the  bowels." 

No  pathological  view  of  these  diseases  can,  it  is  believed,  bo  correct,  which  is  irrespective  of 
the  condition  of  the  skin.  It  is  fair  to  presume  tliat  this  organ  is  primarily  impressed,  and  that 
the  lining  membrane  of  the  prima  via  is  implicated,  in  virtue  of  the  intimate  sympathy  which 
is  acknowledged  to  exist  between  it  and  the  former.  The  persistence  of  the  bowel  aflection, 
then,  is  probably  due  to  the  derangement  of  the  dermoid  apparatus;  and,  until  the  latter  is  re- 
stored to  its  integrity  of  function,  the  morbid  condition  of  the  bowel  can  hardly  be  expected  to 
subside  under  any  plan  of  treatment.  Broussais  has  remarked,  somewhere,  that  when  the 
skin,  in  these  forms  of  disease,  presents  a  straw-colored  appearance  and  inelastic  condition, 
ulceration  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  bowels  may  be  apprehended,  and  that,  in  a  large  majority 
of  such  cases,  a  fatal  result  will  ensue. 

A  very  enlarged  experience  with  the  bowel  affections  of  Florida  has  impressed  strongly  on  my 
mind  the  opinion,  that  there  are  few  forms  of  disease  in  tlie  catalogue,  less  amenable  to  the  re- 
sources of  the  art. 

Answer  fo  question  8th. — I  think  the  most  conspicuous  effect  of  the  climatic  influences  in  ope- 
ration in  the  Territory  of  Florida  is  exhibited  in  the  almost  universal  tendency  to  chronic 
phlegmasia  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  colon  and  rectum,  manifesting  itself  in  the  symptoms  of 
diarrhoea  and  dysentery ;  at  least,  this  is  the  result  of  my  experience.  It  is  assuredly  true  in 
reference  to  the  efiect  of  climate,  &c.,  on  the  army  during  the  last  two  years  of  the  war.  The 
congestive  fevers  of  that  climate  have  nothing  peculiar  in  their  character;  and  the  common  re- 
mittent, as  it  prevailed  among  the  troops,  did  not  differ  in  any  particular  from  remittent  bilious 
fever  as  it  occurs  elsewhere,  unless  in  mildness  of  character,  and  tractability  under  proper 
treatment. 

Post-mortem  examinations  were  conducted  in  a  large  majority  of  the  fatal  cases  in  the  gene- 
ral hospital  at  Cedar  Keys,  as  well  as  at  the  post  hospitals,  at  different  times  under  my  charge 
in  Florida.  My  observation  teaches  tliat  the  liver  and  spleen  less  frequently  presented  evidence 
of  diseased  condition  than  is  usual  in  sections  of  the  country  where  miasmatic  causes  of  disease 
prevail.     The  proportion  of  cases  in  which  these  complications  existed  was  infinitely  smaller 


656  REPORTS   ON    THE   ADMtNISTRATION 

in  Florida  than  I  had  previously  observed  in  Arkansas.     Even  the  swelled  spleen,  so  common 
in  other  aguish  districts,  was  a  rare  spectacle. 

I  can  readily  conceive,  in  explanation  of  this  apparent  immunity  from  congestive  enlarge- 
ment, and  from  other  obvious  disease,  on  the  part  of  the  liver  and  spleen,  where  ulceration 
exists  in  the  larger  bowels,  that,  in  obedience  to  the  law  pathological,  as  well  as  physiological, 
"itbi  irrHado,  ibi  fluxus,"  the  fluids  impelled  toward  the  central  organs  (under  circumstances 
calculated  to  produce  irregular  distributions)  are  diverted  to  the  point  wliere  irritation  exists  in 
greatest  intensity.  In  other  words,  the  irritation  of  the  bowels,  serving  as  "  a  diverticulum," 
secures  the  liver  and  spleen  from  an  influx  of  blood  sufficient  to  derange  their  healthy  functions, 
much  less  to  leave  after  death  appreciable  traces  of  organic  lesion.  I  have  no  reason  to  think, 
therefore,  that  the  use  of  quinine  had  any  agency  in  inducing  acute  and  chronic  affections  of 
the  liver  and  sjileen. 

With  the  exception  of  some  few  cases  of  sub-acute  dysentery,  and  the  fevers  above  alluded  to, 
and  some  cases  of  inveterate  acute  ophthalmia,' the  forms  of  disease  which  fell  under  my  notice, 
while  serving  in  the  Territory,  were  principally  chronic;  most  of  them,  perhaps,  protean  forms 
of  malarial  affections. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

J.  J.  B.  WRIGHT,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Th.  L.\wson,  M.  D., 

Surgeon  General  U.  S.  Army. 


report  of  assistant  surgeon  (sdrgeon)  bernard  m.  byrne. 

Fort  Marion,  St.  Augustine,  East  Florida, 

October  29,  1843. 

Sir:  In  reply  to  your  circular,  dated  the  14th  of  August,  1843,  on  the  subject  of  quinine, 
I  have  the  honor  to  state : 

1st.  That  my  experience  in  the  administration  of  this  medicine  in  very  large  doses  has  not 
been  extensive,  as  it  has  only  been  within  the  last  eighteen  months  that  I  have  undertaken  to 
test  its  powers  when  administered  in  doses  as  large  as  xx  grains;  and  even  during  that 
period,  my  opportunities  of  experiment  were  quite  limited,  in  consequence  of  the  very  healthy 
state  of  the  troops  with  which  I  served. 

2d.  It  was  always  the  sulphate  of  quinine  which  I  prescribed,  and  I  have  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  its  quality  was  pure. 

3d.  The  quinine  which  I  prescribed  was  always  obtained  from  the  purveying  department  of 
the  United  States  army. 

4th.  The  largest  doses  in  which  I  have  administered  this  remedy  did  not  exceed  9  ij,  and  it 
was  only  on  rare  occasions  that  I  gave  so  large  a  quantity  at  a  single  dose.  My  average  dose 
was  about  four  grains,  and  the  average  quantity  which  I  administered  within  twenty-four  hours 
did  not  exceed  one  scruple. 

5th.  Intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  neuralgia,  and  rheumatism  were  the  principal 
diseases  in  which  I  administered  this  remedy  in  large  doses,  and  the  state  of  apyrexia  was  the 
one  generally  chosen  for  its  exhibition. 

In  the  treatment  of  intermittent  fevers,  I  have,  for  at  least  seven  years,  been  in  the  habit  of 
administering,  during  the  period  of  intermission,  four  grains  of  quinine  every  six  hours  for  the 
first  day ;  and  this  I  found  almost  invariably  interrupted  the  paroxysms.  I  then  diminished 
the  quantity  to  six  grains  in  the  twenty-four  hours,  and  continued  its  exhibition  for  about  five 
days  longer;  and  it  was  but  seldom,  after  having  thus  administered  about  3j  of  this  medicine, 
that  a  paroxysm  returned,  unless  the  patient  had  been  exposed  to  fresh  causes  of  disease. 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  G57 

1  have,  witliin  the  last  eighteen  months,  frequently  resorted  to  the  method  of  administering 
3  ss.  of  this  medicine  in  a  single  dose  the  first  day,  xv  grains  the  second,  and  x  grains  the 
third  day ;  and  my  experience  has  heen  such  as  to  induce  me  to  ahandon  this  practice.  The 
convenience  of  being  ahle  to  administer  the  medicine  iu  fewer  doses  is  all  the  advantaj;e  which 
I  have  heen  ahle  to  discover  in  this  latter  over  my  former  method  of  employing  it;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  more  frequent  returns  of  the  disease,  the  temporary  deafness  and  blindness, 
together  with  other  unpleasant  nervous  symptoms,  which  I  have  seen  so  frequently  result  from 
its  exliibition  iu  those  larger  doses,  have  determined  me  hereafter,  in  the  treatment  of  inter- 
mittent fever,  not  to  administer  this  medicine  in  doses  larger  than  four  grains,  unless  in  cases 
of  emergency. 

I  have,  in  several  cases  of  severely  congestive  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers,  administered 
quinine  in  doses  as  large  as  9  ij,  and  repeated  this  quantity  five  times  in  the  twenty-four  hours, 
and,  as  I  conceived,  with  the  most  happy  effect;  and  I  can  readily  believe  that  even  larger 
doses,  and  more  frequently  repeated,  may  be  employed  with  advantage  in  averting  a  fatal 
paroxysm  in  fevers  of  a  highly  malignant  grade. 

The  instances  in  which  I  have  given  quinine  in  large  doses  during  the  hot  stage  of  fever, 
have  been  too  few  to  enable  me  to  form  a  decisive  opinion  as  to  the  general  expediency  of  this 
practice.  I  have,  in  six  cases  of  remittent  fever,  administered  3  ss.  during  the  jjeriod  of  exa- 
cerbation, and  the  result  was  such  as  to  encourage  me  to  repeat  the  experiment  when  opportu- 
nity offers.  In  four  of  these  cases,  the  most  jsrominent  symptoms  were  greatly  alleviated  in 
about  half  an  hour  after  the  exhibition  of  the  remedy ;  violent  headache,  pain  in  the  back, 
and  restlessness,  were  jiromptly  relieved,  and  the  fever  subsided  in  a  much  shorter  time  than 
in  the  previous  exacerbations,  in  which  quinine  had  not  been  administered.  In  the  other  two 
cases,  I  was  not  ahle  to  discover  any  marked  result  from  the  exhibition  of  this  medicine. 

I  have  frequently  employed  quinine  in  doses  of  from  x  to  xxx  grains  in  the  treatment  of  neu- 
ralgia and  chronic  rheumatism,  and  very  generally  with  decided  benefit. 

6th.  So  little  is  known  respecting  the  modus  operandi  of  any  therapeutic  agent,  that  it  is  with 
uiuch  diffidence  I  venture  to  ofter  an  opinion  on  that  of  the  remedy  in  question.  I  am,  how- 
ever, in  the  employment  of  this  medicine,  governed  by  some  theoretic  views,  of  which  I  shall 
here  present  a  brief  outline. 

Whether  quinine  may  act  as  a  "stimulant,'"  a  "tonic,"  or  a  "sedative,"  appears  to  me  to 
depend  on  the  condition  of  the  system  at  the  time  of  its  administration,  and  on  the  quantity 
administered.  The  fact  that  this  medicine  has  frequently  the  effect  of  accelerating  the  action  of 
the  heart,  of  occasioning  fullness  of  the  head,  buzzing  in  the  ear,  and  other  distressing  cerebral 
symptoms,  aflbrds,  I  should  think,  sufficient  proof  that  it  is  not  exclusivdy  "sedative"  in  its 
action.  On  the  otlier  hand,  it  is  difficult  to  regard  an  agent  as  exclusively  stimulant  or  tonic, 
which,  when  administered  in  large  doses,  during  the  paroxysm  of  fever,  has  the  effect  of  allay- 
ing pain  and  subduing  the  febrile  exacerbation.  Whatever,  therefore,  maybe  the  nature  of  the 
primary  impression  which  it  makes,  whether  stimulant,  tonic,  or  sedative,  so  varied  are  its 
effects  in  diflerent  conditions  of  the  system,  and  when  administered  in  difierent  quantities, 
that  it  appears  to  me  no  practical  advantage  can  result  from  giving  it  any  other  name  than  that 
of  quinine.  On  the  contrary,  were  it  even  passible  to  determine  with  certainty  that  the  first 
impression  of  this  agent  is  that  of  a  "stimulant,"  it  might  lead  to  much  practical  mischief 
to  designate  it  by  that  name,  since  it  is  known,  under  various  circumstances,  to  exercise  the 
opposite  effect.  The  same  objection  would  obtain  against  naming  it  "sedative,"  even  were  it 
certain  that  such  was  its  primary  impression  on  the  system.  All  that  is  known  respecting  the 
primary  eflect  of  this  medicine  is,  that  it  is  capable  of  making  a  powerful  impression  on  the 
nervous  system.  What  the  nature  of  that  impression  is,  will  probably  never  be  known ;  nor 
is  it  likely  that  a  knowledge  of  it  would  be  attended  with  any  practical  benefit.  Its  impres- 
sion must,  of  course,  be  specifically  diflerent  from  that  of  all  other  agents ;  and  if  it  be  exjje- 

S.  9  6 S.-i 


658  REPORTS    ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

dient  to  designate  it  by  any  jiiirticular  name,  none  can  be  so  expressive  as  tlie  term  quinine  im- 
pression. It  is  only  to  the  effects  which  result  from  tliis  impression,  both  in  the  normal  and 
pathological  conditions  of  the  system,  that  the  inquirj'  of  the  ])hysiciau  can  be  profitably  directed. 

It  appears  probable  that  the  remedial  agency  of  this  medicine  depends  on  the  counter-impres- 
sion which  it  makes  on  the  nervous  system,  and  especially  on  the  ganglionic  portion  of  it;  and 
if  this  position  could  be  established,  many  of  the  apparent  contradictions  respecting  its  stimu- 
lant and  sedative  character  might  be  reconciled. 

We  have  strong  reasons  for  believing  that  it  is  principally  on  the  ganglionic  system  of  nerves 
that  miasmatic  and  pestilential  poisons  make  their  first  impression;  and  it  is  in  accordance  with 
a  well-established  medical  axiom  to  infer,  that  an  agent  which  can  produce  a  powerful  counter- 
impression  on  the  same  system  of  nerves,  may  thereby  modify  or  control  the  morbific  efi'ects  of 
those  poisons.  That  quinine  exercises  a  powerful  impression  on  the  nervous  system,  is  suffi- 
ciently evinced  by  the  nervous  commotion  which  it  generally  occasions  when  administered  in 
the  normal  state  of  the  system.  But  it  is  found,  on  the  other  hand,  that  large  doses  of  this 
medicine,  administered  in  the  paroxysm  of  an  idiopathic  fever,  are  not  only  attended  with  less  ner- 
vous distress  than  in  the  former  case,  but  have  the  effect  of  assuaging  pain  and  of  alleviating  all  the 
febrile  symptoms.  This  apparent  discrepancy  can  be  explained  on  the  ]>rinciple  of  counter- 
impression.  Quinine,  when  administered  in  the  normal  state  of  the  system,  meets  with  nothing 
to  modify  its  specific  impression,  and  it  therefore  manifests  all  the  phenomena  by  which  this 
impression  is  characterized.  It  has,  on  the  contrary,  in  the  case  of  idiojjathic  fever,  to  contend 
with  the  morbid  influences  of  a  poison,  which  must  necessarily  modify,  if  not  entirely  control, 
its  effects;  and  the  consequence  is,  that  it  manifests  less  of  the  quinine  impression  than  when 
administered  in  health.  Tiiis  view  of  the  subject  is  illustrated  by  the  effects  of  large  doses  of 
ojiium  in  tetanus,  of  colchicum  in  rheumatism,  of  emetics  in  croup,  and  of  other  powerful  ther- 
apeutic agents,  which  seem  to  expend  their  energies  in  overcoming  morbid  conditions  of  the 
system. 

When  the  impression  which  quinine  makes  on  the  system  is  sufficiently  powerful  to  overcome 
that  of  the  poison,  the  primary  link  in  the  chain  of  morbid  action  is  broken,  and  what  are 
termed  its  sedative  effects  become  manifest.  Thus,  it  would  appear  that  this  remedy,  when 
administered  to  a  person  in  health,  may  powerfully  excite  the  nervous  system,  or  merely  pro- 
duce a  "tonic"  effect,  according  to  the  quantity  exhibited;  while,  in  cases  of  disease,  its  effects 
are  as  various  as  are  the  pathological  conditions  which  it  is  brought  to  oppose. 

Guided  by  views  of  which  these  form  an  outline,  I  seldom  exhibit  this  remedy  in  doses  larger 
than  four  grains,  except  in  cases  of  severe  disease.  In  fevers  of  a  malignant  grade,  which 
require  prompt  and  powerful  treatment,  and  especially  in  such  as  are  supposed  to  result  from 
miasmatic  poison,  I  am  disposed  to  administer  quinine  in  very  large  doses  from  the  first,  and 
to  repeat  it  during  any  stage  of  tlie  disease,  in  quantities  corresponding  with  the  severity  and 
persistency  of  the  symptoms.  In  diseases  of  this  character  the  poison  makes  rapid  inroads  on 
the  system,  and,  if  not  checked  within  the  first  few  hours,  there  is  but  little  hope  of  controlling 
it.  Under  such  circumstances,  there  is  no  time  for  tampering,  and  our  itractice  must  be  ener- 
getic and  decisive,  or  else  unsuccessful.  But  in  ordinary  cases  of  intermittent  fever,  and  in  all 
mild  and  chronic  forms  of  disease,  I  am  decidedly  opposed  to  large  doses  of  this  remedy,  as  I 
believe  them  to  be  generally  inexpedient,  and  oftentimes  mischievous. 

We  have  much  reason  to  believe  tliat,  in  a  great  majority'  of  cases  of  intermittent  fever,  the 
return  of  the  paroxysm  depends  more  upon  the  habit  which  the  system  has  acquired  than  upon 
the  immediate  action  of  the  poison ;  and  if  this  be  true,  our  remedies  .should  be  directed  with  a 
view  to  the  permanency  rather  than  to  the  force  of  their  effects.  It  is  established  by  ample 
experience,  that  quinine,  in  doses  of  four  grains,  administered  four  times  during  the  first  day, 
will  generally  make  an  impression  sufficiently  powerful  to  interrupt  the  paroxysms.  When 
this  is  done,  it  only  remains  i'or  us  to  overcome  the  habit  which  has  been  impres.sed  on  the  sys- 


OF   QUININE   IN    LARGE   DOSES.  659 

tem ;  and  tliis  is  much  more  likely  to  be  accomijlished  by  the  moderate  and  permanent,  tlian  by 
the  powerful  and  transient  effects  of  the  remedy.  We  would,  for  example,  be  much  more  likely, 
after  the  paroxysms  had  been  interrupted,  to  prevent  the  return  of  a  periodical  disease  by 
administering  six  grains  of  quinine  every  day  for  ten  days,  tlian  by  giving  sixty  grains  of  it 
in  two  days.  Besides,  we  would  avoid  the  very  unpleasant,  if  not  serious  consequences,  which 
sometimes  result  from  the  exliibition  of  very  large  doses  of  this  medicine. 

That  an  agent  which  is  capable  of  j^roducing  such  a  powerful  impression  on  the  nervous  system 
may,  if  injudiciously  administered,  cause  much  mischief,  must  be  obvious,  even  had  we  not  the 
jiractical  evidence  of  it  afforded  by  those  whose  constitutions  have  been  seriously  and  perma- 
nently injured  by  it.  The  important  discovery  that  this  remedy  can  be  administered  with 
advantage  in  doses  much  larger  than  were  formerly  considered  safe,  has  led  some  into  the 
dangerous  extreme  of  employing  it  without  either  limit  or  discrimination.  There  has  sprung 
up  within  the  last  few  years  a  small  sect  of  qiiinine  enthusiasts,  who,  if  we  may  judge  from  the 
indiscriminate  and  unlimited  manner  in  wliich  they  administer  their  favorite  remedy,  are  of 
opinion  that  it  is  not  only  a  panacea,  but  that  it  is  a  panacea  which  "can  do  no  wrong."  It  is 
very  evident  that,  if  quinine  possess  not  the  power  to  do  harm,  it  must  be  totally  inert,  and 
can  therefore  effect  no  good ;  as  there  is  no  agent,  wliicli  exercises  any  power  whatever  on  tlie 
system,  whose  power  may  not,  under  certain  circumstances,  be  productive  of  mischief.  These 
gentlemen,  however,  denominate  it  a  "sedative,"  and  contend  that  it  is  only  in  i(s  curative 
effects  that  its  power  is  manifested.  This  view  of  the  subject  jjresents  to  them  a  safe  and 
unlimited  field  of  experiment;  and  we  find,  accordingly,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  disease  in  the 
whole  catalogue  of  human  sufferings  in  which  this  medicine  has  not  already  been  administered 
in  indefinite  quantities.  It  matters  not  what  may  be  the  character  of  the  disease,  mild  or 
severe,  chronic  or  acute,  the  heroic  remedy  is  given  in  doses  of  from  tliirty  to  fifty  grains,  with 
fearless  empiricism.  Tliat  this  unguarded  and  indiscriminate  employment  of  so  powerful  an 
agent  will  be  attended  witli  much  mischief,  there  cannot  be  a  reasonable  doubt;  but  it  is,  on  the 
other  hand,  consoling  to  reflect  that  there  is  in  this,  as  in  most  other  evils,  some  power  of  com- 
pensation ;  and  that  the  vast  amount  of  experience  which  will  be  promptly  derived  from  this 
extensive  empiricism  will  in  some  measure  atone  for  its  mischief. 

7th.  My  experience  does  not  authorize  me  to  infer  that  the  administration  of  quinine  in 
large  doses  has  been  the  cause  of  dysentery  or  other  diseases  of  the  bowels.  I  have,  witliin  the 
last  twelve  months,  witnessed  a  much  lower  ratio  of  severe  bowel  affections  than  during  those 
years  when  the  troops  were  engaged  in  active  service.  This  I  attribute  to  the  cessation  of  the 
severe  exposures,  hardshij^s,  and  privations  to  which  the  war  subjected  them.  The  cases  of 
liver  and  s^jleen  disease  which  I  have  met  with  among  the  troojis,  have  been  remarkably  few, 
and  in  none  of  them  could  I  ascribe  its  origin  to  the  abuse  of  quinine.  I  have,  however,  met 
with  several  cases  of  nervous  affections,  which  evidently  resulted  from  the  administration  of 
large  quantities  of  this  medicine.  I  have  witnessed  four  cases  in  which  partial  deafness  was 
experienced  for  upwards  of  tliree  months;  one  in  which  the  deafness  was  permanent ;  and  one  in 
which  almost  total  blindness  was  occasioned  for  several  days,  and  in  which  perfect  vision  was 
not  restored  for  some  months.  These  cases  were  all  clearly  attributable  to  the  administration 
of  quinine  in  large  quantities.  I  have,  besides  these,  met  with  numerous  other  cases  of  nervous 
derangement  of  a  clironic  character,  such  as  .slight  spasmodic  affections,  frequent  attacks  of  ver- 
tigcr,  palpitations  of  the  heart,  cephalalgias,  nervous  tremors,  &c. ,  which  it  appeared  to  me 
could  be  fairly  ascribed  to  the  same  cause.  In  nearly  all  tliose  cases  tlie  remedy  had  been  ex- 
hibited in  doses  of  from  x  to  xxx  grains;  and  in  several  of  them,  as  higli  as  200  grains  had  been 
administered  within  ten  days. 

8th.  As  the  climate  of  Florida  is  a  subject  which  I  intend  to  discuss  at  some  length,  as  soon 
as  I  can  have  access  to  the  medical  statistics  of  the  army,  I  shall  merely  remark,  on  tlie  present 
occasion,  that  my  observation  and  experience,  during  five  years,  liave  been  such  as  to  give  me 
a  most  favorable  opinion  of  its  salubritj'.     Its  general  influence  is  to  bestow  a  milder  type  upon 


660  REPORTS   ON  THE   ADMINISTRATION 

the  acute  diseases  of  other  climates ;  and  this  is  true  as  regards  miasmatic  diseases,  as  well  as 
all  inflammatory  affections, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  resjiectfullv,  your  obedient  servant, 

BERNAKD  M.  BYRNE, 

Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  A. 
Dr.  Thos.  Lawson, 

Surgeon  Generctl  U.  S.  A.,  Washington. 


REPORT  OF  ASSISTANT  SURGEON  (SURGEON)  CIIAliLES  McCORJIICK. 

"As  the  jjropriety  of  the  administration  of  c^uinine  in  very  large  doses  has  become  a  mooted 
question  throughout  the  medical  world,  and  as  various  members  of  the  medical  corps  of  the 
army  have  had  more  or  less  experience  in  this  particular,  you  are  hereby  directed  to  furnish 
replies  to  the  following  interrogatories: 

"1st.  What  is  the  extent  of  your  experience  in  tliis  respect?" 

Ans.  I  liave  used  the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  large  doses — say,  from  four  to  thirty  grains  and 
upwards — constantly,  about  four  years. 

"  2d.  "Was  it  always  the  suli)hate  of  quinine  that  you  have  prescribed?  If  so,  was  it  pure?" 

Ans.  I  liave  always  used  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  simply  diffused  in  water  as  a  vehicle.  All 
I  have  used  has  been  pure. 

"3d.  From  what  source  has  your  quinine  been  obtained?" 

Ans.  From  American,  French,  and  German  manufacturers;  such,  for  instance,  as  Wetherill, 
Eosengarten  &  Denis,  and  Farr  (American),  Pelletier,  Caventou,  and  Delondre  (French). 

"4th.  In  how  large  doses  have  you  administered  it,  both  as  regards  the  extreme  and  the 
average  quantity?" 

Ans.  In  doses  varying  from  one-sixth  of  a  grain  to  eighty  grains.  The  average  dose  I 
employ  in  intermittent  fevers  is  ten  grains  just  after,  and  ten  grains  tliree  or  four  hours  before, 
the  period  for  the  paroxysm.  In  remittent  and  continued  fevers,  thirty  grains  is  the  average 
dose  in  which  I  administer  it. 

"5th.  State  the  specific  diseases  in  which  you  have  employed  it,  with  all  the  necessary  details, 
and  especially  as  regards  the  Ionic  state  of  the  system;  and  whether  injurious  effects,  or  at  least 
unpleasant  symptoms,  did  not  less  frequently  supervene  in  the  adynamic  state  than  when  the 
powers  of  life  were  in  an  exalted  condition?" 

Ans.  I  have  employed  the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  the  treatment  of  all  kinds  of  fever — inter- 
mittent, remittent,  and  continued;  in  acute  and  chronic  rheumatism,  neuralgia,  and  tetanus; 
with  great  benefit  in  the  early  stages  of  dysentery,  diarrhoea,  and  cholera  morbus,  in  combina- 
tion with  opium.  I  have  given  it  under  all  circumstances,  in  the  prodromic,  the  cold,  hot,  and 
sweating  stages  of  fever,  and  during  the  intermissions  and  remissions,  in  simple  uncomplicated 
fever,  and  in  fevers  complicated  with  various  local  inflammations  of  the  head,  chest,  and 
abdomen ;  and  never  have  witnessed  any  injurious  effects  or  unpleasant  symptoms,  when  it  was 
given  in  large  doses. 

"6th.  Give  your  opinion  as  to  the  modus  operandi  of  this  therapeutic  agent;  whethei',  for 
instance,  you  regard  it  as  a  tonic,  a  sedative,  or  a  stimulant." 

Ans.  I  regard  it  as  a  sedative. 

"  7th.  Since  the  practical  introduction  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  the  statistics  of  this  Bureau 
exhibit  a  much  higher  ratio  of  diseases  of  the  bowels — as,  for  instance,  diarrhoiaand  dysentery; 
and,  also,  a  much  higher  average  of  mortality  from  the  same  diseases.  It  remains,  therefore, 
to  be  determined,  how  far  this  result  is  due  to  this  cause,  or  the  operation  of  other  agents." 

Ans.  In  replying  to  this  interrogatory,  I  would  suggest  that  tlie  fact  it  refers  to  may  be  traced 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  661 

to  some  other  cause ;  as,  for  instance,  by  a  strict  examination  of  the  reports  of  sick,  in  your  office, 
it  may  be  found  tliat  tlie  reports  containing  the  greatest  number  of  such  cases  have  been  made 
by  medical  officers  who  have  used  this  remedy  only  after  the  old  method,  and  have  not  given  it 
in  the  stage  of  febrile  reaction,  with  a  view  to  arrest  the  disease.  However  this  may  be,  I  am 
fully  satisfied,  from  long  and  impartial  use  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  my  own  practice,  that 
it  has  been  otherwise;  and  since  using  it  in  large  doses,  and  freely,  I  have  had  fewer  diseases  of 
the  bowels  supervening  and  ensuing  on  fever;  and  that,  under  many  circumstances,  these  very 
aflections  are  relieved  by  the  timely  administration  of  this  remedy.  A  remarkable  case  of  this 
nature  (dysentery  relieved  by  this  remedy)  I  reported  to  you  in  my  quarterly  report  for  the 
quarter  ending  30th  September,  1841.  Quinine  possesses  the  power  to  arrest  the  progress  of 
fever,  and,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  prevents  the  local  disorders  that  fever,  when  suffered  to 
run  its  course,  almost  always  induces. 

"8th.  What  liave  been  your  observation  and  experience  in  regard  to  the  influence  of  the 
climate  of  Florida;  the  acute  diseases  incident  thereto;  or  the  use  of  quinine  in  inducing  acute 
and  chronic  aflections  of  the  liver  and  spleen?" 

Ans.  The  climate  of  Florida,  and  the  acute  diseases  incident  thereto,  have  both  a  decided 
tendency  to  induce  acute  and  chronic  affections  of  the  spleen,  and  frequently  of  the  liver;  but 
the  former  are  much  more  common.  In  my  opinion,  the  use  of  quinine,  so  far  from  being  con- 
cerned in  causing  these  aflections,  is  almost  the  only  remedy  we  possess  capable  of  counteract- 
ing this  tendency  of  the  climate  and  its  acute  diseases ;  and  in  removing  these  affections,  it  is 
an  invaluable  remedy,  esjjecially  in  enlargement  of  the  spleen,  which  it  often  reduces  as  if  by 
magic. 

"9th.   State  whatever  else  you  may  deem  appropriate  to  the  subject." 

Ans.  In  replying  to  this,  I  have  to  say  that,  notwithstanding  the  propriety  of  administering 
the  sulphate  of  quinine  in  very  large  doses  is  a  mooted  question  throughout  the  medical  world, 
it  is  far  less  a  novelty  in  medicine  than  its  exhibition  during  the  exacerbations  of  intermittent, 
remittent,  and  continued  forms  of  fever ;  or,  in  other  words,  when  the  powers  of  life  are  in  an 
exalted  condition.  We  may  prescribe  any  number  of  grains  at  a  dose,  and  yet  regard  the 
remedy  as  a  tonic;  but,  surely,  no  person  would  venture  to  administer  it  to  a  patient  at  the 
time  laboring  under  high  febrile  excitement,  so  long  as  he  regarded  the  remedy  as  belonging 
to  the  class  of  excitants.  An  extensive  experience  in  practice  of  nearly  four  years  has  satisfied 
me,  beyond  a  possibility  of  doubt,  that  it  may  not  only  be  advantageously  given  in  very  large 
doses,  but  also  (and  what  I  regard  as  a  far  more  important  fact)  that  it  can  be  given  thus  witli- 
out  fear  of  any  iujurious  e0"ects  or  unpleasant  symptoms,  in  any  state  of  the  system  whatever, 
even  during  the  highest  febrile  excitement.  This  single  fact  (for  fact  it  is)  is  conclusive  evidence 
that  this  medicine  cannot  be  regarded  as  belonging  to  the  class  of  excitants,  since  they  are 
altogether  inadmissible  ichen  thejMiuers  of  life  are  in  an  exalted  condition. 

The  same  experience  has  taught  me  that  it  has  no  power  to  augment  or  increase  inflamma- 
tion, or  retard  its  cure  ;  and,  again,  that  it  may,  with  safety,  be  given  in  large  doses,  at  all 
times,  and  under  all  circnmslanccs  ;  and  that  it  possesses  the  potcer  to  arrest  fever ;  and,  as  a  con- 
sequence, when  administered  in  the  early  stage,  to  obviate  and  prevent  the  congestions  and  in- 
flammations that  occur  during  the  progress  of  fever. 

Tliat  these  statements  are  facts,  any  person  can  satisfy  himself  by  administering  this  remedy 
in  any  number  of  cases  where  tlie  powers  of  life  are  in  an  exalted  comlition,  in  large  doses, 
and  closely  watching  its  efiects.  Let  it,  then,  be  given  thus,  in  any  inflammatory  disease 
whatever,  at  all  times,  and  imder  all  circumstances;  and  it  will  not  be  foimd  to  augment  or  in- 
crease local  inflammations,  but,  on  the  contrary,  to  accelerate  their  cure.  Given  in  large 
doses,  boldly  and  freely,  during  the  high  febrile  excitement  of  idiopathic  and  arthritic  fevers, 
it  will  be  found  to  lessen  the  force  of  the  pulse,  diminish  the  heat  and  dryness  of  skin,  and 
restlessness,  and  to  throw  out  on  the  surface  a  general  warm  and  free  perspiration ;  in  short,  in 
a  few  hours  (generally  from  one  to  three  or  four)  to  cut  short  the  paroxysms  and  arrest  the 


662  REPORTS  ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

furtiier  progress  of  fever  ;  generally  acting  sensibly  on  the  skin,  occasionally  on  the  secretions 
from  the  bowels,  producing  freealvine  dejections;  and,  again,  on  the  kidneys  and  bladder,  in  a 
free  secretion  and  discharge  of  urine;  and  sometimes,  without  any  other  sensible  eifect,  the 
fever  is  seen  to  subside  under  the  influence  of  this  potent  drug.  The  quantity  necessary  to 
produce  these  effects  may  vary  in  dift'erent  cases;  generally  a  dose  of  thirty  grains  will  be  suffi- 
cient.    Where  venesection  is  required,  let  the  sulphate  be  given  immediately  after. 

Stimulants  ])ossess  the  power  of  exciting,  and  sedatives  that  of  diminishing  the  animal  ener- 
gies. Tonics  are  classed  as  permanent  stimuli.  If,  then,  a  remedy  may  not  only  be  safely, 
but  advantageously  administered  to  patients  laboring  under  high  fever,  acute  rheumatism,  and 
fevers  with  various  local  inflammations,  it  surely  must  be  admitted  that  it  does  not  possess  the 
power  of  exciting  the  animal  energies,  and  is  not,  therefore,  a  stimulant  or  tonic;  for,  as  pre- 
viously stated,  such  remedies  are  altogether  inadmissible  when  the  powers  of  life  are  in  an 
exalted  condition ;  and  as,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  found  to  lessen  the  force  of  the  pulse,  heat, 
and  dryness  of  the  skin,  to  allay  restlessness,  and  to  throw  out  on  the  surface  a  general  warm 
and  free  perspiration,  if  given  at  a  time  when  the  powers  of  life  are  in  an  exalted  condition,  its 
action  more  closely  resembles  that  ascribed  to  the  class  of  antiphlogistics.  But  it  j^ossesses 
other  powers  than  those  of  an  antiphlogistic,  and  to  these  its  apparent  action,  as  such,  is  to  be 
attributed.  When  given  in  large  doses,  I  have  seen  it  iillay  pain  as  speedily  as  opium;  and  it 
often  acts,  not  only  as  an  anodyne,  but  as  a  soporific.  In  si)asmodic  asthma,  I  have  seen  it 
afford  relief  frequently.  In  one  case  of  traumatic  tetanus,  I  gave  it  to  allay  spasmodic  action, 
with  more  eftect  than  opium.  And  in  a  case  of  agonizing  pain,  brought  on  by  the  crown  of  a 
large  jaw-tooth  having  broken  off  in  a  violent  effort  to  extract  it,  this  remedy  gave  immediate 
relief,  when  a  large  dose  of  tincture  of  opium  had  failed.  Here,  then,  are  further  properties  I 
have  found  tliis  remedy  to  possess,  more  analogous  to  the  effects  of  opium  (which  is  admitted 
to  be  a  sedative)  than  any  other  remedy  we  have ;  but  it  differs  from  opium  in  the  greater  per- 
manence of  its  effects,  and  in  not  possessing  anj'  narcotic  ^u'opcrties ;  and,  consequently,  it  may 
be  given  in  unlimited  doses.  I  have  given  three-quarters  of  an  ounce  (360  grains)  to  a  patient 
in  the  space  of  twelve  hours,  with  the  most  beneficial  result.  Like  opium,  too,  its  action  is 
almost  immediate  upon  the  brain  and  nerves.  In  two  or  three  hours  after  a  large  dose,  it  al- 
most invariably  induces  a  sense  of  fullness  in  the  head,  stricture  across  the  forehead,  slight 
pain,  ringing  and  buzzing  in  the  ears,  and  partial  temporary  deafness;  and  a  peculiar  muscular 
debility  frequently  follows  its  administration. 

I  have  found  opium  and  quinine  to  have  a  similar  action  when  given  in  congestive  fever,  par- 
ticularly in  the  cold  stage.  They  are  the  remedies  I  especially  rely  on  in  this  disease,  Like 
quinine,  opium,  when  given  in  a  full  dose,  seldom  fails  to  arrest  the  paroxysm  of  an  inter- 
mittent, (this  I  noticed  in  a  report  made  to  you  in  1839,)  or  to  moderate  the  fever  when  given 
in  the  hot  stage.  Drs.  Lind,  Trotter,  and  others,  speak  of  the  beneficial  eflects  of  opium,  when 
given  in  the  hot  stage,  of  allaying  fever.  Like  opium,  too,  the  action  of  quinine  is  highly 
favored  by  blood-letting,  when  required.  In  short,  it  jtossesses  the  jiower,  in  large  doses,  of 
diminishing  tiie  animal  energies,  and  is,  consequently,  a  sedative. 

These  are  essentially  the  same  facts  stated  in  my  report  to  you  in  September  or  October,  1841. 

To  favor  the  view  I  have  taken  of  this  remedy,  I  will  add  the  following  extracts  from  Pro- 
fessor Liebig's  Animal  Chemistry: 

"  88.  With  respect  to  the  action  of  the  other  nitrogenized  vegetable  principles,  such  as  qui- 
nine, or  the  alkaloids  of  opium,  &c.,  which  manifests  itself,  not  in  the  processes  of  secretion, 
but  in  phenomena  of  another  kind,  physiologists  and  jjathologists  entertain  no  doubt  that  it  is 
exerted  chiefly  on  the  brain  and  nerves.  This  action  is  commonly  said  to  be  dynamic — that  is, 
it  accelerates,  or  retards,  or  alters,  in  some  way,  the  phenomena  of  motion  in  animal  life.  If 
we  reflect  that  this  action  is  exerted  by  substances  which  are  material,  tangible,  and  pondera- 
ble; that  they  disappear  in  the  organism ;  that  a  double  dose  acts  more  powerfully  than  a  single 
one;  that,  after  a  time,  a  fresh  dose  must  be  given,  if  we  wish  to  produce  the  action  a  second 


OF   QUININE   IN    LARGE   DOSES.  G63 

time;  all  these  considerations,  viewed  chemically,  permit  onh'  one  form  of  explanation — the  sup- 
position, namely,  that  these  compounds,  by  means  of  their  elements,  take  a  share  in  the  form- 
ation of  new,  or  the  transformation  of  existing  train  and  nervous  matter. 

"However  strange  the  idea  may  at  first  sight  appear,  that  the  alkaloids  of  opium  or  of  cinchona 
bark,  the  elements  of  codeine,  morphine,  quinine,  &c. ,  maybe  converted  into  constituents  of  brain 
and  nervous  matter,  into  organs  of  vital  energy,  from  which  the  organic  motions  of  the  body 
derive  their  origin — that  these  substances  form  a  constituent  of  that  matter,  by  the  removal  of 
which  the  seat  of  intellectual  life,  of  sensation,  and  of  consciousness,  is  annihilated;  it  is  never- 
theless certain  that  all  these  forms  of  power  and  activity  are  most  closely  dependent,  not  only 
on  the  existence,  but  also  on  a  certain  quality  of  the  substance  of  the  brain,  spinal  marrow, 
and  nerves ;  insomuch  that  all  the  manifestations  of  the  life  or  vital  energy  of  these  modifica- 
tions of  nervous  matter,  which  are  recognized  as  the  phenomena  of  motion,  sensation,  or  feel- 
ing, assume  another  form  as  soon  as  their  composition  is  altered.  The  animal  organism  has 
produced  the  brain  and  nerves  out  of  compounds  furnished  to  it  by  vegetables ;  it  is  the  con- 
stituents of  the  food  of  the  animal,  which,  in  consequence  of  a  series  of  changes,  have  as- 
sumed the  properties  and  the  structure  which  we  find  in  the  brain  and  nerves." 

"89.  If  it  must  be  admitted,  as  an  undeniable  truth,  that  the  substance  of  the  brain  and 
nerves  is  produced  from  the  elements  of  vegetable  albumen,  fibrine,  and  caseine,  either  alone 
or  with  the  aid  of  the  elements  of  non-azotized  food,  as  the  fat  formed  from  the  latter,  there  is 
nothing  absurd  in  the  opinion  that  other  constituents  of  vegetables,  intermediate  in  composi- 
tion between  the  fats  and  the  compounds  of  proteine,  may  be  applied  in  the  organism  to  the 
same  purpose." 

"91.  Brain  and  nervous  matter  is,  at  all  events,  formed  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  in  which 
bile  is  produced — either  by  the  separation  of  a  highly  nitrogenized  compound  from  the  elements 
of  blood,  or  by  the  combination  of  a  nitrogenized  product  of  the  vital  process  with  an  on- 
azotized  compound,  probably  a  fatty  body.  All  that  has  been  said  in  the  preceding  pages  on 
the  various  possible  ways  by  which  the  bile  might  be  supposed  to  be  formed — all  the  conclu- 
sions which  we  attained  in  regard  to  the  co-operation  of  azotized  and  non-azotized  elements  of 
food,  may  be  applied  with  equal  justice  and  equal  probability  to  the  formation  and  production 
of  the  nervous  substance. 

"We  must  not  forget  that,  in  whatever  light  we  may  view  the  vital  operations,  the  production 
of  nervous  matter  from  blood  presupposes  a  change  in  the  composition  and  qualities  of  the  con- 
stituents of  blood.  That  such  a  change  occurs,  is  as  certain  as  that  the  existence  of  the  nervous 
matter  cannot  be  denied.  In  this  sense,  we  must  assume  that,  from  a  compound  of  proteine 
may  be  formed  a  first,  second,  third,  &c.  product  before  a  certain  number  of  elements  can  become 
constituents  of  the  nervous  matter;  and  it  must  be  considered  as  quite  certain  that  a  product  of 
the  vital  process  in  a  plant  introduced  into  the  blood,  will,  if  its  comjiosition  be  adapted  to  the 
purpose,  supply  the  place  of  the  first,  second,  or  third  product  of  the  alteration  of  the  compound 
of  proteine.  Indeed,  it  cannot  be  considered  merely  accidental  that  the  composition  of  the  most 
active  remedies — namely,  the  vegetable  alkaloid.s — cannot  be  shown  to  be  related  to  that  of  any 
constituent  of  the  body,  except  only  the  substance  of  the  nerves  and  brain.  All  of  these  con- 
tain a  certain  quantity  of  nitrogen ;  and,  in  regard  to  the  composition,  they  are  intermediate 
between  the  compounds  of  proteine  and  the  fats." 

"92.  In  contradistinction  to  the  chemical  character,  we  find  that  the  substance  of  the  brain 
exhibits  the  characters  of  an  acid.  It  contains  far  more  oxygen  than  the  organic  bases  or  alka- 
loids. We  observe  that  quinine,  and  cinchonine,  morphia,  codeine,  strychnia,  and  brucia,  which 
are  respectively  so  nearly  alike  in  composition,  if  they  Jo  not  produce  absolutely  the  same  efi"ect, 
yet  resemble  each  other  in  their  action  more  than  those  which  difl'er  more  widely  in  composition. 
We  find  that  their  energy  of  action  diminishes  as  the  amount  of  oxygen  they  contain  increases, 
(as  in  the  case  of  narcotine ;)  and  that,  strictly  s](eaking,  no  one  of  them  can  be  entirely  replaced 
by  another.     There  cannot  be  a  more  decisive  proof  of  the  nature  of  their  action  than  this  last 


664  REPORTS   ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

i'act;  it  must  stand  in  the  closest  relation  to  their  composition.  If  these  compounds,  in  point 
of  fact,  are  capable  of  taking  a  share  in  the  formation  or  in  the  alteration  of  the  qiialities  of 
brain  and  nervous  matter,  their  action  on  the  healthy  as  well  as  diseased  organism  admits  of 
a  suriirisingly  simple  exjjlanation.  If  we  are  not  tempted  to  deny  that  the  chiel'  constituent  of 
soup  may  be  applied  to  a  purpose  corresponding  to  its  composition  in  the  human  body,  or  tliat 
the  organic  constituent  of  bones  may  be  so  employed  in  the  body  of  the  dog,  altliongli  that  sub- 
stance (gelatine  in  both  cases)  is  absolutely  incapable  of  yielding  blood;  ii',  therefore,  nitro- 
genized  compounds,  totally  different  from  the  compounds  of  proteine,  may  be  employed  for 
])urposes  corresponding  to  their  composition,  we  may  thence  conclude  that  a  product  of  vegetable 
life,  also  different  from  proteine,  but  similar  to  a  constituent  of  the  animal  body,  may  be  em- 
ployed by  the  organism  in  the  same  way,  and  for  the  same  purpose,  as  the  natural  jjroduct 
originally  formed  by  the  vital  energy  of  the  animal  organs — and  that,  indeed,  from  a  vegetable 
substance."  ********** 

"  94.  Thus,  as  we  may  say,  in  a  certain  sense,  of  caffeine  and  tlieine,  and  asparagine,  &c.,  as 
well  as  of  the  non-azotized  elements  of  food,  that  they  are  food  for  the  liver — since  they  contain 
the  elements,  by  the  presence  of  which  that  organ  is  enabled  to  perform  its  functions;  so  we  may 
consider  these  nitrogenized  compounds,  so  remarkable  for  their  action  on  tlie  brain  and  on  the 
substance  of  the  organs  of  motion,  as  elements  of  food  for  the  organs  as  yet  unknown,  which 
are  destined  for  the  metamorphosis  of  the  constituents  of  the  blood  into  nervous  substance  and 
brain.  Such  organs  there  must  bo  in  the  animal  body;  and  if,  in  the  diseased  state,  an  abnor- 
mal process  of  production  or  transformation  of  the  constituents  of  cerebral  and  nervous  matter 
has  been  established ;  if,  in  the  organs  intended  for  this  purpose,  the  power  of  forming  that 
matter  out  of  the  constituents  of  blood,  or  the  power  of  resisting  an  abnormal  degree  of  activity 
in  its  decomposition  or  transformation  has  been  diminished,  then,  in  a  chemical  sense,  there  is 
no  objection  to  the  opinion  that  substances  of  a  composition  analogous  to  that  of  nervous  and 
cerebral  matter,  and  consequently  adapted  to  form  that  matter,  may  be  employed  instead  of  the 
substances  produced  from  the  l)lood,  either  to  furnish  the  necessary  resistance  or  to  restore  the 
normal  condition." 

It  would  hence  appear,  that  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  in  its  medical  virtues  and  chemical 
composition,  is  very  analogous  to  morphia;  that,  like  ojiium,  too,  along  witli  its  sedative,  it 
possesses  stimulating  properties,  exciting  the  motion  of  tlie  blood — as  all  will  admit  who  have 
used  it  as  a  stimulant — (that  is,  tonic,  permanent  stimulus,)  increasing  the  frequency  of  the 
pulse,  although,  at  the  same  time,  diminishing  its  force. 

Now,  as  regards  its  exhibition  in  the  tonic  and  atonic  states  of  the  system,  it  has  been  shown 
that  it  may  be  safely  given  in  the  former,  although  heretofore  regarded  as  at  variance  with 
sound  principles  of  practice.  The  use  of  both  opium  and  quinine  has  been  sanctioned  by  the 
profession  at  large  in  the  low  forms  of  fever ;  and  they  have  been  most  liberally  used  in  the 
atonic  states  of  the  system,  when  the  powers  of  life  were  in  a  depressed  condition. 

This  apparent  inconsistency  of  giving  these  remedies  in  such  oj'posite  conditions  of  the 
system,  is  satisfactorily  explained  when  we  recollect  that,  as  sedatives,  they  both  act  directly  on 
the  nervous  power,  diminishing  the  sensibility,  irritability,  and  mobility  of  the  system ;  thus 
allaying  pain,  inordinate  action,  and  restlessness.  Hence  they  may  be  used  in  a  great  variety 
of  diseases.  A  remedy  possessing  the  power  of  diminishing  sensibility  and  allaying  inordinate 
action  when  given  in  large  doses,  may  yet  (as  opium)  act  as  a  stimulant  in  small  and  fre- 
quently repeated  doses ;  in  the  former  case,  highly  beneficial  when  the  powers  of  life  are  in  an 
exalted  condition ;  in  the  latter,  proving  useful  to  sustain  the  system  and  obtund  sensibility. 

But  whatever  may  be  its  action,  I  can  safely  aver  that  I  never  have  seen  any  injurious  effects 
or  unpleasant  symptoms  supervene  in  any  stale  of  the  system;  and  I  have  given  it  in  eveiy 
possible  condition,  and  have  so  constantly  witnessed  such  surprising  remedial  effects  ibllow  its 
exhibition,  as  to  justify  me  in  regarding  the  sulphate  of  quinine  almost  as  an  antidote  to  the 
cause  originating  fever;  and,  as  with  antidotes,  the  amount  required  will  be  in  exact  ratio  to 


OF   QUININE  IN    LARGE   DOSES.  665 

the  quantity  of  poison  (in  this  case  malaria)  imbibed.  At  the  "  Hopital  des  En/ans,"  at  Paris, 
M.  Guersant  employed  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  after  amputating  both  lower  extremities,  for 
tlie  traumatic  fever,  and  with  eftect. — {London  Lancet,  from  Gazette  des  Hopitaux,  March  14; 
Pliiladelphia  Medical  Examiner,  August  5th,  1843.)  I  have  myself  seen  it  allay  febrile  action 
in  pneumonia,  &c. 

Professor  Liebig  says:  "93.  *  *  *  '^  It  is  singular  that  we  find  medicinal  agencies  all 
dependent  on  certain  matters,  which  differ  in  composition;  and  if,  by  the  introduction  of  a  sub- 
stance, certain  abnormal  conditions  are  rendered  normal,  it  will  be  impossible  to  reject  the  opinion 
that  tliis  iilienomenon  depends  on  a  change  in  the  constituents  of  the  diseased  organism ;  a  change 
in  which  tlie  elements  of  the  remedy  take  a  share — a  share  similar  to  that  which  the  vegetable 
elements  of  the  food  have  taken  in  the  formation  of  fat,  of  membranes,  of  the  saliva,  of  the 
seminal  fluid,"  &c.,  &c.  How  beautifully  all  this  applies  to  the  action  of  quinine  in  fever! 
Now,  the  cause  of  fever  acting  on  the  human  organization,  may  cause  therein  the  change, 
waste,  or  transformation  of  some  element,  which  is  supplied  in  the  quinine  when  given.  And 
as  the  cause  of  fever  and  the  quinine  both  act  immediately  upon  the  nervous  system,  it  must  be 
in  that  part  of  the  organization  we  are  to  search  for  the  explanation  of  fever.  And,  in  truth, 
it  does  seem  to  consist  in  some  modification  of  the  nervous  system,  caused  by  the  malaria 
creating  a  change  of  function  or  structure,  or  preternatural  waste  therein,  as  is  seen  to  occur  in 
otlier  tissues  during  the  progress  of  fever,  and  which  are  only  remedied  by  the  exhibition  of 
articles  containing  the  appropriate  elements  for  the  formation  of  such  tissues.  For  instance:  as 
gelatine  in  soup  is  supjjosed  to  act,  in  convalescence,  in  restoring  the  waste  in  cellular  tissue, 
cartilage,  &c.;  so  quinine  may  be  supposed  to  act  as  food,  supplying  waste  or  change  in  organ- 
ism produced  by  fever  in  the  nervous  tissue. 

I  have  suggested  that  it  is  in  this  tissue  we  are  to  look  for  and  find  the  proximate  cause  of 
fever,  inasmuch  as  the  modus  oj^erandi  of  the  great  febrifuge  is  direct  on  the  brain  and  nerves ; 
and  inasmuch  as  in  virtue  of  its  composition  it  may  be  termed  food  for  the  brain  and  nerves,  as 
caffeine,  and  theine,  and  asparagine  are  so  called  for  the  liver ;  and  further,  as  the  action  of  the 
malaria,  or  rather  of  both  koino  and  idio-miasmata  is  direct  upon  the  brain  and  nerves.  All, 
then,  that  has  been  said  in  relation  to  the  sulphate  of  quinine  would  seem  to  confirm  this 
opinion;  and  an  examination  of  the  nature  of  fever  will,  I  think,  have  a  like  tendency. 

"That  derangement  of  the  nervous  system  constitutes  the  initial  link  in  the  chain  of  morbid 
actions  which  occur  in  the  development  of  fever,  cannot  be  doubted.  The  mental  and  muscular 
languor,  rigors,  pains  in  the  back,  limbs,  and  joints,  irritability  and  fickleness  of  temper, 
morbid  sensibility  to  low  temperature,  confusion  and  dullness  of  the  intellectual  powers,  which 
so  universally  usher  in  febrile  diseases,  afford  unequivocal  evidence  of  pervading  derangement 
of  the  nervous  system."  Or,  in  other  words,  they  indicate  lesion  of  the  function  of  inner- 
vation. Now,  as  this  function  (it  is  admitted)  presides  over  those  of  calorification,  secretion, 
circulation,  and  absorption,  we  cannot  conceive  it  to  suffer  disorder  or  derangement,  without  the 
others  being  immediately,  and  invariably,  more  or  less  imi)licated ;  and  such  is  the  fact,  for  we 
constantly  see  in  fever  alteration  of  the  animal  temperature,  and  general  disorder  of  the 
functions.  Again,  as  long  as  this  function  (innervation)  is  carried  on  in  a  healthy  manner,  or 
preserves  its  integrity,  those  dependent  on  it,  or  over  which  it  presides,  will  also  maintain 
theirs.     This  is  a  state  of  health. 

Fear,  grief,  and  joy — in  short,  all  the  passions  act  by  the  impression  they  make  upon  the  brain 
and  nerves ;  and  each  has  been  known  to  cause  immediate  death.  The  cause  of  fever  has  also  been 
known,  in  the  severe  congestive  forms,  to  deprive  the  patient  instantl}'  of  all  sensation  and 
motion,  and,  at  times,  to  cause  immediate  and  almost  instantaneous  death.  How  can  any  other 
view  of  the  pathology  of  fever  than  the  nervous  explain  such  phenomena?  Surely  death  in  such 
cases  could  not  have  been  the  result  of  inflammation,  as  this  occupies  time  to  run  its  course  1 
The  rush  of  blood  to  the  cheeks,  as  seen  in  blushing;  the  erection  of  the  penis;  and  the  deter- 
minations of  blood  to  the  head,  in  anger,  are  examples  of  congestions  occurring  suddenly,  and 

S,   9(> 84 


666  REPORTS    ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

almost  instantly,  from  the  nervous  influence ;  and  no  appearance  in  the  early  stage  of  fever  is 
more  universal  than  these  irregular  distributions  of  the  blood,  evidently  arising  from  the  same 
cause — ^nervous  influence. 

Symptomatic  fevor,  or  fever  dei>endent  on  local  inflammation,  presents  the  same  phenomena 
as  idiopathic;  and,  as  "ubi  irritatio,  ihi  fluxus,"  is  a  maxim,  it  will  be  admitted  that  even  in 
inflammation  the  nerves  are  first  implicated,  and  the  action  of  the  vascular  system  is  secondary. 
Certainly,  if  the  sensibility  and  irritability  of  the  part  be  not  altered,  there  will  be  no  inflam- 
mation; and  they  exist  only  where  the  brain  and  nerves  are  present.  But  in  inflammation,  as 
in  fever,  the  function  of  the  vascular  system  is  deranged,  and,  consequently,  that  of  innerva- 
tion, primarily,  as  it  presides  over  the  other. 

The  cause  of  fever  acts  through  the  impression  made  upon  the  organs  concerned  in  innerva- 
tion— probably  by  the  malaria  being  taken  into  the  current  of  the  circulation  in  the  lungs. 
However  this  may  be,  it  is  evident  its  first  effects  are  manifested  in  the  nervous  system,  and  it 
produces  impressions  on  this  system,  more  or  less  lasting,  and  more  or  less  injurious,  according 
to  its  amount  and  concentration — as  a  poison  acts,  precisely ;  and  as  with  a  poison  (corrosive  sub- 
limate, for  instance)  its  injurious  effects  cease  with  the  antidote,  although,  should  the  poison  have 
excited  inflammation  previous  to  the  exliibition  of  the  antidote,  this  latter  will  have  no  effect  in 
curing  the  inflammation,  only  acting  upon  the  poison  and  arresting  its  effects  ;  leaving  what- 
ever inflammation  may  have  been  excited  up  to  the  time  of  its  action.  But,  as  suggested,  in 
all  inflammation  wliatever,  the  function  of  innervation  is  more  or  less  implicated ;  and,  conse- 
quently, quinine,  opium,  and  all  sedative  remedies,  have  a  direct  tendency  to  favor  its  cure;  at 
least,  such  I  have  found  to  be  the  fact.  Fever,  in  most  cases,  yields,  only  after  the  lapse  of  a 
very  considerable  time,  to  antiphlogistic  remedies;  but  when  to  these  are  added  quinine,  opium, 
and  other  sedative  remedies,  it  yields  readily  (generally  in  a  few  hours)  in  nearly  all  cases — 
certainly  in  all  cases  I  have  seen — when  given  in  the  early  stages. 

In  idiopathic  fever  there  is  great  proneness  to  congestions  and  inflammations,  as  long  as 
the  fever  is  suffered  to  run  its  course ;  and  when  these  occur,  they  greatly  modify  it.  Now,  cases 
of  traumatic  fever,  pneumonia,  &c.,  differ  from  idiopathic  fever;  and,  although  presenting  the 
same  great  general  phenomena,  are  yet  difterent  in  their  condition  and  course.  In  idiopathic 
fever,  the  malaria  induces  lesion  in  the  function  of  innervation ;  in  pneumonia  and  traumatic 
fever,  the  organic  lesion  is  present  from  the  commencement  of  the  general  phenomena;  in  other 
words,  the  difference  between  idiopathic  and  symptomatic  fever  is,  that  in  tlie  former  the  cause 
acts  on  the  general  nervous  system,  (the  cerebro-spinal  and  ganglionic  departments,)  and  all  the 
inflammations  that  occur  are  predominantly  modified  by  the  peculiar  impression  made  on  this 
system — cerebro-spinal,  or  ganglionic ;  and  in  the  latter,  the  cause  acts  locally  on  the  sensibility  or 
irritability  of  the  part — thus  causing  local  inflammation,  and  inducing  a  state  most  closely  re- 
sembling the  former,  by  the  local  impression  being  reflected  upon  the  general  system,  yet  differ- 
ing in  this:  that  in  the  former,  the  nervous,  and  in  the  latter,  the  inflammatory  condition  pre- 
dominates ;  and  hence  it  is,  that  idiopathic  epidemic  fevers  are  found  one  year  to  be  congestive,  and 
another  inflammatory,  according  as  the  function  of  innervation  is  more  or  less  deeply  implicated ; 
and  such,  in  a  great  measure,  is  the  cause  of  the  difference  observed  in  the  north  and  tlie  south. 
The  nervous  system,  in  the  latter,  suffers  most;  and  we  know  that  in  those  cases  inducing  sudden 
death  this  same  function  (innervation)  is  most  deeply  implicated ;  and  that  in  synocha  the  vas- 
cular is  predominantly  deranged ;  and  in  typhus,  the  nervous.  In  all,  lesion  of  innervation 
is  the  primary  condition,  icithout  which  fever  cannot  exist.  "It  is  in  the  regular  relation  of  these 
two  great  systems  (nervous  and  vascular)  and  of  their  functions  that  health  and  life  consist. 
It  is  from  derangement  of  their  harmony  that  disease  and  death  result."  (Beclarcl.) 

The  result,  then,  may  be  expressed  thus:  that,  inasmuch  as  the  functions  of  calorification,  se- 
cretion, circulation,  and  absorption,  are  all  under  the  influence  and  control  of  the  function  of  in- 
nervation, (or,  in  other  words,  under  the  control  of  the  brain  and  nerves,)  it  follows,  that  when  dis- 
order exists  in  this  last  function,  the  others  become  more  or  less  implicated,  in  direct  ratio  with 


OF   QUININE   IN    LARGE   DOSES.  667 

such  disorder.  As,  also,  in  the  chain  of  sequences  constituting  fever,  all  these  functions  are  prom- 
inently and  constantly  disordered ;  as  the  primary  link  is  lesion  of  function  in  the  nervous  system ; 
as  all  the  other  plienomena  observed  in  fever  are  subsequent  to  this ;  as  the  effects  of  malaria  are 
first  manifested  on  the  nervous  system,  it  would  seem  that  tlie  true  seat  of  the  proximate  cause 
of  fever  is  in  this  system.  And  when  we  recollect,  and  add  to  this,  that  the  action  of  quinine  is 
admitted  to  be  direct  upon  the  brain  and  nerves;  that  it  is  a  sedative,  possessing  the  power  to 
cut  short  the  paroxysm,  and  arrest  the  farther  progress  of  the  fever,  the  conclusion  is  inevita- 
ble, that  the  proximate  cause  of  fever  consists  in  some  modification  of  the  brain  and  nerves,  and 
that  eitlier  the  cerebro-spinal  or  ganglionic  divisions  may  suffer  most. 

Xow,  dissections  fail  to  trace  the  peculiar  condition  of  the  brain  in  epilepsy,  &c.  ;  yet  no  one 
doubts  its  nervous  origin.  The  diflSculty  and  impossibility  of  demonstrating  the  peculiar  con- 
dition of  the  brain  in  those  who  die  of  nervous  diseases,  with  what  has  been  said  in  reference  to 
fever,  explains  the  great  difliculty,  and,  taken  together,  may  probably  lift  the  veil  that  has  en- 
veloped the  subject  of  fever.  There  is  one  thing  certain :  all  the  dissections  that  have  been 
made  of  those  who  have  died  of  fever,  have  only  served  to  make  us  acquainted  with  the  results — 
pathological  phenomena — that  occur  during  the  course  of  fever,  but  have  not  revealed  the 
slightest  glimjise  of  its  intimate  nature,  or  primary  and  essential  cause. 

But,  let  all  this  be  as  it  may:  since  I  liave  adoj^ted  my  practice  to  such  view  of  fever,  endeav- 
oring not  only  to  counteract  tlie  morbid  state  of  the  vascular  system  by  antiphlogistics,  huf  as 
thejirst  indication  to  remedy  that  of  the  nervous  system  also,  I  have  not  had  a  single  opportunitv 
to  make  a  post-mortem  examination  of  tlie  body  of  a  single  fever  patient;  for  in  my  practice 
(and  it  has  been  pretty  extensive — not  confined  to  the  sick  of  tlie  army  alone)  not  one  case  lias 
proved  fatal.  I  liave  tried  all  modes  of  practice,  and  neither  mercury  nor  the  bleeding  and  re- 
frigerant plan  will  arrest  a  single  severe  case.  The  following  plan  has  proved  successful  in  all 
subjects,  from  infants  to  women  during  the  last  month  of  pregnancy,  in  Florida  and  Arkansas, 
and  some  few  cases  in  Maryland — in  the  field  and  in  garrison  : 

In  treating  fever,  as  well  as  inflammation,  our  success  will  be  infinitely  greatest  when  proper 
attention  is  paid  to  the  two  great  systems  implicated,  and  remedies  appropriate  to  the  peculiar 
state  and  condition  of  each  system  are  exhibited.  It  has  been  seen  that  these  two  great  systems 
are  the  nervous  and  the  vascular.  In  the  former,  derangement  and  excitement  would  seem  to 
show  the  action  of  the  cause  to  be  that  of  a  morbid  irritant ;  it  may  be  inferred,  hence,  as  the 
sensibility  and  irritability  are  increased  to  a  great  degree,  t!ie  action  of  remedies  possessing  the 
powers  of  diminishing  and  allaying  them  (viz:  sedatives)  should  be  first  invoked,  to  quiet  and 
regulate  the  nervous  system ;  and  with  a  view  to  counteract  and  restore  the  condition  of  the 
vascular  system,  general  and  local  bleeding,  cathartics,  and  refrigerants  may  be  necessary. 
Now  it  may  be  said,  where,  in  congestive  fever,  the  patient  is  in  a  state  of  insensibility  and  im- 
mobility, that  the  cause  of  the  fever  has  not  acted  as  an  irritant,  but  that  the  impression  it  has 
made  is  one  of  sedation  (for  we  see  the  animal  energies  are  diminished).  Tliat  this  is  not  the 
case,  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  sedatives,  such  as  opium,  camphor,  and  quinine,  all  in  large  doses, 
are  the  most  certain  remedies  we  can  employ  to  restore  reaction.  It  is  true,  a  patient  in  such  a 
state  of  fever  bears  often  a  strong  resemblance  to  a  person  laboring  under  the  eflects  of  an  overdose 
of  opium  ;  but  that  the  two  states  or  conditions  are  totally  difierent,  must  be  admitted,  from 
the  evidence  of  the  effects  of  the  remedy.  In  the  latter  case,  death  would  inevitably  result  from 
a  full  large  dose  of  opium ;  in  the  former,  it  is  the  surest  means  of  restoring  the  patient  to 
health.  Now,  sedatives,  as  cathartics,  &c.,  do  not  all  possess  exactly  the  same  virtues,  or  act  in 
precisely  the  same  manner.  The  sulphate  of  quinine  is  the  sedative  I  employ  in  fever;  as  be- 
fore stated,  it  has  the  advantage  of  opium,  in  not  possessing  narcotic  properties,  and  can,  there- 
fore, be  safely  given  to  whatever  extent  may  be  necessary. 

The  first  indication  in  the  treatment  is  to  cut  short  the  paroxysm,  and  arrest  thefurtner  pro- 
gress of  the  fever ;  and,  with  this  view,  from  twenty  to  thirty  grains  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  is 
the  remedy  I  administer  first.      As  has  been  stated,  blood-letting  favors  the  action  of  the 


668  REPORTS   ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

quinine,  whenever  it  is  required;  and  this  is  tlic  only  condition  I  regard  previous  to  the  oxlii- 
hition  of  the  remedy.  Wlienever  violent  local  determinations  are  present,  (especially  of  the 
head,)  bleed  to  the  relief  of  tlie  symptoms,  and  immediately  give  the  quinine,  simply  diffused  in 
half  a  wine-glass  lull  of  mid  water.  Where  there  is  much  nausea  and  vomiting,  combine  it 
with  from  thirty  to  sixty  drops  of  laudanum.  If  the  remedy  cannot  be  retained  on  the  stomach, 
it  must  be  given,  in  two  or  tliree  times  the  (|uantity,  by  the  rectum.  I  have  given  from  forty  to 
sixty  and  eighty  grains  in  tliis  way,  dissolved  in  as  little  water  as  possible,  by  means  of  sul- 
phuric acid,  and  mixed  witli  a  solution  of  starcli,  not  to  exceed  two  or  three  ounces.  As  this  is 
the  remedy  to  be  relied  on  to  arrest  tlie  fever,  it  must  be  administered  either  by  the  stomach, 
skin,  or  rectum.  Should  diarrhrea  or  dysentery  be  present,  give,  with  the  quinine,  forly  or 
sixty  drops  of  laudanum,  or  from  ten  to  fifteen  grains  of  Dover's  powder.  Should  it  be  other- 
wise, any  laxative  will  answer,  as  castor-oil,  calcined  magnesia,  or  this  latter  combined  with 
cream  of  tartar,  or  Epsom  salts,  will,  in  mild  cases  of  fever,  be  found  sufficient ;  but  in  all  severe 
forms,  I  employ  one  or  two  free  mercurial  cathartics  in  the  commencement  of  the  disease,  and, 
if  necessary,  follow  up  their  use  with  gamboge,  and  even  croton-oil,  according  to  the  effect  de- 
sired, and  the  difficulty  of  producing  it.  For  instance:  in  a  severe  case  of  congestive  fever,  I 
have  only  succeeded  in  inducing  one  or  two  alvine  evacuations  after  having  given,  in  a  few 
hours,  several  twenty-grain  doses  of  calomel,  fifteen  grains  of  gamboge,  and  sixteen  drops  of 
good  croton-oil,  (in  addition  to  eight  drops  of  croton-oil  I  had  regarded  as  bad;  because,  when 
given  to  this  same  patient  in  a  dose  of  four  drojjs,  and  repeated  once,  it  had  fJailed.)  After  all 
these  had  acted  on  the  bowels,  the  patient  recovered  her  senses;  and,  the  day  following,  when 
the  function  of  the  brain  was  free,  a  single  dose  of  castor-oil  operated  freely  three  or  four  times. 
The  indications  are,  then,  1st.  To  moderate  the  febrile  reaction  ;  2d.  To  arrest  the  fever  ;  and 
3d.  To  obviate  and  remedy  the  various  local  congestions  and  inflammations  that  occur.  To  ful- 
fil the  first,  bleeding,  refrigerants,  and  laxatives  are  required;  for  the  second,  quinine  and 
opium;  and  the  third,  local  bleeding  and  counter-irritants.  But,  in  the  great  majority  of  cases, 
quinine,  with  mild  laxatives  and  cooling  drinks,  will  be  all-sufiicient. 

In  the  congestive  form,  nothing  is  to  be  depended  on  but  opium,  camphor,  and  quinine,  to  in- 
duce reaction;  and  the  latter,  in  full  doses,  often  repeated,  can  alone  be  trusted  to  prevent  the 
recurrence  of  fever.  Give  mercurials  and  brisk  cathartics  to  move  the  bowels,  if  necessary. 
Give,  during  the  cold  stage,  a  table-spoonful  of  camphor-mixture,  with  a  few  drops  of  lauda- 
num;  or  give  full  doses  of  opium,  and  follow  with  camphor-mixture,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
quinine  in  large  doses — say  from  twenty  to  eighty  grains,  and  repeat  if  necessary.  The 
quantity  it  will  require  cannot  be  told.  Give  it,  during  the  paroxysm,  at  least  in  twenty-grain 
doses  every  hour  until  the  fever  subsides.  Blisters  may  be  applied  during  the  cold  stage  ;  but 
they  rarely  do  good  until  reaction  is  established,  when  they  make  their  full  impression,  and 
serve  to  keep  up  irritation  of  the  extremities,  and  thus  have  a  tendency  to  equalize  the  circu- 
lation. 

The  quinine  at  times  appears  to  fail  in  arresting  the  paroxysm  of  fever.  In  many  cases,  after 
two  ten-grain  doses  had  been  given,  the  fever  appeared  to  have  maintained  its  course;  and  I 
should  have  repeated  it  until  the  (ever  stopped,  only  the  remedy  was  very  scarce.  I  therefore, 
in  all  such  cases,  withheld  the  third  dose — after  having  given  ten  grains  at  the  end  of  a  parox- 
ysm, and  ten  grains  three  or  four  hours  before — and  in  a  great  majority  of  cases  no  more  was 
required.  This  should  be  remembered,  as  it  has  a  great  tendency  to  prevent  any  person,  who 
is  not  fully  aware  of  it,  from  coming  to  a  correct  conclusion  in  regard  to  the  action  of  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine;  but  let  another  dose,  and  another,  be  given,  if  any  doubt  exist. 

Many  intermittents  recur  every  seventh,  fourteenth,  twenty-first,  and  twenty-eighth  day,  with 
as  much  regularity  as  a  quotidian  or  tertian,  and  sometimes  assume  the  former,  and  at  others 
the  latter  type.  They  should  be  anticipated  for  one  or  two  periods  of  recurrence  by  the  sul- 
phate of  quinine — ten  grains  the  night  before,  and  ten  grains  the  morning  of  the  expected 
attack.     If  costiveness  prevails,  give  laxatives;  if  diarrhoea  or  dysentery,  opium  is  the  remedy. 


OF   QUININE   IX   LARGE   DOSES.  669 

Emetics  are  sometimes  highly  useful  in  the  cases  of  recurring  intermittents  previous  to  the 
exhibition  of  the  quinine,  and  should  he  tried. 

During  the  recent  expedition  to  the  prairies,  under  Captain  Steen,  the  treatment  I  pursued 
was  very  simjjle  and  successful  in  every  case.  It  was  simjjly  to  administer  ten  grains  of  the 
sulphate  at  hed-time,  to  be  followed  by  a  like  quantity  the  ensuing  morning ;  if  diarrhoea  or 
dysentery  existed,  laudanum  was  combined  with  each  dose ;  if  otherwise,  castor-oil  or  rhubarb 
and  aloes  were  the  only  means  made  use  of.  The  patient  generally  rode  one  or  two  days  in  the 
wagons,  but  in  most  cases  mounted  his  liorse  the  second  day ;  and  it  but  seldom  happened  that 
any  had  to  ride  in  the  wagon  over  two  days,  and  in  only  two  or  three  cases  had  the  remedy  to 
be  repeated. 

In  my  report,  I  stated  six  sick  men  had  been  sent  hack  to  Fort  Gibson.  This  occurred  from 
want  of  a  wagon  for  the  sick.  It  is  next  to  impossible  for  a  man  laboring  under  high  febrile 
excitement  to  ride  on  horseback,  and  it  must  certainly  prove  injurious.  They  were,  there- 
fore, sent  back.  All  recovered.  As  soon  as  I  had  room  in  the  wagons  for  a  man  to  lie  on  the 
rough  load,  even,  there  was  no  difficulty.  I  had  made  application  to  the  commanding  officer 
for  a  wagon  for  the  sick,  but  he  declined  sending  one. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  resjiectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHAELEs  Mccormick, 

Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 
Thomas  Lawson,  M.  D., 

Surgeon  General  U.  S.  A.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


EEPORT  OF  ASSISTANT  SURGEON  JOSEPH  H.  BAILEY. 

I  have  been  tolerably  familiar  with  the  use  of  quinine  for  the  last  eighteen  years.  At  first, 
the  exorbitant  price  of  the  remedy,  together  with  the  cautions  promulgated  relative  to  its  use, 
prevented  myself,  as  well  as  many  others,  from  prescribing  it  freely;  gradually  the  fears  of  its 
injurious  eiiects  wore  off,  and,  the  price  becoming  reduced,  the  more  liberal  use  became  common. 
Up  to  the  commencement  of  the  year  1835,  I  had  witnessed  its  effects  only  in  diseases  of  a 
northern  climate;  since  then,  only  in  the  southern  and  southwestern  part  of  the  United  States, 
where  I  have  administered  it  in  many  thousand  cases. 

The  sulphate  is  the  only  preparation  of  quinine  with  which  I  have  had  any  experience  ;  of 
this,  there  has  been  but  slight  ditference  in  the  several  parcels — all  having  been  pure,  or  nearly 
so;  which  conclusion  I  formed  from  its  appearance,  weight,  taste,  effects,  and  a  few  of  the 
more  common  tests. 

My  sujiplies  during  the  last  eight  years  have  been  obtained  mostly  from  the  army  medical 
purveyor  in  New  York,  and  small  parcels  from  western  merchants  who  purchased  in  New  York, 
New  Orleans,  and  St.  Louis.  I  have  administered  it  in  doses  from  \  to  60  grains,  and  all  in- 
termediate quantities.  The  ordinary  dose  has  been  from  2  to  5  grains.  In  small  or  large 
quantities,  I  consider  it  a  powerful  tonic.  But  in  miasmatic  fevers,  I  think  its  j^rincipal  virtues 
arise  from  its  qualities  as  an  antidote,  neutralizing  miasmatic  poison.  In  large  doses  of  15,  20, 
and  30  grains,  or  more,  in  congestion  or  collapse,  it  is  stimulant  and  tonic,  supporting  the  sink- 
ing powers  of  life  in  a  remarkable  degree.  In  inflammatory  diseases,  either  in  large  or  small 
doses,  it  will  aggravate  the  symj^toms.  In  fevers,  where  the  system  has  been  reduced  by  the 
debilitating  effects  of  long-continued  solar  heat,  chronic  disease,  active  treatment,  or  any  other 
cause,  it  will  prove  sedative;  but  I  have  not  witnessed  this  effect,  except  where  other  appro- 
priate stimulants  and  tonics  would  have  produced  similar  results. 

In  the  spring  and  early  part  of  the  summer,  quinine  is  usually  not  admissible,  except  after 
reducing  treatment,  or  when  previous  disease  or  other  cause  has  lessened  the  vital  powers;  but 


670  REPORTS   ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

in  autumn,  tlie  relaxing  effects  of  the  season  having  already  lessened  the  powers  of  the  system, 
it  may  often  be  administered  with  benefit  during  the  excitement  of  fever,  even  witliout  previous 
evacuating  treatment.   Local  congestions  and  inflammations  may  be  treated  8ubse(|ueutly. 

In  active  inflammatory  diseases,  (pneumonia,  pleuritis,  &c.,)  any  persons  may  soon  satisfy 
themselves  of  the  injurious  efifects  of  quinine.  But  there  are  local  inflammatory  aifections  of  an 
intermittent  character,  the  evidence  of  their  existence  continuing  only  during  the  excitement  of 
a  paroxysm  of  i'ever,  and  disappearing  with  the  establishment  of  the  sweating  stage.  During 
and  after  cold  fall  rains,  pleurisy  of  this  sort  is  not  unfrequent  in  the  southwestern  country, 
and  is  often  cured,  with  its  accompanying  paroxysmal  fever,  by  administering  quinine. 
Throughout  the  whole  southwestern  country,  dysentery  and  diarrhoea  are  common  diseases,  and 
were  so  before  the  use  of  quinine  became  general.  Is  it  not  probable  that  examinations  of  the 
abdominal  viscera  have  been  more  carefully  made  of  late,  the  attention  of  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  army  having  been  called  particularly  to  that  subject  by  a  circular  from  the 
Surgeon  General's  office?  And  may  not  this  measurably  account  ibr  the  increase  of  disease  of 
the  intestinal  canal  reported  to  your  department?  I  cannot,  however,  doubt  the  indiscrimi- 
nate use  of  quinine,  especially  in  large  doses,  not  preceded  by  evacuating  treatment,  must  in- 
crease, if  not  produce,  visceral  obstructions,  and  may  account  for  many  lesions  of  the  intestinal 
canal  of  those  who  have  died  of  southern  fevers. 

The  liver  being  supplied  with  blood  in  a  devious  way,  seems  to  be  placed  mostly  beyond  the 
reach  of  vascular  disturbances,  and,  as  might  reasonably  be  supposed,  will  usually  be  found  free 
from  disease  in  southern  fevers,  except  where  it  has  been  goaded  with  mercury. 

The  spleen  being  a  highly  vascular  organ,  suffers,  as  might  be  sujjposed,  more  than  any  other 
in  paroxysmal  fever.  Engorgement  and  enlargement  of  the  spleen  is  very  common,  and  is  usually 
connected  with  a  debilitated  state  of  the  system,  not  inappropriately  named  splenic  cachexia; 
and,  being  a  disease  of  debility,  the  tonic  quinine  naturally  presents  itself  as  a  remedy.  Its 
steady  use,  with  firm  pressure  over  the  splenic  region,  combined  with  general  invigorating 
treatment,  will  rarely  fail  to  effect  a  cure  of  chronic  enlargement  of  the  spleen.  I  would  by  no 
means  recommend  quinine  in  acute  splenitis,  should  it  ever  be  found  to  exist. 

Many  hundred  cases  of  autumnal  intermittents  have  been  treated  by  me  in  the  following 
manner,  with  invariable  success:  I  prescribe  an  emetic  of  ipecac  and  antimony,  and,  during  the 
following  intermission,  sixteen  grains  of  quinine,  in  doses  of  four  grains,  at  short  intervals. 
Any  existing  derangement  of  the  bowels  may  be  subsequently  attended  to.  In  the  remittent 
or  continued  form  of  fever,  venesection  is  frequently  practised  with  great  benefit  ;  after  which, 
a  gentle  emetic  will  usually  produce  an  intermission  or  remission,  when  I  administer  from  six- 
teen to  twenty  grains  of  quinine,  either  at  once  or  in  divided  doses,  as  I  may  have  reason  to  ex- 
pect the  intermission  will  be  of  shorter  or  longer  duration  ;  always  2:)referring  the  administra- 
tion of  this,  and  all  other  powerful  remedies,  in  moderate  doses,  unless  the  urgency  of  the  case 
demand  a  different  course.  In  the  congestive  form  of  fever,  when  the  skin  is  cold,  the  pulse 
nearly  or  quite  imperceptible  at  the  wrist,  and  the  powers  of  life  rapidly  declining,  I  adminis- 
ter from  thirty  to  sixty  grains  at  once ;  and  should  no  effect  be  produced,  repeat  the  dose  at  the 
expiration  of  two  hours.  Before  the  use  of  quinine  in  large  doses  was  practised  in  congestive 
fever  (general  congestion),  the  disease  was  almost  always  fatal.  Now  we  may,  with  much  cer- 
tainty, calculate  on  a  favorable  result.  Quinine  cannot  be  said  to  act  as  a  sedative  in  congestive 
disease,  when  a  large  dose  of  sedative  medicine  might  be  calculated  to  produce  a  fatal  result. 

There  is  a  vast  difi'erence  between  two  forms  of  disease  called  congestive  fever  in  tlie  southern 
and  southwestern  country.  A  brief  description  of  each  will  explain  the  difference  of  symjitoms, 
treatment,  and  result  of  these  diseases,  though  unlike,  named  the  same:  One  form  of  real  con- 
gestive disease,  or  congestive  fever,  as  I  have  seen  it,  is  intermittent — the  first,  second,  and  fre- 
quently the  third  paroxysms  running  their  course  without  any  extraordinary  symptoms.  The 
cold  stage  of  the  congestive  paroxysm  is  protracted,  and  reaction  does  not  occur.  The  skin  be- 
comes moist ;  the  countenance  livid  and  sunken ;  the  respiration  hurried  and  laborious  ;  the  pulse 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  671 

ceases  at  the  wrist,  or  becomes  very  feeble;  the  vital  powers  sink  rapidly;  the  voice  becomes 
faint  and  whining;  and  the  patient  soon  sinks  into  a  fatal  lethargy.  Quinine^  if  administered 
with  sufficient  freedom,  and  before  the  loss  of  sensation,  will  almost  certainly  save  the  patient. 
This  same  stage  of  collapse  or  congestion  is  not  uncommon  in  the  bilious  fevers  of  this  climate, 
and  occurs  most  frequently  on  the  third  or  fourth  day  of  the  disease.  Provided  the  violence  of 
the  previous  fever  has  been  checked  by  active  treatment,  and  no  important  organ  allowed  to 
suffer  material  lesion,  quinine  will  be  found  equally  efficacious  if  boldly  administered.  But 
quantity  must  be  disregarded.  The  sinking  powers  of  life  must  be  speedily  bolstered,  or  the 
patient  is  lost.     No  remedy  will  compare  with  large  doses  of  quinine  under  such  circumstances. 

The  other  form  of  congestive  fever  is  where  large  and  important  organs,  especially  the  brain 
and  stomach,  are  seriously  affected,  and  supposed  to  be  in  a  state  of  congestion.  Although  no 
sinking  or  general  congestion  or  collapse  comes  on,  it  is  called  congestive  fever.  The  term 
collapse  would  be  better  for  the  former  condition,  and  local  congestive  fever,  the  latter.  It  was 
this  local  congestive  fever  which  prevailed,  causing  such  dreadful  mortality  among  the  troops 
on  the  prairies  west  of,  and  at  Fort  Gibson,  in  the  fall  of  1834. 

In  the  summer  of  1836,  six  companies  of  the  7th  infantry,  and  three  companies  of  dragoons 
from  Fort  Gibson,  then  encamped  near  Fort  Towson,  were  ordered  to  cross  the  country  to  the 
Indian  towns  on  the  Sabine  river,  and  from  thence  to  Nacogdoches  (Texas).  We  set  out  about 
the  middle  of  July.  The  country  between  Red  river  and  the  Sabine  is  intersected  by  numerous 
streams  with  low  banks,  bordered  by  wide  bottoms  from  one-half  to  four  miles  in  width.  These 
bottoms  had  been  recently  overflowed,  and  the  waters  had  just  retired  within  their  banks  when 
we  marched  through  the  country.  The  bottoms  were  wet  and  miry,  rendering  them  difficult  to 
cross.  The  troops  were  much  fatigued  with  cutting  a  road,  bridging  streams,  causewaying 
swampy  places,  hauling  out  the  wagons  from  low  and  boggy  places,  and  encountering  many 
other  difficulties  usual  in  similar  situations.  The  weather  was  excessively  liot  and  sultry. 
After  laboring  hard  through  the  day,  we  were  often  obliged  to  lie  down  on  the  wet  and  muddy 
banks  of  a  stream,  surrounded  by  immense  masses  of  decaying  vegetable  substances;  all  which, 
doubtless,  had  their  effect  in  preparing  the  system  for  disease. 

We  reached  Nacogdoches  early  in  August,  when  the  inhabitants  were  suffering  from  an  epi- 
demic fever;  many  of  these  inhabitants,  having  fled  from  home  in  fear  of  hostile  Indians  and 
the  Mexican  army,  were  destitute  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  The  fever  soon  appeared  in  our 
camp,  as  might  have  been  expected,  fit  subjects  as  we  were  from  previous  exposure  to  heat, 
fatigue,  and  miasmatic  atmosiihere,  and  in  the  course  of  the  season  not  more  than  five  or  six  of 
the  whole  command  escaped  an  attack.  At  one  time  I  had  over  one  hundred  cases.  This  fever 
was  called  congestive  by  many,  and  was  said,  by  officers  who  had  witnessed  both,  to  be  like  the 
Gibson  fever  of  1834.  The  attacks  were  usually  sudden  and  violent.  The  first  symptoms  to  which 
my  attention  was  usually  called,  were  intense  pain  and  beat  of  the  head,  constant  thirst,  nausea 
and  vomiting,  and  coldness  of  the  extremities.  On  inquiry,  I  often  found  these  symptoms  had 
been  preceded  by  coldness  or  shivering,  general  uneasiness,  or,  in  the  language  of  the  patients, 
aching  of  the  bones. 

The  lancet  was  often  used,  and  cupping  the  temples  almost  invariably  resorted  to.  A  steady 
stream  of  cold  water  moderated  the  heat  of  the  head,  at  the  same  time  the  feet  were  plunged  in 
a  mustard-bath  as  hot  as  could  be  borne.  The  thirst  was  allayed  by  cold  acid  drinks,  (vinegar 
or  lime-juice  and  water.)  The  bowels  were  emptied  by  an  injection  or  laxative — never  purged. 
In  from  12  to  40  hours,  an  intermission  or  remission  followed,  wlien  I  administered  four  grains 
of  quinine  every  hall-hour,  until  sixteen  or  twenty  grains  were  taken.  Tiie  subsequent  jiarox- 
ysm  was  milder,  the  second  still  more  so,  and  the  third  of  scarcely  any  consequence. 

In  many  instances  no  paroxysm  followed  this  treatment.  This  was  the  boldest  jtractice  in 
quinine  then  known  to  me.     No  case  terminated  fatally,  as  far  as  I  now  recollect. 

Among  the  inhabitants  of  Nacogdoches,  the  disease  was  treated  after  the  manner  most  ap- 
proved in  what  is  termed  bilious  fever  :   3  ss.  or  3  j  doses  of  calomel  were  administered  every  3, 


672  REPORTS   ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

4,  or  C)  hours,  until  the  patient  was  purged.  The  Mexicans  did  little  or  nothing.  Both  were 
alike  unfortunate.  One-tliird  of  the  cases  of  any  severity  terminated  fatally;  the  jiatient  usu- 
ally sinking  the  third  or  fourth  day  of  the  disease. 

The  cases  occurring  among  the  inhabitants  were  attended  with  uo  peculiar  symptoms,  many 
of  whom  came  under  my  treatment,  and  not  one  died.  The  bilious  or  local  congestive  fever 
will  always  present  the  intermissions  or  remissions  above  alluded  to.  These  were  watclicd  with 
much  interest  formerly  by  the  doctors,  as  i'rom  that  time  the  disease  assumed  a  milder  or  more 
aggravated  form. 

I  consider  tlie  diseases  of  Florida  not  unlike  those  of  the  southwestern  frontier.  Intermittent 
and  continued  fevers  are  common,  and  not  un frequently  local  and  general  congestions  occur; 
and  similar  treatment  to  that  adopted  above  will  be  proper.  During  the  excitement  of  fever,  to 
moderate  vascular  action,  and,  as  soon  as  an  intermission  or  remission  occurs,  to  neutralize 
miasmatic  poison,  and  fortify  the  system  with  quinine,  will  usually  be  followed  by  a  cure. 

Chronic  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  are  common,  and  usually  depend  on  ulcerations  in  the  intes- 
tinal canal.  For  tliese,  sulphate  of  copper  seems  the  best  remedy  :  one-eiglith  of  a  grain,  with 
one  grain  of  rhubarb  and  half  a  grain  of  opium,  in  pill,  thrice  daily,  was  my  prescription,  and 
rarely  failed  to  effect  a  cure.  Sometimes,  to  reach  ulcerations  in  the  lower  part  of  the  large  in- 
testines, injections  were  necessary.  These  were  prepared  as  follows:  Sulphate  of  copper,  grs.  vj, 
tinct:  opii  3j,  water  |  iv.  I  thought  diarrhoja  usually  depended  on  lesions  of  the  small,  and 
dysentery,  of  the  large  intestines. 

Convalescence  after  disease  in  Florida  was  generally  more  tardy  than  in  any  other  country  in 
which  I  have  practised.  Debilitated  persons  were  usually  much  benefited  by  the  use  of  creo- 
sote ;  one  droj)  in  sugar  and  mucilage,  twice  daily,  rarely  failed  to  improve  the  appetite  and 
increase  the  strength  of  the  patient. 

To  my  surprise,  rheumatism  was  more  common  and  more  difficult  to  cure  than  in  more 
northern  latitudes. 

J.   H.  BAILEY,  Assistant  Sttrgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Fort  Towson,  October  Uth,  1843. 


REPORT  OF  ASSISTANT  SURGEON  DAVID  C.  DE  LEON. 

PniLADELFHiA,  September  1,  1843. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  circular  dated  August  14,  1843;  and 
will  first  answer  the  interrogatories  therein  propounded,  and  then  offer  my  views  in  support  of 
the  opinions  advanced. 

1st.  As  regards  my  experience  in  the  use  of  quinine,  I  would  state,  that  a  long  residence  in  a 
southern  climate,  both  before  and  since  entering  the  service,  has  given  me  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  the  diseases  incidental  to  such  latitudes,  and  of  comparing  particularly  the  relative 
advantages  derived  from  the  administration  of  quinine  in  large  and  small  doses,  both  from  my 
own  personal  experience,  and  from  noticing  the  treatment  pursued  by  others. 

2d.  The  preparation  of  quinine  used  by  me  has  been  the  sulphate;  and  I  am  convinced  that 
most  of  it  has  been  pure,  being  always  obtained  from  the  best  sources. 

3d.  The  sources  from  which  most  of  my  quinine  has  been  obtained,  were  from  various  medi- 
cal purveyors,  both  in  and  out  of  Florida,  and,  when  purchased  by  myself,  from  the  best  apoth- 
ecaries. 

4th.  The  doses  of  quinine  which  I  have  latterly  used  as  an  anti-periodic,  have  been  ten 
grains  (grs.  x)  as  a  minimum  dose,  and  forty  grains  (grs.  xl)  as  a  maximum  dose;  of  course,  to 
answer  other  indications,  I  have  used  it  in  other  doses  and  in  various  combinations.  The  dose 
by  enema,  or  endermically,  in  relative  proportion. 


OF    QUININE    IN    LARGE    DOSES.  673 

5th.  The  diseases  in  whicli  1  have  employed  it  have  been  very  numerous;  some  of  the  princi- 
pal were,  the  various  types  of  fevers  (intermittent,  remittent,  and  congestive,)  neuralgia,  rheu- 
matism, chlorosis,  dropsies,  certain  varieties  of  scrofula,  dyspepsia,  passive  hemorrhages,  diar- 
rhoea, &c.  I  have  administered  it  in  the  tonic  and  atonic  states  of  the  system;  and,  in  answer 
to  the  question  whether  injurious  effects,  or  unpleasant  symptoms,  did  not  less  frequently  super- 
vene in  the  adynamic  state  than  when  tlie  powers  of  life  were  in  an  exalted  condition,  I  would 
remark,  that  when  tlie  nervous  system  is  functionally  disturbed,  producing  an  exalted  state  of 
the  powers  of  life  by  increasing  the  circulation,  so  far  from  any  unpleasant  effects  following  the 
administration  of  this  remedy,  it  relieves  all  the  more  urgent  symptoms,  by  producing  an  equi- 
librium of  nervous  power,  and  in  that  way  removes  visceral  congestions,  enabling  other  reme- 
dies to  have  their  effects. 

6th.  As  regards  the  modus  operandi  of  this  medicine,  as  an  anti-periodic,  in  the  doses  stated, 
I  consider  its  primary  action  entirely  sedative;  and  that  the  system  only  acquires  tone  from  its 
administration,  \>y  the  morbid  catenation  which  produced  disease  being  overcome  by  its  sedative 
effects.  When  used  in  small  doses,  and  to  answer  other  indications,  its  action  is  different.  Its 
action,  then,  in  the  same  state  of  the  system,  seems  to  dejiend  upon  the  dose.  A  small  dose 
given  in  the  paroxysm  of  a  fever  acts  as  a  stimulant;  a  large  dose  in  the  same  condition  acts  as 
a  sedative.  A  small  dose  given  to  a  patient  in  a  debilitated  state  acts  as  a  tonic,  and  increases 
the  tone  of  the  muscular  system;  a  medium  dose,  in  a  state  of  health,  acts  as  a  stimulant. 

7tli.  As  regards  tlie  supervention  of  diseases  of  the  bowels  from  its  use,  ray  experience  has 
been  totally  the  reverse.  Tlie  jiroportion  of  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  and  other  sequelae  of  the 
fevers  of  warm  climates,  since  the  exhibition  of  large  doses  of  quinine,  seems  to  me  to  have 
materially  diminished ;  the  disease  being  checked  before  any  of  the  viscera  suffer  lesion  enough 
to  become  diseased  in  a  chronic  form ;  since  it  is  from  continued  repetition  of  congestion  that  a 
chronic  abnormal  condition  of  the  stomach,  bowels,  liver,  spleen,  &c.,  takes  place. 

8th.  From  a  location  in  various  parts  of  Florida — on  the  Atlantic  coast,  in  the  interior,  and 
on  the  Gulf  side  of  the  peninsula — I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  the  acute  diseases  incidental  to 
this  climate  are  similar  to  those  in  other  parts  of  the  southern  country — intermittent,  remit- 
tent, and  congestive  fevers ;  the  various  grades  dependent  on  locality  and  season.  The  congestive 
fevers  prevalent  at  Port  Leon,  Tallahassee,  and  its  vicinity,  inhabited  by  planters,  were  the  most 
malignant  type  of  disease  seen  by  me  while  in  that  region.  It  has  been  correctly  observed, 
that  the  paradise  of  vegetables  is  the  grave  of  the  human  species;  and  I  am  of  opinion  that 
the  malignancy  of  the  disease  stated,  is  occasioned  by  the  habit  of  the  planters  of  building  their 
residences  in  the  midst  of  cultivated  lands,  and  thereby  being  constantly  exposed  to  the  effects 
of  the  malaria  generated  by  the  continual  decay  of  vegetable  matter.  As  the  acute,  and  more 
especially  chronic,  diseases  of  the  liver  and  spleen  are  in  most  instances  the  effects  of  protracted 
fever,  any  remedial  means  that  abridges  the  primary  disease  must  have  a  tendency  to  prevent 
such  sequela3;  therefore,  I  consider  quinine  has  the  effect  of  preventing  these  sequelfe.  When 
the  diseases  supervene,  I  have  found  it  the  most  effectual  remedy,  both  alone  and  in  combination 
with  other  means.  The  chronic  diseases  incidental  to  the  climate  are  extremely  unmanageable, 
from  the  fact  of  the  predisposing  causes  remaining  in  full  force,  and  from  the  relaxing  effects  of 
the  climate  acting  upon  the  body  enfeebled  by  disease,  preventing  the  sanative  efforts  of  the  vis 
medicafrix  naturce;  which  is  a  further  argument  to  endeavor  to  prevent  tiiese  sequela;  by  an 
early  resort  to  quinine,  which  cuts  short  the  primary  disease. 

Having  endeavored  as  succinctly  as  possible  to  answer  the  interrogatories  propounded^  I  will 
now  enter  into  detail  as  regards  the  reasons  upon  whicli  my  opinions  are  based,  drawn  from 
observation  and  physiological  facts.  In  sustaining  the  views  advanced  of  the  therapeutic  effects 
of  quinine,  it  will  be  necessary  to  enter  somewhat  into  detail  concerning  the  various  grades  of 
fever  where  its  application  seems  most  advantageous.  In  southern  climates,  fever  is  the/oTis  et 
origo  of  most  of  the  diseases  from  which  the  inhabitants  suffer.  By  far  the  most  common  variety, 
in  the  generality  of  locations,  is  the  intermittent  type.  This  type,  from  its  symptoms,  most 
s.  96 85 


674  ,  REPORTS   ON    THE   ADMINISTRATION 

particularly  appears  to  depend  upon  functional  injury  of  the  nervous  system ;  and  the  increased 
circulation  which  characterizes  fever  is  the  eifect,  and  not  the  cause.  The  whole  of  the  initial 
symptoms  which  usher  in  tlie  disease  would  seem  to  prove  this — the  malaise,  pain  along  the 
spinal  column,  and  the  chill ;  and  when  the  fever  supervenes,  it  is  most  probable  that  the 
increased  action  of  the  heart  is  produced  more  through  the  agency  of  the  nerves  than  by  the 
mechanical  impulse  of  the  increased  quantity  of  blood  determined  to  it.  Why  this  perionicity 
of  nervous  disturbance  should  occur,  the  same  causes  remaining  in  force,  is  hard  to  determine. 
One  way  in  which  it  may  be  accounted  for,  is  from  analogy,  as  in  a  healthy  state  the  periodicity 
of  many  vital  phenomena  is  constantly  observed.  That  organic  visceral  derangements  are  not 
the  cause  of  this  fever,  would  seem  to  be  proved  by  the  perfect  state  of  health  and  healthy  action 
of  all  the  organs  which  sometimes  precedes  an  attack,  and  also  by  the  feeling  of  health  that  the 
patient  often  experiences  between  the  intervals  of  a  paroxysm.  We  might  imagine  that  lesion 
of  a  nerve  would  show  itself  only  at  intervals,  from  the  fact  that  foreign  bodies  have  been  found 
imbedded  in  nerves,  and  the  diseased  phenomena  exhibiting  themselves  periodically.  But  when 
any  organ  necessary  to  nutrition  is  diseased,  the  eifects  of  its  patliological  condition  are  mani- 
fested constantly,  till  the  morbid  state  is  removed.  In  gastritis  and  enteritis,  as  long  as  the 
disease  remains,  the  symptoms  are  present. 

That  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  should  be  considered  the  seat  of  disease  in  fever, 
is  not  surprising,  from  the  sympathy  that  exists  between  the  various  parts  of  the  nervous 
system.  Tlie  eifect  is  taken  for  the  cause.  In  diseases  where  this  viscus  is  primarily  affected, 
the  train  of  nervous  symptoms,  chills,  &c.,  are  present;  and  these  are  the  effects  of  the  primary 
disease.  In  each  case  the  primary  disease  is  to  be  attacked ;  and  although  in  the  latter  it  may 
be  necessary  to  relieve  the  nervous  system  first,  still  the  remedies  must  be  afterwards  applied 
which  act  upon  the  organ  affected.  From  these  views  entertained  by  me,  the  treatment  I 
recommend  appears  manifestly  indicated.  Sedation  of  the  nervous  system  by  quinine  would  be 
one  of  the  first  steps  to  be  achieved.  The  organs  sympathetically  affected  must  be  also  attended 
to.  If  there  is  engorgement  of  the  liver,  or  functional  torpor,  calomel  must  be  given,  com- 
bined with  quinine,  to  overcome  congestion.  If  gastritis  is  j)resent,  general  blood-letting,  if  it 
is  severe,  and  cupping,  either  alone,  or  in  combination  with  it,  or  leeches,  must  be  resorted  to, 
and  ice  administered.  If  the  bowels  are  in  a  torpid  state,  cathartics  and  enemata  are  the 
indications.  If  the  brain  is  the  seat  of  congestion,  cups  or  leeches  to  the  temples  or  nape  of 
the  neck,  with  ice-water  to  the  head;  or  general  bleeding,  if  the  congestion  is  very  great; 
and  stimulating  enemata,  together  with  sinapisms  to  the  extremities,  as  revulsive  agents.  The 
host  of  diaphoretics  usually  administered,  I  consider  as  very  slight  adjuvants,  and  often  pro- 
ductive of  injury,  or  delay  of  more  vigorous  treatment.  A  free  blood-letting,  or  quinine,  is  a 
more  certain  means  of  producing  this  effect,  and  at  the  same  time  answers  other  indications. 
The  administration  of  antimonial  powders,  acetate  of  ammonia,  &c.,  is  only  expectant  treat- 
ment. 

I  have  stated  that  I  consider  the  number  of  cases  in  which  sequela'  follow  intermittent  fever 
has  been  materially  diminished  since  the  introduction  of  large  doses  of  quinine — especially 
enlargements  of  the  spleen.  The  spleen,  from  its  particular  structure  allowing  the  intromission 
of  blood,  and  from  the  quantity  of  this  fluid  which  it  ordinarily  contains,  would  seem  to  be 
more  particularly  obnoxious  to  passive  distension  than  to  congestion,  when  the  blood  is  deter- 
mined from  the  surface  to  the  centre.  The  longer,  therefore,  an  intermittent  continues,  the 
greater  tolerance  of  this  distension  must  take  place,  and  chronic  enlargement  of  the  spleen  is 
the  result.  Although  this  is  not  by  any  means  the  most  imjiortant  of  the  sequelje  of  fevers,  it 
is  one  that  we  ought  to  try  and  prevent. 

The  strongest  argument  that  large  doses  of  quinine  do  not  produce  this  enlargement,  is,  that 
in  the  districts  of  country  in  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas  where  intermittents  prevail  most  exten- 
sively, enlarged  spleen  is  very  general ;  the  ricli  and  the  poor  are  both  affected  with  it.  In 
these  regions  quinine  is  not  given  in  large  doses;  when  given,  the  doses  are  small,  and  a 


OF   QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  675 

number  of  the  poorer  part  of  the  population  do  not  use  it  in  any  form.  Having  thus  given  the 
indications  in  intermittents,  I  will  now  make  a  few  observations  relative  to  the  remittents.  It  is 
more  probable  that  the  remittent  type  of  fever  is  produced  by  primary  organic  disease  than  the 
fever  just  described.  The  whole  train  of  symptoms  would  indicate  that  there  was  a  different 
pathological  cause  ;  the  continuity  of  the  paroxysm,  and  no  healthy  intervals  of  intermission 
existing,  the  morbid  phenomena  always  being  present.  We  may  readily,  then,  conclude  that 
from  the  effects  of  the  climate,  the  stomach,  liver,  or  intestines,  in  this  disease,  may  become  in 
a  morbid  condition.  The  liver  generally  is  the  organ  diseased;  and  the  nervous  system,  in  the 
exacerbation  of  the  paroxysm^  is  sympathetically  affected.  Still,  the  last  symptom  must 
be  overcome,  before  the  remedies  necessary  to  relieve  the  suffering  organ  will  have  their  effect. 
In  other  words,  the  nervous  resistance  to  the  effects  of  therapeutic  agents  must  be  combated 
first.  Quinine,  therefore,  in  combination  with  calomel,  is  indicated.  It  has  two  effects:  reliev- 
ing the  nervous  system,  and,  by  that  means,  the  sufferings  of  the  patient;  and  at  the  same  time 
enabling  the  calomel  to  have  its  specific  action.  In  numerous  cases  that  have  come  under  my 
observation,  where  there  was  great  heat  of  skin,  full  hard  pulse,  furred  black-looking  tongue,  and 
headache,  with  nausea  and  gastric  irritability,  the  exhibition  of  quinine  grs.  xx,  calomel  grs.  x, 
in  one  dose,  has  relieved  all  the  more  urgent  symptoms ;  the  skin  has  become  moist,  the  pulse 
reduced  in  frequency  and  hardness,  and  the  head  and  stomach  relieved.  Then,  the  exhibition 
of  quinine  in  doses  of  ten  or  twenty  grains,  at  intervals  of  two,  four,  or  six  hours,  according 
to  circumstances,  has  removed  the  disease.  Purgatives,  of  course,  are  indicated  under  the  same 
circumstances  as  in  intermittents;  also  general  and  topical  blood-letting,  revulsives,  &c.;  but, 
in  the  generality  of  these  fevers,  except  in  the  more  violent  cases,  blood-letting,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  topical,  to  remove  congestion,  is  not  necessary.  In  southern  climates  there  is  not  that 
tolerance  of  frequent  depletion  that  is  met  with  in  northern  latitudes ;  and,  therefore,  when  it  can 
be  dispen.sed  with,  it  is  better  to  do  so.  Since  the  exhibition  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  I  have 
not  found  the  necessity  for  general  blood-letting  in  half  the  number  of  cases  that  formerly 
required  it. 

I  cannot  conclude  these  remarks  without  adverting  to  the  congestive  fever  that  is  endemic  to 
various  parts  of  the  southern  country.  Congestive  fever  is  characterized  in  its  onset  by  strongly 
marked  symptoms  of  congestion  of  some  of  the  viscera  most  important  to  life,  and,  of  conse- 
quence, by  great  oppression  of  the  nervous  system  simulating  debility.  We  may,  therefore, 
conclude  that  its  primary  impression  is  on  the  nervous  system,  and  that  its  characteristic  symp- 
toms may  be  referred  to  the  want  of  equal  distribution  of  nervous  power.  Its  suddenly  over- 
whelming effects  on  all  the  viscera  of  organic  life,  producing  fatal  congestions,  is  further  proof 
of  this  hypothesis.  When  the  brain  is  the  seat  of  congestion,  the  symptoms  are  evident. 
When  the  lungs,  equally  so.  When  the  abdominal  viscera,  the  stomach  furnishes  evidence  not 
to  be  mistaken.  What,  then,  is  the  tirst  indication?  Relieve  the  nervous  system,  and  then 
the  organ  affected  can  be  reached  by  remedies.  Blood-letting,  both  topical  and  general,  by 
taking  away  from  the  engorgement  of  the  organs,  acts  as  a  revulsive.  It  is  necessary,  however, 
to  watch  very  closely  its  effects  ;  for,  in  this  disease  especially,  "thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no 
farther."  If  the  reaction  is  prevented,  by  too  great  an  abstraction,  the  means  which  might 
have  been  the  salvation  of  the  patient  prove  his  destruction.  When  a  remission  is  produced  by 
this  treatment,  then  the  great  advantage  of  quinine  evinces  itself.  Sedation  produced  by  it  en- 
ables the  application  of  other  remedies  that  are  indicated — revulsives  to  the  spine,  stomach,  or 
back;  calomel,  to  relieve  the  stomach,  liver,  or  bowels;  and  ice,  to  relieve  the  gastritis.  In  the 
algid  variety  of  this  disease,  where  the  patient  is  pulseless  and  cold  up  to  the  trunk,  without, 
however,  the  mental  faculties  being  affected,  proving  a  retrocession  of  the  vital  fluid  to  the 
centre,  and  an  engorgement  of  the  source  of  animal  heat — the  lungs, — then  the  indication  is  a 
diffusible  stimulant,  and  that  which  has  proved  most  advantageous  in  my  hands  is  gum  cam- 
phor 3j,  ether  sulphuric  §j;  a  tea-spoonful  of  this  solution  in  a  wine-glass  full  of  brandy- 
toddy,  every  half  hour,  till  the  lost  balance  of  the  circulation  begins  to  be  restored;  then  re- 


676  REPORTS    ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

vulsives  will  act — such  as  turpentine,  mustard-poultices,  or  stimulating  frictions  of  croton-oil 
to  the  extremities  and  spine ;  also,  mustard  and  salt  pediluvia,  &c.  There  is  one  diffusible 
stimulant  that  I  think  of  immense  value — the  cold  douche.  By  placing  the  extremities  in  hot 
■water,  and  dashing  cold  water  over  the  body,  reaction  sometimes  takes  place  in  desperate  cases 
of  internal  congestion.  The  topical  external  congestion  produced  by  cups  also  assists.  But  what 
is  gained  by  this  treatment,  if  the  same  train  of  symptoms  are  again  to  supervene  in  the  next 
paroxysm?  The  organs  congested  become  in  a  passive  state  of  dilatation,  and  offer  less  resist- 
ance to  the  influx  of  the  congesting  fluid  ;  the  shattered  nervous  system  also  offers  less  resist- 
ance ;  and  the  organs  may  either  be  rujitured,  or  maintain  tlieir  state  of  sfasis,  despite  of  remedies. 
Either  of  wliich  events  will  prove  fatal.  It  is  here  that  quinine  has  been  most  advantageous. 
In  doses  often  to  forty  grains,  combined  with  calomel — ten  to  twenty  grains  at  first,  and  afterwards 
given  alone — it  produces  that  sedation  which  destroys  periodicity.  I  have  seen  this  efi'ect  pro- 
duced in  so  many  instances,  that  I  cannot  doubt  it.  I  do  not  go  as  far  as  those  that  state  this 
to  be  your  only  indication,  or  to  suppose  that  quinine  is  the  El  Dorado  in  medicine.  But  it  is 
a  breastwork,  without  which  the  enemy  cannot  be  repelled,  and  behind  which  the  system  can 
be  so  fortified  as  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  to  repel  him. 

Another  disease  which  frequently  attacks  residents  in  warm  climates  is  neuralgia,  in  various 
forms.  The  same  miasmata  which  produce  intermittent  fever  in  some,  will  produce  periodical 
hemicrania  in  others.  It  seems  to  be  the  most  probable  supposition,  that  malaria  and  other 
poisons,  as  well  as  remedial  agents,  act  through  tlie  sentient  extremities  of  the  nerves,  and  affect 
the  brain  and  nervous  system  generally  by  irradiation.  In  this  painful  affection,  quinine  and 
morphine,  either  of  them  separately,  prevent  the  periodicity ;  and  we  may  therefore  draw  tlie 
inference,  that,  as  they  produce  the  same  eflect,  their  methodus  medendi  is  the  same.  Large 
doses  of  quinine,  in  many  cases  that  have  come  under  my  observation,  have  invariably  proved 
beneficial ;  small  doses  have  as  invariably  aggravated  the  symptoms.  Large  doses  of  morphine 
have  had  the  same  beneficial  tendency,  and  small  doses  have  been  attended  with  an  aggravation 
of  the  symptoms.  The  sedative  influence  of  morphine  being  acceded  to,  it  would  appear  that 
quinine  must  act  in  a  similar  manner  in  this  disease.  It  is  a  matter  of  general  observation,  that 
opium  may  be  exhibited  in  very  large  doses,  in  cases  where  great  pain  is  present,  without  pro- 
ducing any  deleterious  effects ;  while,  if  the  same  quantity  were  given  in  a  healthy  state,  its 
poisonous  properties  would  evince  themselves.  Why  may  not  quinine,  in  like  manner,  in  func- 
tional injuries  of  the  nervous  system,  have  the  effect  of  quieting  the  symptoms;  while,  if  given  in 
a  state  of  health,  we  would  expect  different  results  to  follow  its  application  ?  I  have  only  treated 
of  hemicrania  so  far  as  the  therapeutic  application  of  quinine  is  concerned,  without  adverting  to 
other  remedies.  In  many  other  forms  of  neuralgia,  quinine  has  been  followed  with  equally  bene- 
ficial results.  I  will  conclude  by  adverting  to  the  probable  cause  of  the  diversity  of  opinion  among 
eminent  men,  at  the  north  and  south,  on  the  subject  of  quinine  treatment.  At  the  north,  there 
is  more  tolerance  of  the  system  to  repeated  general  blood-letting,  and  a  greater  necessity  for  it, 
than  at  the  south;  and,  therefore.  Dr.  Rush  and  his  followers  thought  that  great  quantities  of 
blood  should  be  abstracted  in  all  acute  diseases.  At  the  south,  this  treatment  will  not  answer, 
except  in  very  violent  cases,  as  the  blood-making  powers  are  not  so  vigorous,  and  too  much 
debility  follows.  Quinine  was  found  to  be  a  substitute  for  this  treatment,  and  its  after-effects 
were  not  so  injurious.  Its  great  advantage,  indeed,  is  the  speedy  convalescence  which  follows 
diseases  treated  by  it.  The  great  bulk  of  medical  men  being  educated  in  northern  schools,  and 
the  teachers  inculcating  views  adapted  to  their  climate,  especially  in  clinical  instruction,  is 
another  reason  why  the  difference  of  diseases  in  northern  and  southern  latitudes  is  not  more 
generally  attended  to. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  C.  DE  LEON,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Surgeon  General  Thomas  Lawson, 

U.  S.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C. 


OF   QUININE    IN    LARGE   DOSES.  677 


KEPORT  OF  ASSISTANT  SURGEON  THOMAS  C.  5IADIS0N. 

FoKT  Leavexwoeth,  December  17,  1843. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  answers  to  the  following  interrogatories  on  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  sulpliate  of  quinine: 

"1.  What  is  the  extent  of  your  experience  in  this  respect?" 

Answer.  In  February,  1841,  I  met  with  Surgeon  B.  F.  Harney,  then  medical  director  of  the 
Florida  army,  from  whom  I  received  the  first  suggestions  as  to  the  propriety  of  administering 
quinine  in  doses  larger  than  those  ordinarily  prescribed,  and  have  continued  to  practise  the 
above  up  to  the  present  period. 

"2.  Was  it  always  the  sulphate  of  quinine  that  you  have  prescribed?     If  so,  was  it  pure?" 

Ans.  I  have  always  prescribed  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  and  have  never  suspected  its  purity — 
the  effect  being  always  such  as  anticipated. 

"3.  From  what  source  has  your  quinine  been  obtained?" 

Ans.  From  the  medical  purveyors  of  tlie  army. 

"4.  In  how  large  doses  have  you  administered  it,  both  as  regards  the  extreme  and  average 
quantity?" 

Ans.  One  scruple  is  the  extreme  dose  I  have  prescribed  at  one  time,  though  in  some  instances 
the  above  amount  has  been  repeated  every  two  or  three  hours,  till  as  much  as  two  drachms  have 
been  taken.     The  average  dose  is  ten  grains. 

"5.  State  the  specific  diseases  in  which  you  have  employed  it,  with  all  the  necessary  details, 
and  especially  as  regards  tlie  tonic  or  atonic  state  of  tlie  system;  and  whether  injurious  effects, 
or  at  least  unpleasant  symptoms,  did  not  less  frequently  supervene  in  the  adynamic  state  than 
when  the  powers  of  life  were  in  an  exalted  condition." 

Ans.  Congestive,  remittent,  and  the  different  types  of  intermittent  fever,  cephalalgia,  and 
neuralgia,  or  nerve-ache,  occurring  in  any  part  of  the  body,  as  odontalgia,  otalgia,  &c. — I  give 
quinine  in  botli  the  tonic  and  atonic  states  of  the  system.  I  have  seldom  seen  unpleasant 
symptoms,  and  never  injurious  effects,  from  the  exhibition  of  quinine,  in  either  the  dynamic  or 
adynamic  condition  of  tlie  system.  Quinine  causes  tinnitus  aurium  less  frequently  when  the 
powers  of  life  are  in  an  exalted  condition.  I  have  seen  the  most  intense  headache  entirely 
relieved  when  the  pulse  was  full,  strong,  and  lYequent,  and  the  skin  hot  and  dry. 

"6.  Give  your  opinion  as  to  the  modus  operandi  of  this  therapeutic  agent:  whether,  for 
instance,  you  regard  it  as  a  tonic,  a  sedative,  or  a  stimulant?" 

Ans.  I  regard  quinine,  in  different  diseases,  and  in  different  stages  of  the  same  disease,  as 
possessing  all  of  the  above  properties. 

"7.  Since  the  practical  introduction  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  the  statistics  of  this  Bureau 
exhibit  a  much  higher  ratio  of  diseases  of  the  bowels — as,  for  instance,  diarrhoea  and  dysentery ; 
and,  also,  a  much  higher  average  of  mortality  from  the  same  diseases.  It  remains,  therefore, 
to  be  determined  how  far  this  result  is  due  to  this  cause,  or  the  operation  of  other  agents." 

Ans.  I  do  not  believe  that  quinine  has  ever  caused  either  diarrhoea  or  dysentery,  nor  do  I 
believe  that  its  administration  has  ever  led  to  the  death  of  a  patient;  the  occasional  reports  in 
different  medical  journals  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

"8.  What  have  been  your  observation  and  experience  in  regard  to  the  influence  of  the  climate 
of  Florida;  the  acute  diseases  incident  thereto;  or  the  use  of  quinine  in  inducing  acute  and 
chronic  affections  of  the  liver  and  spleen?" 

Ans.  The  climate  of  Florida  had,  no  doubt,  great  influence  in  inducing  acute  and  chronic 
diseases — hepatitis,  splenitis,  gastritis,  inflammation  of  the  brain,  diarrhoea,  and  dysentery — 
when  you  take  into  consideration  the  many  jirivations  to  which  the  troops  were  necessarily 
subjected,  the  fatiguing  marches  while  exposed  to  the  direct  agency  of  a  hot  sun's  rays,  the 
indifferent  character  of  the  water  they  were  compelled  to  drink,  the  unwholesome  food,  and 


678  EEPORTS   ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

the  complication  of  scorbutus,  especially  at  many  or  all  of  the  interior  posts.  I  have  never 
known  quinine  to  cause  either  acute  or  chronic  affections  of  the  liver  or  spleen.  The  class  of 
people  who  seemed  to  suffer  most  from  the  sequelas  of  fever — enlargements  of  the  liver  and 
spleen,  anasarca,  or  droi)sical  effusion  in  any  part  of  tlie  body — were  tliose  commonly  denomi- 
nated "Crackers,"  who  left  Georgia  soon  after  tlie  commencement  of  the  war,  and  squatted  in 
the  vicinity  of  many  of  the  military  posts  for  protection.  None  of  the  above  class  had  ever 
heard  of  quinine,  nor  had  they  ever  used  any  prejiaration  of  cinchona  whatever. 

"9.  State  whatever  else  you  may  deem  appropriate  to  the  subject." 

Ans.  Quinine  frequently  acts  on  the  glands  (particularly  the  salivary)  and  liver,  exciting 
both  salivation  and  the  secretion  of  bile.  In  its  action  on  the  liver,  it  is  very  nearly  allied  to 
calomel,  (protochloride  of  mercury,)  and  the  character  of  the  alvine  evacuations  is  precisely 
the  same.  During  the  Big  Cypress  expedition,  when  we  were  marching  week  after  week 
through  mud  and  water,  seldom  encountering  sufficient  dry  ground  on  which  to  encamp,  I  was 
particularly  careful  to  exclude  calomel  from  my  list  of  remedies.  I  prescribed  quinine  for  a 
captain  of  dragoons  under  intermittent  fever ;  ptyalism  was  the  result,  and  I  found  it  quite 
difficult  to  convince  the  officer  that  there  had  been  no  mercurial  combination.  Its  action  on 
the  skin  is  very  decided ;  and  when  the  conditions  for  diaj^horesis  are  unfavorable,  diuresis  is 
the  result;  though  I  have  never  myself  noticed  the  latter  effect.  In  a  case  of  intermittent 
diarrhoea,  which  recurred  with  the  strictest  periodicity  every  day  or  every  other  day — I  do  not 
recollect  the  exact  type — an  assistant  surgeon,  with  whom  I  was  associated  at  the  time,  admin- 
istered twenty  grains  of  sulphate  of  quinine  with  perfect  success.  In  conclusion,  as  all  diseases 
partake  more  or  less  of  an  intermittent  character,  and  as  the  sulphate  of  quinine  is  the  great 
anti-intermittent,  jx^")'  excellence,  1  consider  it  the  most  valuable  remedial  agent  of  which  the 
materia  medica  can  boast. 

I  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

T.  C.  MADISON, 
Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Thojias  Lawson, 

Surgeon  General  U.  8.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C. 


REPORT  OF  ASSISTANT  SURGEON  RICHARD  F.  SIMPSON. 

Fort  Leavenworth,  Mo.,  '[st  December,  1843. 

Sir:  To  the  "interrogatories"  contained  in  your  "circular"  of  the  14th  August  last,  I  have 
the  honor  to  make  the  following  replies : 

"1.  What  is  the  extent  of  your  experience  in  this  respect?" 

Ans.  My  experience  must,  of  course,  be  limited;  but,  as  far  as  it  goes,  is  decidedly  in  favor  of 
large  doses — i.  e. ,  in  doses  much  larger  than  are  prescribed  by  all  the  works  on  the  materia 
medica  to  which  I  have  had  access. 

"2.  Was  it  always  the  sidpJiate  of  quinine  that  you  have  prescribed?     If  .so,  was  it  pure?" 

Ans.  I  have  never  prescribed  any  other  jjreparation  of  quinine  than  the  sulphate,  and  believe 
it  was  pure,  but,  indeed,  did  not  test  its  purity  by  any  other  means  than  a  red  heat. 

"3.  From  what  source  has  your  quinine  been  obtained?" 

Ans.  From  the  medical  purveyors  of  the  army,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  quantity  used 
during  the  past  summer. 

"4.  In  how  large  doses  have  you  administered  it,  both  as  regards  the  extreme  and  the  average 
quantity?" 

Ans.  The  extreme  dose  was  thirty  grains,  and  the  average  about  ten.  In  a  case,  reported 
below,  two  hundred  grains  were  administered  in  a  very  short  time. 


OF   QUININE    IN    LARGE   DOSES.  679 


tt  t 


'5.  State  the  specific  diseases  in  which  you  have  employed  it,  with  all  the  necessary  details, 
and  especially  as  regards  the  tonic  or  atonic  state  of  the  system;  and  whether  injurious  effects,  or 
at  least  unpleasant  symptoms,  did  not  less  frequently  supervene  in  the  adynamic  state  than 
when  the  powers  of  life  were  in  an  exalted  condition?" 

Ans.  I  have  employed  it  in  simple  and  complicated  intermittent,  remittent,  and  congestive 
fevers;  intermittent  neuralgia,  intermittent  ophthalmia,  intermittent  cephalalgia,  epilepsy,  &c. 

Prior  to  the  administration  of  quinine  in  simple  intermittents,  I  seldom  find  it  necessary  to 
prescribe  any  evacuants,  hut  give  it  in  the  intermission,  in  two  doses  of  ten  grains  each;  occa- 
sionally the  whole  quantity  is  ordered  two  or  three  liours  before  the  expected  attack.  I  cannot 
give  preference  to  either  practice  ;  the  latter  has  been  quite  as  successful  as  the  former.  My 
limited  experience  in  the  treatment  of  intermittent  fever  has  taught  me  that  the  more  the 
patient  is  purged,  puked,  or  evacuated  in  any  way,  to  prepare  his  system  for  the  quinine,  the 
more  liable  he  is  to  relapses. 

When  the  disease  is  complicated  with  dysentery  or  diarrhoea,  I  premise  the  administration  of 
this  medicine  by  a  dose  of  ol:  ricini  and  tine:  opii ;  after  its  operation,  the  quinine  is  given,  with 
a  few  grains  of  pulv:  Dov:  et  sub:  mur:  hydrarg. 

As  regards  the  use  of  quinine  in  remittent  fevers,  I  have  usually  delayed  it  until  a  subsidence 
of  the  febrile  symptoms  took  place;  but  then,  again,  I  have  ordered  it  in  twenty-grain  doses, 
notwithstanding  an  irritated  pulse,  hot  skin,  tliirst,  and  head-ache.  In  all  instances  the  disease 
has  yielded;  under  such  circumstances  it  acted  j)Owerfully,  either  on  the  skin  or  kidneys,  or 
produced  bilious  discharges  from  the  bowels. 

The  only  cases  of  imequivocal  congestive  fever,  that  I  have  treated,  were  in  Florida:  the 
most  interesting  one  of  which  occurred  at  Punta  Rassa.  The  man  was  attacked  suddenly  with 
drowsiness,  vertigo,  and  urgent  thirst;  bowels  constipated,  tongue  dark-brown  and  dry,  ano- 
rexia, pulse  small  and  quick,  extremities  cold,  and  in  a  few  hours  low  muttering  delirium  came 
on.  Sinapisms  were  freely  used,  and  a  mercurial  purge  given.  On  the  succeeding  day  the  pa- 
tient was  more  prostrated;  the  delirium  continued,  with  subsultus  tendinum;  alvine  dejections 
involuntary,  and  of  a  clay  color;  urine  also  passed  in  bed;  tongue  almost  black  and  very  dry. 
Blisters  were  now  applied  to  tlie  nape  of  the  neck  and  extremities,  and  quiniaet  sub:  mur:  hydrarg: 
da  grs.  XX,  ordered  every  hour.  After  the  third  dose  I  imagined  a  slight  improvement ;  the 
calomel  was  omitted,  and  the  quinine  continued  every  two  hours.  Shortly  after  the  last  dose 
of  mercury,  it  acted  on  the  bowels,  bringing  away  very  large  dark  and  oflensive  stools ;  this  I 
regarded  as  favorable,  and  reduced  the  quinine  to  ten  grains  at  short  intervals,  until  the 
patient  had  taken,  in  less  than  18  hours,  200  grains.  On  the  third  day  there  was,  evidentlj', 
great  improvement ;  the  tongue  was  moist,  the  pulse  more  full  and  regular  ;  the  blisters  had  taken 
effect  with  the  disappearance  of  the  vertigo,  delirium,  &c. ;  the  patient  slept  some  during  tlie 
day,  and  soundly  at  night,  from  the  influence  of  half  a  grain  of  morphine.  Apprehending,  on 
the  fourth  day,  a  return  of  the  congestive  symjitoms,  ten  grains  of  quinine  were  ordered  every 
third  hour,  and  the  blisters  to  be  dressed  witli  ungt:  mer:.  The  patient  on  the  fifth  day  was  so 
much  improved  that  only  an  inf:  serp:  et  elix:  vit:,  wine,  and  soup  were  prescribed.  The  mer- 
cury did  not  salivate  him.     His  convalesence  was  slow,  but  perfect. 

It  may,  perhaps,  add  somewhat  to  the  interest  of  the  case  to  remark,  that  before  the  man 
was  able  to  leave  the  hospital,  the  hurricane  of  the  19th  October  occurred,  and  he  was  in  water 
nearly  six  hours  without  any  clothing  except  a  shirt.  Whether  tlie  credit  of  the  cure  in  the 
above  case  is  to  be  given  to  the  mercury,  blisters,  or  quinine,  one  thing  is  evident — that,  not- 
withstanding an  apparent  congestion  of  the  brain,  the  latter  did  him  no  injury,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, was  the  undoubted  means  of  saving  his  life. 

I  might  detail  similar  cases,  but  of  less  interest.  In  two  instances  only  have  I  seen  the 
medicine  i'ail  in  congestive  fevers — one,  at  the  general  hospital.  Cedar  Keys;  the  other,  at  tnis 
post.  In  the  latter,  the  man  liad  had  frequent  attacks  of  pleuritis,  and  no  doubt  labored  under 
lesion  of  the  lungs  ;  in  the  former,  reaction  could  not  be  established  by  the  most  powerful 


680  REPORTS   ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

stimulants,  to<2;ether  with  large  doses  of  quinine.  I  made  a  post-mortem  examination,  and 
found  a  deeply  confjcsted  liver,  with  an  injected  state  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  stomach ;  hut 
I  believe  that  the  condition  of  the  latter  organ  occurred  in  articuJo  mortis. 

Only  one  case  of  interiuittent  neuralgia  has  come  under  my  observation;  the  pain  was  in  the 
tibial  nerves  ;  the  type  quotidian.  Twenty  grains  of  quinine  in  the  intermission  relieved  the 
])atient,  without  any  evacuants. 

During  the  ])ast  summer,  I  met  with  an  unusually  obstinate  case  of  ophthalmia ;  various  means, 
such  as  cathartics,  cups,  blisters,  antimonials,  astringent  washes,  &c.,  were  used  to  subdue  the 
inflammation,  but  without  success  ;  the  i)atient  had  been  subject  to  intermittent  fever,  and, 
upon  inquiring  minutely  into  his  symptoms,  I  learned  that  the  eye  was  much  more  painful  in 
the  afternoon  of  each  day,  and  that  it  declined  about  the  middle  of  the  night,  with  a  free  per- 
s])iration.  Twenty  grains  of  quinine  were  given  him,  in  two  doses  ;  the  pain  and  inflammation 
left  the  eye,  and  he  quickly  recovered. 

I  have  seen  but  two  cases  of  periodical  headache;  the  pain  came  on  about  11  a.  jM.,  in  the 
left  temple,  and  over  the  left  eye.  Twenty  grains  of  quinine  in  the  intermission,  without  pre- 
vious evacuation,  cured  them  perfectly. 

The  only  remaining  case  of  disease,  of  any  interest,  in  which  I  have  prescribed  large  doses 
of  quinine,  was  one  (if  it  may  so  be  called)  of  malarious  epilepsy.  In  the  summer  of  1842, 
while  on  a  branch  of  the  St.  Mary's  river,  Florida,  I  was  requested  to  prescribe  for  Miss  G — , 
a;tat.  20,  who  had  been  subject  to  epilejjtic  attacks  for  14  years ;  at  the  early  age  of  six  years  she 
was  seized  with  a  severe  dysentery,  which  continued  with  great  violence  for  eight  days,  when 
the  first  fit  of  convulsions  came  on  ;  they  Ibllowed  each  other  in  rapid  succession  for  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour,  and  left  her  in  a  comatose  state  from  3  o'clock,  p.  Ji.,  until  sunrise  on  the 
following  morning.  The  dysenteric  symptoms  began  to  decline,  and  in  a  few  days  she  was  en- 
tirely well  of  tliem,  and  enjoyed  pretty  good  health  for  nearly  two  years  ;  her  memory  was, 
however,  much  impaired.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years,  the  convulsions  returned,  and  con- 
tinued to  recur  with  great  regularity  at  the  period  of  every  full  moon,  for  eighteen  months, 
when  they  became  very  irregular,  attacking  her  several  times  during  the  month — occasionally 
at  night,  in  bed,  but  more  frequently  during  the  day  ;  again,  they  would  not  return  for  two  or 
three  months.  About  her  tenth  year,  a  large  and  painful  tumor,  having  all  the  characteristics 
of  high  inflammation,  made  its  appearance  on  the  dorsal  aspect  of  her  right  hand ;  but  in  a 
few  days  would  resemble  a  contusion,  and  remain  in  statu  quo  for  some  months,  without  any 
tendency  either  to  resolution  or  suppuration.  The  tumor  would  occasionally  disappear  from 
the  hand,  and  fix  on  some  other  part,  generally  the  metatarsus  of  the  left  foot — though  no  por- 
tion of  the  body  was  exempt  from  it ;  the  opposite  side  was,  however,  always  selected.  During 
the  declension  of  the  tumor,  and  before  it  was  located  in  its  new  position,  the  convulsions  were 
frequent  and  severe,  amounting  to  twenty  or  thirty  in  twenty-four  hours.  In  addition  to  her 
other  sufferings,  she  became  subject  in  her  loth  year  to  a  distressing  vertigo — so  severe,  indeed, 
that  she  was  incapacitated  from  either  walking  or  standing  without  assistance.  The  catamenia 
appeared  at  19;  without,  however,  producing  the  slightest  change  in  her  deplorable  condition. 
About  two  years  ago,  the  tumor  attacked  the  left  hand,  and  a  small  abscess  formed  near  the 
first  phalanx  of  the  middle  finger.     The  ulcer  was  healed  with  great  difliculty. 

The  above  history  of  the  case  was  furnished  me  by  her  mother,  who  was  very  ignorant  and 
superstitious,  believing — and  I  failed  in  convincing  her  to  the  contrary — that  her  daughter 
was  under  the  influence  of  witchcraft. 

At  20,  the  following  condition  and  symptoms  were  present :  face  exsanguineous  ;  appetite 
good;  bowels  constipated;  furred  tongue;  pulse  small,  rapid,  and  intermitting;  deep-seated 
pain  in  the  anterior  part  of  the  brain ;  metacarpus  of  the  right  hand  has  the  appearance  of  a 
contusion,  and  somewhat  sensitive  to  the  touch ;  neuralgic  pains  in  the  arms,  legs,  chest,  and 
abdomen ;  sleeps  tolerably  well ;  can  recollect  the  faces  of  strangers,  but  not  their  names  ; 
constant  vertigo;  unable  to  walk,  or  even  stand,  without  assistance;  lower  cervical  and  upper 


OF  QUININE   IN   LARGE   DOSES.  681 

dorsal  vertebras  very  tender  to  the  touch ;  menses  regular,  healthy  in  appearance  and  quantity ; 
and  has  occasional  fever  of  the  tertian  type.  Cups  and  blisters  were  applied  to  the  spine,  and 
the  bowels  opened  by  calomel  and  rhubarb.  Permanent  irritation  to  the  lumbar  vertebrre,  blue 
mass  and  castor-oil  to  regulate  the  bowels,  and  the  nitrate  of  silver,  were  used  with  only  tem- 
porary benefit,  for  two  months.  Confidently  believing  that  but  little  improvement  would  suc- 
ceed the  above  treatment,  I  determined,  in  addition,  to  try  the  efiects  of  quinine,  as  there  was 
scarcely  any  doubt  of  the  malarious  origin  of  her  disease,  and  that  quinine  was  an  antidote  to 
the  poison  of  that  deleterious  but  invisible  agent ;  accordingly,  20  grains  were  given  at  night, 
and  re])eated  early  on  the  following  morning.  The  medicine  produced  a  fullness  of  the  vessels 
of  the  head,  tinnitus  aurium,  and  partial  deafness,  but  relieved  her  so  much  from  the  vertigo, 
&c.,  that  she  was  enabled  to  walk  some  distance,  which  she  had  not  done  for  years  before.  The 
bright  anticipations  of  recovery  were,  however,  of  short  duration;  the  vertigo,  &c.,  returned 
in  five  or  six  days,  and  the  medicine  was  repeated,  with  a  similar  result.  Indisposition  having 
disabled  me  from  visiting  her,  I  sent  her  the  quinine  and  oxide  of  zinc,  and  heard  that  she  had 
much  improved,  although  her  sanguine  hopes  of  recovery  had  been  dissipated  by  the  occasional 
return  of  tlie  convulsions,  vertigo,  &c.  From  the  long  standing  of  the  above  case,  I  believe 
all  the  powers  of  the  "healing  art"  would  have  been  inadequate  to  have  effected  a  perfect  cure; 
but  am  firmly  of  opinion,  that  if  the  quinine  could  have  been  used  for  a  sufficient  length  of 
time,  she  would  have  been  materially,  perhaps  permanently,  benefited  by  it. 

Lastly.  I  have  to  state  that  I  do  not  recollect  ever  to  have  seen  injurious  effects  from  the 
use  of  quinine  in  fever;  for  I  presume  that  is  what  is  particularly  referred  to  by  the  "powers 
of  life  being  in  an  exalted  condition." 

"6.  Give  your  opinion  as  to  the  modus  operandi  of  this  therapeutic  agent — whether,  for  instance, 
you  regard  it  as  a  tonic,  a  sedative,  or  a  stimulant?" 

Ans.  So  little  is  known  about  the  modus  operandi  of  any  medicine,  that  I  cannot  venture  a 
theoretical  opinion ;  but  will  merely  state  the  efiects  that  I  have  seen  from  the  drug  under  con- 
sideration : 

Quinine,  in  large  doses,  seems  to  act  as  a  tonic,  sedative,  or  stimulant,  in  certain  modifica- 
tions of  disease;  this  may  appear  a  contradiction,  but  a  reference  to  the  above  cases  will  estab- 
lish the  fact.  In  the  case  of  congestive  fever,  it  certainly  operated  as  a  powerful  tonic  and  stimu- 
lant; and,  on  the  contrary,  in  the  case  of  epilepsy,  it  produced  a  sedative  effect,  or  at  least  it 
quieted  the  irregular  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  and  controlled  the  nervous  system  in  a 
remarkable  manner.  In  a  few  instances  it  has  caused  a  soreness  of  the  mouth,  resembling 
ptyalism,  I  have  also  seen  it  act  powerfully  on  the  skin  and  kidneys,  and  produce  bilious 
evacuations.  In  intertropical  regions,  and  marshy  districts  of  higher  latitudes,  the  quinine 
undoubtedly  acts  as  an  antidote  to  the  malarious  poison ;  this  is  abundantly  proved  by  its 
acknowledged  power  over  all  diseases  of  a  miasmatic  origin. 

"7.  Since  the  practical  introduction  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  the  statistics  of  this  Bureau 
exhibit  a  much  higher  ratio  of  diseases  of  the  bowels — as,  lor  instance,  diarrhoea  and  dysentery — 
and  also  a  much  higher  average  of  mortality  from  the  same  diseases.  It  remains,  therefore,  to 
be  determined  how  tar  this  result  is  due  to  this  cause,  or  to  the  operation  of  other  agents." 

Ans.  Almost  simultaneously  with  the  practical  introduction  of  large  doses  of  quinine  in 
army  practice,  a  great  proportion  of  troops  was  sent  to  operate  against  the  Indians  in  the 
swamps  and  marshes  of  Florida.  Will  not  that  account  for  the  high  ratio  of  bowel  diseases? 
It  is  admitted  by  all  physicians  that  "koino-miasmata"  are  not  only  a  cause  of  fever,  but  also  of 
dysentery,  diarrhoea,  and  other  affections  of  the  abdominal  viscera.  Quinine  does  occasionally 
purge ;  but,  so  far  as  I  know,  it  never  lias  jiroduced  a  dysentery,  diarrhoea,  or  any  thing  approx- 
imating to  them. 

"8.  What  have  been  your  observation  and  experience  in  regard  to  the  influence  of  the  climate 
of  Florida,  the  acute  diseases  incident  thereto,  or  the  use  of  quinine  in  inducing  acute  and  chronic 
affections  of  the  liver  and  spleen  ?" 

S.   9t) SU 


682  REPORTS   ON    THK    ADMINISTRATION 

Ans.  Not  only  in  Florida,  but  also  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  southern  section  of 
the  United  States,  maybe  seen  the  horrible  eftects  of  malaria  in  inducing  physical,  and  perha])s 
mental  imbecility.  Even  the  growth  and  develo]imcnt  of  the  infant  are  frequentl}'  arrested  by  its 
influence;  and  almost  before  the  cliild  has  attained  the  age  of  maturity  he  is  borne  down  with 
the  decrepitude  of  old  age,  or  at  least  lives  a  protracted  and  lingering  life,  "like  the  sickly 
exotic  of  a  green-house."  Tlie  few  cases  of  acute  and  chronic  disease  of  tlie  liver  and  spleen 
that  came  under  my  observation  in  Florida,  were  attril)uta1ile  not  to  the  use  of  quinine,  but  to 
the  deleterious  effects  of  malaria.  Many  of  the  citizens  on  the  frontier  of  Florida  were  laboring 
under  the  sequelic  of  intermittent  fever — such  as  anasarca,  sallow  complexion,  enlarged  spleen, 
&c.;  these  conditions  were  the  effects  of  rejjeated  attacks  of  ague,  and  not  of  the  use  of  quinine, 
for  there  was  none  in  the  country;  consequently,  they  could  not  have  been  caused  by  it.  I  fur- 
nished a  few  with  the  medicine,  with  directions  to  take  it  in  fifteen-grain  doses,  and  learned  that 
it  not  only  arrested  the  disease,  but  also  reduced  the  spleen  to  its  normal  condition,  and  relieved 
the  icterode  hue  of  the  skin.  Similar  results  I  witnessed  in  the  general  hospital.  Cedar  Keys. 
I  should  also  state  that,  in  addition,  small  doses  of  calomel,  and  mercurial  frictions  over  the 
enlarged  viscus,  were  used.  It  was  remarked  by  Dr.  Randall  and  myself  tliat  almost  all  the 
cases  of  the  above  affections  that  came  under  treatment  in  the  general  hospital  were  sent  from 
posts  where  it  was  well  ascertained  that  the  medical  officer  prescribed  very  small  doses  of  the 
medicine.  I  conscientiously  believe  that,  as  the  prejudice  against  quinine  diminishes,  in  the 
same  ratio  will  the  sequela}  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  disappear. 

"9.  State  whatever  else  you  may  deem  appropriate  to  the  subject." 

Ans.  Above  I  have  given  the  substance  of  my  experience  in  tlie  use  of  quinine;  but  will  take 
this  occasion  to  state,  that  I  should  not  only  do  great  injustice  to  a  valuable  member  of  our  corps, 
but  also  to  my  own  feelings,  did  I  fail  to  acknowledge  who  first  taught  me  its  value.  I  went  to 
Florida  with  all  the  prejudices  and  dogmas  of  tl  e  schools  against  it;  but,  fortunately,  soon  after 
my  arrival  in  the  Territory,  I  met  with  Surgeon  B.  F.  Harney,  who  instructed  me  in  its  applica- 
tion to  disease  ;  and  I  believe,  by  following  his  advice,  I  saved  many  lives  which  otherwise  would 
have  fallen  victims  to  the  impotent  practice  of  two-grain  doses. 

R.  F.  SIMPSON, 


Assistant  Surgeon. 


Dr.  Thomas  Lawson, 

Surgeon  General  U.  8.  Army,  WnsJnngfon,  D.  C. 


REPORT  OF  assistant  SURGEON  JOHN  BYRNE. 

FoKT  Brady,  September  9,  1843. 

Sir:  In  answer  to  the  queries  contained  in  your  circular  of  August  14,  1843,  I  have  the 
honor  to  submit  the  following  replies: 

1st.  I  was  upwards  of  three  years  in  Florida.  For  the  first  year  and  a  half,  I  served  (except 
for  short  periods)  with  but  one  company,  stationed  at  healthy  positions,  (Micanopy,  and  No.  3;) 
so  that,  during  this  period,  I  saw  but  few  cases  of  fever,  and,  in  these  few,  I  used  quinine  in 
small  doses,  and  in  intermittents  only.  During  the  remainder  of  my  service  I  was  stationed, 
with  commands  varying  from  four  companies  to  two  regiments,  often  at  sickly  positions,  and 
occasionally  at  the  general  hospital  at  Cedar  Keys.  I  was  ordered  to  Sarasota  when  fever 
raged  to  such  an  extent  among  the  1st  infantry  ;  a  part  of  the  sick  of  which  regiment  I  accom- 
panied to  Cedar  Keys.  Here,  for  a  few  weeks,  I  assisted  Dr.  Wright,  through  whose  kindness 
I  daily  saw  all  the  cases,  (some  two  or  three  hundred  in  number,)  and  the  practice  pursued. 

Of  the  number  of  fevers  and  dysenteries  which  I  have  treated,  I  cannot  form  a  correct  esti- 


OF   QUININE   IN   LAKGE   DOSES.  683 

mate;  but  I  think  1  am  withiu  bounds  in  saying  that  my  daily  sick-report,  during  the  last  two 
years  of  my  service  in  Florida,  varied  from  fifteen  to  two  hundred — exclusive,  of  course,  of  cases 
occurring  among  quartermaster's  men,  officer's  families,  and  citizens.  If  more  exact  informa- 
tion is  deemed  necessary,  I  would  refer  to  the  quarterly  sick-reports  of  Micanopy,  from  May  to 
September,  1840;  of  Fort  King,  from  September,  1840,  to  February,  1841;  of  Tampa,  from 
February  to  July,  1841,  (during  which  time  I  was  stationed  at  Tampa  with  other  medical 
officers ;)  of  the  fort  on  Pease  creek,  for  a  part  of  the  same  summer ;  and  of  Tampa,  from  August, 
1841,  to  January,  1842. 

2d.  I  nearly  always  used  quinine  in  the  form  of  sulphate,  as  I  gave  this  salt  mechanically 
diffused  in  water;  occasionally,  howe^rer,  though  rarely,  I  gave  the  super  sulphate  in  solution. 
From  the  effects  of  tlie  article  I  used,  I  have  little  hesitation  in  declaring  my  belief  that  it  was 
pure.  Moreover,  from  the  obstinacy  of  some  cases  of  intermittents,  I  was,  at  times,  led  to  doubt 
the  2^urity  of  the  quinine  employed  But,  on  testing  it  with  alcohol  and  sulphuric  acid,  I  always 
found  it  unadulterated. 

3d.  My  supplies  of  this  article,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  quantity  received  at  Fort  King, 
came,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  indirectly  from  New  York.  As  well  as  I  can  recollect,  it  was 
generally  prepared  by  Pelletier  &  Caventou  ;  but  of  this  I  am  not  quite  certain. 

4th.  The  usual  quantity  of  quinine  I  prescribed  at  one  dose  was  4  grs.  This  was  repeated, 
so  that  from  10  to  20  grs.  should  be  taken  in  from  8  to  12  hours,  immediately  preceding  the 
expected  paroxysm  of  disease,  which  it  was  designed  to  ward  off.  I  have,  however,  ad- 
ministered it  in  grain  doses — very  frequently  in  10  and  12-grain  doses,  and  several  times  seen  it 
given  in  40-grain  doses,  repeated  until  two  or  three  doses  had  been  taken. 

5th.  I  have  employed  quinine  in  the  treatment  of  simple  intermittents,  remittents,  congestive 
fevers,  and  some  few  cases  of  continued  malarious  fever  of  low  type.  In  combination  with  Dover's 
powder,  I  have  prescribed  it  with  advantage  in  some  cases  of  chronic  dysentery,  and,  in  con- 
junction with  calomel  and  Dover's  powder,  in  acute  dysentery  of  low  type. 

The  remarks  which  I  shall  submit  will  be  arranged  with  a  view  to  the  order  of  the  above 
enumeration  of  diseases.  Let  me  state,  however,  in  the  outset,  in  direct  answer  to  the  ques- 
tions contained  in  paragraph  5  of  your  circular,  that  my  experience  warrants  the  belief  that 
injurious  and  unpleasant  consequences  do  less  frequently  supervene  from  the  use  of  quinine  in 
adynamic  states,  than  in  affections  in  which  the  powers  of  life  are  in  an  exalted  condition. 

The  diseases  of  settlers  in  Florida  from  the  north  assume  a  more  inflammatorv  form  during 
the  first  year  of  their  residence  in  the  south  than  they  do  subsequently.  This  remark  is  par- 
ticularly true  of  fevers.  Hence,  in  fevers  arising  in  such  subjects,  due  attention  must  be  paid  to 
the  employment  of  antiphlogistic  measures  jjrevious  to  the  use  of  quinine.  Indeed,  in  this  class 
of  cases,  I  have  rarely  derived  those  markedly  happy  results  from  quinine  which  I  have  seen 
follow  its  judicious  employment  in  the  fevers  of  persons  who  had  been  two  years  or  upwards  in 
the  south,  particularly  if  they  suffered  many  attacks  of  the  disease.  While  stationed  at  Fort 
King,  this  fact  was  pressed  particularly  on  my  attention.  Tlie  garrison  of  the  fort  consisted  of 
a  portion  of  the  2d  infantry,  who  had  served  for  upwards  of  two  years  in  the  south;  and  in  its 
vicinity  was  encamped  the  8th  infantry,  which  had  just  arrived  from  the  north.  Time  and  again, 
I  observed  that  quinine  could  be  administered  successfully  in  the  fevers  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
2d,  without  much  attention  ts  the  ordinary  precautions  deemed  necessary  in  the  use  of  this 
medicine  ;  while,  employed  in  the  same  manner,  and  during  the  same  epidemic,  with  the  8th,  if 
it  did  not  exasperate  the  disease,  it  at  least  failed  to  check  its  progress.  This  fact,  I  may  re- 
mark, may  account  for  some  of  the  discrej)ancies  in  the  opinions  entertained  in  reference  to  the 
eflects  of  quinine. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  principle,  I  used  antiphlogistics  in  treating  the  intermittents  of 
new  comers,  until  a  complete  intermission  was  obtained.  I  then  administered  quinine  gene- 
rally in  substance,  either  alone  or  combined  with  a  diaphoretic  or  nauseant.  I  found  that  from 
6  to  20  grains,  administered  during  the  apyrexia,  was  sufficient  to  check  the  disease.     The 


684  REPORTS    ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION 

quantity  varied  witli  the  season  and  locality.     The  advantages  attributed  to  the  various  modes 
of  administering  it  naturally  come  under  discussion  in  this  place. 

Every  physician  has  his  own  method  of  exhibiting  quinine;  and  as  he  meets  with  success,  he 
infers  that  his  is  the  only  true  one.  Now,  the  truth  is,  that  if  a  sufficient  qnantity  of  it,  when  it 
is  indicated,  is  administered  in  the  intermission  or  remission  of  a  malarious  fever,  it  will  check 
the  disease.  I  conceive  it  of  no  importance,  so  far  as  the  ultimate  effect  is  concerned,  whether 
it  is  given  in  2,  3,  4,  or  16-grain  doses,  provided  enough  of  it  is  taken  in  the  proper  time. 
One  advantage  the  larger  doses  certainly  possess — namely,  that  the  patient  is  not  so  apt  to  be 
sickened  by  the  frequent  repetition  of  a  nauseous  drug.  But  as  the  accession  of  a  paroxysm  of 
fever  cannot  be  predicted  within  an  hour  or  two,  when  fevers  prevail  to  any  extent,  (for  they 
then  anticipate  variously,)  we  often  fail  in  warding  oil'  the  attack  when  we  administer  tlie  whole 
of  the  quinine  at  one  dose.  From  these  circumstances,  I  have  been  led  to  use  it,  as  I  have 
already  stated,  in  four-grain  doses,  as  sufficiently  large  to  prevent  too  frequent  repetition, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  influence  of  at  least  12  grains  is  insured  before  the  period  of  acces- 
MOii,  even  if  the  paroxysm  anticipates  considerably.  Large  doses,  I  have  often  heard  it  asserted 
by  the  advocates  of  them,  rarely  produce  those  disagreeable  irritative  effects,  such  as  singing  in 
the  ears,  &c.,  which  we  frequently  witness  from  the  use  of  small  ones.  It  was  said  by  way  of 
explanation,  that  quinine,  like  opium,  is  a  stimulant  in  small  doses,  and  a  sedative  in  large  ones. 
My  experience  would  not  justify  me  in  assenting  to  these  propositions.  After  a  careful  exami- 
nation of  a  number  of  cases  in  which  I  administered  quinine  in  large  (12  to  16  grains)  and 
small  doses,  with  a  view  to  this  very  subject,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  disagreeable 
effects  referred  to  followed  the  exhibition  of  large  doses  as  often  as  it  did  small  ones,  and  that 
they  are  dependent  upon  the  peculiar  organization  of  the  nervous  system^  and  not  upon  the 
quantity  of  quinine  given  at  one  dose. 

But  if  the  dose  in  which  quinine  is  administered  in  intermittents  and  remittents  is  a  matter 
of  indifference,  such  is  not  the  case  in  congestive  fevers.  Here  the  use  of  large  doses  has  a  real 
value,  as  I  shall  notice  when  I  speak  of  this  class  of  fevers ;  and  one  of  the  most  important 
facts  learned  from  the  use  of  large  doses  in  ordinary  fevers,  is,  that  they  can  be  administered 
with  impunity ;  so  tliat  in  congestive  cases  the  physician  does  not  hesitate  to  use  such  quantities 
of  quinine  as  can  alone  often  be  successful,  but  which  he  would  not  have  ventured  to  administer 
had  it  not  been  for  this  knowledge. 

Medical  men  differ,  too,  respecting  the  period  of  fever  at  which  quinine  is  administered  with 
most  effect.  For  my  part,  I  have  used  it  only  in  the  intermission,  except  in  congestive  cases. 
I  have,  however,  seen  it  administered,  in  a  few  cases,  in  the  middle  of  the  paroxysm  of 
remittents  of  rather  a  low  type.  In  these  instances  it  did  not  aggravate  the  disease,  although 
it  did  not  alleviate  it.  Nor  did  it  supersede  the  necessity  of  administering  the  remedy  in  the 
intermission,  for  the  disease  ran  on  until  it  was  thus  checked.  It  will  not  be  out  of  place  to 
remark  here,  that  these  cases  afforded  examples  of  that  false  reasoning,  by  which  a  remedy  fre- 
quently gains  an  undeserved  reputation.  Quinine  was  administered  about  9  p.  si.  The  next 
morning  the  patient  was  nearly  free  from  fever,  oppression  of  the  brain,  and  other  unpleasant 
symptoms;  all  of  which  beneficial  changes  were  attributed  to  the  quinine,  while,  in  reality, 
they  were  referrible  to  the  stadia — the  habits,  if  I  may  so  express  it^  of  the  disease  itself.  Had 
no  quinine  been  administered,  the  result  would  have  been  precisely  the  same.  Having  used 
quinine  only  in  the  intermission  and  remission,  I  cannot,  from  observed  facts,  pronounce  upon 
its  efficacy  when  given  at  the  height  or  toward  the  end  of  a  paroxysm ;  but,  judging  from 
analogy,  I  am  not  prepared  to  believe  that  its  use,  under  such  circumstances,  is  safe  and  effica- 
cious, aggravating  no  symptom  or  any  inflammation  which  may  be  present,  as  I  have  heard 
some  medical  officers  assert ;  although  I  will  admit  that  it  is  less  apt  to  do  so  than  is  generally 
believed. 

Again,  we  are  told  by  some,  that  quinine,  if  delayed  until  the  7th,  14th,  &c  days  of  period- 
ical fevers,  displays  more  power  in  checking  them  and  preventing  their  return  than  if  adminis- 


OF   QUININE   IN    LAEGE   DOSES.  685 

tered  without  regard  to  these  periods.  I  have  used  it  in  this  manner,  but  have  not  derived  from 
it  the  predicated  advantages.  Delay  in  the  use  of  it  is  open  to  some  objections,  and  affords 
no  real  advantage.  As  an  almost  universal  rule,  I  can  check  an  intermittent  on  anv  day  of  its 
progress  I  please,  and  hence  cannot  do  it  more  quickly  on  the  7th  or  14th,  &c.  And,  secondly, 
nothing  will  prevent  its  return,  in  most  cases^  short  of  leaving  the  atmosphere  which  produces 
it.  Suhlatd  causa,  tolUtur  effectus.  As  long  as  malaria  is  in  operation,  so  long,  for  a  certain 
period  at  least,  will  it  produce  fever  and  cause  its  return.  That  which  produces  fever  in  tlie 
first  instance,  when  the  patient  is  in  good  health  and  best  prepared  to  resist  disease,  is  certainly 
equal  to  the  reproduction  of  it  when  the  health  has  been  impaired  and  the  conservative  powers 
of  the  system  lessened.  Such  are  the  effects  which  common  sense  would  lead  us  to  anticipate, 
and  such  precisely  are  they  found  in  practice. 

Neither  the  administration  of  quinine  on  the  7th,  14th,  &c.  days,  nor  bleeding  in  the  cold  stage, 
will  prevent  the  recurrence  of  agues,  as  long  as  the  patient  is  exposed  to  the  action  of  malaria. 
On  the  other  hand,  while  we  delay  the  use  of  quinine,  our  patient  becomes  weaker  from  the 
return  of  repeated  paroxysms,  and  not  unfrequently  an  intermittent  runs  into  a  remittent. 
His  general  health  is  more  broken  up  when  he  does  recover,  and  hence,  presenting  less  vital 
resistance  to  disease,  will  be  more  liable  to  its  return.  For  these  reasons,  I  do  not  believe  that 
the  delay  of  the  use  of  quinine  until  the  7th,  14th,  &c.  days  of  fever,  is  a  correct  practice. 

In  the  intermittents  of  those  who  have  resided  for  a  few  years  in  tlie  south,  particularlv  if 
they  have  suffered  many  attacks,  quinine  may  often  be  used  with  the  happiest  effects,  without 
recourse  being  previously  had  to  any  preparation  of  the  system,  as  it  is  called.  I  rarely  found 
intermittents,  in  Florida,  accompanied  by  those  evidences  of  diseased  secretions  so  much  spoken 
of  by  authors.  The  tongue  was  often  clean,  and  the  alvine  discharges  natural  in  character  and 
frequency.  In  such  cases,  the  use  of  preparatory  means  only  weakened  the  patient  and  con- 
sumed time.  A  patiert  of  this  class  reports,  at  8  o'clock,  that  two  days  previously  he  had  an 
ague  fit  at  11.  Give  him  10  or  15  grains  of  quinine  at  once,  (add  opium  or  a  diaphoretic,  if  you 
please,)  and  there  is  an  end  of  his  ague  for  two  or  three  weeks. 

Finally,  I  have  never  met  with  an  intermittent  which  I  could  not  check  for  the  time  with 
quinine,  or  quinine  and  opium.  Neither  bark,  opium,  arsenic,  nor  any  other  medicine,  can  com- 
pare with  it  as  an  anti-periodic,  either  for  certainty  of  effect,  or  (and  more  particularly)  for  the 
short  space  of  time  initentsstem  lu effect  is  produced.  I  would  not,  however,  be  understood  to 
say  that  I  excluae"  than  theflst  not  bpifts  from  my  practice;  on  the  contrary,  there  are  cases  in 
which  I  much  prefer  some  of  them  to  quinine;  but  I  merely  state  a  general  law,  to  which,  of 
course,  there  are  exceptions. 

In  remittents,  quinine  was  administered  with  great  advantage  during  the  first  fair  remission, 
which  usually  occurred  on  the  fourth  day  of  their  progress.  Thus  was  a  disease  at  once  cut  short, 
which  would  otherwise  have  taken  several  days  to  run  itself  out.  I  was  educated  in  the  belief 
that  quinine  should  be  used  in  intermittents  only,  and  after  a  careful  preparation  of  the  system; 
but  that  in  remittents,  its  administration  was  not  to  be  entertained  for  a  moment.  A  more  in- 
jurious opinion,  if  I  can  judge  from  what  I  saw  of  remittents  in  Florida,  could  not  have  been 
inculcated.  For  a  year  and  a  half  I  acted  upon  this  principle,  and  can  now  call  to  mind  more 
than  one  patient  whom  I  permitted  to  be  worn  down  by  repeated  paroxysms  of  lever,  rather  than 
have  recourse  to  quinine,  because  no  lengthened  intermission  or  occun-ence  of  chill  marked  the 
case  as  one  of  intermittent.  Subsequently  I  learned  the  value  of  quinine  in  all  malarious  fevers 
having  a  plain  remission,  even  if  that  remis.sion  was  of  but  a  few  hours'  duration;  and  then  had 
the  satisfaction  of  being  able  to  put  an  immediate  stop  to  a  disease  winch,  under  the  former 
treatment  I  pursued,  would  continue  lor  a  length  of  time,  and  either  prove  fatal  in  the  end,  or 
leave  the  patient  very  feeble  after  his  recovery. 

But  it  is  in  congestive  fever  that  the  value  of  quinine  is  particularly  displayed.  A  patient 
falls  down  suddenly  overpowered  ;  he  appears  insensible ;  it  is  difiScult  to  rouse  him :  or  his 
countenance  presents  a  vacant  stare  ;  and,  when  questioned  respecting  his  condition,  he  informs 


686  REPORTS   ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

you  that  there  is  little  or  nothing  the  matter  with  him  ;  that  lie  wishes  not  to  be  disturbed  ; 
his  extremities  are  cold  ;  his  skin  generally  not  above  the  natural  temperature^  and  sometimes 
covered  with  a  clammy  moisture ;  his  breathing  embarrassed.  Now,  I  think  I  am  correct  in 
saying,  that  such  a  condition  would  formerly  liave  been  lookeil  upon  as  one  of  congestion  of  the 
internal  organs,  and  that  venesection  would  have  been  resorted  to  for  its  relief.  Quite  differ- 
ently would  the  advocate  for  the  use  of  quinine,  in  such  a  case,  reason.  He  would  view  it  as 
one  of  poison  from  malaria,  congestion  not  being  the  first  link  in  the  morbid  chain,  but  the 
mere  consequence  of  the  poisonous  impression  made  on  the  nervous  system  ;  the  antidote  for 
this  poisonous  impression,  experience  has  taught  him,  is  quinine.  In  the  supposed  example, 
he  administers  20  grains  of  it,  in  combination  with  ca})sicum,  laudanum,  turpentine,  or  cam- 
phor ;  or  he  gives  a  smaller  quantity,  and  directs  its  repetition  in  an  hour  or  so ;  he  also  directs 
the  application  of  warmth  and  stimulating  frictions.  Reaction  will  be  tlius  brought  about,  and 
but  little  else  is  required  to  insure  the  safety  of  the  patient  than  a  few  large  doses  of  quinine 
and  Dover's  powder,  given  some  hours  previous  to  the  expected  return  of  the  paroxysm.  I 
feel  very  confident  that  the  result  would  have  been  different  had  the  lancet  been  used,  and  qui- 
nine neglected,  in  the  first  instance.  These  are  the  cases  in  which  it  is  not  a  matter  of  indiffer- 
ence whether  large  or  small  doses  of  quinine  be  used  ;  because  there  is  frequently  not  time  to 
give  enough  of  it  in  small  doses,  and  because,  too,  a  most  powerful  impression  on  the  nervous 
system  is  needed. 

I  have  seen  quinine  used  in  connexion  with  calomel  and  Dover's  powder  in  a  few  cases  of 
jjersistent  continued  fever  of  low  type,  in  which  there  were  no  prominent  localizations.  The 
ordinary  remedies  (calomel  in  small  and  repeated  doses,  among  others)  had  been  used  in  these 
cases  for  ten  or  twelve  days,  without  any  beneficial  results.  The  patients  daily  became  more 
prostrated — complaining  of  nothing  but  restlessness  and  general  debility.  The  skin  was  at 
the  same  time  hot,  the  tongue  dry,  and  the  pulse  small  and  rapid  ;  tlie  evacuations  from  the 
bowels  of  unhealthy  character,  but  not  fre(|uent.  In  three  or  four  days  after  the  use  of  (|uiuine, 
calomel,  and  Dover's  powder,  and  of  other  simple  means,  their  systems  were  affected  by  the 
mercury,  the  fever  yielded,  and  they  recovered  after  a  protracted  convalescence.  Similar  re- 
marks will  apply  to  some  cases  of  typhoid  dysentery  which  I  witnessed.  In  these  cases,  I  am 
convinced  that  the  quinine  contributed  largely  to  the  happy  issue,  by  causing  the  mercury  to  be 
absorbed,  or,  by  its  action  on  the  nervous  centres,  putting  the  syf  '"  a  condition  to  be  ope- 
rated upon  by  the  mercuiy.  Explain  the  fact  as  you  will ;  it  mil.  .,„;f,i,^f.  ;.orgotten  that  mer- 
cury and  other  means  had  had  a  fair  trial,  previous  to  the  use  of  quinine,  without  any  beneficial 
impression  having  been  made  on  the  disease. 

In  the  above  remarks,  hastily  thrown  together,  I  have  not,  of  course,  attempted  to  point  out 
the  range  of  practice  applicable  to  the  diseases  of  which  I  have  spoken,  but  have  endeavored  to 
confine  myself  to  the  therapeutical  application  of  quinine  in  their  treatment.  Throughout,  I 
have  presumed  tiie  general  principles  of  the  treatment  of  fever  known,  and  left  it  to  be  in- 
ferred that  they  were  kept  in  view  previous  to  or  during  the  use  of  this  medicine.  My  ideas 
of  its  elficacy  in  the  treatment  of  fever  are,  in  a  great  measure,  based  upon  what  I  saw  of  the 
disease  in  Florida ;  but  in  some  degree,  also,  on  the  testimony  of  different  medical  men  who 
have  practised  in  malarious  regions  tliroughout  the  country.  I  am  not  unaware  of  the  great 
changes  impressed  on  disease  by  diff'erent  climates  and  the  varying  constitutions  of  the  atmo- 
spliere;  that  the  cfticacy  of  quinine  in  the  treatment  of  Florida  fevers  during  1840,  1841,  and 
1842,  may  have  been  owing  to  a  peculiar  constitution  of  the  air,  which,  by  changing,  would 
render  it  valueless,  and  that  consequently  a  more  extended  experience  in  different  climes  and 
seasons  may  change  my  opinion  of  the  value  of  this  agent.  Be  it  so.  For  the  present,  I 
must  trust  to  conclusions  drawn  from  such  clinical  experience  as  I  have  had.  These  conclu- 
sions, together  with  the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  drawn,  I  have  given  in  honesty, 
and  leave  it  to  others  to  judge  of  the  value  to  be  attached  to  them. 

6th.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  give  any  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  modus  operandi  of  quinine. 


Oy    QUININE   IN   LARGE    DOSES.  687 

The  term  tonic,  sedative,  or  stimulant,  conveys  no  just  idea  of  its  action.  There  are  tonics 
stimulants,  and  sedatives,  of  ten  times  more  power  in  each  of  these  modes  of  action  than  quinine, 
and  which  yet  do  not  produce  the  peculiar  effects  which  alone  render  this  agent  valuable. 
Hence,  I  infer  that  its  powers  are  independent,  at  least  in  a  great  measure,  of  any  tonic,  stimu- 
lant, or  sedative  properties  which  it  may  possess.  Though  classed  by  writers  on  materia  medica 
among  tonics,  I  conceive  that  the  idea  of  its  action  being  merely  the  result  of  tonic  or  stimu- 
lating properties  is  particularly  unhappy,  because  it  has  prevented  its  use  in  malarious  fevers, 
where  it  would  have  been  of  great  service — and  why?  Because  fever,  it  is  reasoned,  is  a  sthenic 
disease,  and  a  tonic  or  stimulant  certainly  cannot  be  applicable  to  such  a  condition. 

Quinine  is  an  anti-periodic,  and  a  species  of  antidote  to  malarious  poison.  If  used  under 
proper  restrictions,  and  with  a  view  to  these  two  properties,  it  will  be  found,  I  apprehend,  not 
to  disappoint  expectation.  But  the  question  still  recurs:  By  what  mode  of  action  does  it  pro- 
duce these  anti-periodic  and  supposed  specific  effects?  I  answer,  by  a  powerful  impression  made 
on  the  nervous  system;  but  of  the  nature  of  this  impression  I  am  ignorant.  In  my  oiiinion,  it 
is  not  enough  to  say  that  it  is  a  tonic  or  a  stimulating  one;  for  brandy  and  ammonia,  gentian 
and  iron,  though  powerful  stimulants  and  tonics,  will  not  produce  it.  Nearly  its  whole  force 
is  expended  on  the  nervous  system,  and  it  may  or  may  not,  and  generally  does  not,  exert  a  very 
marked  influence  over  the  vascular.  It  is  true,  this  explanation  is  by  no  means  as  satisfactory 
as  could  be  desired.  But  what  solution  of  the  modus  ojyerandi  of  any  medicine  is?  Epsom  salts 
jiurges,  but  why?  Because  it  irritates  the  muscular  fibres  of  the  intestines.  But  how  does  it 
produce  this  irritation?  By  its  action  on  the  nerves  distributed  to  these  muscles.  But,  again: 
lioiv  does  it  act  on  these  nerves?  Brandy  acts  on  them,  and  irritatively,  too,  one  would  sup- 
pose; and  yet,  so  far  from  purging,  often  checks  diarrhcea.  The  Ao?t' here  is  unanswered.  The 
truth  is,  that  the  ultimate  effects  of  medicines,  like  all  ultimate  causes,  is  buried  in  obscurity; 
and  it  is  better  for  us  to  be  aware  of  our  ignorance  of  the  modus  operandi  of  quinine,  and  be 
content  to  use  it  for  the  well-known  effects  which  experience  teaches  us  it  will  produce,  than  to 
call  it  a  tonic,  stimulant,  &c.,  which,  involving  a  false  theory,  will  lead  to  an  erroneous 
practice. 

7th.  I  do  not  think  that  large  doses  of  quinine  are  more  apt  to  produce  bowel  affections  than 
small  ones ;  and,  indeed,  I  do  not  believe  that  they  will  produce  them  at  all,  if  used  with  ordinary 
precaution.  In  intermittents  complicated  with  dysentery,  I  have  known  the  discharges  ren- 
dered more  bloody  than  they  had  been,  and  inci-eased  in  frequency,  by  the  administration  of 
quinine.  But  I  have,  too,  seen  cases  of  dysentery  and  diarrhcea  in  which  the  bowels  were  so 
irritable,  that  opium  displayed  only  its  stimulating  properties,  and,  in  place  of  allaying  the  irri- 
tability, as  it  usually  does,  only  increased  it.  Now,  as  I  would  not  infer  from  this  fact  that 
opium  produces  dysentery;  so,  also,  I  would  not  conclude  that,  because  quinine  will,  at  times, 
aggravate  bowel  affections  when  they  exist,  it  will  produce  them  when  the  viscera  are  in  a  com- 
paratively healthy  condition.  Like  all  medicines,  quinine  may  be,  and  I  feel  satisfied  has  been, 
abused.  But,  from  its  action  under  these  circumstances,  it  would  be  erroneous  to  draw  conclu- 
sions against  its  judicious  use.  If  the  bowels  are  sound,  it  may,  as  an  almost  universal  rule, 
be  used,  and  used  freely,  in  large  or  small  doses,  without  deranging  them.  The  solution  of 
this  question  was  surrounded  with  no  small  difliculties  in  Florida,  and  I  can  readily  understand 
how  there  may  be  wide  and  honest  diflerences  of  opinion  on  this  subject.  On  the  one  hand, 
there  were  so  very  few  patients  who  had  escaped  agues,  and  hence  the  use  of  quinine,  that  the 
cases  of  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  were  rare  which  did  not  afford  the  opposors  of  quinine  a  hook 
to  hang  their  arguments  upon.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  so  universally  and  so  constantly  were 
our  patients  exposed  to  the  causes  which  ordinarily,  of  themselves,  produce  diarrhcea  and  dysen- 
tery— as  all  kinds  of  exposure,  indulgence  in  improper  articles  of  food,  the  debilitation  and  irri- 
tability which  a  high  temperature  induces  in  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  digestive  organs,  the 
operation  of  malaria,  &c. — that  it  was,  except  in  rare  instances,  almost  impossible  to  say  that  a 
diarrhcea  or  a  dysentery  was  caused  by  the  use  of  quinine,  and  not  by  the  causes  just  enumerated. 


688  REPORTS   ON   THE   ADMINISTRATION 

Again,  patients  should  be  under  the  physician's  observation  for  months,  to  enable  him  to  de- 
termine with  any  degree  of  certainty  the  question  at  issue.  But,  owing  to  the  frequent  changes 
of  station  of  the  medical  othcer,  and  of  the  commands  with  which  he  served,  this  could  rarely  he 
accomplished.  I  have  more  than  once  selected  a  number  of  i'ever  cases,  and  treated  them  with 
and  without  quinine,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  influence  of  this  medicine  in  causing 
diarrhoeas  and  dysenteries  ;  but  the  causes  I  have  already  enumerated  ])revented  me  from  arri- 
ving at  numerical  results.  I  can  only  give  it  as  my  general  impression,  that  quinine  may  be 
used  freely  and  in  large  doses,  if  administered  judiciously,  without  giving  rise  to  disease  of  the 
abdominal  viscera. 

But  your  circular  states,  that  since  the  practical  introduction  of  quinine  in  large  doses,  the 
statistics  of  the  Medical  Bureau  exhibit  a  much  higher  ratio  of  diseases  of  the  bowels,  &c.  The 
medical  philosopher  is,  of  course,  cautious  of  reasoning  from  the  post  hoc,  ergo  propter  hoc.  The 
coincidence  mentioned  in  the  circular  may  have  arisen  from  more  than  one  cause.  No  fact  is 
more  fully  confirmed  by  an  enlarged  observation,  than  that  disease  changes  its  type  in  a  curri- 
culum of  years,  and  expends  its  force  on  different  systems  of  organs  at  different  times.  The 
remarks  contained  in  lecture  18th  of  Graves's  Clinical  Lectures  are  peculiarly  pertinent  to  this 
subject.  May  not  a  change  in  the  constitution  of  the  air  in  Florida  have  given  rise  to  the  diar- 
rhceal  and  dysenteric  tendency  which  has  been  observable  since  1840? 

When  I  entered  Florida,  in  the  fall  of  1838,  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  were  comparatively 
rare,  and  of  easy  management;  such  continued  to  be  the  case,  as  far  as  my  observation  extended, 
until  the  summer  and  fall  of  1840.  At  this  period,  fevers  became  vastly  more  prevalent  than 
they  had  been  previously,  owing,  in  part,  to  a  succession  of  rainy  and  dry  weather,  and  in  part, 
I  suppose,  to  an  epidemic  disposition  of  the  air.  Compare,  for  example,  the  quarterly  sick- 
reports  of  Forts  Micanopy  and  King,  during  1840  and  1841,  with  the  reports  of  tlie  same  jwsts 
during  the  year  ])revious;  bearing  in  mind  that  only  cases  of  fever  occurring  at  these  posts,  and 
not  brought  to  them  from  other  localities,  should  be  taken  into  the  account.  This  comparison 
will,  I  feel  satisfied,  sustain  my  assertion.  If  we  compare  Florida  in  1840  and  1841  with  its 
condition  in  previous  years,  it  will  be  found  that  its  soil  has  been  imdergoing,  in  many  sections 
of  the  Territory  at  least,  a  process  of  drying,  to  such  a  great  extent,  that  roads  were  constantly 
seen,  in  1840  and  1841,  high  and  dry,  and  all  the  country  around  them  dry  throughout  the  year, 
which  commanders  were  compelled  to  causeway  for  miles,  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  in  order 
to  afford  a  passage  for  wagons.  Now,  all  writers  agree  that  the  evolution  of  malaria  and  pre- 
valence of  fever  are  coincident  with  this  process  of  drying;  so  that  the  fact  which  I  have  men- 
tioned may,  to  some  extent,  explain  the  increase  of  fever  in  1840  and  1841.  Now  we  know 
how  intimately  the  cause  of  malarious  fevers  is  connected  with  the  production  of  diarrhoea  and 
dysentery.  Where  the  former  prevails,  the  latter  are  almost  invariably  found  to  exist.  Why, 
therefore,  should  we  be  surprised  that  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  should  have  increased  in  1840 
and  1841,  and  become  more  fatal  than  they  had  been  previously?  Why  charge  a  result  on 
quinine,  when  other  well-known  causes,  sufficiently  powerful  to  produce  it,  were  in  operation? 
Up  to  the  fall  of  1840,  as  I  have  already  said,  I  found  diarrhoeas  and  dysenteries  very  amenable 
to  treatment.  At  this  period  I  was  ordered  from  Micanopy  to  Fort  King ;  and  here,  for  the 
first  time,  I  met  with  cases  of  these  diseases  which  were  very  obstinate,  and  would  not  yield  to 
the  treatment  which  I  had  previously  employed  with  invariable  success  in  similar  cases.  Now, 
in  the  first  place,  bowel  affections  were  not  formerly  obstinate  at  Fort  King;  secondly,  the  use 
of  quinine  in  large  doses  had  not,  at  this  time,  been  introduced  into  Florida,  nor  was  it  generally 
given  in  any  other  cases  than  intermittent ;  and,  thirdly,  the  command  at  Fort  King  had  been 
under  the  care  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Moore,  who  was  then,  at  least,  and  may  be  now,  rather 
averse  to  the  use  of  quinine,  and  a  believer  in  its  noxious  influence  on  the  bowels.  Hence,  I 
infer  that  the  obstinate  bowel  affections  I  met  with  at  Fort  King  could  not  have  been  produced 
by  quinine ;  and  yet  the  increase  and  intractable  character  of  these  diseases  dated,  in  my  ex- 
perience at  least,  from  this  very  period,  and  were  cotemporaneous  with  increase  of  fever.     Now, 


OP   QUININE   IN  LARGE   DOSES.  689 

while  I  will  not  deny  that  quinine  was  often  abused  in  Florida,  during  1841,  and  that  bowel 
affections  might  (but  of  this  I  will  not  be  positive,  though  I  will  not  deny  it)  at  times  be  traced 
to  this  abuse,  yet  I  cannot  shut  my  eyes  to  the  facts,  that  malarious  fevers  and  bowel  aifections 
often  owe  their  origin  to  one  cause;  that  the  increase  of  fever  and  bowel  affections  in  1840,  &c. , 
went  pari  passu;  and,  finally,  that  diarrhoea  and  dysentery  commenced  being  more  frequent 
and  obstinate  before  quinine  was  used,  either  largely  or  in  large  doses,  in  Florida.  Nor  must  it 
be  forgotten,  that  length  of  exposure  alone  to  the  heat  of  the  south,  to  the  fatigues  undergone, 
&c.,  must  have  rendered  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bowels  more  irritable  and  obnoxious  to 
disease.  Hence,  the  longer  troops  remain  in  the  south,  within  a  period  of  four  or  five  years, 
the  more  frequent,  axteris  paribus,  may  we  expect  dysentery  to  be. 

On  the  whole,  then,  I  am  disposed  to  think  that  much  of  the  outcry  against  quinine  is  the 
result  of  preconceived  notions.  Among  the  older  physicians,  bark  and  enlargement  of  the  liver 
and  spleen  were  inseparable  companions;  so  were  dysentery,  and  organically  or  functionally 
diseased  liver;  hence  the  transition  was  easy  to  the  conclusion  that  the  use  of  quinine  would 
produce  dysentery.  This  is  a  part  of  those  doctrines  which  taught,  among  other  things,  that 
bark  is  more  efficacious  in  the  treatment  of  fever  than  quinine.  Now,  all  these  doctrines  may 
be  true,  but  I  have  yet  to  see  the  demonstration  of  their  truth. 

8th.  The  effects  of  the  climate  of  Florida  are,  an  increase  of  the  nervous  excitability,  impair- 
ment of  the  powers  of  the  digestive  organs,  and  a  general  feeling  of  feebleness,  not  inaptly  ex- 
pressed by  the  terms  enervated  or  relaxed.  Such  are  the  results  in  the  healthy  portion  of  the 
country.  When  malaria  is  added  (and  it  very  generally  is)  to  the  high  degree  of  temperature, 
malarious  fevers  in  all  their  varieties  of  intermittent,  remittent,  continued,  and  congestive, 
together  with  diarrhcea  and  dysentery,  are  induced.  Nine-tenths,  if  not  a  greater  proportion 
of  the  diseases  of  Florida,  may  be  ranged  under  one  or  other  of  these  heads. 

Liver  affections  are,  I  think,  of  rare  occurrence  in  Florida,  if  we  except  the  trifling  functional 
derangements  which  are  met  with  in  fever.  The  temperature  is  not  sufficiently  high,  and  uni- 
formly so,  to  produce  them  with  any  degree  of  frequency.  This  fact  receives  confirmation  from 
the  remarks  made  by  Johnson,  in  his  work  on  tropical  climates,  under  the  head  of  "  hepatic  affec- 
tions."* My  dissections,  too,  confirm  this  conclusion;  for  I  rarely  met  with  any  other  (to  me) 
appreciable  deviation  from  the  natural  condition  of  the  liver  than  the  fatty  degeneration  conse- 
quent upon  a  life  of  intemperance. 

From  the  fact  that  quinine  was  largely  used  in  Florida,  and  that  I  rarely  met  with  diseased 
livers,  enlarged  spleens,  or  dropsies  consequent  upon  fevers,  I  must  acquit  this  drug  of  the 
charge  often  brought  against  it,  of  inducing  these  affections.  When  they  do  exist,  1  am  more 
inclined  to  attribute  them  to  the  depleting  means  often  too  liberally  employed  (dropsies),  to  the 
continued  action  of  malaria,  and  to  repetition  of  paroxysms  of  fever,  which  should  have  been 
checked  at  once  hj  some  anti-periodic. 

If  epidemics  show  a  strong  tendency  to  fasten  upon  some  particular  organ,  physicians  evince 
an  equally  strong  one  to  follow  their  example.  Until  lately,  the  liver  has  nearly  filled  up  the 
pathological  anatomy  of  some  physicians  of  our  country,  and  calomel  their  therapeutics.  So 
often  have  I  seen  patients  drugged  for  bile  and  liver  affections,  where  none  existed;  so  very 
rarely  have  I  seen  unequivocally  diseased  livers  in  dead  bodies,  that  I  look  with  suspicion  on 
those  cases  so  often  spoken  of  under  the  vague  terms  of  hepatic  derangements  and  congested 
livers.  Nor  do  I  extend  to  them  a  greater  share  of  confidence  when  they  are  reported  in  con- 
nexion with  the  use  of  quinine,  and  said  to  exist  as  a  pretty  constant  cause  or  part  of  dysen- 
tery.f     These  notions  are  so  much  opposed  to  my  own  observation,  and  savor  so  strongly  of 

*"  See  his  comparison  between  the  coast  of  Coromamlel  iiud  the  plain.s  of  Bengal. 

f  I  might  remark  that  the  curative  influence  of  mercury  over  dysentery  (confessedly  great),  can  be  explained  on  more 
satisfactory  principles  than  by  its  action  on  the  liver.     Mercury  cures  sclerotitis  and  iritis,  but  hardly,  I  suppose,  by  acting 
on  the  liver.     I  have  opened  many  bodies  dead  of  dysentery,  but  have  seen  few  diseased  livers. 
S.  96 S7 


690  REPORTS   ON    THE    ADMINISTRATION    OF   QUININE    IN    LARGE   DOSES. 

the  theories  prevalent  some  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago,  that  I  ciiiinot  but  receive  them  witli  many 
grains  of  aHowance. 

I  oannot  pronounce  upon  the  value  of  quinine  in  the  treatment  of  enlarged  spleens,  as  I  have 
had  very  few  cases  of  this  affection  under  my  management.  I  have  not  given  it  a  fair  trial  in 
these  cases,  nor  in  neuralgic  rlieumatisius. 

To  sum  up:  I  think  tiiat  quinine  should  not  be  used  in  the  open  inflammatory  stage  of  any 
fever,  no  matter  how  long  this  stage  may  last;  that  it  is  jmrticularly  efficacious  in  the  treat- 
ment of  malarious  fevers  only,  and  when  some  intermissit)n,  or  pretty  fair  remission,  can  he 
obtained;  that  it  maybe  given  in  large  doses,  if  administered  under  proper  circumstances, 
with  as  much  impunity  as  in  small  ones;  that  it  is  generally  a  matter  of  no  consequence  in 
what  doses  it  is  administered  in  simple  intermittents  and  remittents,  provided  from  ten  to 
twenty  grains  are  given  within  a  certain  period  of  the  expected  paroxysm;  that  the  large  doses 
possess  advantages  in  some  few  cases  of  remittents  and  intermittents;  that  the  introduction  of 
quinine  in  the  treatment  of  the  remittents  of  Florida  was  a  great  improvement  on  the  old 
plan,  in  which  it  was  neglected;  that  in  congestive  fevers,  large  doses  are  of  great  importance, 
and  often  cannot  be  replaced  without  danger  by  small  ones;  that  quinine  shoidd  be  used  with 
a  view  to  its  anti-periodic  effects,  and  its  specific  influence  in  cases  of  malarious  poisoning,  and 
not  merely  as  a  tonic,  &c.;  and,  finally,  that  if  judiciously  used,  it  may  be  given  freely,  and  in 
large  doses,  without  producing  disease  of  the  abdominal  viscera. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  take  leave  to  disclaim  all  ex  parte  feeling  on  the  subjects  I  have  treated. 
Where  such  wide  differences  of  opinion  exist  as  do  on  the  questions  which  have  been  discussed, 
a  writer  must  lean  to  some  side.  I  am  very  far  from  believing  that  quinine  was  not  used  in 
Florida  without  discretion  by  its  ultra  advocates.  But  I  am  equally  convinced  that  it  was  often 
neglected  by  another  class  of  physicians,  when  it  might  have  been  used  with  advantage. 

Perhaps  it  will  be  but  proper  for  me  to  state,  that  I  am  by  no  means  so  fully  satisfied  with 
the  truth  of  the  conclusions  given  in  this  communication  as  not  to  make  me  desire  further 
opportunities  of  testing  their  truth. 

In  further  illustration  of  my  views  respecting  the  use  of  quinine,  I  will  refer  to  an  article 
contained  in  a  number  of  the  American  Journal  of  Medical  Science,  about  1841,  by  Dr.  Pether- 
bridge,  (I  think  it  is — I  have  not  a  file  of  this  journal  by  me,)  and  to  another  in  the  July  num- 
ber of  the  same  journal,  for  1843,  by  Dr.  Parry. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  BYRNE, 
Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Thomas  Lawson, 

Surgeon  General  U.  S.  Army. 


NOTE 


The  principal  objects  oftlie  Surgeon  (xeiieral  in  causing  tliis  report  to  be  prepared  were  two- 
fold :  first,  to  encourage  in  the  medical  officers  the  habit  of  observing  and  recording  facts  in 
medicine  and  the  collateral  sciences ;  and  second,  to  bring  them  into  more  direct  communion 
with  the  medical  profession  in  civil  life,  by  adding  their  contributions  to  the  general  stores  of 
knowledge. 

It  is  due  to  the  medical  staff,  as  a  body,  to  state  that  this  and  other  reports  which  have  ema- 
nated from  the  Medical  Bureau,  by  no  means  fully  represent  the  extent  of  their  contributions  to 
science.  Within  a  few  years  past,  the  medical  officers  have  been  called  upon  to  co-operate  with 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,  in  collecting  specimens  of  the  fauna  of  this  country,  and  the  Sur- 
geon General  takes  pleasure  in  being  able  to  state  that  the  museum  of  that  Institution  has  been 
materially  extended  and  enriched  by  their  voluntary  contributions.  They  have  also  been  in- 
vited to  aid  Professor  Ehrenberg  in  his  work  on  "Fluvial  Deposits,"  by  collecting  specimens 
of  mud  and  silt  from  the  banks  and  beds  of  rivers  ;  and  to  assist  Professor  Agassiz  in  obtaining 
specimens  of  fish,  particularly  from  New  Mexico,  California,  and  Oregon.  The  responses  to 
tliese  invitations  have  been  such  as  to  elicit  the  acknowledgments  and  thanks  of  those  learned 
professors. 


CONTENTS. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Keport  of  the  Secretary  of  War 3 

Letter  of  the  Surgeon  General  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  transmitting  a  copy  of  this  report 3 

Letter  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Coolidge  to  the  Surgeon  General,  respecting  the  general  plan  and  arrangement  of  the 

details  of  this  report 4 

Imtrodcction - 7 


NOKTHERN    DIVISION. 

NouTH  Atlantic  Region — Coast  of  New  England 9 

Fort  Preble - 9 

Fort  Constitution - -- 9 

Fort  Independence 9 

Fort  Adams - 10 

Fort  Trumbull 10 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  on  the  coast  of  New  England  — 10 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 11 

2.  From  fevers 12 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 13 

i.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system. 13 

NOKTH  Atlantic  Region — Neic  York  Harbor 1-t 

Fort  Columlnis.— Report  of  Surgeon  S.  G.  I.  DeCamp - 11 

Fort  Wood. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Josiah  Simpson 15 

Fort  Hamilton. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  Eaton -  16 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  New  York  Harbor - -. 18 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes. 18 

2.  From  fevers - 19 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 20 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 21 

NOBTii  Intekior  Region — East  of  the  Great  Lakes 21 

Fort  Kent. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Alexander  S.  Wotherspoon 22 

Fort  Fairfield.— Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Richard  H.  Coolidge 28 

Hancock  Barracks 29 

Hattsburg  Barracks - 30 

Watervliet  Arsenal 3" 

West  Point •*" 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  cadets  and  tj-oops  at  West  Point 30 

Tables  exliibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  ; 

1.  From  all  causes -- ^^ 

2.  From  fevers - - ^^ 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 32 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system -  —  33 


696  CONTENTS. 

Page. 
NoETU  Interior  Region — East  of  the  Great  Ixikcs : 

Diseases  occurring  amonp;  the  troops  in  tlie  Nortli  Interior  Region — East  of  the  Great  Lakes.. 33 

Table  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  siclcness  and  mortality  : 

1 .  From  allcauses - 33 

2.  From  fevers - - 34 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 35 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 35 

Reoion  of  the  Great  Lakes 36 

Madison  Barraclis.  — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  Henderson 36 

Fort  Ontario 40 

Fort  Niagara 40 

Buffalo  Barracks 40 

Detroit  Barrack s.. - 41 

Fort  Gratiot 41 

Fort  Mackinac 41 

Fort  Brady 42 

Fort  Wilkins. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  E.  Isaacs - 42 

Fort  Howard -  44 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  Region  of  the  Great  Lakes - - 45 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 45 

2.  From  fevers - .....  45 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 46 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system - 47 

North  Interior  Region —  West  of  the  Great  Lakes 47 

Fort  Winnebago. — Report  of  Surgeon  Lyman  Foot 47 

Fort  Crawford 49 

Fort  Snelling - 49 

Fort  Atkinson 49 

Fort  Dodge. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  C.  Keeney ., 50 

Fort  Ripley. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  Frazier  Head 57 

Fort  Ridgely. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Alexander  B.  Hasson 66 

Fort  Kearny 75 

Fort  Laramie - 76 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  North  Interior  Region — West  of  the  Great  Lakes 76 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 76 

2.  From  fevers "7 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 78 

4    From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 81 

Abstracts  of  the  principal  diseases  and  deaths  in  the  Northern  Division 83 

No.  1.  Abstracts  for  tlie  North  Atlantic  Region — Coast  of  New  England 84 

No.  2.   Abstracts  for  the  North  Atlantic  Region — Harbor  of  New  York 92 

No.  3.  Abstracts  for  West  Point,  New  York 100 

No.  4.  Abstracts  for  the  North  Interior  Region — East  of  the  Great  Lalces 108 

No.  5.  Abstracts  for  the  Region  of  the  Great  Lakes 116 

No.  6.  Abstracts  for  the  North  Interior  Region — ^West  of  the  Great  Lalies 124 


MIDDLE    DIVISION. 

Middle  Atlantic  Reg  ion 133 

Frankford  Arsenal - 133 

Wasliington  Arsenal 133 

Fort  Mifflin 133 

Fort  McHenry 133 

Fort  Severn 134 

Fort  Washington. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Lewis  A.  Edwards - 134 

Fort  Monroe. — Report  of  Surgeon  Henry  A.  Stinnecke 137 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  Middle  Atlantic  Region ...= 145 


CONTENTS.  697 

Page. 
Middle  Atlantic  IIegiox  : 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 145 

2.  From  fevers - -. - -  146 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 146 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system - 147 

Middle  Interior  Region — East -- --  147 

Carlisle  Barracks - -- -- - - - 147 

A'leghany  Arsenal - 148 

Newport  Barracks 148 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  at  Carlisle  Barracks  and  Alleghany  Arsenal 148 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes — - 148 

2.  From  fevers. 149 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 149 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system . - 150 

Di-eases  occurring  among  the  troops  at  Newjiort  Barracks. 150 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 151 

2.  From  fevers - - - 151 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system - 152 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 154 

Middle  Interior  Region —  West : 

Jefferson  Barracks. — Report  of  Surgeon  S.  G.  I.  DeCamp. 154 

St.  Louis  Arsenal. — Report  of  Surgeon  S.  G.  I.  DeCamp 155 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  at  Jefferson  Barracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenal 156 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 156 

2.  From  fevers.. - ^56 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 157 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 158 

Fort  Leavenworth '■•^° 

Fort  Scott. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  K.  Barnes 158 

Fort  Atkinson. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Aquila  T.  Ridgely 163 

Fort  Riley. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph  K.  Barnes 167 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  Middle  Interior  Region — West 168 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality : 

1.  From  all  causes -. - 1°° 

2.  From  fevers 168 

3.  From  discivses  of  the  organs  coimected  with  the  digestive  system --  169 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system - I'O 

Abstracts  op  the  princip.il  dtse.4.ses  and  de.^^ths  in  the  MroDLE  Division I'l 

No.   1.  Abstracts  for  the  Middle  Atlantic  Region - 1^2 

No.  2.  Abstracts  for  the  Middle  Interior  Region— East.  - -  180 

No.  3.  Abstracts  for  Newport  Barracks,  Kentucky   - '88 

No.  4.  Abstracts  for  Jefferson  Barracks  and  St.  Louis  Arsenal 192 

No.  5.  Abstracts  for  the  Middle  Interior  Region— West *00 


SOUTHERN  DIVISION. 

209 
South  Atlastic  Region 

Fort  Macon - ^®' 

Fort  Johnston 

209 
Oglethorpe  Barracks - - 

Fort  Moultrie.— Report  of  Surgeon  John  B.  Porter 209 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  South  Atlantic  Region 250 

S.  96 88 


698  CONTENTS. 

Page 
South  Atlantic  Keg  ion  : 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  Bickness  aud  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes - 250 

2.  From  fevers -- - 250 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  witli  the  digestive  system 251 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system -  251 

SouTn  Intekior  Eegion — Ao.  1 252 

Fort  JcBup. — Report  of  Surgeon  P.  H.  Craig -  252 

Baton  Kouge  Barracks. — Report  of  Surgeon  Benjamin  F.  Harney - 253 

New  Orleans  Barraclis. — Report  of  Surgeon  H.  L.  Hawkins 254 

Forts  Pike  aud  Wood 255 

Moimt  Vernon  and  Augusta  Arsenals - 256 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  South  Interior  Region — No.  1 256 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sicknees  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 256 

2.  From  fevers -- -- 257 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 260 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 2G5 

South  Interior  Region — No.  2 266 

Fort  Smith - 266 

Fort  Gibson. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  R.  H.  Coolidge - 266 

Fort  Wayne - -- 270 

FortTowson - - 270 

Fort  Washita. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  T.  C.  Madison 270 

Fort  Arbuckle. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Rodney  Glisan 272 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  the  South  Interior  Region — No.  2 277 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sicliness  and  mortality  : 

1 .  From  all  causes . 277 

2.  From  fevers 278 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 279 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 281 

Abstracts  of  the  principal  diseases  and  deaths  in  the  Southern  Division 283 

No.  1.  Abstracts  for  the  South  Atlantic  Region 284 

No.  2.  Abstracts  for  the  South  Interior— East - 292 

No.  3.   Abstracts  for  the  South  Interior— West 300 


F  L  0  K  I  D  A  . 

Thb  Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida S09 

Fort  Marion 309 

Camp,  near  New  Smyrna. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Robert  Southgate Sll 

Fort  Pierce 321 

Fort  Dallas 322 

Key  West  Barracks - 322 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida 322 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  cau,ses.. 322 

2.  From  fevers 323 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 324 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 324 

GtiLr  Coast  or  Fmiuda 324 

Barrancas  Barracks. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  John  F.  Hammond 325 

Fort  Brooke - 329 

Fort  Meade. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Jonathan  Letherman 330 

Fort  Myers - 334 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  on  the  Gulf  Coast  of  Florida 334 


CONTENTS.  699 

rage. 
Guip  Coast  of  Florida  : 

Tables  cxiiibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  eauses 334 

2.  From  fevers 334 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 337 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 338 

AeSTBACTS   of  the   PKDiCIPAL  mSEASES    AND    DEATIIS   IX    FlOKIDA -  539 

No.  1.  Abstracts  for  the  Atlantic  Coast  of  Florida 340 

No.  2.  Abstracts  for  the  Gulf  Coast  of  Florida - - 344 


TEXAS. 

SODTHEEN  FeOKTIEK 349 

Corpus  Christi _ 349 

Fort  Ewell. — Eeport  of  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  Frazier  Head 349 

Fort  Merrill. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Israel  Moses 352 

Fort  Brown. — Report  of  Surgeon  S.  P.  Moore 353 

Ringgold  Barracks. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeoi  Israel  Moses 357 

Fort  Mcintosh. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Glover  Perin 360 

Fort  Duncan 364 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  on  the  Southern  Frontier  of  Texas 364 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 364 

2.  From  fevers.. 365 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 366 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system. „ 369 

Westebn  Frontier - 369 

Fort  Graham - - 370 

Fort  Gates 370 

Fort  Croghan 370 

Austin 370 

San  Antonio - 370 

Forts  Mason,  Martin  Scott,  Lincoln,  Inge,  and  Clark. 371 

Fort  Davis 371 

Fort  Belknap. — Eeport  of  Assistant  Surgeon  E.  J.  Baily 371 

Fort  Worth. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  H.  Williams 373 

Post  on  Clear  Fork  of  Brazos  river. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Alexander  B.  Hasson 375 

Camp  J.  E.  Johnston. — Report  of  Assistant  Smgcon  Ebenezer  Swift 378 

Fort  McKavett. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  S.  Wylie  Crawford - -- 386 

Fort  Terrett. — Eeport  of  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  W.  Anderson 393 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  on  the  Western  Frontier  of  Texas 397 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1 .  From  all  causes 397 

2 .  From  fevers 397 

3.  F'rom  di.seases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 398 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 401 

Abstracts  of  tue  PRiNcirAi.  diseases  and  deaths  in  Texas 403 

No.  1.  Abstracts  for  the  Southern  Frontier  of  Texas.. 404 

No.  2.  Abstracts  for  the  Western  Frontier  of  Texas 408 


NEW    MEXICO. 

Fort  Massachusetts,  Cantonment  Burgwin,  Taos,  Abiquiu,  and  Fort  Union 413 

Santa  Fe,  Las  Vegas,  Cebolleta,  Laguna,  Albuquerque,  and  Fort  Craig 413 

Fort  Thorn,  Fort  Webster,  Dona  Ana,  Fort  Fillmore,  and  Fort  Bliss 414 

Fort  Conrad. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  E.  P.  Langworthy .  414 

Socorro. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  F.  Hammond 419 


700  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Fort  Defiance. ^Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  J.  H.  White 425 

Diseases  oocmrinj;  among  the  troops  in  New  Jlexico 427 

Tables  exhibiting  tlie  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  rroni  :ill  causes. 427 

2.  From  fevers.. 428 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system - 428 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 429 

Abstracts  of  the  principal  diseases  and  deaths  in  New  Mexico 431 


CALIFORNIA. 

SoirrHERN  Division 437 

Fort  Yuma 437 

San  Diego. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  John  E.  Summers. 438 

San  Luis  Rey,  Rancho  del  Chino,  and  Rancho  de  Jurupa 439 

Monterey. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  W.  S.  King 439 

Fort  Miller 445 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  In  Southern  California 446 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 446 

2.  From  fevers 446 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 447 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 447 

NoBTHERX  Division 447 

Presidio  of  San  Francisco  and  Sonoma 447 

Benicia  Barracks. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  John  S.  Griffin _ 448 

Camp  Far  West 449 

Fort  Reading. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  John  F.  Hammond 449 

Fort  Jones. 452 

Fort  Humboldt 452 

Disea.ses  occurring  among  the  troops  in  Northern  California., 452 

Tables  exhiliiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1 .  From  all  causes 452 

2.  From  fevers 453 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 453 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 458 

AnentAcrs  of  the  prixcip.\l  dlse.^ses  and  deaths  i.v  California  . 459 

No.  1.   Abstracts  for  Southern  California 460 

No.  2.  Abstracts  for  Northern  California 464 


OEEGON  AND  WASHINGTON  TERRITORIES. 

Fort  Vancouver 469 

Astoria. — Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Israel  Moses 469 

Fort  Dalles _ 477 

Cantonment  Loring 478 

Fort  Steilacoom.     Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  M.  Haden 478 

Diseases  occurring  among  the  troops  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Territories 481 

Tables  exhibiting  the  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  : 

1.  From  all  causes 481 

2.  From  fevers •. 481 

3.  From  diseases  of  the  organs  connected  with  the  digestive  system 482 

4.  From  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system 482 

Abstracts  of  the  principal  diseases  and  deaths  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Territories 4S3 


CONTENTS.  701 

ABSTEACTS,    TABLES,    ETC. 

Page. 

Consolidated  abstract  of  the  principal  diseases  and  deaths  occurring  in  the  army  of  tlie  United  States 488 

Consolidated  table  exhibiting  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  for  each  region 494 

Consolidated  table  exhibiiing  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  each  region,  from  fevers..  494 
Consolidated  table  exhibiting  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  each  region,  from  diseases 

of  the  digestive  system 495 

Consolidited  taljle  exhibiting  the  amount  and  annual  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  each  region,  from  diseases 

of  the  respiratory  system 495 

Consolidated  table  exhibiting  the  amount  and  ratio  of  sickness  and  mortality  in  the  several  regions,  from  phthisis 

pulmonalls 496 

Bemarks  on  consumption 497 


METEOROLOGY. 


List  of  the  military  posts,  with  their  geographical  positions 498 

Consolidated  tables  and  summaries.  — Temperature  series -. 509 

Series  of  monthly  and  annual  measurements  of  rain. 560 

Summaries  of  observations  on  winds  and  weather 591 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO. 

Introductory  remarks 605 

Abstract  (No.  1)  exhibiting,  by  regiments,  the  statistics  of  commissioned  officers  serving  in  the  army  of  the 

United  States  during  the  war  with  Mexico 607 

Abstract  (No.  2)  exhibiting,  by  regiments,  the  statistics  of  enlisted  men  serving  in  the  army  of  the  United  States 

during  the  war  with  Mexico 608 

Table  exhibiting  the  aggregate  number  of  regulars  and  volunteers  employed  during  the  war,  with  their  .iverage 

duration  of  service,  and  the  casualties  incident  to  each  description  of  forces 610 

Eeturn  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  died  of  wounds,  of  the  regular  army,  in  the  several  conflicts  with  Mexican 

troops  in  1846 611 

Kecapitulation  of  loss  in  battle  of  the  regular  army  in  the  campaign  of  1846 612 

Eeturn  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  died  of  wounds,  of  the  regular  army,  in  the  several  conflicts  with  Mexican 

troops  in  1847 - - 613 

Loss  (regular  army)  in  incidental  affairs  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  in  1847 615 

Kecapitulation  of  loss  in  battle  of  the  regular  army,  in  the  campaign  of  1847 616 

General  return  of  the  number  of  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  artificers,  and  pri- 
vates, of  volunteers  killed  and  wounded,  or  died  of  wounds,  in  the  several  conflicts  with  the  Mexican  troops, 

in  the  year  1846 617 

General  return  of  the  number  of  commissioned  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  artificers,  and  pri- 
vates, of  volunteers  killed  and  wounded,  or  died  of  wounds,  in  the  several  conflicts  with  the  Mexican  troops, 

in  the  year  1847.. 618 

Loss  (volunteers)  in  incidental  affairs  and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  in  1847 619 

Recapitulation  of  loss  in  battle  ol  the  volunteer  forces  in  the  campaign  of  1847 621 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  RECRUITING  SERVICE. 

Organization  of  the  army  of  the  United  States 625 

Table  of  recruits  enlisted  from  1849  to  1854 625 

Table  of  recruits  enlisted  and  rejected  in  1852,  with  the  causes  of  rejection - - 626 

Table  showing  the  nativity  of  5  UOO  recruits  enlisted  in  1850  and  1851 627 

Table  showing  the  nativity  of  5,000  recruits  enlisted  in  1847  (war) 628 

Table  showing  the  nationality  of  10,000  recruits,  with  the  numbers  passed  and  rejected,  respectively 628 

Table  showing  the  causes  of  rejection  in  the  cases  of  5,000  rejected  recruits,  native  and  foreign,  arranged  in  classes 

of  1,000  for  each  nation - 629 

Table  showing  the  occupations  of  8,000  recruits,  arranged  in  classes  of  1,000  each,  v/ith  the  numbers,  respectively, 

passed  and  rejected 630 


702  CONTENTS. 

Page, 

Table  showing  the  causes  of  rejection  in  each  trade  or  occupation C31 

Table  showing  the  occupations  anil  professions  from  wliicli  recruits  are  obtained,  arranged  in  three  classes  (Ameri- 
can, Britisli,  and  Europeans)  of  1,000  each 631 

Table  showing  the  average  age  of  recruits,  native  and  foreign 632 

Table  showing  the  comparative  physical  development  of  native  and  foreign  recruits 632 

Table  giving  a  minute  physical  description  of  1,800  American  recruits,  100  from  each  State  represented 633 

Table  showing,  in  8,000  civscs,  the  final  disposition  of  the  recruit,  so  far  as  the  military  service  is  concerned 633 


APPENDIX. 

Remarks  on  the  Florida  war 637 

Eemarks  respecting  tlie  introduction  into  the  army  of  the  practice  of  giving  quinine  in  large  doses C37 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  McCormick,  on  the  administration  of  quinine  in  large  doses 638 

Surgeon  General's  Circular  of  August  14,  1843,  in  regard  to  the  practice  of  administering  "  quinine  in  very  large 

doses" - 644 

Beports  in  reply  to  the  Surgeon  General's  Circular. 

Report  of  Surgeon  Benjamin  F.  Harney 645 

Report  of  Surgeon  Richard  S.  Satterlee 646 

Report  of  Surgeon  Kobert  C.  Wood _ 647 

Report  of  Surgeon  Burton  Randall 649 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  (Surgeon)  J.  J.  B.  Wright. _ 649 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  (Surgeon)  Bernard  M.  Byrne 656 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  (Surgeon)  Charles  McCormick- - 660 

Report  of  Assistant  Sm-geon  Joseph  H.  Bailey - -- 669 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  David  C.  De  Leon - 672 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  C.  Madiscn 677 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Richard  F.  Simpson 678 

Report  of  Assistant  Surgeon  John  Byrne  --. 682 


REPORTS,  AND  EXTRACTS  FROM  REPORTS,  ON  SPECIAL  DISEASES. 
Cholera  Asiatica. 

Surgeon  S.  G.  I.  DeCamp — Fort  Columbus _ 20 

Assistant  Surgeon  Edward  W.  Johns — Fort  Columbus 20 

Surgeon  John  M.  Cuyler — West  Point 32 

Surgeon  Charles  S.  TYipler — Detroit  Barracks , 46 

Assistant  Surgeon  R.  F.  Simpson — Fort  Howard 46 

Assistant  Surgeon  William  Hammond,  jr. — Fort  Kearny 78 

Surgeon  S.  P.  Moore — Fort  Laramie 79 

Assistant  Surgeon  G.  K.  Wood — Fort  Laramie 80 

Surgeon  Henry  A.  Stinnecke — Fort  Monroe 14,1 

Surgeons.  G.  I.  DeCamp — (.'arlisle  Barracks 150 

Surgeon  C.  Finley — Newport  Barracks 152 

Assistant  Surgeon  B.  M.  Byrne — Newport  Barracks 153 

Surgeon  W.  V.  Wheaton — Jefferson  Barracks 157 

Surgeon  Charles  McDougall — Fort   Leavenworth 169 

Assistant  Surgeim  Charles  McCormick — New  Orleans 261 

Assistant  Surgeon  J.  U.  Bailey — Fort  Smith 279 

Surgeon  J.  B.  Wells — Fort  Gibson 280 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  N.  Spring — Fort  Smith 280 

Assistant  Surgeon  E.  H.  Abadie — Fort  Polk 366 

Surgeon  N.  S.  Jarvis — Fort  Brown 367 

Assistant  Surgeon  N.  L.  Campbell — Ringgold  Barracks -. 368 

Surgeon  Madison  Mills — 8th  regiment  infantry,  Texas 398 

Surgeon  J.  J.  B.  Wright — San  Antonio,  Texas 399 

Assistant  Surgeon  L    II.  Stone — Camp  Salado,  Texas 399 

Surgeon  Charles  S.  Tripler — 4  thin fant ry 454 


CONTENTS.  703 

Page. 

Febris  Typhus  Iclerodes. 

Surgeon  John  B.  Porter — Fort  Moultrie 209 

Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  A.  McParlin — East  Panca^'oula,  Mississippi 257 

Surgeon  John  B.  Porter — Fort  Marion 310 

Assistant  Surgeon  Eichard  F.  Simpson — Key  West  BarracliS  ... 323 

Assistant  Surgeon  John  F.  Hammond — Barrancas  Barraclis 325 

Surgeon  Samuel  P.  Moore — Fort  Brown 353 

Catarrhvs  Epidemicus. 
Pages 10,  11,  21,  33,  3S,  47,81,  147,  loO,  158,  170,  251,  2C5,  429 

Bcwhutus. 
Pages 82,  360,  361,  369,  401,  429,  445 


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